Previously viewed movies

I've brought the topic up in many threads over the years, but I never addressed it on its own. In reading and commenting in the Blu Ray at Blockbuster thread, it reminded me that many people, particularly those in the U.S. don't have the same experience as I do with buying movies, and I'm curious why that is.

For anyone with any interest in owning any DVDs of any kind, I see no value in renting. Period. Here in Canada, I can go to Blockbuster, Rogers, or Beat Goes On, as well as many independent video stores, and buy any movie I want previously viewed. Considering the fact that the major retailers constantly have sales on these movies, I never pay more than $12 for a DVD, and usually less. If it is a DVD that has been released for mainstream rental in the last 18 months, I can pretty much walk into any Blockbuster or Rogers and buy it for anywhere from $5 to $12 (generally the price relates to how recently it was released). PV movies are put out for sale within 3-4 weeks of release. Each store has anywhere from 12 to 20 feet of wall space devoted to PV movies. If it is an older title, I can put it on my wishlist at Beat Goes On, and when it comes up, I can reserve it for considerably less that the SRP because it is used. It really isn't hard to get anything I want, even it is rather obscure.

On top of this, if I buy something, watch it, and decide I don't like it, I can sell it back to Blockbuster or BGO for about $5. It can sell for more if it is newer or more in demand. If it is in high demand I can also sell it on ebay or amazon for sometimes more than I paid. So, basically, I never pay more than I would to rent, and I always have the option to keep the movie. It baffles me why anyone rents now. My family and friends are all pretty much the same way. If you collect any movies, how does it make sense to rent the movie, and then go out and buy it. You ALWAYS pay more. Are PV movies not so widely available outside Canada?

I mentioned this in another thread, but when I go into a video store now, it would seem many people feel the same. Even at peak times, I rarely see more than 12 to 15 people in the store, and many are looking at the PVs. I regularly look at the recent releases for rental, and while there are always many out, they are never completely unavailable the way they used to be. Can someone explain how renting makes sense? The only drawback to my system that I can see is that it may take some patience and leg work to get what you want, or to re-sell at a reasonable price.

[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 11, 2008]

interplanetaryspy... Now let me get this straight. YOU are able to buy any new release somewhere for just $12 and under? Well, I'd like you to share with us where YOU are able to secure new releases for so cheap.... yeah right.

And so you actually BUY EVERY possible movie/concert/TV show of interest? You must not watch that much 'content'. Depending on my TV sports viewing (and some documentary programs etc), I can average between 12 to 20 movies a month among my rentals, (some days I watch a double-feature). Now, think how much I would pay to buy each of those films, especially the hi-def versions(!), and if they are "used" purchases I would have to hope the discs are not damaged or unplayable. And on top of this (in your scenario), I would then have to take the extra time to re-sell the used discs I don't intend on keeping, on the internet or a local video store (who would pay less).

Note: and once you open a 'sealed' movie, it's now considered used.

And ^this is how you prefer to support disc media? NOT ME.

I have two unlimited online rental memberships (3 discs out at a time), renting DVD, HD-DVD, and Blu-ray...

$16.95 a month (+ tax) for NETFLIX
$19.95 a month (+ tax) for BLOCKBUSTER (with the in-store return/replacement option, so I can leave the store with a FREE rental). I can arrange the two queves so as to rarely be without a new release (depends on the popularity), although sometimes you have to wait a week or so for very popular new titles.

Then for DISC PURCHASES (from both local dealers and online), I'm constantly monitoring specials, receiving email notifications, ETC, so that I can make purchases of NEW/SEALED releases (all formats) from a low of $4 to around $20 (rarely higher), and am patient to wait to see discs fall in price within weeks to months after being released.

I used to pay high prices to buy movies (LaserDisc owner since 1982), but we have much better purchasing 'conditions' and options in today's home video market (compared to LD). All it takes is patience. Like this current Amazon 'Buy 2 BD, get 1 Free' (even though they marked up most of the prices another $5) - well, I'm not biting (this deal is for suckers), as I know Amazon (and others) will return to a true, low-priced BOGO deal later. So I'm patient until then.

And if Amazon doesn't have a deal, then look to Target, or Fry's, or Best Buy, or J&R.com, or Wal-Mart, or DeepDiscount, or Half.com, or, or... see? I don't want to overpay for NEW/SEALED disc purchases, but I can always RENT while waiting for the deals, see?

