I've always boughten used dvd's from all different places, Blockbuster, pawn shops, gamestop, etc., my best deals are Red Shoes criterion for $6 and Magnolia for $12, but after today I don't know if I'm going to be doing it again. I bought 3 movies from Blockbuster with their buy 2 get 1 free deal yesterday. After I returned home I looked at the discs and they were in absolutely horrible condition I tried cleaning them and then watched one but about a half hour in it began to skip. So this morning I take all 3 movies back because I was going to make sure I got the best discs. I brought 3 of each movie to the desk and had them opened, only to find that each one was worse than the previous. I couldn't believe it. They looked as though somebody had sandpapered them. I think the problem is that in the earlier dvd days when only people who really wanted dvd's had a player they kept better care of the rental copies, but now that everyone and their Grandma has one the quality of used dvd's especially from bigger chains like Blockbuster has gone drastically down. I don't think I'll ever buy used from Blockbuster again, but I'm trying to not let this turn me off completely because I know their are good deals out there on used movies (like Movie Galleries buy 2 get 2 who I got quality discs from last sale) but from now on I'm checking my discs before I leave. Ok just had to get that out of my system.

I have found countless deals at pawn shops, CD Warehouse, and Cheapo(CD store with some DVDs). I have also been exposed to countless movies that I probably would have never considered due to the price of the product new. I can get DVDs for $4.40 as well as CDs for between $1.50 to $3.00 . For me it's a no-brainer. In fact I've picked up titles for friends that I knew would enjoy the find. I have no personal hangups so it is fun. I enjoy the HUNT as much as I do the FIND. Call it what you will but as far as I'm concerned "Why buy new when slightly used will do?".

Where are some places people have found good deals on used dvd's?

Used dvds must be at a good price w/ out scratches. My collection is as close to flawless when it comes to disk scratches, and thats how i want to keep it.

if its a good price i would definetly get a used dvd, although even at used prices, it's hard to beat columbia house

I do it all the time. I rarely buy new ones unless it's a boxset.

There's an old thread floating around where people named places. I'd name a few for you but, unless you live here, they wouldn't do you much good.

I avoid places like Blockbuster or Hollywood Video. Their movies will get many more rentals, so the chances of scratched/damaged discs increases greatly. Also with these "corporate" places, you won't get inserts (if applicable) or original packaging.

I tend to go with smaller "mom & pop" stores. Plus I tend to look for titles that are "off the beaten path" so chances are they've had 1 owner (or very few rentals).

I prefer used dvds. Anything over $15 is too much for me.

However, places like BLOCKBUSTER don't leave them in the original cases. I tend to avoid those "Security Cases". But having said that, the ones I did by from BB and Hollywood Video were all in good condition and played just fine. I never got a lemon.

Just got back from a run to MovieGallery. Picked up 32 DVDs for ~$200. They are PVDs, but unlike BBV or HWV, they come with original cases and inserts. MG is having a B2G2F sale for about two weeks, see the bargains forum for more info.

PS, I too always check my discs before paying, which can be a hassle if the line is long. 90% of the time they are fine, but every once in a while there is a major problem, especially for titles that young teen and pre-teen males find interesting.

Just curious, what's the average price of a CH new release mainstream DVD? Because their prices in Canada are terrible: between $25 and $35 CDN plus shipping, whereas I can buy online or at a B&M for about ten bucks less.

Pawn Shops are the best! if you find the right ones, you can find some amazing deals, just today I hit a pawn shop on the way home from lunch and I bought the following...

Ice Age - $7.99
Star Trek 4 Special Edition - $7.99
Dio Live - $5.99
Revenge of the Nerds 1 and 2 - $4.99
Infested (awesome horror movie about killer bees) - $4.99
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) - $3.99
Highlander 2 - $3.99
Thirteen Days - $3.99
plus about 10 VHS's for between 50 cents and $2.00 each

they had some color code system where you match the color sticker on the case with a chart on the wall to find out the price.

Like someone said above, part of the fun of hitting the pawn shops is the hunt, you never know what rare out of print DVD or super bargain you might find. Last month I got Angel Season 2 for $20, it was opened, but in new MINT condition with all the inserts and not a scratch on the box.

unless it's something brand new coming out that I have to have... I buy ALL my DVD's (and CD's) used, mostly from Pawn Shops.