Is this too anal?
06-15-05, 03:15 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by calhoun07
I special ordered Life Aquatic the 2 disc limited edition from a local store, and when I went in to pick it up, I saw that they had put a yellow post-it on the case with my name written in ballpoint pen.
06-15-05, 03:23 PM
#52
DVD Talk Legend
Anal? yes. Too anal? For most, yes. I wouldn't bother if something like that happened to me. I would pay for it and get it done with. However, the bottom line is that it is your money and your DVD and you should only take whats good for you. If I was the store clerk I would have been a little surprised to see you not accept it but I would just do what you want.
06-15-05, 03:58 PM
#53
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I had a similar incident several years back. I have managed to purchase all of Criterions dvd releases thus far save one... Salo. I had it in my hand and put it back on the shelf to purchase at a later date. That was a mistake.
Not wanting to invest several hundreds of dollars on an elusive bone fide copy, I sought out the next best thing. I dropped a hundred bucks on a Criterion Laserdisc copy off of Ebay. It was carefully packaged to insure safe transport and indeed arrived safely.
I opened the package, removed the stryofoam nugget encsonced disc and carefully opened the bubble wrap. What do I see? A post it note in the top left hand corner bearing the message, "Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!".
It didn't even occur to me that it had been written after the note was stuck to the jacket. Sure enough, the jacket now bears a permanent impression of the thoughtful message. Very disappointing, but unfortunately, at the time, the disc was hard to come by so I've learned to accept it in all its flawed glory...
Jimmy
Not wanting to invest several hundreds of dollars on an elusive bone fide copy, I sought out the next best thing. I dropped a hundred bucks on a Criterion Laserdisc copy off of Ebay. It was carefully packaged to insure safe transport and indeed arrived safely.
I opened the package, removed the stryofoam nugget encsonced disc and carefully opened the bubble wrap. What do I see? A post it note in the top left hand corner bearing the message, "Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!".
It didn't even occur to me that it had been written after the note was stuck to the jacket. Sure enough, the jacket now bears a permanent impression of the thoughtful message. Very disappointing, but unfortunately, at the time, the disc was hard to come by so I've learned to accept it in all its flawed glory...
Jimmy
06-15-05, 04:30 PM
#55
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Originally Posted by Luka
Although I do think what you did is anal, I don't think it's wrong... you paid for it you should receive the merchandise in the condition that could be expected for any "new" product.
That being said, I was in a comic shop several years ago with sleeves and boards in hand (I used to bag them as I picked them out), when I saw a guy take a handful of comics to the counter to purchase. The cashier noticed that the spine of one of his comics was creased and offered him another one. The guy looked at the cashier, then at the comic book and said, "you mean this crease?" He then took the book and basically rolled it into a tube along the spine (creating audible gasps from the other customers)... pretty much ruining any resale value it might have, then he said, "No, I'm going to READ it."
I stood there for a minute and thought about my own "reading" habits and realized that to a certain extent, I wasn't enjoying comics the way I used to. I would take then home carefully read them once, then re-sleeve them and put them in a box so they could MABEY increase in value. But the thing was, by being so paranoid I was actually LESSENING the actual usable value of the comic. When I was a kid I would read them four or five times, lend them to friends, trace over the pictures, then pin them to the wall. Now I was reading them once and locking them away.
So now I try to find a balance. I don't intentionally damage my DVDs or comics, but I also don't over-protect them, and if something happens to come a little damaged, as long as the disc if fine, I'm okay with it.
That being said, I was in a comic shop several years ago with sleeves and boards in hand (I used to bag them as I picked them out), when I saw a guy take a handful of comics to the counter to purchase. The cashier noticed that the spine of one of his comics was creased and offered him another one. The guy looked at the cashier, then at the comic book and said, "you mean this crease?" He then took the book and basically rolled it into a tube along the spine (creating audible gasps from the other customers)... pretty much ruining any resale value it might have, then he said, "No, I'm going to READ it."
