Working the DVD Deal

I've been a member of Columbia House for several years now. I use to buy tons of DVDs and buying it through Columbia House was the best option due to member deals and the initial 49 cent DVD sign up deal. Once you satisfy the member obligation which is like 4 DVD at regular price in 4 years, you don't ever have to buy a DVD from Columbia House again. There's a whole art to doing this in order for your DVD purchases to average out to about $11.00 or lower. Throughout my whole membership I believe my average is about $12.00 per DVD with shipping and tax included which is lower than the $14.95 sale price (w/o tax) at Target on Tuesday's new releases.

I haven't purchased a DVD from Columbia House since June 2004... But today I got a great offer. Buy one at regular price ($19.95 or more) and get one free with free shipping.

See... its the Shipping that kills you. But once you complete your obligation you get offers for free shipping along with discounts all the time. Especially during holidays. It's great!

I was researching the Harry Potter series since I want to watch them now. Yes, that's right... I've never watched a Harry Potter movie - I had no interest before. But Jake and I caught a scene on HBO and I thought, hey, this would be fun to watch with Jake... So I found a Three Movie Set deal on Columbia House but eventually I calculated the whole 'special thing' and chose to buy the seperate discs to save a couple of bucks.

Here's what I bought:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ($19.95)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Free)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ($19.95)
The Notebook Platinum Series (Free) for the wife
Van Helsing (Free) (Yes, I liked Van Helsing)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Collector's Edition ($22.95)


Total price: $67.41 which is $11.24 per DVD.


Cool, huh?

If you ever want to know how to work the deal at Columbia House, feel free to ask. The simplest way is to first use the right 'code' when you sign up and then meet your member obligation with additional movies on one purchase with DVDs you want at the lowest price possible. Usually this will get you free shipping due to the large purchase of maybe six DVDs, and sales on the non-membership obligation DVDS. THEN... Cancel your membership or use Columbia House at full advantage. They also offer free cash for every DVD purchased which helps lower the average price of DVDs. But the catch is, you have to use your free dollars in December. Just in time for Christmas!!!

Please let me know if you want to get hooked up with Columbia House. I'll send you a refer a friend link which will entitle me to a free DVD as well. This is also a great way to build up a collection for cheap. Refer friends (it can even be yourself as I talked to Columbia House on the phone about same household referals) and get free movies! So send me your email so I can refer you! :)

For more information check out this post on Rotten Tomatoes on how to work the DVD Deal at Columbia House.