Sneaking treats into the movie theater

[Scurvy]

What I don't understand is some people are saying eat before the movies so you are not hungry. Well, what's the difference if you sneak in food and don't buy at the concession or eat before the movies and don't buy at the concession?? Either way if what people are saying is true (that movie theaters only make money off concessions) then people that eat before the movies are "ripping off" the theater just as much as as the people that sneak food in?

The difference is that in one case you are breaking a rule of the theater and in the other you are not. There's no rule that says you have to eat during a movie, and no rule that says you must purchase a certain amount of food or beverages while you are in the theater. There is, however, a rule that you may not bring outside food or beverages into the venue. You can choose to obey that rule or you have the option of staying home to watch a movie or finding a different theater that does allow outside food or drink.

 

[RachelEllen]

I recently read/heard something that said that the nutritional value of a medium popcorn was the same as eating 3 big macs!!

So, I will continue to smuggle in my packs of fruit snacks and granola bars.

Right there with you. I'm normally such a rule follower, but I'll freely admit this is an area of moral weakness for me. I'll buy a soda or candy at the concession area, but I love popcorn with my movies and the stuff they sell is nasty! I do sneak in my lightly oiled popped popcorn with sprinkle of parmesian. Mmmmm!!

 

[abcboys]

The difference is that in one case you are breaking a rule of the theater and in the other you are not. There's no rule that says you have to eat during a movie, and no rule that says you must purchase a certain amount of food or beverages while you are in the theater. There is, however, a rule that you may not bring outside food or beverages into the venue. You can choose to obey that rule or you have the option of staying home to watch a movie or finding a different theater that does allow outside food or drink.

Yes, but isn't the purpose of this rule so they will sell more at the concessions? Or is it just a random rule they throw out there for no reason? Either way they are still not making a sale.

 

[mommytomy3]

I usually do visit the concession stand for my DD, but at the same time I ususally have a bottle of water in my purse for myself! I recently found out my son has a severe nut allergy, and he cannot have coconut, and movie theatres (and WDW too!) pop their popcorn in coconut oil, so he cannot have that, so I will absolutely bring him his own popcorn from home!

 

[tar heel]

Well, if the ban started in October, I'd say my AMC is not honoring it. We made no efforts to conceal our Starbux.

 

[Scurvy]

Yes, but isn't the purpose of this rule so they will sell more at the concessions? Or is it just a random rule they throw out there for no reason? Either way they are still not making a sale.

I assume the primary purpose of the rule is to encrease their profit margin. I imagine a secondary benefit is that it helps to reduce the number of messy/smelly foods that are brought in. It's certainly not random.

They don't make a sale if people choose to forego food or drink during the movie. However, there are many people who enjoy the movie much more if they have snacks or drinks. If they are allowed to bring in their own food or drinks they will do so, because it saves them money. If those people bring in their own food and drinks then the theater is losing those sales. If the theater enforces the rule that no outside food or drink is permitted, it increases the likelyhood that people will purchase food or drinks while they are there.

But frankly, I don't think any of this matters. It's not my job as a consumer to decide what rules an establishment can or should enforce (again, assuming the rules are legal). It's my job as a consumer to decide whether I am willing to patronize the establishment. It's their property and their rules. While I am a guest there, I will follow all of their rules. If I don't want to do that then I won't patronize the establishment. And if enough people boycott someplace because of a rule they object to, and if they let the business know why they are doing so, then the business owners are likely to change that rule.

In the case of food allergies, I would think you could talk to the theater manager and they would grant that member of your party an exception. You shouldn't have to sneak in popcorn for one member of your party when the other party members are buying popcorn which the allergic person can't consume. I would think that the manager would tell you it was fine to bring in popcorn for that person. If they were so rigid as to disallow that, then I wouldn't want to give them any of my business anyway!

Again, if you feel you have to sneak to do something, then you obviously know it's not allowed and so you shouldn't be doing it.

 

[DisneyLover83]

Well, if the ban started in October, I'd say my AMC is not honoring it. We made no efforts to conceal our Starbux.

