I, amazon.com noob - Blu-ray Forum

Pink Bits · 10-22-2011, 07:26 AM

I think I'm ready to finally get my cherry popped and make a couple of purchases from amazon.com USA site. The main reason for this is the release of Dream Theater's "Live at Budokan" on blu-ray which is already awesome on DVD so I'm eager to get it on blu.

Now, is there free postage to Australia if you spend a certain amount of money or something? Also, seeing as though I might need to buy more than one thing, any recommendations on what I should buy, especially US only releases that are region free? I'm thinking 'Taxi Driver' or something else? Thanks.

NickMate · 10-22-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink Bits

I think I'm ready to finally get my cherry popped and make a couple of purchases from amazon.com USA site. The main reason for this is the release of Dream Theater's "Live at Budokan" on blu-ray which is already awesome on DVD so I'm eager to get it on blu.

Now, is there free postage to Australia if you spend a certain amount of money or something? Also, seeing as though I might need to buy more than one thing, any recommendations on what I should buy, especially US only releases that are region free? I'm thinking 'Taxi Driver' or something else? Thanks.

AMAZON.COM do not have free shipping to Australia but the more you buy (in one transaction) the cheaper it becomes per film.
AMAZON.CO.UK give you free shippng at over $EU25 which is like $AU38.

A few things you can get are boxsets (trilogy) relatively cheaper or digibooks. other than that, unless your looking for US only editions, its pretty much the same price for most films. Unless you want to build a slipcover library, than the US releases have way more.

nitin · 10-22-2011, 07:49 AM

no way are prices the same, Amazon.com is almost always cheaper than buying locally (except for some Universal catalog releases).

But you do have to buy 2-3 titles to get shipping to a reasonable per title amount.

youwontknow · 10-22-2011, 10:24 PM

I find with amazon US, a lot of older releases are the same price as here (when you consider shipping too), but there new releases are cheaper quicker - you can pick up new releases for $20. Plus they come out earlier there... eg you can pick up Bridesmaids for $20, but it's not even out here yet, and will probably be $30-35 when it does come out

MacEachaidh · 10-22-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youwontknow

Plus they come out earlier there...

Often, but not always.

For instance, the Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 double pack, which I bought recently from Amazon UK and which is available here in OZ through JB Hi-Fi, doesn't come out in the US until the end of November.

Sets like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, X-Men, Superman, Scream (to quote some of the big-sellers at the moment) are cheaper in the US than they are here, but they're still more expensive than the UK versions. And UK Blus don't have region-coding issues for us.

USiT · 10-22-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickmate

AMAZON.COM do not have free shipping to Australia but the more you buy (in one transaction) the cheaper it becomes per film.
AMAZON.CO.UK give you free shippng at over $EU25 which is like $AU38.

Its pound in uk not euro

Kurgen1975 · 10-22-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacEachaidh

Often, but not always.

For instance, the Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 double pack, which I bought recently from Amazon UK and which is available here in OZ through JB Hi-Fi, doesn't come out in the US until the end of November.

That came out in the US almost a year ago:

http://www.amazon.com/Fantasia-2000-...9323570&sr=8-1

avecha · 10-23-2011, 12:21 AM

It's cheaper. I got Transformers 3 from Amazon.com for NZD 25. New Zealand would be selling it for $40+.
I also picked up 5 movies from Amazon.uk for NZD 60. One was a box set with four movies, each of those movies are selling in New Zealand for $30 each. I know your in aussie but our prices aren't too dissimilar.

NickMate · 10-23-2011, 12:43 AM

Ok I'll admit, the new release blockbuster films like Transformers and Fast Five are cheaper overseas, but most new bluray releases arnt new films. For instance, The blues brothers is $10-$15 here on release, same as US. Breakfast at Tiffanies was $20..,slightly cheaper. If you want new releases, by all means international is cheaper even with shipping but new remastered catalogue titles are nearly always the same or cheaper.

Oh and with NZ prices being similar, some new releases are listed at $NZ45 when here its $28? I see a big difference in price. Not for all films though, usually limited editions and new release

avecha · 10-23-2011, 01:37 AM

I brought the Final Destination boxset for 43NZD from amazon, If i had of brought all four from MightyApeNZ it would have cost 100NZD.
As an example.

NickMate · 10-23-2011, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avecha

I brought the Final Destination boxset for 43NZD from amazon, If i had of brought all four from MightyApeNZ it would have cost 100NZD.
As an example.

Like I said, box sets will, almost always be cheaper. Although some trilogy sets are around the same price, eg Spiderman, Bourne and Oceans. Star Wars is also the same price for both saga and trilogies.

nitin · 10-23-2011, 01:53 AM

I agree about Universal Catalog releases, they are always almost cheaper on release here.

avecha · 10-23-2011, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickmate

Like I said, box sets will, almost always be cheaper. Although some trilogy sets are around the same price, eg Spiderman, Bourne and Oceans. Star Wars is also the same price for both saga and trilogies.

4 Scream movies, 55 USD through amazon
108 NZD in NZ.
Not a box set.

I can see your point of view, just showing you mine. I spend a shitload of money through Amazon and various other sites. Cheaper releases and you get them quicker. I brought Transformers 3 for 25 NZD and have had it for over 3 weeks. Doesn't release here til November.

NickMate · 10-23-2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avecha

4 Scream movies, 55 USD through amazon
108 NZD in NZ.
Not a box set.

I can see your point of view, just showing you mine. I spend a shitload of money through Amazon and various other sites. Cheaper releases and you get them quicker. I brought Transformers 3 for 25 NZD and have had it for over 3 weeks. Doesn't release here til November.

