Odeon Ripping Off and Discriminating against Dubliners?

goz83

I enjoy visiting the cinema a couple of times a month. My nearest cinema would be an Odeon cinema and my pet hate was always the Premier seats (which are often worse than standard seats). So I was really pleased to see when Odeon were brining out a Limitless card. So, it launched a couple of days ago and while the prices is reasonable enough, I am disgusted to see that they have decided to charge Dubliners more than the rest of the country. I see this as wholly unfair and discriminatory. I can't see the profits being less for a Dublin branch, even if running costs are higher, there are more punters going to the Dublin cinemas than there would be outside of Dublin.

The price is €19.99 per month for all of Ireland (except Dublin) and if you want to add Dublin cinemas (IOW, if you live in Dublin) you pay €21.99. It's making me think twice about buying membership.

Anyone else see a problem with this? I know they can charge what they like and you vote with your feet, but this is not a pricing issue, but one of discrimination in my view.

The Moldy Gowl

....or maybe, you know, Dublin has lots and lots of people who live here so seats are limited.

Sonics2k

Supply and demand. That's just business.

razorblunt

Added overheads in the city?
Cineworld have a similar surcharge in London/UK for their West End cinema only.

cowboyBuilder

in fairness 21.99 Eur a month for limitless films is good value ..

eeguy

Are you really gonna miss that €2 a month?

If you're buying an unlimited cinema ticket then I'd say no.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Go to the cinema in the cheaper counties then instead

Boskowski

Its an odd decision alright. I wouldn't call it discrimination - get the big words out as quick as you can seems the motto these days - but its odd. Could it be that the Dublin Odeon's are bigger, better than the country ones?

goz83

eeguy wrote: »

Are you really gonna miss that €2 a month?

If you're buying an unlimited cinema ticket then I'd say no.

Actually I wouldn't have minded paying up to €25 a month, but the fact that the price is higher for Dubliners has put me off.

eeguy

goz83 wrote: »

Actually I wouldn't have minded paying up to €25 a month, but the fact that the price is higher for Dubliners has put me off.

So you're happy to pay €25, they're charging you €22, but because they're not charging you €19 you're not going to pay?

jester77

Stick it to the man, don't buy a bag of popcorn the next time you visit and you will have saved the yearly difference.

kneemos

eeguy wrote: »

So you're happy to pay €25, they're charging you €22, but because they're not charging you €19 you're not going to pay?

Spite I believe It's called.

Mr E

Much higher rent in Dublin. It's just economics.

goz83

eeguy wrote: »

So you're happy you were willing to pay €25, they're charging you €22, but because they're not charging you €19 €19.99 you're not going to pay?

Fixed that post. It's not the price (as previously mentioned), it's the higher price for Dubliners.

It's like Coca Cola deciding to charge an extra 10% to rural clients.

skittles8710

Maybe they have more imaxx screenings, 3D, exclusives etc in the Dublin Odeon which would warrant the slightly higher price?

Lux23

goz83 wrote: »

Actually I wouldn't have minded paying up to €25 a month, but the fact that the price is higher for Dubliners has put me off.

It's not higher for Dubliners, it's higher for people who go to the cinema in their Dublin theatres because it costs more to run a complex in the city.

Theboinkmaster

goz83 wrote: »

I enjoy visiting the cinema a couple of times a month. My nearest cinema would be an Odeon cinema and my pet hate was always the Premier seats (which are often worse than standard seats). So I was really pleased to see when Odeon were brining out a Limitless card. So, it launched a couple of days ago and while the prices is reasonable enough, I am disgusted to see that they have decided to charge Dubliners more than the rest of the country. I see this as wholly unfair and discriminatory. I can't see the profits being less for a Dublin branch, even if running costs are higher, there are more punters going to the Dublin cinemas than there would be outside of Dublin.

The price is €19.99 per month for all of Ireland (except Dublin) and if you want to add Dublin cinemas (IOW, if you live in Dublin) you pay €21.99. It's making me think twice about buying membership.

Anyone else see a problem with this? I know they can charge what they like and you vote with your feet, but this is not a pricing issue, but one of discrimination in my view.

You are what's wrong with this country - an ignorant whinger.

