Import DVD stores in America?
07-30-02, 04:46 PM
#1
Import DVD stores in America?
After finding Smallville today in a Boarders where I live in Kansas City (it had an IMPORT sticker on it as well), I got to recalling how easy it was to find import CDs, especially at smaller independent record stores. And even in chains like Circuit City, I could easilly find certain import CDs.
That got me to wondering...are there any B&Ms in America that deal with import DVDs? And I mean as a separate section all together, with an impressive number of titles available, not just the random Smallville tossed into the mix here and there? If so, what and where are they, and if not, well...why not? Especially if import CDs are relatively easy to find.
That got me to wondering...are there any B&Ms in America that deal with import DVDs? And I mean as a separate section all together, with an impressive number of titles available, not just the random Smallville tossed into the mix here and there? If so, what and where are they, and if not, well...why not? Especially if import CDs are relatively easy to find.
07-30-02, 05:08 PM
#2
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There are specialty shops that have stock on hand, or can order what you want (at a premium, of course!) Scarecrow Video is a good example of this. Check your phone book, you may find one.
Why not? I'm guessing a two-fold reason. Bootlegs and region coding. Most imports are going to be region coded outside of R1, which almost guarantees they'll take up valuable shelf space while US releases sell. Yeah, there are many R0 films out there, but unless you're dealing with a trusted supplier a retailer may be afraid of getting bootlegs. Small orders on imports can also be pricey at the retail level. With the Internet, anyone can become their own importer, and usually at a cost that's lower than retail import.
Just my opinion.
Why not? I'm guessing a two-fold reason. Bootlegs and region coding. Most imports are going to be region coded outside of R1, which almost guarantees they'll take up valuable shelf space while US releases sell. Yeah, there are many R0 films out there, but unless you're dealing with a trusted supplier a retailer may be afraid of getting bootlegs. Small orders on imports can also be pricey at the retail level. With the Internet, anyone can become their own importer, and usually at a cost that's lower than retail import.
Just my opinion.
07-30-02, 06:17 PM
#3
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Check your nearby used record store.
Check your nearby used record store.
Places that sell used and new CDs have, in recent years, taken to selling new and used DVDs aswell. There's a Discount Records near where I live, and now and again I'll see a Canadian DVD in there.
Places that sell used and new CDs have, in recent years, taken to selling new and used DVDs aswell. There's a Discount Records near where I live, and now and again I'll see a Canadian DVD in there.
07-30-02, 11:20 PM
#4
I am all for being my own importer, but one arguement I hear most often from people who don't have a multi region player is they feel its unsafe to order from over seas retailers. Well, they also usually don't like to order on the Internet at all. But I see the point that it would be such a small market thing, that even if a store had a region two section, only a small percentage of the store's customers would seek it out and be interested in it.
08-03-02, 10:59 AM
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I second the recommedation for Mondo Kim's. I use it exactly for that purpose - import dvd's that i have to have today. Also, Poker Industries ( http://www.pokerindustries.com ) has a B&M store in NJ and are also good for a quick fix.
08-04-02, 06:43 PM
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Region 4
What about region 4 dvd's. Does anyone know a store in New York who might have a selection of american films with spanish subtitles? alot of the region 1 new releases only have english and french language or subtitles. Black Hawk Down and John Q for example. It would be great to find a place here in the US that sells region 4 dvd's that have the spanish subtitles.
08-05-02, 02:07 AM
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The main reason it wouldn't work for most imports is PAL vs NTSC. While PAL TVs can generally handle NTSC, it's not the other way around. Hence to avoid J6Ps complaining about how they couldn't get a proper picture, retailers don't bother.
Hence imports would largely be confined to R2 and R4 NTSC.
Hence imports would largely be confined to R2 and R4 NTSC.
12-09-04, 07:29 PM
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Thought i'd bump this thread instead of starting new one. Can we list retailers, B&M's stores, NOT online etailers please ( and no explanations on why not) of places to but importd and non- region 1 dvd's??
i know and been to one in San Diego near clairemont called Sing Young Karaoke. They sell mostly Karaoke equip hardware and software, as well as a good 3 shelves of dvds like house of daggers and Battle royale.
Anyone one know of other stores like this? in San Diego? and for those interested in other states as well. Orange county and Los Angeles locations are welcomed too.
thanks
i know and been to one in San Diego near clairemont called Sing Young Karaoke. They sell mostly Karaoke equip hardware and software, as well as a good 3 shelves of dvds like house of daggers and Battle royale.
Anyone one know of other stores like this? in San Diego? and for those interested in other states as well. Orange county and Los Angeles locations are welcomed too.
thanks
12-09-04, 10:07 PM
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Hey IlikeDVD, I'm down in San Diego as well and the only one I've found [that carries legitimate releases] is Sing Young. They have 4 shelves (Japan, Adult/Hong kong, Anime/Hong Kong, and one with new releases, korean, etc..)
For the most part, its all legitimate (I believe a small few of the Anime aren't).
