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Title: Movie-Theater Owner Tries to Justify $4 Fountain Sodas
Source:
Time Business & Money
URL Source: http://business.time.com/2012/03/19 ... g-too-much-for-fountain-sodas/
Published: Mar 19, 2012
Author: Brad Tuttle
Post Date: 2013-10-05 20:57:02 by X-15
Keywords: None
Views: 186
Comments: 12
It’s been estimated that movie theaters make an 85% profit at the concessions stand on overpriced soda, candy, nachos, hot dogs and, of course, popcorn. Movie-theater popcorn has been called one of America’s biggest rip-offs, with a retail price of nine times what it costs to make. Now, after a Michigan man sued a movie theater for overcharging customers on snacks, one theater owner is speaking up in defense of charging $8 for a Coke and a box of Goobers. Joshua Thompson, who filed a lawsuit against the AMC theater in Livonia, Mich., used to bring his own snacks to the theater. Once he got word that the theater, like so many others, bans outside food and beverages, Thompson went to the theater on the day after Christmas empty-handed. Then, apparently, his belly began rumbling. He approached the concessions stand and asked for a package of Goobers and a Coke. The total came to $8, or nearly three times what he could have paid for the same items at nearby stores. Thompson didn’t walk away in disgust. Instead, he paid for the goods, and then later found a lawyer willing to help him sue. Per the Detroit Free Press: “He got tired of being taken advantage of,” said Thompson’s lawyer, Kerry Morgan of Wyandotte. “It’s hard to justify prices that are three and four times higher than anywhere else.” will also be hard to justify, let alone win, a lawsuit like this. In any event, every moviegoer can sympathize with the idea that theater concessions are a rip-off. Everyone, perhaps, except for a theater owner, that is. In light of the suit, theater owner Jon Goldstein was brave enough to make the case to the Free Press that concessions aren’t a rip-off. Here’s part of the rambling explanation: “The life of a popcorn seed would actually be very interesting, from getting popped to putting into a bucket, to where it ends up at the end of the day, whether it’s in someone’s stomach or smushed into the seats or the floors of the theater,” said Goldstein. “If people would spill that popcorn in the living room as they do in the movie theater, I think they would understand the labor costs that go into running a concession stand in a busy movie theater.” The majority of the price charged for a movie ticket, Goldstein explains, goes to the studios and distribution companies, not the theater. Theaters, it’s been said, are really in the popcorn and candy business. The showing of films is just an excuse to gather a crowd and try to sell them buttery snacks and sugary drinks. Don’t blame theater owners and managers, Goldstein says. They’re just trying to put on a nice show for customers. Goldstein philosophizes: “If you treat your customers like they are not smart, then they are going to do things that are not smart, but if you treat customers with respect and with honesty, then you usually get that in return as well.” So, um, is it smart to ask customers to pay $8 for something that costs less than $3 a short walk away? I suppose it is, so long as your customers are stupid enough to agree to pay up. Poster Comment: Embedded links at source.
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#1. To: X-15 (#0)
I used to drive down U.S. Route 30 in Indiana. You could see the Orville Reddenbacher popcorn fields. It was kind of neat. I always liked making popcorn the old-fashion way, on the stove top. ;) "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
Too stupid to link. I've not been to a walk-in since they banned smoking in the balcony. Don't miss it a bit. “The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
I seriously doubt they would allow a customer to leave the theater and go down the street for refreshments. ;) "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
corruptissima re publica plurimae leges - Tacitus
It’s been estimated that movie theaters make an 85% profit at the concessions stand on overpriced soda, candy, nachos, hot dogs and, of course, popcorn. Movie-theater popcorn has been called one of America’s biggest rip-offs, with a retail price of nine times what it costs to make. Now, after a Michigan man sued a movie theater for overcharging customers on snacks, one theater owner is speaking up in defense of charging $8 for a Coke and a box of Goobers.
#2. To: X-15 (#0)
#3. To: X-15 (#0)
So, um, is it smart to ask customers to pay $8 for something that costs less than $3 a short walk away? I suppose it is, so long as your customers are stupid enough to agree to pay up.
#4. To: BTP Holdings (#1)
I used to drive down U.S. Route 30 in Indiana. You could see the Orville Reddenbacher popcorn fields. It was kind of neat. I always liked making popcorn the old-fashion way, on the stove top. ;)
#5. To: Dakmar (#4)
-Alex Kurtagic
#6. To: X-15 (#0)
This has actually been going on for decades. The simple fact is that ticket sales alone are not enough to sustain movie houses, especially in this age when people can avoid high ticket prices by staying home and waiting for the same movie to appear on cable. Movie theatres have had to sustain themselves by offering high- priced amenities such as (expensive) popcorn and candy, and enforcing rules to keep people from bringing in their own drinks and snacks.
#7. To: X-15 (#0)
Dude needs to overcome and adapt. Save some money and smuggle your goods. It's cheaper and even adds a little excitement to your life.
Support bacteria.
(The world needs more culture)
#8. To: X-15 (#5)
Sweet, I knew Jesus was calling me to reign death upon the complacent masses!
Soda Pop was invented for a reason!
corruptissima re publica plurimae leges - Tacitus
#9. To: X-15 (#0)
At a close nearby theater I've been to they charge $8.00 per adult, and the popcorn for a small size is $7.00 and for a small drink (16 ounce fountain drink) they charge $4.00. So whenever I go to see a movie, I go to the cities where its cheaper cause theres competition for their business with other theaters. I believe in free enterprise system. I absolutely despise business monopolies that run other competition out thus giving the business the advantage to overcharging customers. I buy my clothes online and even other shopping. I don't believe in supporting local communities that literally run out new business competitors and producers. There are laws against this but some towns do not believe in regulating business concerning price floors and ceilings.
#10. To: Lod (#2)
When I was a kid they smoked in the balcony and the main. They also smoked in McDonalds. It never bothered me/ I've not been to a walk-in since they banned smoking in the balcony
"Have Brain, Will Travel
#11. To: X-15, 4 (#0)
Movies? www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfKEFaW5WFQ
#12. To: Jethro Tull (#11) (Edited)
LOL!! The Bigman got butthurt about his movie theater experience!!
-Alex Kurtagic
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