Fair enough mate.
Youve had Transformers 3 for 3 weeks?!!

i pre-ordered it from amazon and still waiting for it to come. Damn f***** Aus Post!!

Pink Bits · 10-23-2011, 07:35 AM

Thanks for all the help and opinions...

I haven't bought anything yet, just doing a lot of browsing first to get some stuff in one order, but can you pay using PayPal or direct Bank deposit on amazon.com?

NickMate · 10-23-2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink Bits

Thanks for all the help and opinions...

I haven't bought anything yet, just doing a lot of browsing first to get some stuff in one order, but can you pay using PayPal or direct Bank deposit on amazon.com?

Amazon only use visa/mastercard for international orders. Since they compete against eBay and eBay owns Paypal, they reject to use it. You get a VCARD and use direct bank deposit to buy a virtual card to make payments. I use it anytime i make an order and it works really well, except theres a $5 service fee.

Pink Bits · 10-23-2011, 07:56 AM

Hmmm... is there any outlets in Australia where you can buy Amazon gift cards or is it only online. The reason for this is that we don't have credit cards.

NickMate · 10-23-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink Bits

Hmmm... is there any outlets in Australia where you can buy Amazon gift cards or is it only online. The reason for this is that we don't have credit cards.

Im pretty sure amazon gift cards are only online but not 100%.The VCARD can be bought as the Post Office or selected BP servos. Other than that, i dont think there is any other way of buying from amazon. Unless you can get the gift card from ebay at the same price?

Pink Bits · 10-23-2011, 09:01 AM

Thanks for all the help. Sounds like that VCARD is kinda like a pre-paid gift card thing, so I think I might go and get one.

NickMate · 10-23-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pink Bits

Thanks for all the help. Sounds like that VCARD is kinda like a pre-paid gift card thing, so I think I might go and get one.

Once a card is used, you cannot top it up, so ensure that you buy only the right amount otherwise you'll have to find something to spend the rest on

Good luck mate

10-22-2011, 07:26 AM	#1
Pink Bits Active Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Australia Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:186 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	I, amazon.com noob I think I'm ready to finally get my cherry popped and make a couple of purchases from amazon.com USA site. The main reason for this is the release of Dream Theater's "Live at Budokan" on blu-ray which is already awesome on DVD so I'm eager to get it on blu. Now, is there free postage to Australia if you spend a certain amount of money or something? Also, seeing as though I might need to buy more than one thing, any recommendations on what I should buy, especially US only releases that are region free? I'm thinking 'Taxi Driver' or something else? Thanks.

10-23-2011, 12:21 AM	#8
avecha Senior Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Over there, New Zealand. Blu-ray collection:124 DVD collection:14 Trading Score:1	It's cheaper. I got Transformers 3 from Amazon.com for NZD 25. New Zealand would be selling it for $40+. I also picked up 5 movies from Amazon.uk for NZD 60. One was a box set with four movies, each of those movies are selling in New Zealand for $30 each. I know your in aussie but our prices aren't too dissimilar. Last edited by avecha; 10-23-2011 at 12:23 AM.

10-22-2011, 07:49 AM	#3
nitin Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Feb 2010 Trading Score:9	no way are prices the same, Amazon.com is almost always cheaper than buying locally (except for some Universal catalog releases). But you do have to buy 2-3 titles to get shipping to a reasonable per title amount.

10-22-2011, 10:24 PM	#4
youwontknow Senior Member Member since:Jul 2010 Blu-ray collection:464 Trading Score:3	I find with amazon US, a lot of older releases are the same price as here (when you consider shipping too), but there new releases are cheaper quicker - you can pick up new releases for $20. Plus they come out earlier there... eg you can pick up Bridesmaids for $20, but it's not even out here yet, and will probably be $30-35 when it does come out

10-23-2011, 12:43 AM	#9
NickMate Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:May 2010 Location:Beyond the horizon Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:963 DVD collection:22 Blu-ray reviews: 11 Trading Score:29	Ok I'll admit, the new release blockbuster films like Transformers and Fast Five are cheaper overseas, but most new bluray releases arnt new films. For instance, The blues brothers is $10-$15 here on release, same as US. Breakfast at Tiffanies was $20..,slightly cheaper. If you want new releases, by all means international is cheaper even with shipping but new remastered catalogue titles are nearly always the same or cheaper. Oh and with NZ prices being similar, some new releases are listed at $NZ45 when here its $28? I see a big difference in price. Not for all films though, usually limited editions and new release

10-23-2011, 01:37 AM	#10
avecha Senior Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Over there, New Zealand. Blu-ray collection:124 DVD collection:14 Trading Score:1	I brought the Final Destination boxset for 43NZD from amazon, If i had of brought all four from MightyApeNZ it would have cost 100NZD. As an example.

10-23-2011, 01:53 AM	#12
nitin Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Feb 2010 Trading Score:9	I agree about Universal Catalog releases, they are always almost cheaper on release here.

10-23-2011, 07:35 AM	#15
Pink Bits Active Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Australia Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:186 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	Thanks for all the help and opinions... I haven't bought anything yet, just doing a lot of browsing first to get some stuff in one order, but can you pay using PayPal or direct Bank deposit on amazon.com?

10-23-2011, 07:56 AM	#17
Pink Bits Active Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Australia Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:186 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	Hmmm... is there any outlets in Australia where you can buy Amazon gift cards or is it only online. The reason for this is that we don't have credit cards.

10-23-2011, 09:01 AM	#19
Pink Bits Active Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2009 Location:Australia Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:186 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	Thanks for all the help. Sounds like that VCARD is kinda like a pre-paid gift card thing, so I think I might go and get one.

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