How do you go about adding to your DVD collection? (1 Viewer)

[SteveGon]

Is there a method to your madness, or do you collect willy-nilly?

As for me, while there are certain titles that I know I want (and plan for), I'm just as prone to making spur-of-the-moment purchases - if I see something interesting, I'll snag it.

And you?

 

[ChuckDeLa]

In the very beginning, I bought only a few "must-have" titles. As I discovered more sources for cheap DVDs, I went absolutely over the top. I would buy anything I had the remotest interest in. Since I started collecting, I've bought over 500 DVDs. I've narrowed my collection down to about 160, with around 5-10 more that I'd like to buy, and maybe a dozen coming out in the next 4-5 months that I will definitely purchase. I've learned to only buy titles that I am sure will get lots of replay. Occasionally I'll take a chance on something sight unseen (like recently, The Magic Flute) but usually I will just rent or borrow from the library instead. Out of the over 300 DVDs that I've bought and then sold, there's only 2 or 3 that I wish I had kept.

I consider my previous DVD-buying obsession to have been a sickness, one I believe that many other HTFer's are afflicted with. (Remember Max Yokell? That guy would buy ANYTHING). But if you can honestly afford it, then I guess it's okay.

 

[Elizabeth S]

When I started out with my DVD collection about 3 years ago, I was only going to buy those "special" films. I was pretty good with this for the first 1-1/2 years or so. Then, with the opportunities that trade forums and EBay provided for "getting rid" of DVDs you didn't care for, I started buying them sight-unseen. Well, that opened up a can of worms where I stopped renting altogether. (I really feel that having a "ticking clock" on a rental spoils a lot of the leisurely enjoyment of watching what you want to, when you want to.)

Anyway, I'm afraid I've become a bit obsessive in my purchases. And my interest lies mainly in foreign and arthouse DVDs, which are never as nicely priced as the "mainstream" titles. :frowning:

 

[george kaplan]

Every movie I want to own that is currently available I already own. I have a list of films I want to own that are not yet on dvd. Each week, if any of those films become available, I buy them. Simple as that.

 

[Rain]

Usually I know what I'm looking for before I go.

But there are also times when I just go browsing and grab whatever tickles my fancy at that moment.

Ah, those were the days.... :frowning:

 

[Rob Tomlin]

I am fairly particular when I purchase a DVD. I try to only buy titles that I think I will watch at least a few times to make it worth it. I have been a subscriber to Netflix for almost three years now, and I see a ton of movies that way, so I don't usually feel the need to buy titles sight unseen.

I only own about 140 DVD's, but, other than a few titles for my daughter, I consider the vast majority of those titles to be of pretty high quality (not necessarily a masterpiece, but at least entertaining).

Bottom line is I go for quality over quantity.

 

[Gabe D]

I buy movies that I really like as soon as they are released. I'll probably buy a new movie I haven't seen if it's a decent sale price, otherwise I'll rent. For under $8, I'll buy practically anything. Did I really need that Foxy Brown DVD I picked up at Best Buy the other day? No, but it was singing my song: "$7.99! $7.99!"

 

[Lew Crippen]

It’s a function of price and desirability. For example, when Criterion releases the Truffaut box set, I’ll purchase that, even though it will be reasonably expensive.

Items I see walking through a ‘Best Buy’ and clones priced below $10, I’m likely to grab just because they are so cheap.

 

[Jeff_A]

It must have a rewatchability factor of at least once per year.

 

[Brook K]

I go in cycles of only buying absolute must haves and buying lots of "sight unseen" titles. Right now I'm in probably my longest stretch of not buying a disc since I started collecting. The last DVD I bought was Contempt, and I'm not planning on buying anything until the last week of Feb. or 1st week of March.

I only order online and rarely go to stores. But price does make a difference in buying something I like vs. a must have.

 

[Elizabeth S]

I have been a subscriber to Netflix for almost three years now, and I see a ton of movies that way, so I don't usually feel the need to buy titles sight unseen.

Netflix seems to have an interesting array of titles. . .however, I'm afraid that with the extra time for delivery to Hawaii, I wouldn't be able to get them "in and out" fast enough. I've heard of a lot of mainland people having delivery problems both ways (must be the labeling akin to "I'm a DVD -- steal me!"), so I don't think I'd want to chance the worry! :frowning:

 

[Steve Christou]

I usually buy whatever strikes my fancy, I don't have a target list of films to buy,
I know roughly what I want in my collection, but I have bought a few dvds that I probably will never watch again.

For no apparent reason I've recently been buying classic horror dvds, Roger Corman's 'Masque of the Red Death' dropped thru my letter box yesterday, in a double bill with 'Premature Burial', the dvd cost me just £7, 'Pit and the Pendulum' is on the way.

