Anyone else lose interest in collecting Movies/Discs?

[TheBluRayBandito]

I always preferred going into a store and buying a movie right there. Ever since *most* retail stores stopped getting in physical media I've lost some interest in buying movies. Prices not really reasonable and lack of good deals online have only made me move away more.

I love movies, and I don't think I'll ever stop collecting, but over the last year I've become less of a buyer, especially recent releases. And with stores like Big Lots closing and Dollar Tree Hunts no more, it's just not the same.

[Lemmy Lugosi]

I used to own thousands and thousands of discs, both music and film. Now I have about 250-300 movies, and probably about a thousand CDs. I have grown weary of keeping up with all the excess, and I keep cutting back the numbers.

[Anthony P]

I get what you are saying it used to be a lot more fun to go to the store, ruffle through the large quantity of films, find a few gems and buy them and be excited to get home and unwrap it. But I still like buying films the otyhe rhalf (being able to sit down pick it off the shelf and enjoy a new film or better release of an old film.

[MrHT]

Stores stopped selling physical media because most people prefer ordering them online. Saves on gas and you don’t have to leave your house. Very convenient. Online retailers have spoiled the human race. So I don’t think the lack of physical media in stores turned people away from collecting them.

[bhampton]

I'm buying more than ever.

UHD BD is the most fun.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Stores stopped selling physical media because most people prefer ordering them online. Saves on gas and you don’t have to leave your house. Very convenient. Online retailers have spoiled the human race. So I don’t think the lack of physical media in stores turned people away from collecting them.

I order online if there's no other option. I prefer to buy in store and I have a number of options to do that. I can also special order from a store and I do that too. If people are choosing to shop online exclusively, it's because they've made that decision. It's not the fault of online retailers.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I order online if there's no other option. I prefer to buy in store and I have a number of options to do that. I can also special order from a store and I do that too. If people are choosing to shop online exclusively, it's because they've made that decision. It's not the fault of online retailers.

It’s not their fault, you’re correct. But it’s added competition; competition that B&M stores struggle to compete against. Like I said, there’s convenience and due to lower overhead, prices are better online as well. Not to mention online retailers like Amazon give free shipping for prime members. So its a win win for people to order online!

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by MrHT

It’s not their fault, you’re correct. But it’s added competition; competition that B&M stores struggle to compete against. Like I said, there’s convenience and due to lower overhead, prices are better online as well. Not to mention online retailers like Amazon give free shipping for prime members. So its a win win for people to order online!

1. Prices aren't always cheaper. I've checked.
2. You may sometimes pay more but, your items are in better condition because they didn't go through the mail.
3. Shipping is NOT free. You pay for prime.

[jess1581]

I haven't lost interest, but I have downsized my collection to be more streamlined and focused more on titles that I hold more dear.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

3. Shipping is NOT free. You pay for prime.

I canceled Prime at the end of June, but I still get "free" shipping. I only have to spend $35 to get it and that is not exactly a hard threshold to reach. It takes about the same amount of time for me to get my orders, too.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I canceled Prime at the end of June, but I still get "free" shipping. I only have to spend $35 to get it and that is not exactly a hard threshold to reach. It takes about the same amount of time for me to get my orders, too.

The statement specified Prime. My comment was directed at that. I'm aware that many online stores offer free shipping once you reach a certain amount.

[Hitman Horton]

I have several stores that I can go to for movies. Online is usually a last resort for me. I love collecting and since one of the places I go to sells mostly used movies, I never know what I'm going to find.

I haven't been buying as much lately but, I still buy the movies I want. I do go through my collection once in a while and get rid of ones that I don't think I'll watch again. I trade them in and use the money to buy new stuff.

[Moviefan2k4]

I definitely miss visiting an actual store, but since I have a bad back now, it wouldn't be a very happy experience. So at the moment, I get most of my movies from Amazon, and occasionally the Wal-Mart that's about 4 miles from my house.

[Al_The_Strange]

I feel like I'm buying more movies than ever with all the 4K upgrades and the occasional blind-buys. It doesn't feel as magical as it used to be though. Part of it is indeed the lost joy of walking through a movie aisle in a store and browsing the old and new releases. You don't get the same thrill from ordering it online and getting everything you want right away. There's no more thrill in the hunt.

Part of it is me though. This hobby of mine started small, with just a fistful of DVDs. I made so little money in my first few working years that I had to be judicious with my movie-buying, but it made me value the few movies I owned even more. They just built up over the years, and now that I have thousands of films (and I've seen thousands of films), it's too easy to take it all for granted. Less really is more sometimes. Managing all these movies (swapping old editions for new, or combining them and fudging around with new cases, and ultimately keeping an inventory) feels too much like work now and less like fun.

Part of it is the times. Movies kept me excited all the way to 2015 or so. Lately, it feels like Hollywood has become a demolition derby full of trainwrecks, and I find it harder to find new titles that really excite me. And when studios seem less invested in physical releases, it's harder to look forward to new releases (although the boutique labels seem to be thriving right now).

I doubt I'll stop collecting any time soon, but I miss the thrills I used to feel.

[Vilya]

My interest in this hobby is as strong as ever, but due to my failing health I have substantially reduced my spending on discs.

But not entirely. My executor has his work cut out for him.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

The statement specified Prime. My comment was directed at that. I'm aware that many online stores offer free shipping once you reach a certain amount.

You are right about Prime. But that’s why many people sign up for Amazon Prime instead of buying at B&M store. Because they only pay $12 or so a month for unlimited “free” shipping. People don’t see that they actually have to pay for Prime, they just see the word “free” and they jump at it. And that’s why most people shop exclusively at Amazon; myself not included.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by MrHT

You are right about Prime. But that’s why many people sign up for Amazon Prime instead of buying at B&M store. Because they only pay $12 or so a month for unlimited “free” shipping. People don’t see that they actually have to pay for Prime, they just see the word “free” and they jump at it. And that’s why most people shop exclusively at Amazon; myself not included.

My point was that you were making statements that aren't true. You've done it again saying that most people shop exclusively at Amazon. You don't know that.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

My point was that you were making statements that aren't true. You've done it again saying that most people shop exclusively at Amazon. You don't know that.

Only time will tell, but I’m pretty sure Amazon will take over the world. There’s a reason retailers are dropping one by one.. Circuit City, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Borders, Toys R Us, etc… I don’t say this proudly as I’m like you; I prefer to shop all over. So I hope you are right.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Only time will tell, but I’m pretty sure Amazon will take over the world. There’s a reason retailers are dropping one by one.. Circuit City, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Borders, Toys R Us, etc… I don’t say this proudly as I’m like you; I prefer to shop all over. So I hope you are right.

Let's end this ridiculous conversation and get it back on track. I've been buying movies for decades. Sometimes I buy a lor. Sometimes I go a while without buying anything. That depends on what I find for sale. As long as physical media is for sale, I'll buy what I'm interested in.

[scullymills]

Interest has faded for myself over time. When I first joined this forum, I was heavily into collecting but overtime Ive found myself losing interest (and space). It's a shame that physical media (well, dvd/blu rays, as other media seems to be thriving once again; cds/vinyls) is fading. Due to this, I'm not often discovering new releases etc unless I browse on here or amazon. Fine by me. I've personally come to the realization I rather collect titles that I truly enjoy and want a physical copy rather than ones that I'd be content just owning digitally or streaming.