Re: Previously viewed movies

OK, LH. Despite the fact that you're being quite the self-righteous ass ( ), I'll respond to your issues, but first to Sky.

1) I couldn't care less if 50 people rented the movie. If it's guaranteed to work, who cares?

2) At what point did I say that buying is more popular? It clearly isn't, but, as you conceeded, it is decreasing, at least from people physically renting discs from a store. Certainly online rental is much more cost effective. I simply stated that, for those who buy a lot of movies, buying and re-selling makes more sense than renting.

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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.

As I said, I did say where in my original post. You need to read before you bring out your holier-than-thou attitude.

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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).

I watch 20 to 30 movies a month. I don't watch much TV. I'd rather watch a movie. Most TV is crap, and if it isn't, I'd rather watch it one episode after another on DVD. (BTW - picked up the first season of Heroes today used for $24. Discs and case in perfect condition.)

I only buy the hi def version if I KNOW I love the movie, and the Canadians who are whining about lack of hi def deals aren't looking very hard. I got 8 HD DVDs at Rogers a couple of weeks ago for $80. I also buy from American sites who don't charge much for shipping, or from used sites online, like BGO, Flikky, or Second Spin. Hoping the discs work is a ridiculous argument from someone who is obviously ignorant on the subject. No used DVD retailer sells their discs without a guarantee against defective discs. As for "taking the time", I said it took more time, but the 30 min. I spend online or at a store doesn't bother me. For some lazier people, it would.

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

And... what's your point? All this proves is how easy it is to get a "used" disc that is actually perfect, other than not being sealed. Many DVDs at a used store like Beat Goes On were bought new, and some schmo who paid $30 for it, sold it to them for $8, so I can pay $12. Not my problem that someone's dumb enough to pay $30 when they can pay $12.

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

I'm sure Paramount, Universal, Fox and Disney appreciate your loyalty.

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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.

As I said, online rental makes more sense than going to a store, but you are still paying $40 a month to watch, what, 12 movies? 15? So that's $3 a rental. Plus you have to just watch whatever they happen to choose to send from your queue.

As for the rest of it, I don't see how that has anything to do with renting vs. buying PV. You look for sales. Yippee. So does everyone. Irrelevant.

As for what I watch, and how much I pay, here is what I have watched in the last couple of weeks. I can tell you exactly what I paid and when, because it's on my online database.

The French Connection (5 Star) - $6, ebay.ca, Dec. 2007
Fracture - $5, Rogers, Feb. 2008
Speed (5 Star) - gift ($0)
Italian Job (HD) - $10, Deep Discount, Mar. 2008
Hitman - $11, ebay, Mar. 2008
The Brave One - $10, Rogers, Apr. 2008
The Others - $6, Blockbuster, Nov. 2006
I Am Legend - $10, Rogers, Apr. 2008
Truman Show - $7, Best Buy, Sept. 2007
Dante's Peak (HD) - $12, Deep Discount, Apr. 2008
Payback (Straight Up - HD) - $10, DD, Mar. 2008
Gone Baby Gone - $10, Rogers, Mar. 2008
Beowulf (HD) - $0 (trade in credit), Blockbuster, Apr. 2008

These are just the ones I kept. I also watched Dragonheart for $12 in HD, and sold it for $11, Pulse (original version - paid $4 on ebay, sold for $8) and One Missed Call (original - paid $6, sold for $12).

[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 11, 2008]

Interplanetaryspy... you started a rant against renting, I responded with criticism, and now you use personal attacks in your furthur response. I haven't done this, unless you consider - - a personal attack.

I'll simply reduce a possible lengthy rebuttal to what I posted (on pg 1) - which was this... And so -you- really can buy NEW RELEASES in Canada on Blu-ray and HD-DVD for just $15 and under?!?!

