Advice on Buying DVDs

[blackcauldron85]

Long story short, I've wasted so much money in my life, mostly buying movies & CDs that I don't really want & I end up selling (or I do want but sell to get ones I really want), or buying clothes that I don't need.

I'm trying to budget my money, and I figured that, if I don't spend any money next year, at the end of the year, I'll have approximately $622.09 in spending money (to buy whatever I want).

I have a long list (300 + titles, I think) of Disney movies/TV shows/Treasures, etc., on DVD that I want, and I figure I'll spend most of my money on DVDs next year (in addition to a few CDs I'll really want or concert tickets).

I'm a member of the DMC, and I get free shipping on all orders of 2+ movies. I've been doing some price researching online, and I know that Amazon gives you free shipping if you spend more than $25, and sometimes they have the "Better Together" deals, where you'll save a few dollars if you buy 2 movies together.

The pawn shops near me just never seem to have Disney movies...they'll have a few, but they're usually ones I already have.

I guess my main question is, when buying a lot of movies at once, or even in a short period of time, is it best to wait for an amazing DMC offer, use Deep Discount DVD, Amazon, Overstock.com (or any other website that I might not know about), or is it best to cross your fingers and buy used on Amazon or Half.com, or, if totally necessary, eBay?

I know that, for example, buying the Herbie 4-movie collection on either Amazon or Deep Discount, at under $47 is better than buying the 4 movies separate.

Shipping is a huge kicker- you save a few dollars buying used (or even new, but from the marketplace) on Amazon, but, if you spend more than $25, you get free shipping, so, let's say you purchase a movie from the marketplace for $7.00. Add onto that $3 for shipping (or something like that), and it's $10, when you can get it for $12.99 from Amazon itself. What would you do in that case- be happy to save $3, or splurge and get the new copy from Amazon directly?

I haven't bought DVDs in months, save for a couple movies. In the summer, I bought a whole bunch on Amazon and Half.com used, for about $2-3 per movie. I bought so many that I still haven't watched them all, but all have worked so far. I know about checking for feedback, but sometimes sellers sell their movies for so cheap, that you can't know why they're selling it for so cheap (is it a bootleg? are there scratches? do they just want to sell it at any cost?).

So, sorry this is outrageously long. Basically, when you buy lots of DVDs, what to do you/where do you buy/used or new?

Thanks!!!

[jrboy]

My best advice to you would be to stay away from new releases, because no matter what that price will come down.

When first released, the World Trade Center SE sold for $25.00

Now Wal-Mart is selling it for only $3.98

For the most part I try not to buy used, mainly due to the fact that I like to know where my dvds have been, and that some people are Gross. I rather buy a new dvd for a few dollars more than to buy a used one that some sick person has touched.

For the most part, I buy my dvds for DMC, Columbia House, & Deep Discount, & eBay......

DMC - I buy a large amount of my Disney dvds during the 50% off sale, it's really the one to wait for.

Columbia House - b1g1 free w/ free shipping

Deep Discount - They always have great sales

Ebay - I find a lot of thing here that I never even seen before




and a lot of thing that I have been wanting to get.



If buying used works for you then that's what I would keep doing. Keep your eyes open and always be on the lookout for the best deals.

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks, jrboy!

Ideally, I'd buy all new DVDs (all of the DVDs I've bought used, except for "The Mighty Ducks", which pauses for a second, seem perfect, but, had I bought new, TMD would not skip), but it usually is cheaper to also buy used.

Do you often buy new DVDs on eBay? When I really started buying DVDs, I bought a lot on eBay and was lucky, but, since then, I've been screwed a few times. Can you recommend any sellers who sell Disney movies that you've bought from?

[jrboy]

Here's my eBay feedback fourm
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... 20Feedback

I buy a couple of things a month, but now I'm saving up for the DMC sale so I'm trying to cut back on ebay.

