I have never replaced a disc due to wear and tear since I have been collecting. I have been collecting since the day DVD's came out.

Ditto.

Unless one always lends out their dvds and they come back fucked up (and even then, I wouldnt be the one replacing, it would be the person I lent it to)
..and unless one is a barbarian Grundel who doesnt eat with utensils, oh, and unless the discs themselves just stop working or glue comes loose, etc, I cant see how replacing them is needed.

I've only had to replace one and that was because I let someone borrow it. Now i'll only let someone borrow if I know they take the same care as I do.

Some of mine got scratched because the round plastic thing that holds the dvd in the case broke so now some are loose and just wobling around.

I've yet to replace a DVD. The closest one I've come to replacing was the original Gladiator, because my parents watched it so much and eventually scratched it abdly. But I resisted that because I had the 3 disc somewhere else.

I've had DVDs scratched to heck, but they always play fine.

I just reorganized my collection though, and found 4 films that I apparently lent out and have not been returned, so they might become my first "replacements".

I only replace the ones that are re-released onto an SE or CE. Unlike other people, I tend to take really good care of my DVDs and CDs - and have NEVER had to replace any of them due to mishandling.

Never had to replace any due to damage. I too learned not to loan my titles out due to receiving damaged goods back. I've received cases back that had dings and scratches, as well as disks obviousily being left out and getting scratched. This was AFTER I told them I care about the condition of the case and to NEVER leave discs lying about, either the disc is in the player or in the case. So I've had to politely say no when people have asked to borrow my discs. There are a handful of people I trust with them, only because I've seen how they treat their own stuff & I've never had an issue with any of them.

I used to loan out (years back) with strict orders not to let their 4 year old near my dvds. Dvds came back slimed twice, and all the fuckhead could say after the second time, "dude whatdya expect, I have a 4 year old"...a prompt get the fuck out outta my house and that was the end of a casual 2 year friendship for being so flippant about my COMMANDS and refusal to buy me another.

Blank cases are cheap. Get the broken ones replaced.

He could be talking about Digipaks, which aren't so easy to replace.

Catcher In The Rye, every time I see it, I have to buy it!

"dude whatdya expect, I have a 4 year old"...
Tell him he shoulda used a CONDOM! ;)

I replace any dvds that were originally released in snappers as soon as i find them available in Amaray cases.

same here,
its called treating your dvds with care, its not hard. don't borrow, don't think your dvds are industrustable & the most important and simple tip-treat with care. 'wear & tear' is another saying for 'i don't know or care about my dvds'.

i'm probably going to have to replace my Clerks II DVD, because I let a friend borrow it, and never got it back. he claims he left it on the steps to my apartment, but i never saw it there.

I've never had to replace a disk because it was damaged though

He left it on the steps? Did you leave it on his steps when he asked for it? I'm guessing you placed it in his hands - which is how he should have given it back to you - are you still considering him a friend? I'd insist he buy you another and if he balks then write him out of your life - I have no qualms to do stuff like that, its how my program is written

Haha, I'm not offended, but I'm feeling a lot of animosity towards me from more than a couple of people in this thread simply because my DVDs have been damaged over time. Not everybody's perfect...

I do my best but I could do better. I think most of my DVDs are in good shape, though.

You could ask one of your neighbors they could have picked it up since it was supposed to have been left on the steps

Well in the end, it's what makes you happy. As I said, if you dont' mind replacing DVD's, all the power to you.

But here's the thing, how about way later on down the future when you won't be able to replace a lot of these DVD's anymore? How about when the next big format has taken over, but is backwards compatable with DVD, and once one of your DVD's goes, that's it? DVD's will last you a long long time man, and you should take care of them not just for the now, but for your entertainment future. Taking proper care of a DVD means:

-Not holding the underside of the disc at all
-Making sure you put the DVD in the case correclty, right onto the hub
-Not sliding it around in a tray
-Not taking huge piles you know you can't carry, dropping DVD's
-If you DO move, keep your snappers away from the keepcases
-Don't let people borrow your discs, have a movie night, let people come see it at your place
-Never leave them out of the player or their cases
-Don't keep them in binders

There's more I'm sure, much more that can be said, but that's the basics. DVD's are an investment, not just something you buy to watch now.

Oh no, here we go again! ;)

Thank you for supporting Fincher and please, go out and purchase another copy of Seven.