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on Apr 11, 2008]

OK, first of all, I did tell you where, LH. And yes, I can buy any new release (no, not concerts, but I have no interest in watching Celine Dion or Shakira live - I'd rather poke my own eyes out). Otherwise, I think I already answered your questions. I do buy new, but only if it is under the $15 mark, and ask any Canadian - PVs are everywhere. Discs are always guaranteed against being unplayable. Maybe you need to do a little research of your own - you seem to blow a lot of unnecessary money.

[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 11, 2008]

interplanetaryspy, I hate to point out the obvious... but the reason you can walk into a Rogers video store and buy a PREVIOUSLY WATCHED dvd for $9.99 is because 50 or 100 people already rented the disk before it went into the bin.

Although I agree that the purchase model has grown much more popular from the heyday's of mega-rental stores in every burb with free popcorn and clowns to entertain your children while you hunt for VHS or Beta tapes, it's ludicrous to suggest that on a view-per-view basis that buying is more popular than renting.

Most consumers with most day and date releases rent. You have to realize that the cost of even standard DVD new releases still ranges from $19.99 to $32.99 at popular retail outlets. People in general though want to see things ASAP (within the first week of release is the big wad!), and renting is the preferred option instead of buying 3 to 8 new release movies per week.

And I've yet to see any $5 Walmart throwaway bin offer me a selection of 72,000 titles to choose from. THANK GOD for ZIP.CA!

Ok...so all of this past griping about HOW HIGH CANADIAN PRICES are for Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs don't apply to YOU?

...And so -you- really can buy NEW RELEASES in Canada on Blu-ray and HD-DVD for just $15 and under?!?! Skyhawk, Falcon, and others would definitely like to know this info!!

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

And I see that Skyhawk just mentioned ZIP.CA.... I've heard great things about this Canadian service for years now, so you might want to use that option for hi-def rentals etc.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

Well I purchased 4 previously viewed HD DVD's at Jumbo Video about 2 weeks ago for $14.99 each and Rogers has them for $16.99 (previously viewed HD DVD's also).

Also on craigslist.ca I have found some HD DVD's on sale for $10. oh I went to Bestbuy a few days ago and scored some horror movie on HD DVD for $7.99 plus Jarhead and Chronicles of Riddick for $12.99 all brand new of course.

If you're patient and keep looking you can score some great deals.

I have to agree that zip.ca is quite possibly the BEST movie rental service in all of Canada. You don't have to leave your house, the movies come with pre-paid envelopes and their shipping is FAST. I never would have thought that an online movie rental business would be better than going to a Blockbuster or Rogers Video store. Also using this service has allowed me to view some HD DVD's before buying them which is saving me major coin already. When I go into bluray I'll be doing the same thing.

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Apr 11, 2008]

Thanks Falcon.

The point I'm making (Skyhawk too) is that NEW RELEASES cost much more than $12 to $15 - especially in Canada - especially Blu-ray and HD-DVD titles. So, -that's- where the RENTAL factor comes in.

Plus, how many movies can a buyer feel comfortable in purchasing unseen? Sure, we've all done this occasionally (I did it for the recent Beowulf HD-DVD), but usually I'd rather do the simple rental instead. And frankly, some rentals are for 'curiosity' sake, just to see the work of a particular actor, director, composer, special effects, or genre [horror, Sci-Fi, erotic, concert, documentaries - like IMAX, HBO, National Geographic, NOVA, NBA, NFL, PBS, Discover Channel,etc, etc].

And frankly again, I -WANT- TO SUPPORT THE RENTAL INDUSTRY, since we have these great rentals plans available, which never existed for me over the years since I've been a home video collector (1982). Rather than griping about the monthly rental plans (which I can afford, even two plans), I consider NetFlix, Blockbuster (and the others) a BLESSING, and the conveniences they offer.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

For sure, these movies cost around $30 on the day they're released for the HD DVD and Bluray versions and about $20 on release day for the DVD version.

You have to wait a WHILE before the prices drop below $15 for a hidef version of a movie.

Speaking of good deals, earlier today I did my (almost) daily visit to eBay's HALF.com website, and noticed some even lower-priced HD-DVDs than a few days ago, and picked up a new/sealed HD-DVD of the cult fav Streets of Fire (where I once owned the non-widescreen LaserDisc back in the 1980s). This title was only $7.98 + $2.99 shipping, whereas last week it was at least twice that.

SofF has a great musical soundtrack, decent action, excellent editing, and a cool 'griping' performance by the Rick Moranis character... as well as some funky dancing from that French girl who subbed for Jennifer Beals, in her Flashdance dancing scenes.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)