Why pay more than $10 a DVD?

[El Lancito]

Wow, I just realized that my thread title reads like a spammer's, but I figure that I'll leave it just as it is.

Anyway, I was going through my local Hollywood Video the other day and found many DVDs in their 3/$25 section. Not only that, but they had some movies that weren't very old, including Million Dollar Baby, The Machinist, and A Very Long Engagement. I've purchased used DVDs from them before, and have always been satisfied.

I've also noticed that Best Buy and Circuit City are advertising movies for $10 and under that are barely a month or two old.

Now, there are some titles, like Sin City and the upcoming Batman Begins where I want them so badly that I'll get them on the first day (but still pay around only $15!) Still, with this current trend, I've been holding off on movies that I'd like to have, but don't need to have right away. I was thinking of picking up L4yer Cake this Tuesday, but why not just wait a month and get it for $10 (or less!)

Anybody else seriously rethinking their habits like I am?

[tomdkat]

We've covered the pros and cons of purchasing used DVDs before and some prefer buying new, sealed DVDs only and some just have to have them on release day.

I buy used DVDs primarily now and save a ton of money.

Peace...

[Dilmo]

When I went to Best Buy and saw all the Superbit titles for $9.99, I was like a kid in a candy store.

[reapersaurus]

Well, it's kinda hard to get the special edition of Phantom of the Opera and Constantine for $10......

[MooglePorn]

My recent thoughts on this subject have been in the area of "if I don't like it enough to pay full price for it, I don't need it." I got trapped in the bargain-bin line of thinking... "oh, THIS movie is worth $5.50," and didn't concentrate on buying shit I really liked.

Sin City was worth the $14.99 I paid for it, or even twice that if it was mandatory (don't tell the studios that). If it wasn't, I shouldn't own it.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

My recent thoughts on this subject have been in the area of "if I don't like it enough to pay full price for it, I don't need it." I got trapped in the bargain-bin line of thinking... "oh, THIS movie is worth $5.50," and didn't concentrate on buying shit I really liked.

Sin City was worth the $14.99 I paid for it, or even twice that if it was mandatory (don't tell the studios that). If it wasn't, I shouldn't own it.

Why go from one extreme to the other? Why not ask "Am I willing to pay full price for this DVD?" If the answer is yes, then it's definitely a candidate for ownership. Then you could shop for the $5 price to pay for it.

That way, you pay bottom dollar for only the titles you truly want to own.

Peace...

[limacharliewhiskey]

In the used bins of rental stores like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, do they stock the 2-disc SE versions of titles, like many of the recent Warner releases like Constantine, Phantom of the Opera, and Alexander? These may not be available in used bins.

This method also works only for the most popular titles. If you want rare titles or other titles like music concerts, anime, foreign films, the used bin method doesn't work.

I have cut down on a lot of blind buying, preferring to rent stuff instead. If I like the movie, I put it on my wishlist and wait for the studio price reduction, or simply wait for a more loaded SE release in the future.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by limacharliewhis

This method also works only for the most popular titles. If you want rare titles or other titles like music concerts, anime, foreign films, the used bin method doesn't work.

But online sites like DDD.com might and they are just about as inexpensive as the used bins.

Peace...

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

But online sites like DDD.com might and they are just about as inexpensive as the used bins.

Peace...

DDD.com banned me from purchasing from them again. I had a missing package, so I called and was told to wait until such and such date, and they would either credit me or re-ship. It never arrived, and I decided I wanted credit. They treated me like a thief, and told me they would never ship to me again. Hey, they offered the choice. Bastards!

[SilentBob]

Well for me i'm a huge Used DVD buyer myself. The only time i buy new is for my Box Sets, free crap along wtih the purchase, my must have on first day and multi disc set that wont be in the used bins.