You have avoided this question, and obviously because it's simply NOT POSSIBLE to buy *N*E*W* hi-def releases in *C*A*N*A*D*A, for the low-price of *$15* (and under). If so, then why don't you reveal how and where you find NEW RELEASES - not 3 to 6 months later(!) - in Canada, in hi-def, for $15 and under... that's right - those prices don't exist yet for NEW RELEASES in Canada, and rarely in the USA (although occasionally some retailers will have a low sale-thru price on a hit movie, to use as a 'loss-leader' to get customers into the store, to perhaps purchase more regular-priced titles).

And if my rentals average between $1.50 to $3.00 a month (based on my two monthly rental membership fees, with rentals of 12 to 20 titles per month), I'm happy, as I get many NEW RELEASES, and the convenience of not having to BUY every new release, and or return/resell later (at a loss) those titles I'm not going to own... which is what I believe you indicate is your preference. No thanks!

The only titles I ever re-sell, are those I no longer want to own, or perhaps wish to sell at a premium, due to it perhaps being currently out-of-print. I posted several great 'sales' I've made on Amazon in the past, on threads here in 2007. Some of which I received between $60 to $140 from buyers.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

Did you read the title of this thread? No, I can not buy new hi def movies for under $15 in Canada. Again, what's your point? I said I could get any PREVIOUSLY VIEWED new release movies for under $12, 3 to 4 weeks after release. Your big "avoided" question still has nothing to do with the topic of the thread, so I don't know why you're so bent out of shape about it. On top of that, as I've said, I am talking SD, not HD, and I wouldn't buy any HD movie unless I knew I wanted to own it. You seem to just pick and choose what you want to read. As for being civil, go back and read your posts and my original one. It was not antagonistic, and you have been nothing but condescending. I asked for people to explain if the PV situation is the same in the US (obviously it isn't), and why people rent. You could have done that quite easily without the attitude and eye rolls.

[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 11, 2008]

Hey... I don't even know what 'PV' stands for? -seriously-

And I gave you a detailed response about the pros of RENTING vs buying, and especially as it relates to the hi-def market. OK, ignore HD if you want. Regular DVD NEW RELEASES are not for sale in Canada for $15 and under, when first available, right? Well, there you go... now you know why RENTING is preferred by many millions of people (unlike yourself), OK?

You're happy buying used "new" releases 3 to 6 months later. I'd rather buy NEW/SEALED "new" releases on a low-priced discount sale later, and RENT in the meantime, OK?

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

Seriously? I said new releases 3 to 4 WEEKS later! Are you dyslexic or something? I think I've said that 3 times now! Wow! Do you even read the responses, or are you just assuming that no one has anything of value to say buy you? Or, is it that you choose to believe that whatever you know to be true in your own mind is more true then what exists in objective reality? Yes, they are available for under $15 used 3 to 4 weeks later. You may choose not to believe it, but it doesn't make it untrue. If you can't wait 21 days to see a movie, that's just a tad pathetic.

I guess if pulling off those annoying security seal stickers is that important to you, be my guest.

PV = previously viewed.

And at what point did you give a detailed list of the advantages of renting? I've looked back, and I don't see it. How about this - why don't you list off the things that you think are advantageous about renting AFTER giving me the courtesy of actually reading what I have to say. Drop the condescension, drop the eye rolls, and drop the criticisms. Just make a civilized post about the advantages of renting over buying PREVIOUSLY VIEWED movies 3 WEEKS after their release. Thank you in advance for your efforts to take this in a more mature direction.

[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 11, 2008]

interplanetaryspy - "it baffles me why anyone rents now".

Jimi - "And if my rentals average between $1.50 to $3.00 a month (based on my two monthly rental membership fees, with rentals of 12 to 20 titles per month), I'm happy, as I get many NEW RELEASES, and the convenience of not having to BUY every new release, and or return/resell later (at a loss) those titles I'm not going to own... which is what I believe you indicate is your preference. No thanks!"

