I've often wondered this as I browse the forum; why buy new dvd releases for $15-19 when you could search for used dvds you are interested in. I'm referring more to the people who could buy a copy of Schindler's List for $10-12 (if you're lucky enough to find one) and instead buy The Day After Tomorrow for $19.99.

I suppose this all goes back to the question, why buy an average, new dvd when you can usually find an exceptional, used one for significantly less. Personally, after being on this forum for awhile, I've discovered so many films that I would love to own on dvd and don't mind looking around for. Granted, I'm working off a poor, college student's budget, but what drives the majority of people to purchase from BB/CC when there are so many quality films out there?

Apologies if this post rambles, I've been celebrating Thanksgiving a bit early this year...

I Don't know really, with me, I keep my stuff in Mint Condition and won't accept less. I fret at the slightest scratch, tear or mark most of the time and just can't see paying a few dollars difference for something used.

People buy what they want. People want the new releases. Maybe they already have Schindler's List.

Well usually they have the newer ones at lower prices the first week they are out. Then the put them up to MSRP or something higher than the first week.

Best Buy and Circuit City don't sell quality films?

Your argument (or question, or whatever it is) makes the eronious assumption that people only buy "average" DVDs on Tuesdays. Exceptional DVDs also are released on Tuesdays, right along with the crap.

I bought "Schindler's List," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Citizen Kane" and "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," all on release day, which of course means Tuesdays. Why should I wait for another day of the week? They were on sale cheap on release day.

Oh, and I won't be buying "The Day After," no matter what day of the week it is.

i only buy the MUST-HAVES on opening week, things like Dawn Of The Dead (Anchor Bay), mainly because its generally much cheaper the opening week, until a price drop months later. if its something im moderately interested in like Day After Tomorrow, i will wait out the months till a price drop, or a better sale like later this week at 9.99.

i did recently buy 3 for $20 previously viewed DVDs from Hollywood video. saving about 15 bucks off the retail price of those discs new, and they have a one year guarantee so ill have plenty of time to watch it and make sure its ok. $15 is a significant savings to me, especially if they are movies i really want.

Yes, what Mr. Salty said.

1. people buy what they want. everyone has different tastes.
2. not everyone has a bunch of places that has used DVD stores around them.

if i really liked a movie that i saw in the theater, i can't wait to see it again, and will buy it right when it comes out so i can watch it, and because as people said, movies are generally on sale their first week

I could never stand to buy something used. Plus I take my days off of work each week so that I can pick up my DVDs at midnight Monday and then I have off Tuesday and Wednesday to watch them. My boss is very understanding of my addiction and helps me get all my DVDs viewed in a timely manner.

There are titles I can wait on but most of them I can't. I caved tonight and bought the Seinfeld sets when I had thought about waiting until much later to get them. I'm a weak weak man.

I understand what Dean was saying about Best Buy and Circuit City stocking quality films, no doubt they do. My main point, however clouded it may have been in the original post, was why people would spend, on average $7-10 more on an average (I also realize people have varying tastes, mainstream/off beat, that's fine with me) film. I was just trying, for personal reasons, to see why people would pay retail price (even though prices are generally lower on first weeks' sales, as Kaffe mentioned) when they could find so many wonderful used dvds on sale. I'm fortunate enough to have a few quality shops with assorted dvds at a reasonable price. I also appreciate the responses so far.

I suppose I already knew the answer to my original post, that people enjoy having a flawless dvd that they can call their own. To each his own, often times I feel that most of the joy of dvd collecting comes from the hunt for rare/hard to find dvds (often not stocked by major retailers). Finally, in response to taa455, by Schindler's List, I basically meant any elusive dvd that we would love to make a part of our own collections.

I find it that used stores become more of a hunting test more than anything else. You really have to hunt for those films at a bargin price. It's not conviant. I want to get in and out with a good bargin and I could do that typically in the first week of release through the many stores. that is why I buy tuesday.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Columbia House yet (how did that happen!). I will often pass on release-day pricing if I see that the title is being carried by CH - knowing that I'll get it in the $7-8 range in a few months.

