Columbia House? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

mlemmond · 08-12-2002, 05:06 PM

I'm thinking of joining the Columbia House DVD club you know 4 for 49 cents and all that. I was wondering if any of you belong to it already and what your thoughts are, is it as good as deal as it looks?

UncleFester · 08-12-2002, 05:13 PM

I don't think that they have that great of a selection. I think that they have higher prices and hefty shipping and handling charges.

I just go to Best Buy and usually get DVDs pretty cheap.

rolisme · 08-12-2002, 05:25 PM

I like them, although there selection isn't the greatest. If you don't have a lot of DVD's, then it is not too bad. They are $$$, but I think it works out in the end. You get a bunch of DVd's for low cost, then over pay on the others. Last time I joined I believe each DVD worked out to like 18 dollars. Not too bad IMO.

LBPound23 · 08-12-2002, 05:52 PM

Do it right, use a special savings code...get every DVD for an average of under $10. The catch is you have to wait until more expensive selections are available for enrollment. Nevertheless, there is no better deal out there. $10 per DVD =

They don't carry everything (Criterions, Disney animation, etc. are nowhere to be found), but they do carry a lot and it's an amazing deal if you know what you're doing and do it right.

Read this and other basic newcomer's threads in the DVD Clubs forum here:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=107726

RobN · 08-12-2002, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mlemmond
I'm thinking of joining the Columbia House DVD club you know 4 for 49 cents and all that. I was wondering if any of you belong to it already and what your thoughts are, is it as good as deal as it looks?

It's a pretty good deal, IF you know what you want and get the most expensive disks as your "free" (49 cent) disks. Then buy cheap ($20 MSRP) disks to fulfill your minimum order.

Once you're a member, order off their web site -- if you check regularly, you'll discover they have 3 or 4 "buy 3 and get free shipping if you order online" deals throughout the year -- couple that with a "buy 1 and get 2 at half price/$10 off" deal, and you can pick up quite a few cheap titles at a decent price.

You should be able to get a slightly better deal on individual titles somewhere like Wal-Mart or Best Buy, even compared to what you can get on a "buy 1 get 2 half price/$10 off" deal, but when you factor in your original 49cent disks, CH can work out well.

cardaway · 08-12-2002, 06:20 PM

I think it is a great system but it can work against you unless you are willing to be patient and be selective in what you buy from them. If you choose discs that are above average in price for your free selctions and wait for the free shipping deals to complete your enrollment, you can come out way ahead of what you would pay for the same discs at retail stores.

Has anybody else who has finshed their enrollment noticed how good the deals have been lately? Maybe they are actually trying to compete now!

Prancer · 08-12-2002, 06:48 PM

I joined and got my free selections and after fulfilling the membership requirement, I cancelled.

pdjennings mentioned it and I noticed it, they print the codes on the back of the DVDs, like the way they do with CDs and I don't like that. I guess I am just picky. There are better deals online with venders and BestBuy (USA) stores has very good prices on certain older titles and recent releases.

LBPound23 · 08-12-2002, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Prancer
pdjennings mentioned it and I noticed it, they print the codes on the back of the DVDs, like the way they do with CDs and I don't like that. I guess I am just picky. There are better deals online with venders and BestBuy (USA) stores has very good prices on certain older titles and recent releases.

No, they don't print any codes on the back of the DVDs. They are the exact same DVDs as are in stores. And no, there are no better deals with online vendors and Best Buy. Could you get Jerry Maguire Special Edition for under $10 in stores or elsewhere online? How about Bridge on the River Kwai Limited Edition or Lawrence of Arabia?

videoworx · 08-12-2002, 08:39 PM

Joined a while ago, and made the required minimum dvd purchases - which i SOLD on eBay. You end up losing some money from these (because Columbia House charges a fortune for shipping), but when you do the math, you get an AWESOME deal for the "free ones". When you cancel, Columbia House will invite you back with the EXACT SAME DEAL - and you just keep doing it over and over...I've acquired dozens of dvd's frlom CH this way, for far less than what I would normally pay.

cgise22 · 08-12-2002, 11:05 PM

I'm in the club right now and I think it's a pretty good deal. Like rolisme said it works out in the end.