I stood there for a minute and thought about my own "reading" habits and realized that to a certain extent, I wasn't enjoying comics the way I used to. I would take then home carefully read them once, then re-sleeve them and put them in a box so they could MABEY increase in value. But the thing was, by being so paranoid I was actually LESSENING the actual usable value of the comic. When I was a kid I would read them four or five times, lend them to friends, trace over the pictures, then pin them to the wall. Now I was reading them once and locking them away.
So now I try to find a balance. I don't intentionally damage my DVDs or comics, but I also don't over-protect them, and if something happens to come a little damaged, as long as the disc if fine, I'm okay with it.
) that occurs when reading books or comics and in watching dvds. I now lend my movies to friends I trust not to damage the discs and who will make every reasonable attempt to not damage the case. If a scuff or bump occurs on the case, so be it. I bought the damn things so they would be enjoyed, and knowing my friends are enjoying them too makes me happy. If a case is particularly difficult to manage, either by virtue of it being made from paper or by the hub being too hard to use (won't release discs easily enough), then I just put the disc in an aol case - problem solved.I also ask that they do common sense things like not to handle discs/books with dirty hands or if they've just put lotion on, and not to leave them in the car or anywhere damp. I find myself a much more happy and relaxed person now that I don't obsess over every nick and scrape on my dvd cases, so it's been great for me.
That being said, if I ever have a choice about a dvd, book, comic, or even a magazine, I will always take the one that is in the best condition (why start out with it messed up?) - and I would have done the same thing wrt asking for a different disc that didn't have my name imbedded in the case.
06-15-05, 05:03 PM
#57
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A post it note in the top left hand corner bearing the message, "Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!".
Back in 1994 I woke up early to be at Tower Video when they opened the day "Jurassic Park" came out on laserdisc, the first week it was on sale for the low low price of $34.99. They were still on the carts when I got in the store (they normally didn't stock this many of any LD title, nowadays this is a very common title in the used stores), so I picked up one that was most likely to have never been touched by anyone, then took it to the counter and wrote a check. The clerk checked my drivers license and started to write the number on the check when it was right on top of the LD cover, but I shouted "NOOOOO!" and threw myself in front of it.
06-15-05, 05:13 PM
#58
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by Luka
That being said, I was in a comic shop several years ago with sleeves and boards in hand (I used to bag them as I picked them out), when I saw a guy take a handful of comics to the counter to purchase. The cashier noticed that the spine of one of his comics was creased and offered him another one. The guy looked at the cashier, then at the comic book and said, "you mean this crease?" He then took the book and basically rolled it into a tube along the spine (creating audible gasps from the other customers)... pretty much ruining any resale value it might have, then he said, "No, I'm going to READ it."
So now I try to find a balance. I don't intentionally damage my DVDs or comics, but I also don't over-protect them, and if something happens to come a little damaged, as long as the disc if fine, I'm okay with it.
That being said, I'm a firm believer in retailers taking care of their customers and providing things in "brand new" condition. I may end up fucking my own stuff up, but I don't want to buy things that way. This is why I will never buy games from the various Video Game specialty stores (who open new games before they're sold).
06-15-05, 05:14 PM
#59
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Alan Smithee
I picked up one that was most likely to have never been touched by anyone, then took it to the counter and wrote a check. The clerk checked my drivers license and started to write the number on the check when it was right on top of the LD cover, but I shouted "NOOOOO!" and threw myself in front of it.
It's funny because it's true. I pulled this same move many, many times in my LD buying days. For some reason, clerks -- even those who worked in actual LD shops -- seem to like to use them as a writing surface.
06-16-05, 01:28 AM
#61
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I just remembered that I've got "10,000 Anal Maniacs" on laserdisc. It's a cutout though, but at least it was cheap.
