As the Suncoast set, an opportunity for DS DVD collectors...

[CyrusL]

The Suncoast Video store chain is in the process of closing many of its stores or going out of business entirely, I'm not sure which. The store near where i work is now selling its stock at 30% off. This goes many of us an opportunity to get a nice discount on the MPI Dark Shadows DVD sets. Its also a good idea to review their used DVD sction. The store where I went to had 3 DS DVD sets used at a great price, unfortunately, I had all of these sets. Suncoast was a big outlet in the VHS days, for the MPI videos and has lost ground with the rise of the Best Buys, Circuit Cities, Wal-Marts as well as the amazon.coms.  I finally got the wonderful "Wizard of Oz"   3 DVD box which was of great comfort to me last week when I was home from work 2 days with a pretty bad cold. Since the DS sets list at $59.95, the sets left there would run about $41.98. Seelection is limited tho. That equals or beats most places I know to pick up the DVDs.
    By the way, does anyone know why MPI has never discounted any DVD sets at the DS Festivals?  I know they are really cheap on the VHS now, but even when I first went to DS Festivals in the late '90s, they always had a convention discount and they have never done this on the DVDs at any show since they released them.

Michael

[Barnabas'sBride]

I have a Suncoast closing near me. It's a shame I'm not in need of any DS dvds.... A Media Play also closed down here and they were having decent discounts too.

[CrazyJenny]

By the way, does anyone know why MPI has never discounted any DVD sets at the DS Festivals?  I know they are really cheap on the VHS now, but even when I first went to DS Festivals in the late '90s, they always had a convention discount and they have never done this on the DVDs at any show since they released them.

I believe either last year in Hollywood or the year before in Tarrytown, they had a very good sale.  Buy 2(or was it 3?) and get one free.  Hopefully they'll do that again this year!

[Willie]

I buy most of my Dark Shadows DVD sets on Ebay.  They're usually around $41 - $42 new, plus $5 shipping.  Just make sure the seller has feedback up around 98 - 99% positive and hundreds if not tens-of-thousands of transactions.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I'm really sorry to hear that Suncoast is possibly going completely out of business. That was the store where I bought all my MPI tapes from both the original and the '91 series. Suncoast used to have a DS Video Club that oferred really nice discounts. And they even provided their own exclusive DS video catalogues and flyers. Here's a scan of the front cover from a 1993 catalogue:

and here's a scan of the first two pages inside:

Although, I suppose I really shouldn't be surprised that Suncoast hasn't been able to survive the competition from other video/DVD stores and Web sites because the last time I even stepped into one of their stores was probably at least 5 years ago. I can find a lot better deals on DVDs online - and I'm sure that's been the same for a lot of their former customers. But still, the situation they now find themselves in is a shame - particularly because the chain had been such a good friend to DS fans back when it wasn't easy to find stores that were willing to stock even a handful of the MPI tapes, much less the entire series - and they were even willing to do it all at a discount...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

I buy most of my Dark Shadows DVD sets on Ebay.  They're usually around $41 - $42 new, plus $5 shipping.

If you're willing to wait to order until after each set's release date, you can usually pick up the DS DVDs at DeepDiscountDVD for $39.59. That price usually lasts for several months and then goes up to $43.22, which, oddly enough, is also the pre-order price (so much for presuming the best prices only come if you pre-order  :- ). And best of all, the site offers free shipping. And if you're willing to wait even longer, you can get even better deals when they have a site-wide sale, which they seem to do about every 6 months. For example, back in November I was able to pick up set 20 for a friend for Christmas for only $31.67 - and I got free shipping to boot. 

[Willie]

Thanks so much for the tip on Deep Discount.  I'll definitely be checking them out.  I'm about 7 or 8 sets away from being caught up to the newest release, so those storewide sales would be really great for me! 

[LdyAnne]

I pre-order my DVDs from Amazon for 41.99 with free shipping! What a Deal
And if you link to Amazon thru MsCriseyde's site you help to keep her wonderful  David Selby site going!

LdyAnne

[BuzzH]

I pre-order my DVDs from Amazon for 41.99 with free shipping! What a Deal!

Me too, it's practically WHOLESALE!!

[Connie]

The Suncoast Video store chain is in the process of closing many of its stores or going out of business entirely, I'm not sure which.

I think maybe they're just closing some stores.  Having reading this thread, I stopped in at Suncoast yesterday -  hoping to find some DS on sale.  (I just LOVE the mall)     Nope.  They had a few volumes at full price.  Didn't see any signs of going out of business - no big discounts, no clearance stuff.  Zilch.

Couldn't even spend a little time browsing though, 'cause for some strange reason, my daughter hates being in there - claims the guys that work there give her "the creeps".   HUH?? 

[CyrusL]

I think maybe they're just closing some stores.  Having reading this thread, I stopped in at Suncoast yesterday -  hoping to find some DS on sale.  (I just LOVE the mall)     Nope.  They had a few volumes at full price.  Didn't see any signs of going out of business - no big discounts, no clearance stuff.  Zilch.

Couldn't even spend a little time browsing though, 'cause for some strange reason, my daughter hates being in there - claims the guys that work there give her "the creeps".   HUH??

I think that must be it, a major scale back. I went to another Suncoast as well today and found virtually no sale items. No used DS either, lol. Oh well. As for what your daughter says, I think Suncoast is a bit too aggressive on the "Can I help yous." They pounce like tigers the moment you enter. It can be unnerving. It makes the art of browsing less enjoyable.
Michael

[Barnabas'sBride]

One Suncoast by me is staying open.

Cyrus - I know what you mean about the help! Media Play was worse than Suncoast though, at least in my area. I could count the seconds someone would be on top of me as soon as I stepped through the entrance. It wasn't just "can I help you", they constantly pushed their rewards card. It started driving me crazy because I couldn't browse in peace.

[BuzzH]

Cyrus - I know what you mean about the help! Media Play was worse than Suncoast though, at least in my area. I could count the seconds someone would be on top of me as soon as I stepped through the entrance. It wasn't just "can I help you", they constantly pushed their rewards card. It started driving me crazy because I couldn't browse in peace.

I won't shop in stores that hound me incessantly like that!  

[CrazyJenny]

Just a little FYI to let everyone know I went to a Suncoast today.  They've increased their discount to 40% off and there was a sign in the window saying they close in 6 days.  I bought volume 21 for $38.something.

[CyrusL]

Saturday (3/11) was the last day they were open here. I did pick up DS set # 6 for about $38. Thanks CrazyJenny