thetao

See http://www.cinemaclassics.com/ . I stumbled onto their web site a couple weeks ago. The site is quite low tech, and with only the most basic product information, but is obviously still receiving fresh stock. So far I've tried emailing them (through a partly broken web form) and calling them (leaving a message on a very anonymous voice mailbox), but they have yet to respond. And just like secondspin, wherehouse, and FYE's web store, I refuse to do business with a company that expects me to buy from them based only on sketchy information. So has anybody dealt with them before, either through mail order or in person? Do you have any tips on reaching a real person? Thanks.

thetao

Additionally, from their whois record, emailing [email protected] (apparently the owner) causes a bounce.

Norm de Plume

Ooh, is this the same guy as Robert's Hard-to-Find Videos, or whatever it's called? If so, beware. Very dodgy.

rw2516

Something like Sinister Cinema and Something Weird. Back in the 90s I used to get VHS copies of stuff only available in PAL from the UK. Hammer, etc. Never had a problem.

thetao

The owner's name is Robert Goldsmith, if that rings a bell with anybody. Per a note on truth-out.org (he's written for them), he entered the video business in the early 90's.

Scanning his New Arrivals page, I see tons of Warner Archive, Fox Cinema Archive, Sony Choice Collection, Olive, and Criterion titles, but a spot check shows nothing from mid-2013 to the present. If some of his older titles are unlicensed DVD-R's, that would be a reason to not return my contact attempts. Grrr. I'm hoping somebody from Brooklyn or the greater NYC area reads this and can give me a recent opinion on his business.

Norm de Plume

No, that's not the same Robert as I was thinking of. I haven't dealt with this person. You're right to be leery of sites with barebones info. You don't want to end up with a bootleg.

thetao

Ah well, it was good while it lasted. Thanks for the reality check, Norm.

Norm de Plume

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy from this place. I don't know. I've never dealt with him. He might be completely aboveboard (in fact, he probably is). Just be careful. Maybe place a small order and see how it works out. You know the old adage, "If it seems too good to be true..."

thetao

As a matter of policy, I don't do business with sellers who can't adequately answer pre-sales questions. As Mr. Goldsmith hasn't responded at all yet, that doesn't start the relationship off on the best footing. Now it's possible he's been on vacation, having health or technical issues, etc. and will get back to me eventually. Or maybe some regular customer from Brooklyn will post here and suggest a way to reach him. But until any of that happens, I'm not pining anymore. It's a shame, because he seems to have an interesting inventory.

Norm de Plume

No, absolutely agree.