06-16-05, 01:30 AM
#62
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Originally Posted by Giles
really it's not that hard to do. I used to work at a Book/Music store and I always did that - I didn't want to imprint some person's name on a book/CD cover/slipcase. Hell I was so anal when I was up at the cashier and someone was writing a check and leaning against a book, I'd be like - "please use the counter, not the cover of a book"
Anyway, calhoun07, you are anal about it, sure, but I'm right there with you. I would absolutely refuse a copy of a DVD that the store managed to ruin. The quality of my DVD cases are just as important to me as the movies themselves. I will stand in the store with five or six copies of the same DVD in my arms, and inspect each one with care to make sure I get the most mint condition copy as possible. I probably look a little crazy, but I can live with that. My collection is more important than a few raised eyebrows.
--THX
06-16-05, 01:56 AM
#63
In a somewhat related story, I did have somebody do that to one of my Criterion DVDs (Straw Dogs) with the glass of water. I don't think they put it on the DVD, but I had just gotten the DVD and it was sitting on a table by the chair and I went to bed and it was just fine. I got up the next morning and I saw the case was laying open and the art was not in there, but set aside laying open as well, wrinkled as hell and all wet. Somebody else had spilled water on it. I insisted on returning it for exchange and the person who did it (a family member) thought I was crazy to go to the store to exchange it, but I did anyway and they didn't say a word to me and let me get a new copy of Straw Dogs.
I guess I just don't have luck with Criterion DVDs!
I guess I just don't have luck with Criterion DVDs!
06-16-05, 02:48 AM
#64
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I dont think it was too anal. Was it anal? Yes but not too anal. Damn, that's too many anals. But I would just like to say that I think these slip cases are quite pointless. Sure they look nice sometimes but eventually they do take up more space even though they arent very thick, they wear after awhile just like old vhs covers, it's just more stuff to go throw to get the damn dvd out of the case and that esspecially is annoying when the case also has those two "security" clips. Why are we putting cases in other cases now?! It's also a waste of trees, didnt we have this problem with cds once?
EDIT: Also just think when you build up a large amount of dvds with these slip cases on a shelf it will look like abunch of slimmer vhs tapes instead of the shinny plastic spine of a dvd keep case.
EDIT: Also just think when you build up a large amount of dvds with these slip cases on a shelf it will look like abunch of slimmer vhs tapes instead of the shinny plastic spine of a dvd keep case.
Last edited by GmoneyOwnsYou; 06-16-05 at 02:53 AM.
06-16-05, 05:50 AM
#65
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You know, this whole thing about collecting...I was into comics collecting, then the 90s happened, and now comics really aren't worth anything. I asked myself, why do I buy comics? Because I friggin' like to READ the buggers. If it's a secondhand 3rd printing trade paperback, fine. Having the original is cool, but for what? Who's going to care, and if you aren't paying attention, the price will probably fall to nothing anyway. (Speculation is what collapsed the comics industry, remember.)
Now, this case with the post-it notes, I admit it would have irked me. I do notice that crap and I hate it. Old video game cartridges--Jesus, people have managed to do the same to those labels!! It seems getting DVDs online avoids most of it (except for the above Salo LD example--Jesus H Christ!) Anyway, I collect what I like to have, not what I think will be worth something, but I do expect it to be in the best condition possible. Calhoun07's story of Straw Dogs--that would be make me batshit crazy. Just my two cents.
Now, this case with the post-it notes, I admit it would have irked me. I do notice that crap and I hate it. Old video game cartridges--Jesus, people have managed to do the same to those labels!! It seems getting DVDs online avoids most of it (except for the above Salo LD example--Jesus H Christ!) Anyway, I collect what I like to have, not what I think will be worth something, but I do expect it to be in the best condition possible. Calhoun07's story of Straw Dogs--that would be make me batshit crazy. Just my two cents.
06-16-05, 10:07 AM
#66
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The cleck obiously did an error writing on the dvd case... for someone collecting dvd I don't think it's strange not to accept it, maybe a bit annal but who cares !
Actually I have head of some ppl more "annal" than that... I mean putting the dvd back in their plastic wrap after watching them... now that strange (for me at least).
