With Blu-ray disc adoption continuing to grow, we're wondering if your buying habits have changed. Last year
Amazon ran away with the results, but it's 2009 now, Wal-mart has expanded its focus on Blu-ray (even nabbing the exclusive on TDK-style IMAX scenes for the
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen release next week), Circuit City no longer exists and that weird guy in the white panel van even has a much better selection than he used to. So, where are you buying Blu-ray movies?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mugatu @ Oct 18th 2009 4:28PM
I do not buy them, they are too expensive ... and sip.
Chance Stevens @ Oct 18th 2009 6:14PM
Not for nothing but the prices have definitely come down. I know they were like $30 when Blu-ray first came out but you can actually get a bunch of movies for as low as $9.99 from Best Buy no less - http://www.tvlampsnbulbs.com/2009/10/best-buy-offering-blu-ray-movies-for-under-10/
I've stayed away from Blu-ray because I wasn't sure if it was going to get as popular as it has.
Also, once you figure buying a player and a new TV to watch it on it came add up if you aren't ready to take the plunge.
Mark @ Oct 19th 2009 6:26AM
They have already come down. You can pick up recognisable movies for $10 upwards. The economics of new formats means that early adopters will pay full price for movies because the selection is poor. When there are thousands of titles, this no longer works and disks have to start competing on price or features.
EGOvoruhk @ Oct 18th 2009 4:34PM
Amazon. They're usually the cheapest, I pay no tax, and if I buy 2 or more I can get free shipping. Honestly, it's not worth the $30 per movie I see at most B&M stores
bellevegasj @ Oct 18th 2009 4:36PM
Amazon. Used. Mainly to update my gangsta flick collection; Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino etc.
dagamer43 @ Oct 18th 2009 4:59PM
Used from Amazon. I rarely pay more than $15 for a movie shipped. I will never pay $30 for a movie I probably won't watch more than 2-3 times over my lifetime.
kevon27 @ Oct 18th 2009 5:20PM
I buy only USED Bluray's from Amazon.
jaymalya @ Oct 18th 2009 5:27PM
I use Costco ( sometimes walmart) to buy a new release blu-ray ( not much different than amazon).
However, for older movies, amazon all the way
Todd @ Oct 18th 2009 5:53PM
I'm pretty much rent only, but not because of the recession... I have soooo many DVDs that I've bought and only watched once or maybe twice. It's just a waste of money (recession or not) and shelf space in my home. I must have 200 DVDs, at an average of $15 per, that's $3000. That would buy a nice TV, a Blu-ray player, and a year or two of Netflix. If I know I'll watch a movie at least 4-5 times, I'll likely buy (from Amazon), but those movies are few and far between.
Mr_Fizzlepop @ Oct 19th 2009 8:40PM
You better brew your own coffee and carry it around in a thermos all day getting cups when you want, cause you have easily spent that much on vente americanos in the last how many ever years it took to buy those DVDs.
Convenience has a cost, Buck up!
Also, it's likely if you actually did an annual budget you'd find that 3000 dollars isn't even a quarter of your yearly entertainment money, let alone 10-15 years that you've been collecting up all those DVDs.
Todd @ Oct 20th 2009 9:19AM
Oh, Mr_Fizzlepop, I bow to your great wisdom. I am ignorant of the cost of convenience, and did not know what I was talking about in my last post. I do indeed have an entertainment budget, and in the past have decided that the cost/value ratio of buying DVDs is not worth it to me personally (in fact, I had foolishly reallocated my DVD spending budget to a Netflix account). But you have shown me the error of my ways, so I will endeavor to reallocate my spending appropriately. When I cancel my Netflix account so that I can start buying DVDs again, and the rep asks me why, I can say, "Mr_Fizzlepop said that I should Buck up! And that's what I'm going to do."
Thank you, Mr_Fizzlepop.
Thank you.
Mr_Fizzlepop @ Oct 20th 2009 8:17PM
My point was you are blowing out of proportion ( much as you did my reply.) the cost of buying those DVDs.
3000 dollars over 10+ years for items that can be resold is not as bad as you painted it, and you also got the convenience for that price as well.
ack154 @ Oct 18th 2009 6:15PM
Eh, depends. I'll usually check sales if I'm at Target or BB... but more often than not I'll order from Amazon.
Wryker @ Oct 18th 2009 6:52PM
huh? me loves my PCH and 'renting'!!
Travis @ Oct 18th 2009 7:53PM
Costco for us.
MI @ Oct 18th 2009 8:47PM
I usually buy at Amazon, but will check best buy on titles I really want, to get them immediately. Lately their prices have been as good for new big releases, at least the ones I want.
