Poll: SteelBook™ Purchasing Influencers

[Thwip]

Later this month FS will release Spider-man (the original Raimi trilogy) in SteelBook™ format. I (and many others) feel that the artwork design for this set is a complete and utter fiasco. Perhaps the worst artwork of any SteelBook™ to date.

With that in mind, and with my intent to copy the results of this poll to the FS forums, what are the top influencers in your purchasing decision when buying a SteelBook™?

Please check all that apply, and if you select "Other" please specify in the comments below.

[homelind]

1-2-3

[MovieMan31]

Film, artwork, and price for me.

[DanMc]

Film, artwork and packaging. Has to be a real steelbook, and it HAS to have great artwork! I passed up buying the Spiderman blu rays because I was waiting on these, but now I'll just run to walmart some day and grab the standard blurays. These aren't worth the cash.

[Talyn]

Film, Artwork and Country of Origin for me....CoO is because of places like Play.com and their exclusives that are somewhat of a pain for exlcusivity.... That figures into in cost and effort to find someone who can help. Sometimes I just want to buy it and not rely too much on others. Too many hands in the pot can be a problem... just my opinion though.

[snooloui]

I agree it has to be a real Steelbook, G2 sized and have decent artwork. I have a region free player so that doesn't matter to me and nor does country of release as it is easy to find someone willing to help you. Price is important too though and can persuade you to buy a Steelbook or put you off buying one if the price is too high. The most important point for me though is obviously the film. If I don't like the film, then I probably won't buy the Steelbook. That said if the Steelbook has an amazing design, I may be tempted.

[richieb1971]

I really hate to admit it, but approx 20% of the steelbooks I own are bought by me because of forum influence. The forum culture bites into you when you see others getting excited about a steelbook that you just can't not have it.

[grahamzxy]

Price
Film
Artwork

I don't mind paying £16.99 for Bourne Trilogy, £16 for Avengers Assemble steelbook is the price limit for a single film. The library releases e.g. Predator, Taken, Braveheart for £9.99 delivered offer great value.

I have just picked up King Of New York on Playtrade for £9.99 - classic film, good price, great artwork - purchases like that let me enjoy collecting, without busting the bank balance....

[Petra_Kalbrain]

1-2-3... in that order (importance).

[funny1]

I buy based on if I like the movie, the price, and the artwork. It also has to be g2 as well. I don't care what the region code is because I have a region free player. I also don't care what country it comes from.

[Bill Clay]

First and foremost is the film itself. A beautiful case won't get me to buy it if I already don't like the movie. I couldn't care less what specific kind of case it, whether it's a steelbook, metal-pack, etc. I can't keep track of all the names and don't even want to know what the differences are. If it's a movie I want, and I have a choice of the standard blue plastic case, or a case made of anything else for a little bit more, I'll usually pay the little bit more.

Region coding does matter to me, since I use a PS3. So I won't buy a movie just for the case and then have to buy another copy in my region to watch.

[ambient_indie]

Like most everyone, I must enjoy the movie first.

-I'm only going to buy a bad movie if I need to replace the inner plastic of another steelbook. Once Scanavo sells the individual inner plastic, that practice will change.

-Great artwork is a must! Original artwork is amazing! No ratings! No blue banner. No back printed specs. Nice and clean artwork like Eureka MoC steels. And don't forget artwork on the back and inside!

-G2 is essential

-Country of Origin doesn't matter. I import all the time. That's when region-free players come handy. Still, it depends on the specs like no english audio etc. Also not interested in steels with foreign text unless its that's the original title. No "Der Weisse Hai" or "Les Dents de la mer" for me. Just "Jaws". But, "À bout de souffle" for Breathless, sure!

-Price does come into play, but I'll pay premium if what I'm getting is a premium product. Example, Japan's Terminator 2 steelbook.

[chris213]

I personally don't know the complete difference between the different types of "books" (steelbook, ironpak, metalpak). I mean, I've seen pictures on the forum, but I haven't had them side by side.

What influences me is:

1. It has to be a movie that I really enjoyed
2. The artwork has to be good. I didn't buy either Batman steelbook's from Best Buy, just because the inside was plain.
3. It has to play on my blu-ray player (preferably Region Free)
4. Price. I don't want to spend $30+ on just one movie. Even if the steelbook is awesome.

Just my opinion!

