I'm a relative neophyte to the DVD world, so please explain without slamming. I rent from Hollywood Video and Blockbuster fairly often instead of making blind buys (rentals are usually free, or close to it, so don't get off topic on that, please ), and some of the DVDs look like they've been scrubbed with steel wool. I've actually rented some that were so messed up they wouldn't play. So why does one buy the previously viewed and resealed (so you don't know what you're getting) DVDs, when they could have been treated as poorly?

I'm also a CH convert, so my average price for NEW is sub-$7, which most video store "used" promos can't touch. But for things CH doesn't carry, I could see shelling out a few extra dollars IF I knew I wasn't going to get hosed. Can anyone enlighten me?

I used to take advantage of Hollywood Video's 2 for $20 deals as a way to get new releases for a discount. I have a bit more patience now and go the Columbia House route.

All the previously viewed DVD's i've bought have been in good-excellent quality. Those that aren't, you can bring back and exchange for a better one.

As for the CH thing... i've gone through CH 3 times, with 1 account still happen. Quite frankly, my time/hassle is worth something as well, which is why, although the overall average cost is low, its easier to just walk into a store on release day and pay the extra money. Especially if its something i've been looking forward to.

Because they are cheaper than buying new and work exactly the same. (I don't buy those that have, in fact, been scrubbed with steel wool; I check 'em out first and both BBr & HV have good returns policies re this issue.)

Because they're supper cheap! All $9.99 and buy 2 get one free.

I've never bought a disc that didn't work perfectly...but if I do they will replace it w/ any other disc.

I wouldn't buy a used DVD even if you tortured me by scratching your nails on a chalkboard...

Where do you get 'Buy 2, Get 1 Free'??
Thank You,

I don't buy previously viewed from BB for two reasons:

1. I can't stand the fact that the movies come in the BB rental cases.

2. They don't normally have the inserts that the original movie comes with.

The fact that they look like steel wool was scrubbed all over them is a rare case, although I've seen it.

i buy 'em all the time, simply because i'm WAY too lazy/apathetic to do the CH thing. i'll always prefer walking into my Hasting's, grabbing 4 or 5 titles off the 2-for-$15 discount rack and having those movies in my collection to watch right away.

as mentioned by others, i've NEVER had a bad DVD from the PVD stacks and if i did, i would simply return it and get another one which all the chains allow.

Exactly. Only a sucker is going to end up with unplayable DVDs. You don't like the condition it's in, you bring it back. Plenty of time on their return policy to do this.

I for one do not care about inserts. 90% of the time they are a waste of paper. As far as CH goes, well been there done that. They aren't the end all supplier and if you've had 4 accounts chances are you've gotten everything you've wanted from them already. In other words, you can't dip your cup there for very long.

Blockbuster

Exactly, new releases are up for $9.99 at Blockbuster within three weeks of release.

Also, I buy obscure stuff (at least obscure for the people who rent at BV). I recently got The Cat's Meow, Sunshine State, and An Evening w/ Kevin Smith for $9.99 buy 2 get 1 free, and all three looked like they had never even been rented. They were spotless and brand new.

the main reason is cuz it's cheaper. The only ones I ever really bought were when BBV had either buy 2 get 1 free or 30% off sales. I'd buy the $9.99 titles at either $6.66 + Tax or $6.99 + Tax.

I'm also buddy buddy with some employees at some stores so they hook me up with their 20% employee discount too.

However, since I buy mostly from CH now, I don't buy many pre-vieweds anymore.

The exceptions are those titles that aren't available at CH like 13 Conversations About One Thing, Dog Soldiers and 9/11 Documentary.

I'm still lookin' for Ringu and I'd even pay $9.99 used for that.

Also, like othershave said, my discs are near mint-mint cuz I inspect every disc I buy even if I have to go through every single one in the store including those on the rental wall.

I used to buy them, and I've never had one not work, but at some point I realized almost every title I got could be purchased, cheaper and new, at CH.

Now, I still go look when they have these sales, but the only ones I'll buy are those that are not available at Columbia House (which, so far, has been none, but it's always a possibility they'll have something obscure that I want).