The AMC in Concord Mills lets you bring in anything, from Starbucks to a meal from the Chili's in the mall! I have never seen anyone stopped and I was just there last week for The Blind Side.

 

[abcboys]

Again, if you feel you have to sneak to do something, then you obviously know it's not allowed and so you shouldn't be doing it.

Although I rarely go to the movies, there are 2 that we do visit. I honestly don't think at either one I've seen a sign that says no outside food or drinks. The reason I sneak is because I think its kind of embarrassing to bring your own stuff in. I don't REALLY want people knowing I'm a cheapskate!

 

[Scurvy]

Although I rarely go to the movies, there are 2 that we do visit. I honestly don't think at either one I've seen a sign that says no outside food or drinks. The reason I sneak is because I think its kind of embarrassing to bring your own stuff in. I don't REALLY want people knowing I'm a cheapskate!

Well if it's not posted, maybe they don't have a rule about it. Until recently I thought it was a rule in all theaters, and I was surprised to find out that isn't the case. It's the people who know for sure that it's against the rules and do it anyway that I don't understand.

As for the bolded - I know what you mean! I don't view that as "sneaking", though. It's just being discreet.

 

[DebMcDonald]

Our theater has had a sign for as long as I can remember about not bringing in outside food, but I have to admit that doesn't stop me. I always buy a popcorn, but I smuggle in drinks and candy and most of the time the little ones get the combo packs for $5..

My husband way back when used to be a GM for Showcase/National amusements and they are well aware that people do this and he says where do you think the theater's make the majority of their money, the concession stand because it clearly does not cost $5.50 to pop a bag of popcorn. We rarely visit the movies anymore because it is too expensive, but I had a friend who last weekend did and for her family of 4 it was $100 because she didn't stop at the dollar store first.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

OK, it is highway robbery to pay $15 for a popcorn and a soda......

But, what about sporting venues, they charge very similar prices. Sure people may not frequent these as much as movie theaters, or they may see these as special occasions. At this point in my life, I view the movies as a special occasion and will fork out the money for a snack if I want it. And if I am at a Ravens game, I'll fork out the money for snacks. Yes, it kills me to pay $8 for a beer, but I do! Because I don't go often (my BIL has season tix and we use his 1x a year...the day easily costs us $250-300 all in for tickets, tailgating, game snacks.)

We don't go to movies much with our kids b/c our one son has autism and it's really hard for him to sit quietly through a movie. But we have an awesome home theater system, so we do our movies at home. So our $15 for popcorn has gone into the home theater system!

 

[crl]

I rarely go to theaters, but when we do go, I eat before the movie. If my DS happens to be going with us, I do take a snack for him since he has a milk allergy, it's just safer to bring food we know is safe. We do this just about everywhere we go except restaurants since their sole business is food. Our friends have come to understand that it's not their cooking, it's just safer for our young son if we bring food for him. (By the way, he is 3 so he rarely goes to a theater anyway.)

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I recently read/heard something that said that the nutritional value of a medium popcorn was the same as eating 3 big macs!!

So, I will continue to smuggle in my packs of fruit snacks and granola bars.

I heard the same thing and we always bought it, until now. Our little small town theater has ok prices on their items, but when we go to the big one we either eat before we go, or we take things in because it's 5.00 for a drink. I refuse to pay it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What I don't understand is some people are saying eat before the movies so you are not hungry. Well, what's the difference if you sneak in food and don't buy at the concession or eat before the movies and don't buy at the concession?? Either way if what people are saying is true (that movie theaters only make money off concessions) then people that eat before the movies are "ripping off" the theater just as much as as the people that sneak food in?

You're not "ripping them off" by eating outside the theater (in a restaurant or - ! - in your own home) before or after the movie. They don't sell complete meals - well, my local Showcase does; they have the regular concessions, they have the equivalent of a fast food counter, they have some reserved seating theaters where you can get food served to your seat, and they have a full-service restaurant inside the building. But I'm not flouting their rules if I eat at home before I go to the theater. I would be breaking their rules if I attempt to bring in my own food.