Rob @ Oct 18th 2009 9:02PM
I keep a list of Blu-ray titles that I genuinely want to own. I just keep an eye out. I'll keep them on my 'wish list' at Amazon and Best Buy and I'll do a quick check if I'm at Walmart or Costco, etc.
All the Blu-ray movies that I just want to see once or I'm not really sure if I want to own them - I just have those on my Netflix queue. I rip most of those to my HTPC. If I love the movie, I'll put it on my list to buy. If I like it, but don't love it, I'll leave it on my HTPC. And if I don't really care, I'll just leave it until I need some extra hard drive space and then I'll delete them.
shamon @ Oct 18th 2009 9:12PM
I always buy mines from amazon use or sometimes brand new from them .If i'm in Manhattan and see something i like then i go to bestbuy .
Philip S @ Oct 18th 2009 9:23PM
Gotten a few good sale prices at Best Buy recently. If they don't have it or it's too expensive, then I go to Amazon.
Keith @ Oct 18th 2009 9:42PM
Amazon, best buy, and believe it or not circuit city online. While CC doesn't have stores, they are still online. I think the owners are the same as compusa and tiger as the web layout is pretty much the same
overall whoever has the cheapest title I'm looking for. I still haven't watched all of my HD DVD yet either.
Walt @ Oct 18th 2009 10:03PM
I get new and used at Moviestop and Amazon
Spiza @ Oct 18th 2009 10:19PM
I wait for deals, whether its amazon, best buy, WB.com, etc. Last purchase was snow white, pinochio and a $15 giftcard for BB for $21.39 total.
Tanner @ Oct 22nd 2009 10:44PM
How did you do it?
Punchdrunkbrian @ Oct 18th 2009 11:26PM
I tried for a long time to not do my movie shopping at walmart, but for buying retail they've got some good prices. I got wolverine for 20 bucks, which was the same price as the DVD. I'd do amazon, but I haven't taken that plunge yet.
Michael Rogers @ Oct 18th 2009 11:44PM
Usually I go to Amazon for all my BD needs, but I REALLY wanted Drag Me to Hell the other day immediately, so I did some quick price checks and Target was the same price as Amazon (plus tax, of course), so I got it! Usually, you can get first week releases on the cheap at local retail stores. Week 2+ and it's Amazon exclusively.
edge @ Oct 19th 2009 12:16AM
I generally buy from Best Buy (barring any store exclusives, like the upcoming Transformers 2 IMAX release at Wal*Mart, or their Wizard of Oz "lite" release).. and luckily, I've convinced the manager at my local BB to let me price match with Amazon.
Oddly enough though, BB has been getting their prices (at least for the first week of release) as cheap as Amazon, so I haven't had to bring in any printouts lately.
chris @ Oct 19th 2009 12:46AM
Amazon is pretty much always the cheapest (especially once you factor in no tax & free shipping). However, if you're unable to wait and must buy right away, buy it at Target. Reason being: Target has the best price matching/adjustment policy, 90 days! This means, you buy the BD the week it comes out for $24.99 (plus tax of course) and from this date you have 90 days to return. So first and foremost, hold onto your receipt, and over the next 3 months whenever Target puts that BD title on a special/sale you technically "re-buy" it for say it's on sale for $15 that week, then return it with your old/original receipt that was for $24.99. This is the smartest/least expensive way to buy your BD movies from a B&M store. Or like I said first, if you're able to wait on a new movie for a few months, then just buy it later on from Amazon.
blackacex2 @ Oct 19th 2009 1:45AM
I don't get the "weird guy in the white panel van" statement. What am I missing here...?
7egend @ Oct 19th 2009 2:16PM
It's like the guy who sells porno flicks and tennis shoes at the same location. That kind of weird.
Cad @ Oct 19th 2009 1:59AM
I buy from Amazon, but I'd say I've bought more from Best Buy...but only when they're on sale.
Will @ Oct 19th 2009 6:04AM
I always buy new ones on Amazon. But every so often I stop by Blockbuster and pick up their previously viewed disks. They sell them at 2 for $25 at my local store.
Isaac @ Oct 19th 2009 8:58AM
Richard, you really need to add Netflix as a choice in the poll. For an extra few dollars a month, I get access to every Blu-ray on the planet. I use my Netflix discs to get my Blu-ray fix, then I use Netflix Instant View + PlayOn for my Dexter fix. Life is good.
Peter @ Oct 19th 2009 9:30AM
I can't think of a single movie worth buying. Who wants to watch the same thing over and over again?