But yeah, thats all I've found down here in San Diego. 3 other Anime stores down here have Anime sections (With a small live action (10 or so movies) section), but they all appear to be bootlegs so I've passed on each of them
If you find another one though, Definately let me know. Sing Young is great though.
For the most part, its all legitimate (I believe a small few of the Anime aren't).
But yeah, thats all I've found down here in San Diego. 3 other Anime stores down here have Anime sections (With a small live action (10 or so movies) section), but they all appear to be bootlegs so I've passed on each of them
If you find another one though, Definately let me know. Sing Young is great though.
12-10-04, 06:06 PM
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If you live in the Puget Sound area in Washington State, you probably already heard of Scarecrow Video. I can't recommend this store any higher than saying I wish they open a second store on the Eastside.
Most of the imports are for rental, but compared to any other B&M in the state the imports for sale are impressive. Anime, films, box sets, non-R1, VCD's, what have you. They also sell and support region free players.
More info at http://www.scarecrow.com
Most of the imports are for rental, but compared to any other B&M in the state the imports for sale are impressive. Anime, films, box sets, non-R1, VCD's, what have you. They also sell and support region free players.
More info at http://www.scarecrow.com
12-10-04, 06:18 PM
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Gary's Comics and More, on High Street in downtown Morgantown, WV, has a few import titles, largely anime but I've seen 'Battle Royale' and a couple of the 'Ringu' movies on their shelf. Problem with them is they tend to charge full retail -- which for comic books, I don't mind, but DVDs are another story. The only DVD I have bought from them is the new R1 2-discer of 'Star Trek Generations'.
The main reason I've become a customer there is that their layout is much more wheelchair friendly than another comics store downtown, Gateway, where I used to shop.
The main reason I've become a customer there is that their layout is much more wheelchair friendly than another comics store downtown, Gateway, where I used to shop.
Last edited by WhFastus; 12-10-04 at 06:22 PM.
12-10-04, 06:41 PM
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Scarecrow also sells their previewed stock online, and every now n then you can find some hot deals. I got The Return (before it was out in R1), Last Life in the Universe, and a few others for $9.99 each, and these are not only imports, but rare imports at that. I was pretty happy with my purchase, and I would definitely check out Scarecrow if I lived in the area.
12-11-04, 08:25 PM
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Following up on my previous post: I went down to Gary's Comics today to pick up my monthly stash of comic books, and also took a look at their Asian cinema section. Aside from anime, it is VERY limited; only a few "major" titles like I mentioned above, and nothing that I noticed outside of the action/sci-fi/suspense genres. And a lot of their Asian cinema discs were region 1 releases. They have plenty of US genre DVDs (when I was in there this afternoon, they were playing a disc from Season 7 of Voyager).
So basically, their DVD selection is mostly R1 with a smattering of imports.
So basically, their DVD selection is mostly R1 with a smattering of imports.
12-12-04, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by kitok
I second the recommedation for Mondo Kim's. I use it exactly for that purpose - import dvd's that i have to have today. Also, Poker Industries ( http://www.pokerindustries.com/poker...b0207a9222e46a ) has a B&M store in NJ and are also good for a quick fix.
I've never seen non-R1s in any retail stores besides Kim's. But I have seen a lot of R0 HK discs in Newbury Comics, a New England chain. Unfortunately, like at Kim's, there are a lot of bootlegs mixed in with the real product.
12-12-04, 10:27 AM
#17
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In any city with a Chinatown district, you should be able to find a good selection of Hong Kong and Chinese DVDs. Here in Boston I'm partial to Kneeland Electronics.
12-12-04, 01:12 PM
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i say avoid "import stores" at all costs : for people with more money than sense... really.
12-13-04, 10:32 AM
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not so. do what you want. since the thread is about "recommending import stores in the USA" then i would have to give my opinion as "avoid" cos opinions were asked for, and mine is to avoid them.
if anyone is doing something simply cos someone else says so, they are daft. simple.
oh, and if you read what i posted, i say avoid cos theyre expensive : if you can save money, you can buy more films... or is the issue not one to do with actually liking and watching films, but one of say buying imports quickly?
if anyone is doing something simply cos someone else says so, they are daft. simple.
oh, and if you read what i posted, i say avoid cos theyre expensive : if you can save money, you can buy more films... or is the issue not one to do with actually liking and watching films, but one of say buying imports quickly?
12-13-04, 11:09 AM
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You are right, the thread is about "recommending import stores in the USA".
Try reading the post again. It doesn't ask for opinions about whether to buy from them or not. It's asking - "are there any B&Ms in America that deal with import DVDs?", and "if so, what and where are they?"
And of course, being condescending of people who do - "for people with more money than sense... really" - is completly pointless.
i would have to give my opinion as "avoid" cos opinions were asked for, and mine is to avoid them.
And of course, being condescending of people who do - "for people with more money than sense... really" - is completly pointless.
12-13-04, 12:00 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by logboy
if anyone is doing something simply cos someone else says so, they are daft. simple.
Last edited by Josh Z; 12-13-04 at 12:03 PM.