It seems like a lot i buy new but the rental stores are pretty good at getting the dvd editions i want in my collection. Sometimes my "must have" dvd's are way too expensive to get on the first day of release. I will wait for them in the used section and right now i can't complain about it when i can get at BlockBuster 2 for $24 and couple months older used dvd's at Roger's Video at 3 for $24. The dvd's don't seem to take as long as before to get onto the used dvd's shelves. So if it means i have to wait a month to get a dvd at roughly 1/2 price i will do so. So far i think about 300+ of my dvd's are used dvd purchases. Haven't ran into a problem yet so far

[Dilmo]

Originally Posted by SilentBob

Haven't ran into a problem yet so far

Could be you've bought from me online.

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by limacharliewhis

In the used bins of rental stores like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, do they stock the 2-disc SE versions of titles, like many of the recent Warner releases like Constantine, Phantom of the Opera, and Alexander? These may not be available in used bins.

I'm surprised the studios have not yet thought to have all rentals be bare-bones editions, making you buy the movie if you want the extras.

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Why go from one extreme to the other? Why not ask "Am I willing to pay full price for this DVD?" If the answer is yes, then it's definitely a candidate for ownership. Then you could shop for the $5 price to pay for it.

If it's something you always wanted but didn't have the money for, then it drops in price, ok I get that. But buying something JUST because it's cheap? I did that all the time, and I don't think it really makes a collection any better... just bigger.

[Derb]

Yep, I started re-thinking my dvd spending habits a couple years ago & joined CH Canada. Now I can't get rid of 'em which is to say thats not all bad because I never pay more than $10/title with them. I rarely, buy dvds used mostly because I don't shop for dvds in rental stores. The titles I pay full price for;

20th Century & Disney titles
Tv On DvD sets
Titles that scream out "Buy Me" (Sin City)

[chipmac]

I used to do it all when it came to DVD bargains. I'd buy used from Blockbuster when they had their 2fer or 3fer deals. I used to join CH, fulfill, quit and join again with 2 accounts going at once. But as my collection grew to almost 500 I became more discriminating about what I bought and started to sell or trade in the stinkers I bought in the early years. Looking back I did buy a lot just because it was $5 or free with coupons and not all of them were discs I had to have.

Now with CH not carrying discs from many of the studios any more I mainly wait until BestBuy has it on sale in their 2fer or 3fer sales. Then when DDD has their biannual 20% off sale I stock up on the things that don't go on sale at BestBuy. Then when I do shop used at BlockBuster it's usually something I rented not knowing if I would like and turned out loving it.

[El Lancito]

Originally Posted by limacharliewhis

In the used bins of rental stores like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, do they stock the 2-disc SE versions of titles, like many of the recent Warner releases like Constantine, Phantom of the Opera, and Alexander? These may not be available in used bins.

I'll have to take a look. They do have 2-disc DVDs, but I'm not sure if they have those when there are also 1-disc versions.

[El Lancito]

Ultimately, what I'm wondering is if the used DVDs will start to get even cheaper, considering that many titles go for $10 new within a shorter and shorter time frame nowadays. How can used DVDs compete at $10 per movie when you can get a sealed, new disc for the same price?

Overall, I think that this is good news for collectors. The used ones might go down as low as $5 if places like Hollywood and Blockbuster want to compete. I even saw a 2 for $12 sign at my local Blockbuster. I don't know if that was for everything they have though. I'll have to check it out.

[billnye97]

I don't really have any problems buying used. Although a resale shop near me bases their price on quantity. I've gotten a few new release the same week for 6 bucks just because they had a ton of them. I do agree, however, that I buy a lot of dvds just because they are cheap ($5 or less) from this place not so much because they were must haves or anything like that.

[manicsounds]

Here's an interesting thread about Used Discs....
compare the old stats......

Your Collection: Percentage of Used Titles

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by El Lancito

Ultimately, what I'm wondering is if the used DVDs will start to get even cheaper, considering that many titles go for $10 new within a shorter and shorter time frame nowadays. How can used DVDs compete at $10 per movie when you can get a sealed, new disc for the same price?

