pjk@hou2a.UUCP (P.KEMP) (07/24/85)
I just received an offer to join the CBS Video Club, which is very tempting. For agreeing to buy two movies at "regular" club prices within a year, you can choose one of 100 listed movies for $4.95 plus a special advance bonus movie at half price. The prices do not include "shipping and handling," which is $3.00 for the bonus movie. Is this charge the same for regular offers too? $3.00 is not bad, since there would be no sales tax. Are the regular club prices are the same as the suggested retail prices for the tapes? Discounts are hard to find on prerecorded tapes, I can only get 10% off at the local video store. Also, after you buy the first two movies at regular club prices, every time you buy another movie at regular prices, you can buy a second of equal value or less for 50% off. The only trick I see is that there is a "Director's Selection" made every four weeks which is sent automatically if you do not send back a card in two weeks. If anyone is a member or knows something about the club (good or bad), please mail me any information you may have. I'll post a summary of the responses to the net. -- Paul Kemp ihnp4!hou2a!pjk
knf@druxo.UUCP (FricklasK) (07/26/85)
One thing I find rather amusing about the CBS video club is that
they provide a second video for only 29.95 if you want to buy one
right off the bat. One of the movies you can buy is (get this)
Purple Rain-- list price: $19.95
Such a deal--
'`'`'
Ken
'`'`'pjk@hou2a.UUCP (P.KEMP) (08/07/85)
Well, I received a total of two responses to my inquiry on the CBS Video Club, one by mail and the other was a follow-up posted to the net. First, a correction to the information I gave on the club offer: The "Special Advance Bonus" movie is not at half price, but for $29.95 (plus $3 ship. & hand.) which can result in a "savings of *up to* $50. off the regular club price." As druxo!knf (FricklasK) pointed out, some of the movies offered list at $19.95, so you could get burned by this `bonus'. The regular club prices range from $39.95 to $79.95, so the regular prices may be higher than list! Also, packard!riddle (Guy Riddle) pointed out to me that they probably do charge NJ sales tax, because their record club does, even though the video club operates out of Terre Haute, Indiana (probably because CBS has offices in NJ). I've also seen some of the recent releases that list at $79.95, advertised by mail order companies at $69.95, so discounts are available if you look around. Some companies, like Paramount, reduce their prices on selected titles for a limited time. Whether the CBS Video Club will pass the savings onto its members is not clear, their offer only states that the club will occasionally offer special selections "on sale." I think I will still join the club, since if I order STAR WARS and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK when I sign up, I will save at least $60. Even if I spend $10 more for the next two tapes that I must buy, I will still be $40 ahead. The trick is being aware of the going prices to take advantage of their offer, and to make sure to send back the card they mail you every month, if you don't want that month's "Director's Selection." I am still open to comments or advice, reply by mail or the net if it is of general interest. -- Paul Kemp ihnp4!hou2a!pjk