Totally expense it. In my film noir class last semester I bought Down By Law: CC, Bob Le Flambeur: CC, and Band of Outsiders: CC and expensed it since I didn't have much book bill. Nice way to keep the material .

Screw morals, just have that 'someone' pay for the CC editions

I think that it is dishonest to use this as an "excuse" (your word) to grab a Criterion set at someone else's expense. And I think you probably know that, or you wouldn't have asked the question.

These would not be tough to track down via Netflix. You could probably have them in your hands in a matter of days, and you can keep them for as long as you need to write your paper.

And given that you don't rent, you probably qualify for one of their "Try 2 Weeks for Free" offers, or whatever. You can do this with no cost to anyone.

go for it i say

I don't see what the problem is. You COULD check THE GREAT GATSBY out of the library, but you'd buy a copy if you had to read it for class, right?

This is directly related to your class (you're writing a paper, after all), so it's defnitely an educational expense.

I say go with 'Top Secret'... It has a little German in it... (and he's standing right over there!)

Das ist eine gute Idee!

The problem is that based on the tone of his question, it's pretty clear that he has wanted to add this to his collection, does not have the funds at the moment, and is using this class situation as an excuse to get someone else to pay for it.


When I had to read the Great Gatsby, I *did* check it out of a library. But if someone else were offering to pick it up for me as an 'education expense', I'd get a used paperback copy... not a leatherbound edition that I've been eyeing for my home library shelf. If I wanted the expensive leather edition to keep forever, I'd buy it myself, not slip the cost to someone else on a non-itemized bill.

Since your on the fence with the morality issue... you can not expense it to you supporter.

Every time you watch the movies, you'll be reminded of your dilema... it will effect your viewing pleasure!

Don't let a few bucks destroy these great movies for you.

[Devil's advocate] Ah, but what if the leatherbound edition was the only one available for sale? I think the films in question are only available as Criterions in R1, right? [/Devil's advocate]

Well, I talked to a few people that I know have pretty decent morals. And all of them said to go for it as long as I truly am going to use them for class, which I do plan to do. I normally don't watch the extras or watch the movies w/ commentary but for these I plan to and would be making the fullest use of the movies.

In addition, I've purchased "optional" textbooks for courses that were not necessary at all, but bought them anyway because I knew somebody else was picking up the bill. One class I had to purchase 10 novels that we were reading when I could have just checked them out of the library. And I bought new copies eventhough used copies were sitting right next to them for 30% off instead of 10% off. I have this addictive problem with things that are "new" and "untouched", which is mainly why I don't rent or check books out. There's something about used/rented/etc that makes alarm bells go off in my head. I also never sell my books back to use towards the next term. I horde all my textbooks, regardless of whether I think I'll need them or not (some I *KNOW* I'll never need them, but I keep them nevertheless).

So in the end I've decided it's ok, but only because I'll be using them extensively. After the class is over they'll stay with me just like all of my other books that cost $50 - $100 each, but these will have more value than the textbooks.

This told me everything I needed to know about your so-called moral dilemma. You had the money for the box set, but you spent it on other DVDs you wanted instead.

I'm not exactly shocked at this turn of events. I suspect you knew that was what you were going to do all along and posted here for help in rationalizing your decision.