Now, it would be different if it was a nice place where no food was allowed and you were sneaking it in. But they allow food so what's the difference?

They allow food purchased in the theater to be consumed in the theater.

It's relatively comparable to a bar that sells, oh, say, hot dogs as well (so patrons don't have to drink on an empty stomach, but a kitchen isn't required since they have a cart or hot dog machine). You wouldn't bring your own drink into a bar, right? There's a very high mark-up on alcoholic beverages, and the sale of these beverages is the primary means of revenue for the bar.

So, especially now knowing that concessions are the primary source of revenue for the movie theater, why bring in your own food?

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Go see my posts on the recent "venting about slow drivers" thread
Exceeding the speed limit does not cheat a business owner of revenue. Sneaking food into a movie theater, does - sneaking being the operative word. As Scurvy points out, when you hide outside food until a point when you think you won't be caught - it shouldn't be done. If you can bring your own food openly into the lobby and then theater, then it's a legitimate action.
, and the electricity, and the attendant's pay...

But when you exceed the speed limit thinking you won't get caught is breaking the law. I would be more upset if I got a ticket then if someone took away my chocolate bar.

 

[abcboys]

So, especially now knowing that concessions are the primary source of revenue for the movie theater, why bring in your own food?

Well, there are 3 choices
1) don't eat at all. Yes, this is doable and even if we eat beforehand its still fun to have a snack to munch on. Not necessary but funner.

2) pay the exhorbitant prices on the concession stand snacks.

3) sneak in your own food.

Only one of these in bringing in money for the theater and if your main concern is money for the theater, then choices 1 and 3 are NOT bringing in any revenue for the theater.

I guess I'm a bad person, I will continue to bring in drinks and candy, but will buy the popcorn there. And yes, I have brought my own food into sporting events and amusement parks, too. But, I usually see long lines at the concession stands so I will wager a bet that most people do not bring in their own food.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Only one of these in bringing in money for the theater and if your main concern is money for the theater, then choices 1 and 3 are NOT bringing in any revenue for the theater.

But number 3 - "sneaking" - is denying the venue of reasonably-expected money. If you are going to eat something available for sale at the theater, in the theater, then you are effectively preventing them from obtaining the expected revenue from the sale of that item. Again, that's NOT profit. It's money that goes to paying the operating costs of the theater, so they can be open and have movies available for customer entertainment.

Would you rather pay $30 per ticket and a Walgreens-comparable price for candy?

But, I usually see long lines at the concession stands so I will wager a bet that most people do not bring in their own food.

That would indicate that MOST people are complying with the rules of the stadium/arena or theme park.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But when you exceed the speed limit thinking you won't get caught is breaking the law.

Did you find the thread I was referring to? I'm a strong advocate of driving at or safely below the speed limit.

 

[mskayjay]

They do not carry the types of food I would like nor do they carry the beverage I would like (decaf diet soda) so yes, I do bring things in and I have no qualms about it. I am paying to see the movie not to eat at their establishment. If it was a dinner theatre than no, I would not bring my own snacks.

When it gets to point where it costs multiple times more to have a popcorn and soda than it costs to see the show, there is something wrong. We rarely go to the theatre to see movies for this reason and the fact that I'm not spending big bucks to listen to some jerks on their phones, having conversations, testing, you name it...... Just my choice!

 

[mskayjay]

Did you find the thread I was referring to? I'm a strong advocate of driving at or safely below the speed limit.

Generally speaking the safest speed to drive at is the one that the majority of the traffic doing, even if it is over the limit somewhat. I commute a great deal each week and the folks who take it to one extreme or the other are usually the cause of the bottlenecks or accidents. Now the lady who blew by me this morning at 80 in a 65 and immediately got pulled over.....lol....I took great joy in that as she was a tailgate runner and had been pushing people like mad. Once she got clear, she ran right into a trap and I'm guessing she was not a regular traveler on that road to not realize it was going to be there!

oooopppssss.....hijacking.....off I go.