Dealflicks: The website that wants to be the Priceline of movie tickets

[grim22]

Pretty interesting idea for a website. Doesn't seem like they have a lot of theaters yet, but it could be a great idea if they can find the scale and deals with AMC or Regal

 

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dealflicks-20140506-story.html

 

Dealflicks aims to put movie fans in cheaper seats

"The idea is to increase as much face time as possible," said Hong, co-founder of Dealflicks. "We'll be hitting as many theaters as we can." 

Billed as a Priceline or Hotwire for movie tickets, Dealflicks partners with theaters to offer discounts of as much as 60% on movie tickets and concessions during periods when theaters are mostly vacant.

That's an appealing pitch after average movie ticket prices reached record levels in 2013 and theaters are experimenting with new ways to bring in customers to the multiplex. Last year, theaters in the U.S. and Canada drew 1.34 billion patrons, down from 1.5 billion nearly a decade ago, according to a recent report by the Motion Picture Assn. of America. 

Just like hotels, theaters struggle with high rates of vacancy during off-peak times, a problem Dealflicks sees as an opportunity. 

"Right now, 88% of movie theaters are empty," said Sean Wycliffe, chief executive of Dealflicks. "We'll say, 'Give us some of your excess inventory … and we'll do all the marketing for you.'"

Dealflicks lets theater owners select which movies they wish to discount, at what price and when. Unlike Priceline, there is no negotiation involved. Customers buy the tickets through Dealflicks' website or iPhone app. The company typically charges 10% to 20% of the ticket sales.

 

Customers go to the Dealflicks website to browse a list of theaters and movies with discounts. Once they select the movie and time they want, they log on to the website to buy the ticket. Dealflicks then sends an email voucher, which customers can take to the theater to redeem their ticket and/or concession items.

Special offers often are combined with concessions. For example, the MGN Five Star Cinema in Glendale on Monday offered a small popcorn and admission to an afternoon screening of "Spider-Man 2" for $16.75, representing a 26% discount off the regular price.

 

[lilmac]

Costco has a great deal where you buy 2 movie-tickets for $16.