Of course they charge more their overheads are more - it's not like Coke it's like rental on property.

And if you don't like the price don't pay it, simple as that. Don't go onto a message board whinging ffs.

kneemos

goz83 wrote: »

Fixed that post. It's not the price (as previously mentioned), it's the higher price for Dubliners.

It's like Coca Cola deciding to charge an extra 10% to rural clients.

No it's not.Not even slightly.
Unnecessary analogies need to be vaguely correct.

goz83

skittles8710 wrote: »

Maybe they have more imaxx screenings, 3D, exclusives etc in the Dublin Odeon which would warrant the slightly higher price?

Only covers standard tickets/seats.

Lux23 wrote: »

It's not higher for Dubliners, it's higher for people who go to the cinema in their Dublin theatres because it costs more to run a complex in the city.

Already covered this. Costs are higher, but then so are profits...more footfall. That's why they have multiple branches in Dublin.

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

You are what's wrong with this country - an ignorant whinger.

Of course they charge more their overheads are more - it's not like Coke it's like rental on property.

And if you don't like the price don't pay it, simple as that. Don't go onto a message board whinging ffs.

First rule of boards is.....? Well done. I believe coke is generally sold on rental properties.

kneemos wrote: »

No it's not.Not even slightly.
Unnecessary analogies need to be vaguely correct.

Agreed, terrible analogy. My thinking was that it costs more to get the beverages to a corner shop in Leitrim than it does to make a delivery to the Tescos in Dublin. Any Tesco, or chain store/garage would buy more than a little back arse of nowhere shop.

average_runner

goz83 wrote: »

Fixed that post. It's not the price (as previously mentioned), it's the higher price for Dubliners.

It's like Coca Cola deciding to charge an extra 10% to rural clients.

You will find a bottle of coke is cheaper outside Dublin, along with alot of food stuff, including fuel

Tombi!

mod:Theboinkmaster and goz83, play nice with each other or don't bother posting at all.

JoeyJJ

Culchie living in dublin rate of 20.99?

OU812

You know OP, they really stick it to you on the regular screens too. They're 27% less screen for the same money as the large screen. That's why I always see the movies on the first night they're out before they move down to a smaller screen... They're not conning me out of screen size!

Loughc

goz83 wrote: »

I see this as wholly unfair and discriminatory. I can't see the profits being less for a Dublin branch, even if running costs are higher, there are more punters going to the Dublin cinemas than there would be outside of Dublin.

Anyone else see a problem with this? I know they can charge what they like and you vote with your feet, but this is not a pricing issue, but one of discrimination in my view.

If you think that's a rip off go for a pint in Temple Bar and then for one outside of Dublin.

average_runner

OU812 wrote: »

You know OP, they really stick it to you on the regular screens too. They're 27% less screen for the same money as the large screen. That's why I always see the movies on the first night they're out before they move down to a smaller screen... They're not conning me out of screen size!

But aren't some of screens bigger in Dublin? They must hate the counties outside Dublin

AnonoBoy

Put it this way the prices might be lower down the country but so are the chances of finding good coffee, decent conversation or great sex.

Maguined

Odepoint Point Village is my favourite cinema in Dublin because it is more expensive than any other cinema. The extra charge is really to drive the knackers away to cheaper cinemas so it is worth the extra couple of quid not to hear some scumbag on his phone ruining the movie.

Cienciano

You're being discriminated against OP, you need to write them a strongly worded letter

beach_walker

Stage a sit-in OP.

goz83

Cienciano wrote: »

You're being discriminated against OP, you need to write them a strongly worded letter

Me little heart is broke from it all.

Ah well, it just bugged me to see the price difference. It makes as much sense to me as the premier seats they charge for.

pickarooney

OU812 wrote: »

You know OP, they really stick it to you on the regular screens too. They're 27% less screen for the same money as the large screen. That's why I always see the movies on the first night they're out before they move down to a smaller screen... They're not conning me out of screen size!

Sit at the front and get even more screen size for your money!

KomradeBishop

It's silly when people cite 'supply and demand' in situations like this, as if it's supposed to mean something - as if we've never seen a near-empty cinema in Dublin, or as if they're packed around the clock...Reminds me of Father Jack saying "that would be an ecumenical matter" in Father Ted.

