Cheapskate Wisdom about … the Price of Movie Theater Popcorn

“If movie popcorn is such a raw deal, why are the concession lines so long?”

A contrarian view offered in a WSJ op-ed about whether movie theater popcorn is, in fact, as big a rip-off as consumers claim it to be. Considering that movie theaters make 85% profits at concessions stands, it sure seems like a rip-off.

On the other hand, as the WSJ piece explains, were it not for these rip-offs, consumers would probably be paying more in some other way:

In an age of growing government control of economies, the possibility that some politicians somewhere may suppress the price of movie popcorn cannot be ruled out. Just be assured that such a move would be followed by an unintended consequence: an increase in ticket prices that will likely be greater than the reduction in the price of popcorn. How else are theaters supposed to recover their lost high margin on popcorn and then cover their fixed costs?

On second thought, I like that overpriced popcorn is sold at the movies. At least I like that I have the option not to buy it.

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OF COURSE theater popcorn is a rip-off! Ain’t that the great American way. You have a captive audience (no pun intended) and, for most folks, a half-hour wait for the movie to begin. What else are they going to do?… sit like sheep and eat advertising on screen? I don’t think so. Nor do I believe that “subtle” flashes of Coke, popcorn eruptions and kids eating candy bars are shown for future advertising. No… they are to get you sorry butt out of your seat and go spend money.

As a dad, I generally don’t care for snacks myself, but for the kids… wait for it… “Daddy, I’m thirsty”, “Daddy, can I have some _________?” Daddy, Daddy, Daddy.

As if that’s not enough, twenty minutes into the film that we are so deeply engrossed in, it’s… wait for it again… “Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom”.

Thinking it over, I actually now believe that a movie is really no different than going to a mall… it’s a conspiracy to provide a life filled with interruptions. Personally, I would prefer to wait for the DVD to came out and relax at home, where the bathroom is clean, safe and close at hand, and microwave popcorn costs pennies and we can give them O.J. rather than Coke.

But, who am I to complain anyway? I still take them to the movies, and it’s only money… if I have to take out a second mortgage to buy the popcorn, it’s the price of family fun. It’s still cheaper than taking them to the beach (which is about 150 miles away). Perhaps I can see the next movie vicariously through the eyes of my very own Avatar, but I’ll just wait for 3D… that is, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy” (no pun intended).