• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Michigan Man, Sues Movie Theater Over Expensive Snacks

P

Pardus

Diamond Member
Movie ticket, soda pop and candy will cost $20/each these days, rather stay home.

Article • Video

It would appear Joshua Thompson has bought his last box of overpriced Goobers.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Livonia, Mich., resident is suing his local AMC theater "in hopes of forcing theaters statewide to dial down snack prices."

The class-action lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, according to WJBK.

Thompson reached the decision sometime after he purchased a Coke and a box of Goobers for $8, according to the Free Press, which also notes that the lawsuit seeks refunds for allegedly gouged customers and a civil penalty against the theater chain.

Typically, movie theaters make around a quarter of their entire operating revenue from concession sales, Smart Money previously reported.

Seeking to defend theaters' right to charge what they want for snacks, a representative from the National Association of Theater Owners told Smart Money that it's "not a requirement" to buy popcorn when you go to the movies and that "people who want concessions can order them or not."
Click to expand...
 
So they dial down snack prices.... enjoy the $25 ticket. Anyway do like most people... wear jackets with big pockets filled with candy.
 
Instead of suing to lower prices, he could, I dunno, not buy them? Start a boycott? The prices are based on what people are willing to pay...
 
Concession sales is about the only way theaters make any money.

Sony pictures gets around 90% of the ticket sales. This leaves a tiny 10% of the ticket sales for the theater. How is a company supposed to make a profit on a 10% profit margin? They would have to sale thousands of tickets to make any money. That is why theaters in small towns may not carry movies from sony.

Who should we blame for high concession sales? Blame the movie companies an not the theater. If the theaters had a wider profit margin, concession prices might go down.
 
What is he suing for? He entered into a voluntary exchange of goods and now has buyers remorse. Good luck. I hope the judge slaps him with AMCs legal fee's for wasting their time.
 
I'd rather spend the money I'd spend on movie tickets and concessions on my home theater system. No real desire to sit in a crowded theater trying to ignore other people talking while watching a movie I can't pause if I have to go to the bathroom.
 
This is echoes the piracy stuff. Why do things cost so much? Because people bring their own from home? Why do they do that? Because prices are so high. Why don't they lower prices? Because people bring their own from home.

I think suing them is stupid, although concessions (not just at movie theaters) has gotten pretty fucked up. I know some people argue that its just free market, but that's definitely not true as most venues specifically lock out any competition and don't allow you to bring any of your own with you. Now that's fine for totally privately funded places, but take sports stadiums or concerts in venues paid for by public money? Its not cut and dry.

rudder said:
So they dial down snack prices.... enjoy the $25 ticket. Anyway do like most people... wear jackets with big pockets filled with candy.
Click to expand...

What if you're already paying a $25 ticket? :colbert:
 
Good for him. Fucking theaters are just too god damned ridiculous on their pricing. And for those that say bring your own snacks, a lot of people do ( I did when I used to go to theaters) but considering that you have to sneak the stuff in, it's not a viable solution sometimes. Winters are ok cause I have a bulky jacket but summer times, it's more difficult.
 
Don't mean to turn this into a P&N thread but it's funny how all the common sense replies regarding this douche apply equally to the nationalized health care debate. The situation is totally analogous. 🙂
 
I always hit the dollar store for $1 boxes of candy and pop, then my wife takes her big purse and loads up.

I always get popcorn at the theater though. Something about the way they make it can't be beat.
 
Texashiker said:
Concession sales is about the only way theaters make any money.

Sony pictures gets around 90% of the ticket sales. This leaves a tiny 10% of the ticket sales for the theater. How is a company supposed to make a profit on a 10% profit margin? They would have to sale thousands of tickets to make any money. That is why theaters in small towns may not carry movies from sony.

Who should we blame for high concession sales? Blame the movie companies an not the theater. If the theaters had a wider profit margin, concession prices might go down.
Click to expand...

And yet the movie studios are constantly whining about declining box office?

:whiste:
Typically, movie theaters make around a quarter of their entire operating revenue from concession sales, Smart Money previously reported.
Click to expand...

In short, the whole thing is fucked, but its because consumers are just assholes who pirate movies and bring in outside food, they're clearly the ones to blame. Them going to less movies couldn't possibly be because of the bloated prices, and them not buying concessions isn't at all because they already spent it on the ticket or the ridiculous prices on the concessions.
 
Fritzo said:
I always hit the dollar store for $1 boxes of candy and pop, then my wife takes her big purse and loads up.

I always get popcorn at the theater though. Something about the way they make it can't be beat.
Click to expand...

Coconut oil. The type of oil used makes a big difference. We use Canola at home, love it.
 
Texashiker said:
Concession sales is about the only way theaters make any money.

Sony pictures gets around 90% of the ticket sales. This leaves a tiny 10% of the ticket sales for the theater. How is a company supposed to make a profit on a 10% profit margin? They would have to sale thousands of tickets to make any money. That is why theaters in small towns may not carry movies from sony.

Who should we blame for high concession sales? Blame the movie companies an not the theater. If the theaters had a wider profit margin, concession prices might go down.
Click to expand...

When I go to the drive-in theater in the summer, I get to see two movies for $5. It's always a new release (just opened that weekend) plus a movie that's been out for less than a month. I can get a large pizza for $8. I can get enough french fries (the best in the area) to feed a family of 4 for just a couple dollars. I can get enough popcorn to feed an army for $3. (Their drinks are expensive though - they only have 20oz bottles, and they're the same price ($1.50) as they are in vending machines in the area.)

How does THAT theater manage to stay open, let alone not lose a ton of money, if what you posted is the truth.
 
child of wonder said:
I'd rather spend the money I'd spend on movie tickets and concessions on my home theater system. No real desire to sit in a crowded theater trying to ignore other people talking while watching a movie I can't pause if I have to go to the bathroom.
Click to expand...

I have an excellent home theater system. 60" TV, state of the art Onkyo receiver, 7.1 surround speakers including a 500 W sub.
It's good but does not beat the theater experience.
 
good luck with that, it's the only profit that the theaters see.

better just to not go the theater if one is that offended.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top