Personnaly I own around 100 dvd, and I difinitely try to keep them in good condition... I don't think I am too crazy about it through. Handing dvd without scratching them isn't difficult and I guess it's a normal behavior... that doesn't seem to hold true for most ppl though. I don't really have an obssesion with dvd case... usualy most for them are in good shape at the store don't need to look which one is the best out of 20+ ! (altough I tend not to take the first one lol)
Actually I have head of some ppl more "annal" than that... I mean putting the dvd back in their plastic wrap after watching them... now that strange (for me at least).
Personnaly I own around 100 dvd, and I difinitely try to keep them in good condition... I don't think I am too crazy about it through. Handing dvd without scratching them isn't difficult and I guess it's a normal behavior... that doesn't seem to hold true for most ppl though. I don't really have an obssesion with dvd case... usualy most for them are in good shape at the store don't need to look which one is the best out of 20+ ! (altough I tend not to take the first one lol)
06-16-05, 11:12 AM
#67
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Originally Posted by Fandango
I think this story has taught us something very important, that is to use a Sharpie when writing something on a post it note when it is affixed to a dvd case.
gasp!!! sharpies bleed!!!
06-16-05, 12:07 PM
#68
Originally Posted by notkevinbacon
gasp!!! sharpies bleed!!!
06-19-05, 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
The clerk at the customer service counter is required to remove the shrink wrap from DVDs when making an exchange so people don't turn around and try to return them for a refund.
I actually need to go back to Best Buy and exchange a DVD set that I bought today (even though it's still unopened, I can tell it's missing a booklet that's supposed to come with it). But after reading your post, I think I'll just buy a new one and return the old one with the new receipt (since it probably won't be on sale anymore by the time I go back).
06-19-05, 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by calhoun07
These card board slip cases may look nice, but they can be a nightmare for collectors if they are trying to find copies of the DVD in the best condition possible. Why can't the stuidos just wrap the things in plastic wrap? Does it save the studios that much money to skip the plastic wrap around the complete package?
06-19-05, 01:19 AM
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Some of the posts in this thread seem to describe what I would call OCD-ish behavior. I definitely don't intend to offend anyone by that, because I agree with those posts... I do have some OCD-ish tendencies!
For example, I went to 4 different Best Buys today (3 were within 20 minutes of my house, but one was a half hour away) to pick up the X-Files box sets (picking them all up today was critical, as the sale could end at any moment). Part of the reason I went to 4 different stores was because none of the stores carried all 9 seasons. But another big reason I went to 4 different stores is because I'd go to one store and refuse to buy a set because none of them were in a condition satisfactory to me, so then I'd go to another store and hope that they had some in better condition. At all 4 stores I would pick up every single DVD set and compare them all, eliminating one set at a time until I found the one that was in the best condition. I think I spent over 20 minutes in each store. I also ended up buying multiple copies of some seasons, so I'm going to be making some more trips to Best Buy to return those!
For example, I went to 4 different Best Buys today (3 were within 20 minutes of my house, but one was a half hour away) to pick up the X-Files box sets (picking them all up today was critical, as the sale could end at any moment). Part of the reason I went to 4 different stores was because none of the stores carried all 9 seasons. But another big reason I went to 4 different stores is because I'd go to one store and refuse to buy a set because none of them were in a condition satisfactory to me, so then I'd go to another store and hope that they had some in better condition. At all 4 stores I would pick up every single DVD set and compare them all, eliminating one set at a time until I found the one that was in the best condition. I think I spent over 20 minutes in each store. I also ended up buying multiple copies of some seasons, so I'm going to be making some more trips to Best Buy to return those!
06-19-05, 02:53 AM
#73
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by sldvd
What? Are you kidding? That doesn't make any sense at all. They don't refund your money when you do an exchange, so you should still be able to return an item that you had previously exchanged.
06-19-05, 02:55 AM
#74
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by sldvd
What? Are you kidding? That doesn't make any sense at all. They don't refund your money when you do an exchange, so you should still be able to return an item that you had previously exchanged.
DJ