Also, many many of the catalog titles don't show up as used copies. While a store will have lots of current titles on PVD, because they had multiple copies, they will often only have 1-2 copies of older titles which they keep as rentals. I'm much more likely to get an older title on release day than the newest high-profile DVD.

I agree. They have to be new......

so what's exactly the question here?....

Why not?
It's nice to pick up dvds the day they come out, which here in the uk is usually monday or friday.

But, I also have no problem buying movies used. As long as they are "Like New" condition.. suits me just fine.

I dont know about other places, and I dont know if they still do it, but Best Buy sells (or used to sell) titles at a discount within the first week of its release.

I havent been doing the purchase of my movies lately as its been the Mrs. and the daughter, and people getting us stuff as gifts, so I dont know if this is still in practice...personally I never really understood teh practice just to inflate release date sales data, only to charge more one week later and wind up with a surplus(???)I dont ever buy used....people in general are terrible at handling these sort fo things and I dont want to be bothered with the hassle of retruning/exchanging if something is wrong, which is more of a possibility on a used title

1) Most ppl would rather buy new than hope to buy something used (you can't always find what you're looking for used)
2) New releases come out on Tuesday
3) Ppl have money. If you have the money, you can buy what you want.

For me its not about buying new vs buying used, its about what price point is right before I buy. I will not pay "sale" prices on Tuesday when in couple of months or so they will end up on 2 for $15 or $7.50 sale. For me there is not a "Must have DVD" but nice to have when the price is right.

I also have a problem with alot of places that sell used dvds for only $2-3 less than what it is new, and only give $5.00 for a trade in. And like Jack said, it takes more time to sift through most of the garbage to find a rare bargain, so its just better to buy it cheaper when it first comes out, or wait a few months when they drop the price.

About buying on Tuesday, I used to do it, but since I never get a chance to watch DVDs until the weekends, I've stopped going out on lunchhours shopping.

But then, since the sales normally only run to Saturday, often you may find a title sold out. And, that first week has the lowest prices so you miss out.

As far as buying used goes, it is always gambling. I don't have any used shops in my area, but buying from someone on Ebay and Amazon is always a hassle. Waiting and hoping you get it in the mail, that it isn't too scratched up, that they send the right title. I'd rather spend $2 more and get a new title than have all that worry.

I believe that the intention of the question was "Why run out and buy a blockbuster (not the store) new release the day it comes out instead of waiting for it to PV somewhere cheap?"

If that was the question, then we immediately throw out anything that the chain rental stores won't carry en masse (basically any older films being re-issued) since the odds of finding it used are slim.

We are just talking about the "box office hits" basically. And there are a few reasons:

1.) I bought Dawn of the Dead and Van Helsing at Best Buy for the bonus discs (and was disappointed so that argument is losing some credibility).

2.) I buy Disney titles new for a few reasons: packaging -- buy it PVed and you will not get the original packaging; promotions -- goes without saying when you make out like some of us did on Aladdin; and content -- the chain rental stores are starting to sell the big Disney titles' (and anybody's box sets) discs seperately.

3.) Packaging, again . . . case in point Harry Potter. Now I guess I haven't seen the packaging yet, but I assume that it is the same type as the first two, and I like continuity in things like that. On that same note though, I would not buy WB's snapper releases new because I knew that I could get an amaray by waiting.

4.) I just can't wait sometimes!

It all comes down to a time-money analysis. If money is your limiting factor than you will spend time to maximize your money. If time is your limiting factor that you will spend money to maximize your free time.
For me 'Time' is my limiting factor. I do most of my purchases, at least 80%, online with either CH, Amazon, or DDD in order of volume. When I do buy at a B & M it is normally COSTCO because I'm there for other stuff.

You will be sorely dissapointed with the latest HP release, they've gone to a keepcase instead of the digipack. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!