I guess this is just semantics. But it isn't a "sale" if the price you pay is the same as the price you pay when there is no sale. If a sale is billed as 20% off and it's really only 10% off, then it's not a 20% off sale. In both cases the seller is making misleading claims. If the seller is raising prices in anticipation of a sale in order to dilute or reduce the advertised benefit of the sale, then customers are deliberately being misled.

Collect all the prices you want. I'm not stopping you. I'm just pointing out that it is unlikely to produce any meaningful results, especially if the aim is, as you say, to determine what the 20% is off of. Furthermore, I am saying that the only way to reliably determine this value is by statistical analysis of a large sample, with many data points, over a long period of time; and that three or four months of price data on a sample of 100 or so titles is not likely to produce the correct answer. It might accidently produce the right answer, but you won't have enough data to be confident --in the mathematical sense-- that it is the right answer.

APRIL 10:

ICE AGE SUPER COOL EDITION - $12.85 - 3/10/06 - EVEN
HARRY POTTER-GOBLET OF FIRE (SE) - $24.55 - 3/10/06 - EVEN
PLANET OF THE APES-ULTIMATE COLLECTION - $129.84 - 3/10/06 - +$3.95
CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (2D/SE) - $23.15 - 3/10/06 - EVEN
SOUTH PARK-7TH SEASON - $31.89 - 3/10/06 - EVEN
SEVEN SAMURAI (CRITERON) - $31.91 - 3/10/06 - +8.72
UNDERWORLD (UR/2D) - $24.14 - 3/10/06 - EVEN
WAR OF THE WORLDS (LE) - NO LONGER AVAILABLE - 3/10/06
PINK PANTHER CLASSIC CARTOON COLLECTION - $46.14 - 3/10/06 - EVEN
PRIDE & PREJUDICE (WS) - $21.59 - 3/10/06 - EVEN

So, nine days later, the 10 titles I tracked has two price increases (average of $6.33 per selection) and one selection is no longer available. Already, we are seeing that prices are fluid and taking static price checks months before the anticipated sale will likely not lead to valid results.

I agree. But it's already been proven that prices days before the sale and prices during the sale are different. Some people refuse to accept this as proof, which is their choice. Blind loyalty works for some people, I guess.

My bottom line is if DDD can offer the best price online then they get my business (sale or no sale). Doesn't matter to me if they manipulated prices right before the 20% coupon codes are issued. It's pretty simple.

Thought I would do parts of my wishlist. Just for reference.

Babylon 5 The Complete 5th Season - $43.55 - 4/18/06
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs - $19.92 - 4/18/06
Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Volume 2 - $47.90 - 4/18/06
Kingpin - Producer's Cut - $9.28 - 4/18/06
Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers - $14.51 - 4/18/06
Ikiru The Criterion Collection - $31.91 - 4/18/06
Loves of a Blonde The Criterion Collection - $23.93 - 4/18/06
The Yakuza Papers: Battles Without Honor and Humanity - $66.47 - 4/18/06
The Uninvited - $13.27 - 4/18/06
Underworld Beauty - $14.36 - 4/18/06
Tattooed Life - $14.36 - 4/18/06
School of the Holy Beast - $19.92 - 4/18/06
M*A*S*H - 2-Disc Collector's Edition - $12.85 - 4/18/06
The Lady from Shanghai - $19.14 - 4/18/06
Lady Snowblood - Collector's Edition Box - $29.45 - 4/18/06
Giants and Toys - $14.98 - 4/18/06
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song - $11.98 - 4/18/06
The Ed Wood Box - $29.25 - 4/18/06
La Dolce Vita Collector's Edition - $22.37 - 4/18/06
Decasia: The State of Decay - $17.49 - 4/18/06
Cosmos Collector's Edition - $85.76 - 4/18/06
Caligula Twentieth Anniversary Edition - $19.67 - 4/18/06
Blind Beast - $14.98 - 4/18/06
Belle de jour - $13.92 - 4/18/06
Barry Lyndon Stanley Kubrick Collection - $14.51 - 4/18/06
Angel Guts: The Complete Nikkatsu Series - $53.17 - 4/18/06
Count Duckula The Complete 1st Season - $18.13 - 4/18/06