This is precisely the reason I stopped buying used discs about two years ago. There are a handful of discs I've bought used that I could've bought brand-new a year or two later for the same price or even cheaper (and, if I want to sell off a used title, I'm screwed, because no shop that buys used discs will accept scratched copies ). Basically, when weighing weither or not to buy a new release title, I have to calculate how much I enjoyed the movie against how heavilly it will be discounted the first week of release and how likely it will appear in a 2-for-$20 sale a few months down the road. I liked The Ring TwO, but didn't love it, so I'll wait for a sale price in a few months before I snap it up.

[billnye97]

Here are my stats:

80% Used
24% New
1% Gifts (People never buy me dvds)

Buying used has let me buy a lot of dvds I otherwise wouldn't get. My collection is close to 800 and without a doubt it would be around 300 if I had to buy all the dvds new. I also check the disc quality when I buy them used and make sure all the packaging is with them. (Which is why I usually avoid Blockbuster). Oh well, to each his own I suppose.

[El Lancito]

Originally Posted by billnye97

I also check the disc quality when I buy them used and make sure all the packaging is with them. (Which is why I usually avoid Blockbuster). Oh well, to each his own I suppose.

I've only bought a few from Blockbuster, and yeah, they do seem to be of poorer quality. I even had to take one back because my player couldn't even read the disc due to it being so badly scratched up.

Hollywood seems to do a good job, and they offer a one-year money back guarantee on all their used discs. They also don't sell them in those crappy rental boxes (or at least, much less crappy than Blockbuster's).

[aedavela]

Less than 5% of my collection is used. I rarely find good deals on used titles, and I'm perfectly willing to pay an extra $5 for a new copy. Also most of the places I go that sell used DVD's have re-sealed them. If I can't check to see if the disc is "worn" or if inserts are missing, no thanks.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Dilmo

DDD.com banned me from purchasing from them again.

Banned? Wow...

Peace...

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

I'm surprised the studios have not yet thought to have all rentals be bare-bones editions, making you buy the movie if you want the extras.

Sort of like a "reverse rental pricing" kind of thing? Instead of charging and arm and a leg up front, have rental copies vs sell-through copies. Rental copies are sold only to rental stores and sell-through to retail stores or rental stores with retail outlets.

Interesting.

Peace...

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

If it's something you always wanted but didn't have the money for, then it drops in price, ok I get that. But buying something JUST because it's cheap? I did that all the time, and I don't think it really makes a collection any better... just bigger.

I'm with you on this and I'm not advocating the "just because" prices. Discipline must be used when making all DVD purchases.

Peace...

[El Lancito]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Discipline must be used when making all DVD purchases.

Peace...

Wow. The philosophy of DVD buying! I ought to repeat this as a mantra so I don't wind up with crap like Blade: Trinity again!

[Dilmo]

I just sold a copy od Legends Of The Fall online, and here is an e-mail I received after the purchase. Name has be removed to protect the innocent.

Dear Sir,
I would like to get Legends of the Fall, but I noticed a slight problem. The format is for a wide screen TV, and I have a standard screen TV. Do you folks have an edition for a standard screen?
Thank-you,

All I can say is that he apparently works for a governor. I finally convinced him it would play on any set.

[cxc273]

Buying used is a great way to save a ton of cash. I try to do that more nowadays since I'm getting married in a year. The only exception to the rule for me is if it's a title that I want on opening day or if there's a regular and special edition available (rental stores invariably stock the regular version).

[BlueSol]

I now buy almost all of my movies used at a local rental store. TV shows and some special editions I will buy new but always on sale, I will never pay full price. I also wont pay bloated prices such as in Six feet under. When the price drops I pick up the titles I couldnt buy used, or I ask for them for christmas or my birthday.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by El Lancito

Wow. The philosophy of DVD buying! I ought to repeat this as a mantra so I don't wind up with crap like Blade: Trinity again!

Dude, you're a member of "Da File"... Every DVD purchase needs to be made with some kind of philosophy behind it.

Peace...