Hi,

I am new to the columbia house thing, BUT I did read the FAQ for newcomer. My question is, how did some of the seasoned members get their average price for DVD so low (lower than the ~$8.00/disc stated in the FAQ thread). I am thinking about openning an account and is trying to find the best way to get in on the deal.

Thanks,
newbie2000

Assuming you use a code that only requires two fulfillments, a sample account would look like:

The 3/$25 deal counts as one committment. You could order your enrollment 6/$17.40 + fulfillment 6/$50 (-$5 web coupon and free shipping) = 12/$62.40 = $5.20 per disk.

But remember that to get this low average price, you're fulfilling with selections from the 3/$25 pile, which are hardly the "cream of the crop" or new releases. It's still a great deal if there are discs that you want, but for me there are not, and so I'm always fulfilling with preorders or recent releases. My average ends up around $7, which is still a great deal, and includes lots of high price editions and brand new releases.

Richard

Thanks for the reply. I will keep both of the suggestions in mind.

You make the 14.95 selection sound like the bargain bin at Big Lots. There are some excellent 14.95 titles available, including some real classics.

Especially with the MSRP price drops the last year. My 14.95 list grew from just about a dozen or so to over a hundred. Just not quick enough on my part - to turn my CH accounts over - before MSRPs drop on selections.

I'm not saying there aren't plenty of good $14.95 selections. I just can't find 3 that I want and don't already have.

All right, I take it back. After looking through the spreadsheet, I will admit that...

There are LOTS of great titles at $14.95. I still can't find more than a few that I want that I don't already have, but if you don't already have a large collection, you should have no problem finding at least 6 great choices to fulfill with 2x of 3/$25.

Richard

If you use a code like 72SD and have lots of $14.95 titles you want, you can skip the optional $14.95 title at enrollment and fulfill with 3 sets of the 3 for $25. This will reduce your average to $5.175. Remember, these low averages are only going to happen while the 3 for $25 is still valid and during the free shipping that is happening through the end of the year.

Thanks for the hints guy. I think I will start my first account. Since I don't have many DVDs to begin with, I think I could choose from the 3/$25 without too much problem.

Jim, I was thinking of the same thing (skipping the optional $14.95), that would make the deal even sweeter.

It's only .02 per DVD sweeter, which isn't that sweet..... Personally, I would rather stick with the 6/17.40 plus 2 x 3/25. You never know when the 3/25 = 1 fulfillment will cease to function. You may wish to check the current thread on this very topic. While it sounds like it is still working (at least for some), it's a bit unstable at the moment.

I always skip the $14.95 selection, but it's mostly because the titles I want for enrollment are diminishing, and I'd rather pay the extra $5 and get another new release. Plus, often - like right now - when you buy the three fulfillments for $19.95 (usually pre-orders) you can get free shipping. The other way you have to throw a cheapie in there to get the free shipping. So that comes out to $7.16/selection, including three new releases. It also used to be until not long ago they would have pre-releases for $17.95, and even those counted as fulfillments, bringing it down to $6.41/selection. Just my own preference, but something to consider. But if you have a lot of titles you want that have been out for a year or more, you can't beat the 3/$25 and $5.18/selection deal. That is cheaper than the Wal-Mart discount bin!

Quick question, are people waiting to get there initial enrollments in the mail and paying the 17.40 first before doing the 3/25 deal? Hope my question makes sense.

i guess it would depend on the code you open with. I've paid two accounts upfront and one later. For the account I was billed later on, I paid the 17.40 first and then ordered my fulfillments. There's another recent thread about how ordering you fulfillments before you pay for the enrollments causes havoc.

hope i answered the right question

Cool thanks. I used the bill me later option. So I will wait to order my other titles until I pay this. Sure drags down the process, makes it hard to turn around and do it again in a timely matter.

If you use a Credit Card you can make your payment on-line in a minute or so. If you plan to mail a check with your invoice, then that will take an extra week. They process checks very quickly, in my experience.

Columbia House prefers to have the payment made for the enrollment package before shipping the fulfillment DVDs because they have been scammed by people opening accounts and then never paying for them. I don't blame them for being cautious.

If you look in the new catalog they just mailed out there are several $19.95 titles that are available with the 3 for $25 sale. They include a number of James Bond titles.

Tim :-)