Hitchcock Collection: The Early Years 14 Disc Box Set / $58.80 / 4-18-06
Under Capricorn / $14.62 / 4-18-06

Sopranos Seasons 1-5 is now showing up at $262.88

From my wishlist:

THE AMAZING RACE 1ST SEASON - $28.80 - 4/19/2006
THE AMAZING RACE 7TH SEASON - $28.80 - 4/19/2006
AUNTIE MAME - $13.37 - 4/19/2006
DARK VICTORY - $13.37 - 4/19/2006
DEAD LIKE ME 1ST SEASON - $32.89 - 4/19/2006
DEAD LIKE ME 2ND SEASON - $32.89 - 4/19/2006
THE GRAPES OF WRATH - $10.33 - 4/19/2006
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT - $19.14 - 4/19/2006
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - $13.91 - 4/19/2006
MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY - $21.46 - 4/19/2006
PETE'S DRAGON - $21.59 - 4/19/2006
THE STING (SPECIAL EDITION) - $19.81 - 4/19/2006
STUDIO CLASSICS-BEST PICTURE COLLECTION - $21.96 - 4/19/2006

None of the prices have changed since I last check about a month ago.

My Updated List, Took off a few that I bought with the B2G1. Hopefully not much more added onto this:

STNG-1ST-7TH SEASONS - $ 314.59 - 5/1/06 (No Change)
CHINATOWN - $ 7.78 - 5/1/06 (No Change)
UNSOLVED MYSTERIES-ULTIMATE COLLEC - $ 77.99 - 5/1/06 (No Change)
CHEERS-5TH SEASON - $ 28.80 - 5/1/06 (No Change)
CHEERS-4TH SEASON - $ 28.80 - 5/1/06 (No Change)
COURT TV-BEST OF FORENSIC FILES - $ 11.99 - 5/1/06 (No Change)
ALL ABOUT EVE - $ 10.33 - 5/1/06
APOCALYPSE NOW - REDUX -$ 13.56 - 5/1/06
CITY OF GOD - $ 20.51 - 5/1/06
CRIMSON TIDE (UR) - $ 13.80 - 5/1/06 (PREORDER)
THE GRADUATE - $ 9.42 - 5/1/06
MEMPHIS BELLE - $ 7.26 - 5/1/06
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (SE) - $ 13.67 - 5/1/06
SOME LIKE IT HOT (SPECIAL EDITION) - $ 9.49 - 5/1/06
WIZARD OF OZ (3D/COLLECTORS EDITIO - $ 37.75 - 5/1/06

Subtotal (Pre-Sale): $ 605.74
Total (With Sale): $ 484.60

I've added the newer entries and went back through the list. If something didn't change, sometimes I noted it, others not. If it did change, I put down the new price. There's been price increases and decreases. For this to work, paste in a couple of titles yourself, or paste your wishlist if you have one set up.

Thanks to everyone who contributes.

Sopranos Seasons 1-5 5/9/06 $275.88

Last time I checked on 4/18 it was $262

Doing the wishlist again (NC = no change)

Babylon 5 The Complete 5th Season - $43.55 - 5/14/06 - NC
Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs - $19.92 - 5/14/06 - NC
Cosmos Collector's Edition - $85.76 - 5/14/06 - NC
Female Prisoner Scorpion: #701's Grudge Song - $11.98 - 5/14/06 - NC
Count Duckula The Complete 1st Season - $19.68 - 5/14/06 - $1.55
Blind Beast - $14.98 - 5/14/06 - NC
Giants and Toys - $14.98 - 5/14/06 - NC
Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers - $14.51 - 5/14/06 - NC
Decasia: The State of Decay - $17.49 - 5/14/06 - NC
The Uninvited - $13.27 - 5/14/06 - NC
Lady Snowblood - Collector's Edition Box - $29.45 - 5/14/06 - NC
M*A*S*H - 2-Disc Collector's Edition - $12.85 - 5/14/06 - NC
Tattooed Life - $13.27 - 5/14/06 - -$1.09
Underworld Beauty - $13.27 - 5/14/06 - -$1.09
Belle de jour - $13.92 - 5/14/06 - NC
Barry Lyndon Stanley Kubrick Collection - $14.51 - 5/14/06 - NC
Caligula Twentieth Anniversary Edition - $19.67 - 5/14/06 - NC
La Dolce Vita Collector's Edition - $22.37 - 5/14/06 - NC
Angel Guts: The Complete Nikkatsu Series - $53.17 - 5/14/06 - NC
The Lady from Shanghai - $19.14 - 5/14/06 - NC
School of the Holy Beast - $19.92 - 5/14/06 - NC
The Yakuza Papers: Battles Without Honor and Humanity - $66.47 - 5/14/06 - NC
Kingpin - Producer's Cut - $9.28 - 5/14/06 - NC
Loves of a Blonde The Criterion Collection - $23.93 - 5/14/06 - NC
Ikiru The Criterion Collection - $31.91 - 5/14/06 - NC
Looney Tunes: Golden Collection, Volume 2 - $47.90 - 5/14/06 - NC
The Ed Wood Box - $29.25 - 5/14/06 - NC