LBPound23 · 08-13-2002, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by videoworx
Joined a while ago, and made the required minimum dvd purchases - which i SOLD on eBay. You end up losing some money from these (because Columbia House charges a fortune for shipping), but when you do the math, you get an AWESOME deal for the "free ones". When you cancel, Columbia House will invite you back with the EXACT SAME DEAL - and you just keep doing it over and over...I've acquired dozens of dvd's frlom CH this way, for far less than what I would normally pay.

If you're doing the deal that Columbia House is offering you, you're not doing as good as you should be. Next time, use savings code '7CY'...5 for $1.99 each, plus a 6th for $14.95, with just two fulfillment purchases (use $19.95 titles for these). Works out to around $9.28/disc depending upon tax in your area. Definitely better than CH's standard deal, which is around $12 per DVD if you do it right.

Rogue · 08-13-2002, 02:07 AM

I'm also in the club and it works out. So far I got:
Seven 2-Disc
Superman
Glory Special Ed.
Silence of the Lambs (have the criterion but wanted the spec. ed. for the anamorphic transfer)
Die Hard 5-Star
Speed 5-Star
Alien
The Terminator

I have spend a grand total of $50, including shipping, for 8 DVDs (many of them two disk special editions). You can't beat that. And they are getting much better at offering new releases.

RamonesGirl · 08-13-2002, 02:17 AM

I'm a member, and I love it (it's set up much better than their cd club) But yes, make sure you use a savings code! I just finished my fulfillments so the pressure is off. Make sure you're aware of how DVD's are priced so you don't get stuck with paying a lot for one disc and missing out on the deals.

Avid · 08-13-2002, 05:47 AM

I love Columbia House!

Without them I never would have bought these pricer DVDs:
Lawrence of Arabia
Apollo 13
American Graffiti
Men In Black LE
Shakespeare in Love CE (actually I could have done without this one)

Pulp Fiction is the next DVD they are dropping off at my door.

Wish I had discovered them earlier.

***SeanL*** · 08-13-2002, 09:22 PM

If you choose right, it can be worth it to do once. Those constant mailings you have to deal with get old after awhile.

cgise22 · 08-14-2002, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LBPound23

If you're doing the deal that Columbia House is offering you, you're not doing as good as you should be. Next time, use savings code '7CY'...5 for $1.99 each, plus a 6th for $14.95, with just two fulfillment purchases (use $19.95 titles for these). Works out to around $9.28/disc depending upon tax in your area. Definitely better than CH's standard deal, which is around $12 per DVD if you do it right.

Does this really work? Because I don't want to end up paying over $100 when I can save a lot more than that. And do you know if it expires at a certain date?

mlemmond · 08-14-2002, 05:29 PM

Well thanks for all of your input I just joined online using that 7cy code and selected the following movies.

Saving Private Ryan
The Peacemaker
Die Hard - 5 Star
The Usual Suspects SE
Aliens
Alien 3 - by accident I meant to pick the original Alien, so I called them and the customer service lady said they would let me swap it out. I intended to get Alien 3 eventually but I didn't want to use a free pick on it.

queequeg2 · 08-14-2002, 05:56 PM

As mentioned above, the forums at dvdtalk.com are where you should look for information on Columbia house. There are literally thousands of posts, including every title that is available as an enrollment selection as well as a fulfillment selection. If your question is not answered at dvdtalk.com, there is no answer.

08-12-2002, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
mlemmond Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC	Columbia House? I'm thinking of joining the Columbia House DVD club you know 4 for 49 cents and all that. I was wondering if any of you belong to it already and what your thoughts are, is it as good as deal as it looks?

08-12-2002, 05:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
UncleFester Actor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Dacula, GA USA	I don't think that they have that great of a selection. I think that they have higher prices and hefty shipping and handling charges. I just go to Best Buy and usually get DVDs pretty cheap. __________________ DVDs are like potato chips. I can't stop with just one!

08-12-2002, 05:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
rolisme Actor Join Date: Feb 2002	I like them, although there selection isn't the greatest. If you don't have a lot of DVD's, then it is not too bad. They are $$$, but I think it works out in the end. You get a bunch of DVd's for low cost, then over pay on the others. Last time I joined I believe each DVD worked out to like 18 dollars. Not too bad IMO. __________________ If you don't like my opinion, don't ask the question. If you never asked the question, just ignore my post. "A gift consists not in what is done or given, but in the intention of the giver or doer." - Seneca 55 BC-39 AD

08-12-2002, 05:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
LBPound23 Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: New York, USA	Do it right, use a special savings code...get every DVD for an average of under $10. The catch is you have to wait until more expensive selections are available for enrollment. Nevertheless, there is no better deal out there. $10 per DVD = They don't carry everything (Criterions, Disney animation, etc. are nowhere to be found), but they do carry a lot and it's an amazing deal if you know what you're doing and do it right. Read this and other basic newcomer's threads in the DVD Clubs forum here: http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=107726 __________________ UltimateDisney.com: The Ultimate Guide to Disney DVD - News and views on all of Disney's movies.