First off, don't buy from this seller, he sold me a fake then lied about it
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... 20Feedback

Some Good Sellers
http://stores.ebay.com/Leons-Vault-Of-Disney-Classics

http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/SaleSe ... FSRCH:SRCH

http://stores.ebay.com/Family-Movie-War ... esstQQtZkm

Out of the 102 items that I bought/sold I been screwed 3 times, and they all where Limited Issues, go figure.

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks for the links! Some prices seem high, but some seem like less than what you'd pay for at a store, so I'll keep an eye out...

I'll have to wait for the DMC's big 50% off sale next year, since I don't have $ right now...I need to save my $ in order to afford that.

[littlefuzzy]

I buy used, but I have to have discs and artwork that is in perfect condition... Most any place that sells used should let you look at the discs before you buy, and also they should have a return policy if it doesn't work...

Also, if you have a disc that doesn't work right, see about getting it polished. Go to the places that have the $1000 machines, not just the $20 Disc Doctors.

Since The Mighty Ducks is Disney, you might register it, and contact Disney for a replacement.

=====

You said you were buying a lot of movies and music that you found out you didn't like that much... Start checking stuff out, and see if you are going to like it before you get it.

=====

As someone else mentioned, you don't HAVE to have the latest greatest movie right on release day! Eventually it will go on sale, and be marked down quite a bit. I finally picked up Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny for about $7.50, and there are things in the Wal-Mart bargain bin (and elsewhere) for $5 that just came out a year ago or so...

=====

You might consider limiting purchases right now to things that are limited edition, or that are going to "go back in the vault." Disney Treasures, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin (if you can find it,) and so on...

=====

As far as the Disney titles go... The Platinum and other 2-disc versions probably will NOT drop in price much, and you might do just as well getting those on release day or week... Plus, you might get lithographs or plushes, and you might even get 2-fer sales (Buy Jungle Book, get one of these other films for 10 bucks) or something.

You might also consider something like the Best Buy Pre-Order sheets, where you save $5 on a Disney DVD $14.99 or higher when you Pre-Order _____ (insert new Disney DVD, like Ratatouille.)

=====

Also, consider where you shop the most, and see if they have a "Rewards Program" like Best Buy. When you buy so many dollars worth of stuff, you get a $5 certificate, and they have special days when they might have double points, etc.

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks for the info, littlefuzzy! I hadn't thought about contacting Disney for a replacement DVD...but I'll definitely look into it! But, can you only send back the disc? Because the case has a store sticker on it...

I always buy the animated classics & Pixar movies when they're first available, so my list is mostly live-action films, TV shows, some random animated movies, such as "Recess: Miracle on Third Street".

Now I'm trying not to buy movies & music that I just don't care about. Back years ago, I went through a rock phase (but I didn't really like most of the music), so I ended up wasting a lot of money there (you never get back what you paid for when you sell them used!), and sometimes I'll buy a used CD and never listen to it, so I'll resell it, and I only buy Disney movies now (since I would always just sell the non-Disney movies I'd buy- I'm better off renting those).

CD Warehouse sometimes has Disney movies in their used shelf, but they don't have that much of a selection, versus buying on Amazon, for example. Amazon, Half.com, and eBay pretty much have any Disney movie that has been in print at one point, so I almost feel like I'm better off buying online- there's quantity, but not all of it is quality (that's where user feedback comes in, I guess). Buying new, as long as the DVD is held securely in the case, doesn't really have risks, but buying used online does, since, while ordering, you can't know if it's a bootleg or in bad quality.

**edit** I just spend a while registering all of my Disney DVDs online, and, in the FAQs section, it says that you must pay $6.95 for each damaged DVD that you want replaced. I didn't even pay that much for "The Mighty Ducks", so I'll just keep it, pause and all (it really isn't that bad).

[azul017]

I did buy (and still buy a few) most of my DVDs from Amazon, because as they do offer the "free shipping for orders over $25", but now I've switched to Deep Discount for my shopping. This is mainly due to the two annual sales they have, one in July and the other in November, and that is their 20% off sale. And they have free shipping on everything in their store, not just items over $25.