Okay, it's been at least 6 months since the last 20% off sale. Where's the sale?

I'm not sure if you are serious, but the summer sale is typically at the end of June.

Eagerly awaitng this as well. Hope it comes soon.

I Dream Of Jeannie-1st Season (b&w) $27.87
Bewitched-3rd Season (color) $29.19
Marilyn Monroe-2nd Diamond Collection $36.59
Garfield & Friends V.05 $21.96
Short Cuts (criterion) $31.91
Robot Chicken V.01 $22.37
Ben Hur (4d/collector's Ed With Book) $29.02
Batman The Animated Series V.04 $33.40
Superman-animated Series V.02 $20.57
Looney Tunes Golden Collection V.3 $47.90
Fresh Prince Of Bel Air-3rd Season $23.58
Superman-animated Series V.03 $20.57

Monthly Update of My Wishlist for the Sale
CITY OF GOD $ 20.51 - 6/1/06
CRIMSON TIDE (UR) $ 13.80 - 6/1/06
UNSOLVED MYSTERIES-ULTIMATE COLLEC $ 77.99 - 6/1/06
STAR WARS-CLONE WARS V.01 $ 14.88 - 6/1/06
DEAD ZONE-2ND SEASON $ 18.52 - 6/1/06
DEAD ZONE-3RD SEASON $ 18.52 - 6/1/06
THE GRADUATE $ 9.42 - 6/1/06
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (SE) $ 13.67 - 6/1/06
CHEERS-4TH SEASON $ 28.80 - 6/1/06
CHEERS-5TH SEASON $ 28.80 - 6/1/06
STNG-1ST-7TH SEASONS $ 314.59 - 6/1/06
ANIMATRIX $ 9.08 - 6/1/06
KNIGHT RIDER-2ND SEASON $ 20.38 - 6/1/06
CONTACT $ 9.08 - 6/1/06
DEAD ZONE-4TH SEASON $ 21.68 - 6/1/06

Pre-Sale Total: 619.72
20% Off: 495.78

Thought I would do the same:

06/02/06

Cemetery Man 11.99 06/07/06 NC
Lady Snowblood Vengeance 17.66 06/07/06 NC
4 days in september 13.92 06/07/06 NC
Best of youth 21.59 06/07/06 NC
What have I done to deserve 16.61 06/07/06 NC
Kingdom of heaven DC 18.69 06/07/06 NC
Trilogy 14.96 06/07/06 NC
Cienaga 17.93 06/07/06 NC
Deep Crimson 13.27 06/07/06 NC
Exiles 16.63 06/07/06 NC
Official Story 13.97 06/07/06 NC
Yakuza Graveyard 17.47 06/07/06 NC
Cops vs Thugs 17.47 06/07/06 NC
Debutantes 6.12 06/07/06 NC
Dias de Santiago 6.12 06/07/06 NC
Female Prisoner Scorpion 701 11.98 06/07/06 NC
Scorpion Grudge Song 11.98 06/07/06 NC
Scorpion Beast Stable 11.98 06/07/06 NC
Sex + Fury 12.08 06/07/06 NC
Female Yakuza 12.08 06/07/06 NC
Subterra 8.99 06/07/06 NC
Bright Future 14.96 06/07/06 NC
Cronicas 14.96 06/07/06 NC
He Died w/ falafel 7.25 06/07/06 NC
Rojo Amanecer 9.86 06/07/06 NC
Imperio de la fortuna 8.14 06/07/06 NC

