How is FYE still in business?

[Deleted]

Seriously, how do they continue to exist?

Every time I've ever been in there, it seems that most of their products sell for MSRP, which means a DVD/Blu-ray that runs $15-$20 at Wal-Mart or Target will cost you at least $25-35 at FYE. Is it because of the wider selection? If so, Amazon puts them to shame. Don't even get me started on their prices compared to Amazon's, even with shipping factored in.

I know that people love to talk up FYE because you can trade in DVDs there, but the first (and last) time I tried to do that, they wanted to give me less than $1 each. The guy behind the counter somehow managed - with a straight face - to offer me nine cents for Peter Jackson's King Kong several years ago.

Literally everywhere else is cheaper. If you absolutely have to trade in your old products, you can make so much more selling them on eBay. With places like Circuit City (where prices were decent) going under, how in blue blazes can FYE still exist?

[Apricots And A Pear Tree]

Porn and a Metal section?

[VenomFang]

Whoever owns them has really deep pockets and doesnt mind losing money.

[Blindkarevik]

I'll be honest, I haven't shopped for music since I got my ipod years ago. However, before that, I loved FYE simply because it had a great metal section. While the prices were way higher than other places, I didn't mind paying them simply because they had stuff nobody else did.

These days, though, it's harder to justify their existence.

[VenomFang]

They had exclusive bonus content on the WCW Nitro dvd and I believe they have had exclusive content on other dvds in the past so thats the only reason I kept going there. For cds and stuff I went to newbury comics which is kinda like FYE except better and cheaper.

[Sponsored by Groose Wipes]

FYE is still in business?

[Baixo Astral]

They have after hours bear baiting sessions.

[HMARK Center]

It does amaze me how many movie/music stores have bolted out of malls around here (and I love in North Jersey, I can't kick a rock without hitting a huge ass mall), yet FYE seems to be the only one still around.

I do stop in there because it's, again, usually the only movie store left in the mall, but the only things I recall buying from there in recent memory are any DVD's that've been marked down significantly. Like, I recall getting season 3 of Animaniacs for under $20, and digging around for some deals in their bins of DVD's they're just trying to get rid of for $10 or less.

[Ron Woodsman aka Shempaholic]

They have decent deals on used CDs and DVDs. Their biggest strength is their selection (especially of metal cds as others have mentioned). I think it's hilarious they still have single CDs priced at $19.99. I guess FYE's main purpose now is to browse music and movies you'll later go home and order from Amazon for half the price.

I haven't bought anything at FYE since they started aggressively promoting their backstage pass program (you save like 10% off on each purchase if you pay them $25 a year). They're doing such a hard sell on this thing it makes me suspicious. I had one guy for five straight minutes try to sell me on this thing before he finally rang up my order. He was extremely pissed at me for not signing up, and wouldn't say say a word to me afterwards.

I consider myself very lucky to still have a local record store that is still open. That's where I buy most of my music.

[willywonka666]

There are some casual shoppers that probably just don't know any better. While I don't care about going there now, it will be weird to not have a music or entertainment store in a mall and there will be nothing but clothes. Boring.

[Bishblast]

I go to FYE once a year, maybe. When I go to Kentucky for Christmas, I usually go there and shop around in their used sections, as well as their suprisingly vast Cult Classic and Horror section. As I said, though, it's a once a year thing at the most.

[Cyno]

All the FYE's around here closed up shop. I had just assumed they went out of business.

[andrew8798]

Nov 2, 2011 11:09:31 GMT -5 Cyno said:

All the FYE's around here closed up shop. I had just assumed they went out of business.

Same

[Viking Snad]

I shop at FYE because I created a relationship with the manager there, and I get sweet sweet discounts and deals. He'll match any price, kinda like what Wal-Mart does. I took my friend in, first day, to get thr Star Wars Saga on Blu-Ray. Originally $130 at FYE, got it for $70 because that is what Wal-Mart had it listed as.

[Will Has 'Til Five, Ref]

Nov 2, 2011 9:59:43 GMT -5 VenomFang said:

Whoever owns them has really deep pockets and doesnt mind losing money.

So Panda Energy also owns FYE?

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2011 10:57:23 GMT -5 Ron Woodsman aka Shempaholic said:

I had one guy for five straight minutes try to sell me on this thing before he finally rang up my order.

You are indeed a far more patient man than I am.

[Krazee]

Nov 2, 2011 11:09:31 GMT -5 Cyno said:

All the FYE's around here closed up shop. I had just assumed they went out of business.

[Deleted]

Main reason I ever shop there is that they have by far the best local WWE and anime selection.

[DSR]

I go there often and browse. They often have good deals on used stuff. I bought 2 Godzilla movies for 5 bucks each just last week.

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2011 11:11:38 GMT -5 Viking Snad said:

Star Wars Saga on Blu-Ray... Originally $130 at FYE ... $70 ... is what Wal-Mart had it listed as.

And that's why I can't figure out how FYE sells anything.