During that period, Deep Discount has discount codes you can enter when ordering your stuff (it only applies to the DVDs) and if you're ordering more than one DVD, the 20% discount is applied to your total order and if you factor that in with the free shipping, the prices rival that or even beat Amazon hands-down. During their July sale, I ordered The Adventures of Robin Hood (not the Disney version but the better one with Errol Flynn) and A Nightmare on Elm Street: infinifilm edition. Amazon had those titles for around $17.99 - $18.99 (and DD $19.21 apiece), but with the DD discount, those titles only cost me $15.37 each and I saved $7 in total. Keep in mind though, Deep Discount does ship stuff in either bubble mailers (which are more susceptable to damage) or cardboard boxes -- and with the impending discount sale, some titles have some last-minute price jumps. Amazon has much more reliable packaging, though.

And I do buy used DVDs occasionally, but I mostly opt for new DVDs and bargain shopping is a good thing. And you can cut down on the money spent on DVDs by putting them on your birthday/holiday wish lists.

[dvdjunkie]

There is a company here in Wichita that also has stores in several other states. They are called CD Tradepost, and you can look them up on the web and see where they are closer to you. They do mail order for a very minimal charge and all of their used DVD's are guaranteed for a full year! They also sell games and VHS movies, and CD's. Their listings can be found on the web at :

CDTradepost.com

Good Luck. They sell most all new releases for $7.99 to $11.99. And they always seem to get quite a few Disney titles in every week.

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks for the advice, you guys!

dvdjunkie, CDTradepost does seem to have great prices! Do you have to call an individual store for them to ship you a movie? Because there's no "add to cart" button or anything...? (I just looked on Google Maps- the closest location to me is 2 hours & 13 minutes away...so I would have to order on the phone/online!)

[PeterPanfan]

I didn't know where to put this, so I'll post here. I'm going to Scranton on Sunday, and have a list of TV on DVD Sets I want to buy. Problem is, I don't know which ones. Could someone please rank the following in order of how the would buy them? With reasons, please.

Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Season Four - $14.99 at Wal-Mart
Angel Season One - $14.99 at Wal-Mart
Firefly: The Complete Series - $19.99 at FYE
Beverly Hills, 90210 Season One - $13.99 at FYE
Will & Grace Season One - $13.99 at FYE
Heroes Season One - $19.99 at FYE
How I Met Your Mother Season Two - $14.99 at Target

Thanks!

[Escapay]

Could someone please rank the following in order of how the would buy them? With reasons, please.

Buffy, the Vampire Slayer Season Four - $14.99 at Wal-Mart
Angel Season One - $14.99 at Wal-Mart
Firefly: The Complete Series - $19.99 at FYE
Beverly Hills, 90210 Season One - $13.99 at FYE
Will & Grace Season One - $13.99 at FYE
Heroes Season One - $19.99 at FYE
How I Met Your Mother Season Two - $14.99 at Target

Thanks!

Here's how I'd rank them (and why)

1. "How I Met Your Mother" - because of the seven you listed, it's probably the most approachable and is easily rewatchable. Plus, it's Season Two! Let's Go To The Mall!

2. "Firefly" - it's one of the best cult sci-fi shows out there (though I still enjoy "Doctor Who" and "Star Trek" more), and it's a pity there isn't more beyond the 14 episodes and movie (Serenity). You can get into the show pretty quickly, and it's Joss Whedon, so if you like "Buffy" (godknowswhy...) and "Angel", you'll really love this.

3. "Angel" - I always preferred it over "Buffy", so it automatically gets a spot higher than "Buffy" on the list.

4. "Will & Grace" - the first four seasons were great, while the last four were a quick decline in quality. So the first season should be a great buy, though I wouldn't really consider it an essential show to have on DVD. One caveat though: some of the episodes on DVD are the syndicated versions and not the original broadcast versions (though I don't think this applies to Season 1, but to later seasons).