08-12-2002, 06:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Prancer Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD-USA	I joined and got my free selections and after fulfilling the membership requirement, I cancelled. pdjennings mentioned it and I noticed it, they print the codes on the back of the DVDs, like the way they do with CDs and I don't like that. I guess I am just picky. There are better deals online with venders and BestBuy (USA) stores has very good prices on certain older titles and recent releases. __________________ "I hope that when the world ends, I can breathe a sigh of relief because there will be so much to look forward to…”

08-12-2002, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
cardaway Actor Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pacific NW	I think it is a great system but it can work against you unless you are willing to be patient and be selective in what you buy from them. If you choose discs that are above average in price for your free selctions and wait for the free shipping deals to complete your enrollment, you can come out way ahead of what you would pay for the same discs at retail stores. Has anybody else who has finshed their enrollment noticed how good the deals have been lately? Maybe they are actually trying to compete now!

08-12-2002, 08:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
videoworx Would Make a Good Incubus Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: nowhere near Nebraska	what i did... Joined a while ago, and made the required minimum dvd purchases - which i SOLD on eBay. You end up losing some money from these (because Columbia House charges a fortune for shipping), but when you do the math, you get an AWESOME deal for the "free ones". When you cancel, Columbia House will invite you back with the EXACT SAME DEAL - and you just keep doing it over and over...I've acquired dozens of dvd's frlom CH this way, for far less than what I would normally pay.

08-12-2002, 11:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
cgise22 Actor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: USA	I'm in the club right now and I think it's a pretty good deal. Like rolisme said it works out in the end.

08-13-2002, 02:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Rogue Actor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Miami,FL USA	I'm also in the club and it works out. So far I got: Seven 2-Disc Superman Glory Special Ed. Silence of the Lambs (have the criterion but wanted the spec. ed. for the anamorphic transfer) Die Hard 5-Star Speed 5-Star Alien The Terminator I have spend a grand total of $50, including shipping, for 8 DVDs (many of them two disk special editions). You can't beat that. And they are getting much better at offering new releases. __________________ All that is gold does not glitter Not all those who wander are lost...

08-13-2002, 02:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
RamonesGirl Actress Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vegas baby, Vegas	I'm a member, and I love it (it's set up much better than their cd club) But yes, make sure you use a savings code! I just finished my fulfillments so the pressure is off. Make sure you're aware of how DVD's are priced so you don't get stuck with paying a lot for one disc and missing out on the deals.

08-13-2002, 05:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
Avid Actor Join Date: Nov 2001	I love Columbia House! Without them I never would have bought these pricer DVDs: Lawrence of Arabia Apollo 13 American Graffiti Men In Black LE Shakespeare in Love CE (actually I could have done without this one) Pulp Fiction is the next DVD they are dropping off at my door. Wish I had discovered them earlier. __________________ OAR or :barf:

08-13-2002, 09:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
*SeanL* Producer/Admin Got BMG? Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NW Florida	If you choose right, it can be worth it to do once. Those constant mailings you have to deal with get old after awhile. __________________ Forum Administrator "You can never go home again, Oatman... but I guess you can shop there."

08-14-2002, 05:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
mlemmond Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC	Well thanks for all of your input I just joined online using that 7cy code and selected the following movies. Saving Private Ryan The Peacemaker Die Hard - 5 Star The Usual Suspects SE Aliens Alien 3 - by accident I meant to pick the original Alien, so I called them and the customer service lady said they would let me swap it out. I intended to get Alien 3 eventually but I didn't want to use a free pick on it.

08-14-2002, 05:56 PM	#18 (permalink)
queequeg2 Supporting Actor Join Date: Oct 2001	As mentioned above, the forums at dvdtalk.com are where you should look for information on Columbia house. There are literally thousands of posts, including every title that is available as an enrollment selection as well as a fulfillment selection. If your question is not answered at dvdtalk.com, there is no answer.

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