Why are the Trek movies so expensive?

[BeanBandit]

This may just be a Canadian thing but...
I had a sudden craving to buy a DVD today and at almost the same time, my friend and I both had a craving to watch Star Trek VI. So I went out hunting for it at the used stores first, but I didn't find it, so I hit up HMV and it was selling for $45 CAN, which is obscene for a barebones disc. All the other Trek movies were about the same price. Is there some reason that goes higher up (i.e. something with the MSRP) or is HMV just trying to bleed me? Cause I can't find this disc anywhere else.

(The sad end to this story is that we had to rent it on, *GASP*, VHS. At least we got the widescreen version)

[Highlander25]

1) HMV tends to be more expensive for discs, especially when you have to hit the bins (at least my experience).

2) It's a Paramount disc, and those are usually more costly than the average disc

3) Future Shop has it for $35, which is still a little high, especially since Paramound will be replacing all the Star Trek's shortly will spiffy SE's.

4) You might have tried renting the DVD at Blockbuster. My local one carries all the Star Trek movies along with the original series on DVD. Although it's probably a toss up between a chewed up VHS widescreen tape and a scratched DVD!

[OneofRyan]

That's an insane price, but I agree. Paramount really overprices their movies on DVD. I think I picked up ST: Generations for $24 here, and it doesn't have any extras on it other than a trailer.

[retroboy]

Some of the current Trek film DVDs are also non-anamorphic--like The Undiscovered Country--and some of the transfers are less than spectacular, so hold off until the SEs are released (I sold my VHS copies of the Trek films, but every once in awhile I get a hankerin' to see the original Enterprise crew's final mission--it'll take a long time before Trek VI is released as a groovy SE).

[MARVEL]

I was in London this weekend and was wondering how the prices would be. But considering the $32 Can. = $20 US that does seem a little excessive. Maybe you should try Wal Mart maybe they would be a little cheaper. The Trek movies usuallly go for $20-$25 US at Wal Mart. I'm sure you can find one. There seem to be plenty in London.

[Wilson]

Same problem here, I've wanted First Contact since I got my player 2 years ago. The best price I've seen is $90.00 for the 3 disk set of the next gen movies. First Contact is always $35.00 or more. , I guess I'll wait for the SE.

[manigrasso]

Rent, and be patient. Don't pay those ridiculous prices when SEs are coming (eventually). Hell, you're better off renting it 3 or four times over until the SEs come out, IMHO.

[DrDetroit]

When I get hit with a sudden craving to see Star Trek VI (which, I'm not joking, happens sometimes) I get it from the ol' library. I love that place.

[BeanBandit]

Yeah, I seemed to remember a thread where we were talking about Star Trek SEs, so that was another reason I held off. If I'm going to have to pay that kind of money, at least it should have anamorphic picture and some features on it.

The tape was kinda crappy but I watched it last night. Excellent...

[BubbleGumUK]

Paramount also knows that they can charch these exsessive prices as there are a bunch of Trekkers out there who will lap any of this s**t up in droves, over and over, and over again.

Witness the re-issues of all the movies everytime the latest istallment was available on home video. Now with the "special limited edition" movies box set featuring the new ST:TMP.

Now the real 2-disc SEs are due, one by one. Then (and I'm willing to bet the farm on this one) another box set of all these, plus some stuff like the 25th and 30th Anniversary shows, then a box with the next ST movie, and so on.

Oh well, I guess we just have to buy every single one of them!

[JesseCuster]

I don't know how close to the U.S. border you are but if you can arrange it, each of the Star Trek movie DVDs can be purchased through the Columbia House DVD Club for under $10 (U.S.) shipped via their best deals.

[No6PackJoe]

Originally posted by Highlander25
1) HMV tends to be more expensive for discs, especially when you have to hit the bins (at least my experience).

That's my experience as well. I always wonder how the hell they stay in business.

[IRISH TENOR 2]

HMV must be having trouble as some the older titles like Tomb Raider and Mission Impossible have dropped to $20 CAD. I've even seen the Iron Maiden Classic Albums DVD go for $15.99.

HMV have akways been expensive and will probably fail like Sam The Record Man:flush: :barf:

[BeanBandit]

Originally posted by IRISH TENOR 2
HMV have akways been expensive and will probably fail like Sam The Record Man:flush: :barf:

Sam's fell cause of HMV. Now it's almost a monopoly, with both Sam's and Tower Records gone, HMV is king, with Sunrise and Music World as minor players. Now they can drive their prices up even higher if they want to. In any case, I've decided to buy all my DVDs used from now on.

[The Flash]

I'd have to say that he best prices for DVDs are at Futureshop and Walmart here in Canada - HMV is good only when they have a sale - for example you can get the ST: TMP DVD for $CDN 19.99 which is a great deal...

HMV otherwise is over priced for many of the DVDs they have - Sunrise Records is the same deal - another good spot is Music World - they have some good sales too you can get Heat and Ronin for $18/19 - however, the non-sales titles are still pricey relative to Futureshop and Walmart

Rankings:

Futureshop (great prices and more variety at least in my experience)
Walmart (great prices - displays are not organized)
Music World (great bargains but new titles are ranked 3rd)
HMV (great selection - the same as Futureshop - but price is a good 20% higher on average)

[Kevin P]

Remember that HMV is an American company... therefore has the money behind it to survive. But I agree... I never buy from HMV... too expensive. Its Future Shop, Walmart or Zellers. Or buy at second hand store.

Yeah I find Paramount's titles always expensive!

Cheers

[Highlander25]

Actually HMV is a BRITISH company. Stands for 'Her Majesty's Voice' if I'm not mistaken...

[NotEd]

I thought HMV was acquired by RCA some years back? Of course I could be remembering it wrong.

I take it back. The HMV brand appears to have been reacquired from EMI and is now based in London. My bad. (Google outwits me again.)

I do believe that it stands for "His Master's Voice", though.


As for the original topic, I agree with BubbleGumUK. Paramount knows that it has a steady cash-cow with Trek Fans, so they really see no need to reduce prices on those DVDs. I guess that makes up the difference on non-Trek discs they don't sell, since the majority of their DVDs are bare-bones and overpriced. Speak with your almighty dollar (pound, yen, euro, etc) and don't buy Paramount DVDs unless they give you what you want to see.
As for when I get the urge to see ST6 (I do as well, I admit), I still have it on tape from before I got my DVD player. I used to like watching the beginning, and the battle sequence at the end (one of the best paced and shot action sequences in a Trek film, in my opinion). Even in all its Pan & Scan "glory" it'll hold me over until Paramount releases an SE of it that I can afford.