I get all my Blu-Ray discs from Netflix.
KJ4GR @ Oct 19th 2009 9:51AM
Where is the netflix / anydvd option?
LiqwidZero @ Oct 19th 2009 9:53AM
Netflix is for rental. Buying is purchasing, as in owning the disc.
LiqwidZero @ Oct 19th 2009 9:55AM
My main place used to be at Wal-Mart, for day-one releases, but ever since they started cutting down on BD releases, the section has lost it's appeal.
Amazon is a regular shopping experience, for me. Has been since HD DVD.
KJ4GR @ Oct 19th 2009 10:01AM
anydvd, as in storing the rip on your HD
Mr_Fizzlepop @ Oct 19th 2009 8:51PM
Pirates are hunted, even if you aren't from Somalia.
Loban @ Oct 19th 2009 10:27AM
sceneHD
srblanchette @ Oct 19th 2009 11:06AM
We mainly buy kiddie Blu Rays because those are the ones set on repeat at our house (thanks to our 3 year old). I always go with Amazon. The best part is that you can pre-order them and they almost always drop in price at some point. If they do, Amazon will refund you the difference. Even if the Blu Ray has already shipped. I ended up getting Snow White on Blu Ray for my daughter for $9.99. I also just ordered Pinnochio a couple of weeks ago for $15.99. You can't beat that.
kevon27 @ Oct 19th 2009 11:43AM
Richard, you forgot to put on the "Where do you buy your Blu-ray discs list" Bootleggers..
You can get 3 Bluray movies for 8 bucks here in NYC.
Jay N95 Owner @ Oct 19th 2009 12:18PM
I've had my Blu-Ray play since june of last year, and just recently I bought a few Blu-Ray's at a local retailer for the first time, Wizard of Oz and a Denzel Washington movie Out Of Time which was only $10. Other than those two titles, I've bought all of my approximetly 120 Blu-Ray's on either ebay, or amazon. I refuse to pay $30-$35 for a frinkin movie!!!!!!! Those prices will never move the Blu-Ray market to the masses.
Just recently Wal Mart has started selling more value priced BRs though, so I'll be paying closer attn to them. But Best Buy is definetly out of the question!
ryan @ Oct 19th 2009 4:37PM
I rarely buy blu ray discs, so I just keep the movie and have Blockbuster charge my card. Am I the only person who does this?
tranzparentl @ Oct 19th 2009 6:47PM
I refuse to pay more than $10 for BDs, most of my pickups are on ebay or trading forums or goozex
eh shuu @ Oct 20th 2009 9:13AM
the piratebay has great blu-ray titles :)
PCDesmond @ Oct 20th 2009 9:06AM
www.dvdpricesearch.com
volcanopele @ Oct 20th 2009 1:53PM
I tend to buy either from Best Buy or Amazon. Best Buy has a nice convenience factor, being only two blocks away. So I tend to buy new releases from their. Past the first week though, Amazon is usually much cheaper, and if I hadn't bought it in that first week, that's a good sign that the higher prices for a particularly movie at Best Buy aren't worth it anyway.
I also Netflix movies, mostly for those that I want to say I have seen, but I am not at all sure if I want to buy them or not (or I am positive I only want to watch once, like Transformers 2).
Jim @ Oct 20th 2009 2:06PM
I have learned to stay away from $10 BDs. I've seen HORRIBLE transfers to the cheap BDs. My copy ($13) of Batman Begins looks EXACTLY like my DVD of BB. I borrowed my friends copy of 300 (I'd never seen it) and there were artifacts all over the place. Not to mention some weird colors that seemed to pulse. I bought a copy of Casino Royal (Collector's Edition) and it looks phenomenal compared to my DVD of that movie. Yes, I double dipped on those movies, and I'm OK with that. I bought my 52" 1080p Samsung to watch movies with great clarity. I'm not going to do it for all my movies. Just the good ones.
engage @ Oct 20th 2009 4:50PM
The poll should read "Where do you buy most of your Blu-ray discs?" or have multiple-selection boxes. Between Amazon's used discs and Best Buy's weekly $10 discs (which aren't all bad; they still have "Mongol" for this price and it's beautifully filmed and well written), I'm bulding up a nice collection. Can't forget about eBay's used or like new discs either, with shipping usually very low or included in the "Buy It Now" price.
Slightly off topic, but for those who haven't seen it, you MUST experience "A Bug's Life" on Blu-ray. The transfer is breathtaking and makes you want "The Incredibles" that much more.
Pip @ Nov 27th 2009 2:26PM
Who buys anything anymore? Netflix!