The higher price is likely due to the cost of living in Dublin, and how that will have to be factored in to the wages of people working in the cinema's.
You'd have to see the companies accounting to be sure though, to know whether this is the case, or whether it really is just taking advantage.

RWCNT

This should be merged with the thread about stingey people.

murpho999

skittles8710 wrote: »

Maybe they have more imaxx screenings, 3D, exclusives etc in the Dublin Odeon which would warrant the slightly higher price?

Odeon don't have IMAX.

dan1895

Have you informed Amnesty International about this outrage op??

goz83

RWCNT wrote: »

This should be merged with the thread about stingey people.

People who can't read posts, or follow threads shouldn't post. I know this is AH, but seriously man, cop on. I made it clear I had no issue with the price, but rather the difference in price. Thanks whoring happens on page 1

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

A pint in temple bar is about 2 euro more than a pint in my local
A knorr quick lunch is at least 80 cents more in my local shop than in tesco
I can buy a house in my town for over 100k less than the same house in Dublin would cost.


What's your point

goz83

LexieOnRale wrote: »

A pint in temple bar is about 2 euro more than a pint in my local
A knorr quick lunch is at least 80 cents more in my local shop than in tesco
I can buy a house in my town for over 100k less than the same house in Dublin would cost.


What's your point

Does Tesco in Cork charge less for a knorr quick lunch in Tesco Dublin?

osarusan

They discriminate against people from Limerick by having only 1 cinema there, compared to 5 in Dublin.

I'm so angry.

goz83

osarusan wrote: »

They discriminate against people from Limerick by having only 1 cinema there, compared to 5 in Dublin.

I'm so angry.

They only had funds for one metal detector, so it limited expansion in limerick :eek:

Loughc

goz83 wrote: »

They only had funds for one metal detector, so it limited expansion in limerick :eek:

I find this comment very discriminating.

Joe prim

Get your own back! I did'nt like a film on Netflix last night, so I slashed the seats!

osarusan

goz83 wrote: »

They only had funds for one metal detector, so it limited expansion in limerick :eek:

Maybe they'll get the funds from the 2 euros extra that they charge in Dublin.


5 screens in Limerick for 19.99, with the nearest Odeon cinema in Portlaoise about 100km away.

Or more than 30 screens across Dublin within a few kilometres of each other, for 2 euros more.

Better get human rights watch on the case.

DavyD_83

Great to see cinemas other than Cineworld offering this.
Have been hoping Dundrum would roll out a similar deal for years.

I just compared Stillorgan (Dublin) to Naas (Outside Dublin) on Odeon site to check standard ticket prices.
The Stillorgan prices are generally that bit more expensive.

Example
Adult Off Peak: €8.50 v €7.25
Adult Peak:€10.50 v €10.25

So, to me it would make sense that the limitless ticket, with a price presumably set at a certain multiple of standard ticket price, would have different prices too.
It's a monthly pass to 2 differently priced services; makes sense that the monthly fee should/could be priced differently.

Not saying, I necessarily agree with it, but I understand the reasoning involved.

The only really awkward scenario I would see is when country folk with Unlimited card (who presumably would not have paid the premium), would try to go to cinema while on a trip to the Big Shmoke. It's fairly reasonable to think it could be used, or to be able to pay a small supplement, I haven't read the T&C's closely enough to know if this is an option.

Loughc

DavyD_83 wrote: »

The only really awkward scenario I would see is when country folk with Unlimited card (who presumably would not have paid the premium), would try to go to cinema while on a trip to the Big Shmoke. It's fairly reasonable to think it could be used, or to be able to pay a small supplement, I haven't read the T&C's closely enough to know if this is an option.

The Non-Dublin version of the card will not work in Dublin nor will they allow a small fee to supplement the non-Dub card.

goz83

Loughc wrote: »

I find this comment very discriminating.

And I found the other poster to be obtuse. The limerick joke was just that, a joke. I've never been to limerick. Never plan to either, but that's beside the point.

DavyD_83 wrote: »

Great to see cinemas other than Cineworld offering this.
Have been hoping Dundrum would roll out a similar deal for years.