I rarely ever buy a used disc (possible playback 'issues' - please don't argue), and prefer New/Sealed discs to purchase. And MOST NEW RELEASES sold 'unopened' are not less than $15 three weeks later (DVD or hi-def) - yes I know you don't mean 'sealed' titles [PV per your reminder], buy I thought you should know this anyway. Sealed Hi-Def titles takes longer to go down substantially in price (2-3 months or more for sure), and I prefer buying hi-def when possible, although I still buy new/sealed DVDs too.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

Thanks for dropping the attitude. I can't "not argue" the playback issue. You seem to ignore the fact that used discs are guaranteed against any playback issues. You don't want me to respond, because you don't want to conceed that FACT. Other than buying from some guy out of the back of his van, it's not a realistic issue to be concerned about.

If you prefer buying new, because you like the idea of having your own copy that you unwrapped, and that only you have ever owned, I respect that. I can't say I understand it, but I repect that. Different things bother different people. Everyone has their little quirks. My wife likes to mess with me by taking a movie out of the collection (which is in alphabetical order), and moving it, because she knows that eventually I will notice a space in the collection, and agonize over what is missing until I find it. After my family, my DVD collection is my pride and joy. I like basically having my own video store, even if I may only watch many of the discs 2 or 3 times ever. I like the selection.

tylerdurden (wrote just now on the Blockbuster 'Streaming' thread) about rentals...

Drive by ANY Blockbuster or Mom 'n Pops dvd rental store & count the number of people renting EVERYDAY. That's your proof.
Look at Netflix's BOOMING rental business, serving MILLIONS of people RENTING (only) movies via snail mail. That's your proof.

BOTH COMPANIES KNOW that millions of millions of viewers, DO NOT want to own a disc, but simply want to pay CHEAP for them, in a rental basis.

Well, ^ here's another testimony of why RENTING is remains very popular.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

interplanetaryspy... about the 'used discs'. So you're able to immediately watch (within 30 days) every disc you purchase locally, so as to be able to return for replacement (if having playback issues)? Well, that's possible I'm sure, but what if you build a collection of 'not yet viewed' used discs? And that's just local purchases... what about buying used discs from other sellers across Canada and the USA - what then if there's a playback problem?

Note: 30 days is mentioned, since Blockbuster has a 30-day damage replacement/refund limit.

WHY buy used anyway(?), when (especially with SD-DVD) every week you can find New/Sealed $3 to $5 titles (not current releases) on sale... and then you can RENT others of interest (NEW releases) at the same time, with one of the great online memberships, such as the ZIP.CA Skyhawk mentioned? Makes sense to me.

For me, I'm just not comfortable buying 'used' except on rare occasions. SD-DVD is low-priced as it is, except for the NEW RELEASES, which don't go down substatially in price (new/sealed) for awhile.

-JIMI (the Voodoo Child)

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WHY buy used anyway(?), when (especially with SD-DVD) every week you can find New/Sealed $3 to $5 titles (not current releases) on sale... and then you can RENT others of interest (NEW releases) at the same time, with one of the great online memberships, such as the ZIP.CA Skyhawk mentioned? Makes sense to me.

The same reasons I've mentioned already:
1) I can buy and re-sell if I don't want to keep the movie, and often that costs less than a rental cost. Sometimes I make money. I probably make money on 1 of every 5 I re-sell.
2) I want to own the movies I like. If I rented, I'd have to pay for each movie I want to own twice.
3) I like to watch what I want, when I want, including new releases. If Zip sent me 3 period dramas from my queue when I wanted to watch a new vampire movie, I'd be SOL.

As for the other quote, because people do something, doesn't make it a good idea. People listen to Britney Spears music. People watch Norbit. That doesn't make it a good idea.

I have never argued that renting is fine for those who don't want to own any movies. My option is only valid for those who want to own the DVDs they enjoy. Like me.

[Post edited by interplanetaryspy on Apr 11, 2008]