1. Cheaper than new, faster than CH

2. Never had a problem with a scratched disc

3. Don't care about cases, inserts, tabs, stickers, etc. - I'm in it for the movie

Agreed. CH's hassle factor doesn't make up for the convenience factor of Previously viewed. The Movie Gallery and Blockbuster right near me ALWAYS have the buy 2 get 1 free deal. And they both let you return discs that don't work. I've never received a bad disc yet.

Stopping and starting accounts is a HUGE hassle, IMHO. The last CH deal, though, $5.99 per disc for 5 discs, no more to buy, was fantastic! I took MAJOR advantage of that. That was the exception to the rule.

I just go the DDD route. Most of the time, if you wait long enough or are just looking for older titles, you can get most for $10 or less.

I buy used b/c I've found a LOT of OOP titles searching through bins at Newbury Comics, and they're always in great condition and priced below SRP. Ditto for in-print titles.

since I'm one to never bitch about a price or $, buying used dvds has never entered my mind. the only exception of course would be a very rare or oop title in which I would have no other choice...if I really want it. it does matter to me if the original insert is in the case, btw. I like buying new everything, except for a "beater" car or truck...which I'm just going to abuse anyway.

I buy used sometimes for a few reasons:


1. If their is a problem with it, I can easily take it back no questions asked

2. A lot cheaper, in many cases something that would be 20.00 I will buy for 6.99-8.99 used

3. For titles I'm not sure I really want but can't pass the buy

4. Anime, I'm surprised how many anime titles that are ordered by the rental store and never rented and then discounted to a very low price to unload it

5. In many cases, it's cheaper then renting.

I don't buy from Hollywood Video or Blockbuster anymore. I will usually buy them new or trade used for used with people on the exchange board. Most, but not all, have been perfect and look as if they were nevere played.

As far as Columbia House goes, I use them as well. While they are usually very slow, I don't mind because like most of us, we have plenty of other titles unopened that can be watched.

But instead of having to open and close accounts, there is a deal at Columbia House for a buy 9 for 9.99 and no more commitments and free shipping. Aside from the buy 2 get 1 free, is pretty dead on for used sales at Hollywood Video and Blockbuster... sometimes better.

I check out hollywood and blockbuster once every two weeks or so (when I get paid) and sometimes find stuff. I usually buy movies that I just didn't think were worth paying full price for. I've never gotten a bad one, but they both have a return policy, and guarantee them to be in good working order. I used to get pissed off when they put those little stickers on the ring of the disc, but they figured out that it messes up some peoples players so I guess they stopped ehe.

Only previously viewed DVD's I buy are very expensive OOP's from eBay ($150 range and above).

You can get a mint used DVD sometimes for like 1/2 a sealed copy will go for. I just can't understand paying that much more for a sealed copy when you are just going to hear "Cha-Ching" when you open the movie to watch it.

I will buy previously viewed DVDs if...

The DVD is out of print and that is the only way to get a copy, and it's in new condition.

If it's from a store, it must come in the original case (these Blockbusters putting the DVDs in their own cases and no inserts really makes me mad, no matter how much you save) and there are no stickers/black marker writings on the DVD itself by the store. On the case, it's all right, if the sticker is easilly peeled off. If it's on a card board case and the case will rip if I remove their sticker, then forget it.

And I also find that Blockbuster and such stores can be a good place to find some odd ball titles that are more expensive in stores. A recent aquisition for me was Hollywood Ending for 9.99, a previously viewed DVD, but since it wasn't one of the hot rented titles at Blockbuster, the disc was in NEW condition, and I got the original case/insert to boot (they let me take the box off the shelf in exchange for their box they put the cover in, which I thought was really cool, but they didn't care, just as long as they had a cover box for their last copy). And I have other DVDs like that, ones that didn't get rented too often and I got the original cases and inserts from the store I got them at so you would look at my collection and you could not tell which ones were previously viewed and which ones I got brand new at the store unless I told you.

I have 2 local used/new seller/exchangers. I have created the majority of my collection from these 2 sources. They are both very good at making sure that the used DVDs are in excellent condition. Everyone that I have bought would be hard pressed to be called used. The are all just as good as new. Why not pay $45 for a "used" Godfather set in immaculate condition rather than $85 at Best Buy. Makes "cents" to me.