Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Sweet irony! You should have accused them of trying to sell "bogus" DVDs! :lol:

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

This question might be stupid. So the sale price is listed online, but when I search for store availability and click "pick-up" at any of my local stores, it lists the normal price of 39.99 for any of the blu-rays I've tried it with. Is this normal, or does it mean that my local stores aren't participating in the sale? I'd like to know if this happens with anyone else who knows for sure that their store IS participating.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

It will be on sale at all locations. When you receive the e-mail that tells you that your item is ready, the price listed in the e-mail is $20. Don't worry and welcome to the forum.:wave:

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Got shot down on coupon because "it's from last year, someone just changed the date." Nevermind that it was printed using the link from B&N.com

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

That really sucks. I'm sure you did nothing wrong here. It's unfortunate that you got singled out. I was shot down from using just one coupon as well during the last sale because clearly coupon abuse by so many others before me made the store clamp down for everyone. This is why during this sale, I am doing my part to use only one coupon per visit.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

That is fine, and you definitely should not buy dvds you don't really need or want, BUT for many of us (myself completely) I have no interest in streaming criterion titles. Or Blu Ray titles. Netflix cannot even begin to compete with the setups some of us have (projectors, large screens, HD audio, etc.).

I'll take my sub-$20 criterion blu rays thank you very much. They even hold their value basically.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

I swung by the BN I bought two discs at yesterday. The same staff were on duty, and I was denied use of the coupon again. I was told the only reason I got to use it twice yesterday was because I was a good customer.

Last time, nobody minded (including the same manager as here) but they've probably been told to crack down on multiple use. YMMV more than ever!

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

was this from the Brodie Ln location? or the North Austin location near Round Rock???

Austin TX seems to be chopping down on us! while making us feel like criminals in the process lol

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Actually, aren't B&N orders shipped from Canada? That's what happened on each of my most recent orders, so the parcels escaped all Customs inspection. They use an agent in Canada to do so, which probably accounts in part for the shipping charges (which aren't that high per title when spread over several titles). And it does take a little more time for the items to ship, since they must make their way first to the shipping agent's facility (there is at times up to a week between the e-mail shipping confirmation and the actual Canada Post mailing date).

You do have to do the math and figure out precisely if ordering from these B&N 50% sales is actually more advantageous than the prices available in Canada ; sometimes prices asked on Amazon.ca's Marketplace component turn out to actually be better.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Ha! Point well taken.

I actually find it really amusing that B&N appears to be "cracking down" on coupon usage with many non-sensical denial reasons. I guess turnabout is fair play, but really, one would think all of this could be easily alleviated in their software.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

A Christmas Tale looks to be part of the sale now. Although no copies in store that I have seen in my area. I went ahead and ordered on line and got it for $18.18.

Additionally, I have three stores near me (one about 8 blocks from my office and one about a block from my house, and one about 8 miles away) so I have been going in to each one daily with a coupon. One clerk pointed out that if I do this, I should have no issue. So far I am three for three. Again YMMV on that scenario as well.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

I was able to score two Blus at two different locations(4 in total). I used the November and January coupons without incident. The cashiers at both locations were friendly and probably would have taken more, but you just never know when you might raise a flag. My haul-

House
Seven Samurai
Magician
Breathless.

I'll grab Modern Times and Night of the Hunter in two weeks.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

I think you're right. In fact, since B&N has a registered GST #, and charges GST on Canadian orders, that should cover the duty, which totally makes sense.

edit: I never got dinged on my previous deliveries, but I assumed it was because they were all so small.
:banana:

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

This was at Westlake, I hung out in the cafe afterwards and heard the clerks talking about how wide spread the coupon fraud was and how the same guy had already hit multiple stores (specifically mentioning Sunset Valley). This was my first attempt at coupon use. Last year I know they sent out an Austin-area bulletin about coupon fraud.

I am considering calling and demanding to talk to a manager. I know it's a losing battle but wondered what would happen if I argued the case a bit (because I really think the coupons are legitimate for at least one-time use) and I seem to be in the mood for petty battles.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

wow, must be your management then. the manager for my B&N movie department checked me out and said I could use as many as I wanted. Said this coupon always comes out is used heavily during the Criterion sale.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

I think all complaining to a manager or higher will do is push an all around ban on the coupons next round, its better to use them if you can, if you can't, it sucks, but oh well. (I can't here)

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

^ What will also push an all around ban on coupons next round is people using more than one coupon per transaction. This sale goes on for 3 weeks.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

A little finesse sometimes can go a long way. I have noticed, at least at the two stores I frequent, these people get abused by people looking to over-use coupons. I tell them if they I can use them great, if not no biggie. All of them will try to make it work.

But I think complaining may stop it all together. But who knows.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

I'm concerned there is already an informal coupon ban in the Austin, TX area but guess I will delay debating with store managers for now and take my petty frustrations out on something else instead.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

It's ridiculous that people are getting denied even one use. I understand that anything beyond one coupon per membership is "icing on the cake", but every member has a right to use one $5 coupon on one $20 item.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Call up the Barnes and Noble customer service line and report it. That is BS. If you are a member you should at least be allowed one use. An egomaniac store manager cannot make up rules for his store when the corporate policies state other wise. I'd bitch.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Had no problem today using 4 $5 coupons on one transaction. Lady was very nice about, posted my haul in the Blu-Ray thread.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

Not according to the coupon terms. It's only members who purchased their membership between the dates specified on the coupon. The coupons are intended to be "new member" coupons, not "all member" coupons, though that's only specified in the fine print.

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

That's true, the coupons do specify certain broad dates for purchase/renewal, but of all the BS excuses reported here, that is the ONE excuse which has never been cited!

Re: November Criterion Sale
 

You are definitely right. However, what the hell is the purpose of paying for their membership if their are these types of restrictions on coupons? Just so you can get 10% off year-round? Pffff, I'd rather take my business to Amazon.