Total: 348.66

20% off: 278.93

Few from the wishlist I wanted to track:

CLERKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY ED (3D) $23.75
PHILADELPHIA (AE) (2D) $14.02
SIMON & GARFUNKEL-CONCERT IN CENTR $7.18
ELEKTRA (UNRATED/2D DIRECTORS CUT) $12.34
WALK THE LINE (2D/CE) $25.05
DAZED & CONFUSED (CRITERION) $31.88
GRATEFUL DEAD- DEAD AHEAD- NY 1980 $14.96
LORD OF THE RINGS-EXTENDED BOX SET $60.72
TITANIC (SPECIAL EDITION) $21.23
METALLICA-SOME KIND OF MONSTER $13.67
BEACH BOYS/GOOD TIMIN/LIVE AT KNEB $18.90
PETER PAUL & MARY-CARRY IT ON A MU $16.63
NO QUARTER-JIMMY PAGE & ROBERT PLA $17.04
VAN HALEN-LIVE WITHOUT A NET $13.30
PINK FLOYD-PULSE (2DVD) $14.95
JIMI HENDRIX-DELUXE EDITION $14.51
IMAGINE- JOHN LENNON DELUXE EDITION $13.37
METALLICA-A YEAR & A HALF IN THE L $23.20
VAN HALEN LIVE-RIGHT HERE RIGHT N $9.00

ALF-3RD SEASON - $24.78 06/02
HE MAN SEASON 2 V.01 - $27.21 06/02 (release date 06/06)
ENTOURAGE-1ST & 2ND SEASONS - $58.03 06/02 (2nd Season release date 06/06)
MASH-10TH SEASON - $27.88 06/02
EIGHT BELOW (WS) - $21.77 06/20 (sale may be running when released)

I've had this order planned out for a while and here are the current prices:

La Dolce Vita $22.37
Bridge on the River Kwai $19.14
Cries and Whispers $23.93
Brief Encounter $31.91
Rope $14.11
Paths of Glory $9.42
Band of Outsiders $23.93
Manhattan $9.42
To Catch a Thief $5.99
Paris, Texas $7.18
Touch of Evil $9.48
Blue Velvet $9.42
Sex, Lies and Videotape $6.00

Charmed: Season 5 - $32.39 6/3/06

Babylon 5 s1 & 2 - $43.55 each
Star Trek: Deep Space 9 s1-7 - $314.59
Star Trek: The Next Generation s1-7 - $314.59
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (deluxe gift set) - $22.68
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (deluxe gift set) - $22.49
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (deluxe gift set) - $22.49

I've updated the front page and added everyone's picks if they had it with a date.

That is:

Title - $Price - Date

Here are some titles from deepdiscountdvd


THE NG BE THE CREATURE 1ST SEASON - $33.67 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 THE MOVIES 1993 - $43.55 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 1ST SEASON 1993 - $43.55 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 2ND SEASON 1994 - $43.55 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 3RD SEASON 1995 - $43.55 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 4TH SEASON 1996 - $43.55 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 5TH SEASON 1997 - $43.55 - 6/6/2006
BABYLON 5 IN THE BEGINNING GATHERING 1993 - $14.51 - 6/6/2006


Shameless miniature review for a good show:

The "National Geographic: Be The Creature Season 1" is a cool follow-up to Chris and Martin Kratt's other earlier animal shows, "Kratt's Creatures" and "Zoboomafoo". These other earlier shows were on PBS and were ideal for introducing tiny kids to animals. But, the Nat Geo "Be The Creature" show is for older kids and adults, where Chris and Martin live with the animals for a couple of weeks at a time (including watching predators eat their prey).


Other Prices checked

As for the "Babylon 5" season sets, dvdpricesearch.net says that DDD already has the best price at $43.55 for each season.


Along with dvdpricesearch.net , I also like to check "brand new" and the "like new" prices at half.com (which sometimes is an individual seller, and sometimes is a store). The "Be The Creature" set is about $28 there, and the "Babylon 5" seasons are about $35, $42, $34, $40, $34 (respectively) there. The "B5 Movies" is in the $36-41 range there.