I just compared Stillorgan (Dublin) to Naas (Outside Dublin) on Odeon site to check standard ticket prices.
The Stillorgan prices are generally that bit more expensive.

Example
Adult Off Peak: €8.50 v €7.25
Adult Peak:€10.50 v €10.25

So, to me it would make sense that the limitless ticket, with a price presumably set at a certain multiple of standard ticket price, would have different prices too.
It's a monthly pass to 2 differently priced services; makes sense that the monthly fee should/could be priced differently.

Not saying, I necessarily agree with it, but I understand the reasoning involved.

The only really awkward scenario I would see is when country folk with Unlimited card (who presumably would not have paid the premium), would try to go to cinema while on a trip to the Big Shmoke. It's fairly reasonable to think it could be used, or to be able to pay a small supplement, I haven't read the T&C's closely enough to know if this is an option.

Hmmm. You know, I genuinely wasn't aware that the pricing was different in other Odeons and certainly not inside Dublin. And there is no option available for country folk to use their limitless card inside Dublin. They are considered two separate packages.

I have sent an email to Odeon to ask why there is a price difference. I don't expect anything other than "operational costs" to be cited. I might just go for it, but I have noticed that Odeon have not shown quite a few films that were available in Cineworld. The reverse is not the case, but Cineworld is not convenient for me personally.

goz83

Loughc wrote: »

The Non-Dublin version of the card will not work in Dublin nor will they allow a small fee to supplement the non-Dub card.

Got there before me.

freshpopcorn

I'm not to sure of the details of this offer but how many films cam you see in a day.
I know smaller cinemas which would be part of chains the last showing is often at 21.00 whilst in cities the last showing is often 23.30.
So places like Dublin you could squeeze two films in an evening but in small towns you could only see one.

DavyD_83

Loughc wrote: »

The Non-Dublin version of the card will not work in Dublin nor will they allow a small fee to supplement the non-Dub card.

Fair enough I suppose; helps to keep from having muck tracked into our fancy Dublin cinemas

Cineworld has never been convenient enough for me to justify the card;
If I was able to make use of it (prevented from leaving the house by a 1 year old), I'd definitely take the punt on Odeon one for Stillorgan, 20ish quid is pretty good value as long as you make use of it, and/or would already regularly spend around this on a monthly basis in cinema (2+visits).

Haven't been to the cinema in ages ; sticking to the couch and 'borrowing' movies for now (I always return them to the internet once viewed).

goz83

So I had emailed them asking about the price difference, but it seems I was taken up wrong and somehow my email was lost in translation. In fairness, they replied within a few hours.

From me:

I have been a long time customer of Odeon and would regularly attend the local <SNIP> branch. I have in the past suggested limitless membership, but there were no plans in the pipeline at that stage.

I was very pleases to receive an email recently to ask for my interest in your new limitless membership, which I suspected would be €20 per month. I was not far off when I seen the launched price of €19.99 per month, but I was very disappointed to see what I view as discrimination to your Dublin customers, seeing an increase of 10% added to the cost of membership. While I suspect the running costs of a Dublin branch is higher than a branch outside Dublin, I would also suspect the profits are higher from significantly more traffic.

So, I would like to know why the membership for Dublin customers is 10% higher than the rest of the country.

Goz

Reply:

Dear Goz,

Thank you for emailing us here at Odeon Guest Services, I'll be happy to help.

I do appreciate your concerns with the price difference from GBP to Euro and of course we want to hear if guests feel like if they are being discriminated, however I can assure you that the charge difference is not from discrimination but to add up from the difference in the exchange rate from GBP to Euro. At the moment for every £1.00 that would exchange to €1.29, which mean £17.99 exchanged to the euro would work out at €23.29. I hope this explains the price difference between the UK and ROI.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.



Warm regards,

<J...snip>
ODEON Limitless Team


My reply:

Hi <J...snip>,

I think you might not have read what I had written. My query had nothing to do with exchange rates. It was in relation to the price difference between Dublin and the rest of the ROI. It is €19.99 for the limitless membership and €21.99 when it comes to accessing the Dublin cinemas.

Regards,

Goz

The Backwards Man

They obviously think Dublin is in the UK. Which is understandable as you never hear a Londoner complaining that jellied eels are much cheaper in Hull than in Stepney.