[Thwip]

Not at all surprised to see "Film" and "Artwork" in the #1 & #2 spots so far, but I am a little surprised to see "Price" in 3rd. Aside from avoiding some crazy eBay price or something, I don't really even consider the price when purchasing a SteelBook™. But then again, I rarely import, so what do I know?

I was also a little surprised that I missed a few influencers. Good on you, richieb1971, for admitting that peer influence is a big decider in your purchase hierarchy (see below). The other 2 (thus far) who voted "Other" didn't leave a comment, so I struggled to come up with two more; perhaps "Potential Resale Value", and "Standard Size vs. Jumbo Size" might have made good choices too?

Keep voting people; I'll add the results to the FS Forums when the poll gets over 100 votes or something. It may not help in avoiding disastrous covers like those of the pending Spider-man movies, but it can't hurt either.

Originally Posted by richieb1971

I really hate to admit it, but approx 20% of the steelbooks I own are bought by me because of forum influence. The forum culture bites into you when you see others getting excited about a steelbook that you just can't not have it.

[Hussun1]

Film
Artwork
Price
G2 size

[That'sAllFolks]

Importance:
Artwork (the overall design of the SteelBook™) Cool artwork sometimes trumps the actual film. It's why I own Wrath of the Titans and Snow White ATH. My favorite SB's are those with iconic images from the movie or movie poster artwork like Jaws and American Werewolf in London.

Film (the actual movie itself). If it is a film I LOVE, I will usually buy the SB regardless, But I won't pay premium price for a film I just like that has just OK artwork (exceptions: Superhero and Disney - BUT NOT THE NEW SPIDER-MAN SBs)

These influences are almost the same in my thinking. Either one could really triumph depending on the SB. The rest are listed in decreasing order of importance.

Price is always a factor. I will probably never own Thor or FS Iron Man, even though IM is probably one of my favorite SH films.

Country of Origin - this is really only a cost concern (with importing, etc). Foreign Language covers can influence my decision as well

Region Coding - If I ever open one, this may be a factor someday. I prefer Region free, but Region locked SBs seem to be much cheaper.

Format (G1: DVD vs. G2: BD) - I would never exclude a SB because of the size. In fact, being this late to the game, I would rather spend $10 on an Iron Man G2 DVD SB than $150 for the blu-ray version. In some ways the G1 SBs seem a little more sturdy and the case (and thus the artwork) is larger. IMO. The only drawback is they are not all uniform size, which does bother me a little.

Packaging (SteelBook™ vs. IronPack vs Metal Box, etc.) - don't really care ... right now.

[W]

I just started collecting them in the past couple of months (During BBY's cheap ones), though Uncharted 3 (PS3 game FYI) was my first one almost a year ago, but I have to say all the above (though I can't think of an other).

Price, Film, and Artwork are 1A, 1B, and 1C in some order. One can outweigh the other if it's strong enough. If I can get just the case for a $5 deposit or less, I really don't care what it is. If the movie is one of my favorites, a really good edition with tons of extras, and looks great I'll pay more for it. If I like the artwork, but not really the film, but it's inexpensive I'd grab that too (like a couple of the BBY steels).

I'm unlikely to buy a steel if it's not region A, though again if it's cheap I'll grab it, so that has to be #4.

#5 I'd rather have a movie that I can get easily from Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, or if someone I know is going to Canada. It makes it easier and more condensed than looking across the pond. If I randomly come across a UK steel in the wild, I'll pick it up but I doubt that'll ever happen.

#6 I'd rather have G2, but I'll take a G1 if it looks ok but it has to be something I love or be a gaming case that they didn't make a PS3 version of.

#7 I care least (but still some) about the difference between Steelbook, Viva Metal Box, etc. I'd rather have a steel, but I'll buy the Vivas just as easily.

[Groge511]

had to vote for them all. I take every single one of those points into consideration

[Travis]

Film is the first, if I don't like it, I won't buy it.....Well, Region Code should be first, if it won't play, cannot see why I'd buy it. I watch all of mine.

Needs to be G2, if not I'll get the Amaray edition.

Artwork is last. Important, but not a deal breaker.

[JimDiGriz]

The film is easily the most important factor. Price and artwork are quite important but nowhere near as important as the film of course.

And I couldnt care less what other forum members are buying etc...doesnt influence me one bit.