Next month I might suddenly be into buying Hong Kong action dvds, hmmm hang on let me write this down... next month...

 

[Dome Vongvises]

Every purchase I've made so far I've been more than happy with. I only buy DVD's of films I either really love or like enought to want to see again.

Having said that, I bought the Criterion Collection of Brazil. I'll even say that I like the movie, although I don't praise it to the heavens like some people. However, the extras are astounding on this set, and I'm glad I got it when Best Buy was still cheap.

 

[Andy Olivera]

I generally buy stuff I haven't seen, because I won't see it otherwise. I pick fairly carefully when it comes to those I have seen, unless there's a bargain(recently, Fright Night for $10)...

 

[Mathew Shelby]

I am in the "collector mode". In a span of about three years I have bought almost 600 discs. My reasoning is fairly simple. I want to have something for everyone to watch when they come over. I want to appeal to everyone's tastes, not just my own. We usually have people over 2-3 times a week to watch movies. Sometimes friends come over and see a movie they want to watch later, so I charge them $1 for 3 days to take it. (I will never let someone who smokes rent anything). I haven't had a problem with anyone yet, and my friends are much happier because the selection is much better than Blockbuster. I take in ~$50 month this way so they way I see it-that is another three DVDs. I never pay more than $15 for a single disc (box sets are different). Each week my girlfriend and I scan the Sunday ads and look for deals and then we go to CD warehouse to see if any of them can be found cheaper.

 

[Mathew Shelby]

(edit post)

 

[Ike]

I'm a list maker. I'm spread thin in expensive hobbies, so when I get cash for DVD's, I know exactly what I want. I only have 183 titles (according to DVD Profiler), so that's certainly not every movie I want.

I "window-shop" online, then write down the things I want. I group them under "A-List" or "B-List." I also have a "To Get" list, which is things I've ordered but yet to receive, pre-orders that I have to get, and titles that I should get before all others (a sort of A+ list). I pick through the A list until there aren't anymore, then I go for the B List (which has never happened). I usually shop online, since local selection is thin in my taste, to say the least. If they do have the title, they usually are more expensive anyway. And I like getting packages in the mail.

I do buy sight unseen, because I'm not crazy about renting. Truth is, I'm pretty easily pleased by films, and I know my "movie type," so I don't worry about hugely being disappointed. I have The Three Colors Trilogy pre-ordered, because I know I'll like them, no question in my mind. I also know I wouldn't like Half Past Dead from the same week, or The Ring, and I haven't seen any of them. If I'm interested in something that got bad reviews, or something out of my movie type, I'll rent it. Sometimes you find gems that way.

 

[Jim_K]

Let's see.

For now I have everything I want (must-own) that's out on DVD. Every once in a while I'll go scavenger hunting at Best Buy/On-line to look for something that I'd maybe want.

I keep a list of films (150ish) that are absolute Must-own for me when/if they arrive on DVD.

I have a much bigger list :frowning: of what I classify as borderline titles. Films that I liked but I'm unsure of whether or not I'd what to own. Most of the time I'll rent(If possible) the title first to make up my mind.


For new films I almost never blind-buy as many HTF'rs seen to do.
I usually only buy new films if I'd seen it at the Theater & it warrants a purchase otherwise I'll rent it from Hollywood video or Netflix first. Maybe once or twice a year I'll take a chance if its a film that I wanted to see badly but missed at the theater. This last year it was Minority Report & this year it looks like it'll be Gangs of New York. :frowning:

I do take a chance and Blind-buy when it comes to certain hard to find catalog titles.

My latest were The Life & Death of Colonel Blimp - because I'm a fan of P&P.

Also two fantastic Ringo Lam Hong Kong films I've been wanting to see for a long time - the nihilistic Full Contact & the Universe OAR/OSL version of City on Fire. Highly recommended for those interested in cerebral action/crime films.

 

[Carl Johnson]

ditto.

A few years back thanks to etailers I bought pretty much anything I was remotely interested in. Now that I have a base of just over 100 titles any additions to the collection have to be rewatchable. There's a local video store that buys and sells used discs, thru them I've gotten rid of the titles I knew i'd never watch again and I've gotten some good deals too.

 

[Louis C]

I use a number of the review sites to grade the DVD's quality, sometimes deferring purchase in hopes of a SE.

The list is then ranked and compiled on a spreadsheet and then they are purchased through Columbia House at around $8.30 each. The ones I can't get through CH I look for at Sam's or Deep Discount DVD online.

I am up to around 100 discs so far. There's roughly another 100 'essential' discs yet to buy.

Most new discs I wait until they become available as enrollments at CH.