Stores jumping ship on DVD?

[The_Iceflash]

I was at my local Barnes and Noble today (my first time there in about a month) and to my surprise their DVD inventory dropped drastically. (They did had a buy one get one free in January though). They even have a large Blu-Ray sign above the DVD/Blu-ray area but no DVD sign. If they are doing what I think they are doing then they are definitely being too hopeful. I was in the section for about 20+ minutes looking and then in line and I didn't see a single person during the duration of my stay look at any Blu-Ray titles. Everyone I saw was looking at CDs and DVDs. (I made sure to take notice after walking into this.)

Are there any stores near you jumping ship on DVD prematurely? Do you think they should be jumping ship at all? I know the Blu-Ray fanboys are probably thrilled by this but it's not good for the large majority of movie purchasers. Especially with Blu-Ray sales totaling a very small percentage of all movie sales.

[Disney's Divinity]

I personally think they're being too hopeful, though that's just me. The only blu-ray titles I look at are the ones with DVD versions of their films as a bonus because I'd like to have a Blu-ray version, but won't be getting a player for a long time. With the economy being what it is, going high-def is the last thing on most people's minds.

Anyway, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Blu-ray players play DVDs as well? I hope they do, because there's no way I'm completely re-starting a collection after already having the VHS and DVD versions of my favorite movies.

[DarthPrime]

With the economy being what it is, going high-def is the last thing on most people's minds.

This is what I'm thinking as well. I know Blu-ray is selling, but every time I go to Wal-Mart/Best Buy/etc... everyone is browsing the DVD section and no one is in the Blu-ray section. I know 2 people with Blu-ray players (both PS3s). They buy the occasional disc, but mostly rent though Blockbuster/Netflix.

Its not just Blu-ray, but I've seen/heard a lot of people cutting down on a lot of things. Mostly TV packages from cable/satellite. The rates keep going up, and people keep going to lower cost packages or dumping everything for over the air and streaming online.

[The_Iceflash]

At least it's not just me noticing these things.

I think the economy is playing a factor. It remains to be seen whether it is short term or long-term.

[dvdjunkie]

Since my daughter manages a Barnes and Noble I thought I would tell you that it is a corporate decision, not an individual store decision to cut back on DVD's. The market is flooded with stores like Target, K-Mart, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and many others who offer huge selections of standard DVD's and at a lower price that most B&N. It was decided that they should try to carry the premium titles in Blu-Ray and not try to compete for the DVD business anymore. They will be carrying 'Budget' titles and special sales DVD's but will be phasing out their selection of standard DVD's as the months go by.

Better prices can be found at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, K-Mart and lots of other specialty stores. So just start looking and saving money at those stores.

By the way the two highest price stores in the retail market today besides Barnes & Noble are Border's Books and FYE. So if you want to save money, avoid these stores like the plague they are.

[Disney's Divinity]

By the way the two highest price stores in the retail market today besides Barnes & Noble are Border's Books and FYE. So if you want to save money, avoid these stores like the plague they are.

And they are indeed the plague. I've found the same book found at B&N for $70 at another store for $30. And it was new, not a used copy. Yeah, I hate B&N.

[The_Iceflash]

By the way the two highest price stores in the retail market today besides Barnes & Noble are Border's Books and FYE. So if you want to save money, avoid these stores like the plague they are.

And they are indeed the plague. I've found the same book found at B&N for $70 at another store for $30. And it was new, not a used copy. Yeah, I hate B&N.

Disney DVDs are $29.99 while they are $19.99 everywhere else. (Except for Borders, etc)

They even try to be slick and make the $29.99 buy two get one free. I can get three at the $19.99 price for the same total. On top of that, they take the slipcovers off of them.

[Just Myself]

On new titles, I'd say F.Y.E. is the cheapest for Blu-ray in-store. Often, their new Blu-ray titles are the same price there that they are online at Amazon.com and such. Otherwise, yeah, they're stuff is too expensive.

Cheers,
JM