5. "Beverly Hills, 90210" - this is last on the list, mainly because I prefer the mid/late seasons. It's still good TV, though, if you think you can handle early 90s high school drama that's almost as good as "My So-Called Life". Early seasons of 90210 is like an entirely different show compared to its later seasons, first season especially.

I don't really care at all for "Buffy" or "Heroes" so they're not on the list.

albert

[xxhplinkxx]

so if you like "Buffy" (godknowswhy...) ... I don't really care at all for "Buffy"

Them's fightin' words!

[Escapay]

so if you like "Buffy" (godknowswhy...) ... I don't really care at all for "Buffy"

Them's fightin' words!

*gives plinky a roundhouse kick*

*subsequently gets one from Chuck Norris for stealing his signature move*

*Tells Chuck Norris that the roundhouse kick was given because plinky likes "Buffy"*

*Chuck Norris then gives plinky another roundhouse kick and takes back all the pink elephants that plinks stole and returns them to me.*



albert

[xxhplinkxx]

*Then Scaps gets attacked and eaten alive by all the pink elephants who have been brainwashed while in my possession and are now plink elephants which return to me upon the eat-age of Scaps*


:pink::pink::pink::pink:

[Jack Skellington]

Whispers to Amy :

"(Torrents, Torrents, Torrents !)"

The best things in life come without a price tag, savvy ?!

(Goes and drinks more rum !)

[DisneyFreak5282]

Amy,

I've been going to FYE and buying DVDs and CDs used for about 4 or 5 years, and I have never once had a problem with their Used products at all. Plus, there is a 30 day guarantee on Used DVDs and CDs, meaning if the quality does not meet up to your standards, you can bring it back and get an exchange or refund. Plus, one of the main reasons why I love buying used, FYE usually always has a promomotion on used items - most commonly either Buy 2 Used, Get the Third FREE, or Buy 2 Used, Get the Third 50% Off. Both promotions save TONS of money for me - the DVDs are pretty cheap used considering how much they are sold for new, and when you could get that third DVD [or CD] for 50% off, imagine how much more you save when the price is already discounted! There is a company that is run by FYE called Wherehouse, and I sometimes order off their website - http://www.wherehouse.com - because sometimes the used stuff is even cheaper than in store. And every week the promotions either involve free shipping or a discount on new and/or used CDs and DVDs.

To get more money towards DVDs and CDs I want (either used or new), I usually trade things in to FYE. They don't give you heaps of money, but if you trade in a few things it can really add up. Plus, it really clears up the clutter in your house!

[Escapay]

*Then Scaps gets attacked and eaten alive by all the pink elephants who have been brainwashed while in my possession and are now plink elephants which return to me upon the eat-age of Scaps*


:pink::pink::pink::pink:

*Scaps' ghost comes back to haunt plinky and the plink elephants which forces plinky to conduct a complex and ancient ceremony that will bring Scaps back to life even if he was eated by the plink elephants. Once Scaps is back, he takes back the elephants, retrains them to become pink elephants again, and they stomp all over plinky*

:pink::pink::pink::pink:

The best things in life come without a price tag, savvy ?!

Definitely agree there. The one caveat that I don't like is having to wait so long for something to download, then finding that the quality is crap.

Still, without torrents I'd never be able to watch some shows that are still not yet on DVD or not yet in R1.

albert

[xxhplinkxx]

*Scaps' ghost comes back to haunt plinky and the plink elephants which forces plinky to conduct a complex and ancient ceremony that will bring Scaps back to life even if he was eated by the plink elephants. Once Scaps is back, he takes back the elephants, retrains them to become pink elephants again, and they stomp all over plinky*

:pink::pink::pink::pink:

*But Plinky survives the stompage cause he ate his wheaties that morning, and manages to steal back a handful of elephants where he will breed them in captivity to one day reassemble his army.*

[Escapay]

*Scaps laughs maniacally*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

*Because Plinks failed to realize that the wheaties he ate were poisoned by Scaps, and that the pink elephants he stole were clones trained to kill plinks on site. Scaps then laughs maniacally again.*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

*and logs off to go to church, hoping that Laz doesn't burn it down*