Are there any benefits to pre-orders? - Blu-ray Forum

Scarface32 · 11-11-2015, 04:13 AM

I can understand a Blu-ray being pre-ordered, since it might sell out quick. But digital movies don't technically "sell out" since there's no actual object, it's a file that can sell an infinite amount of copies. Yet iTunes offers pre-orders. Why? Is there any benefit to a pre-order on iTunes? It seems kind of pointless to me.

Benh911f · 11-11-2015, 04:15 AM

Nope, none at all.

bruistopher · 11-11-2015, 04:29 AM

I always though the point of an iTunes preorder was that the item would automatically download to your device when the item releases.

gueeds · 11-11-2015, 04:43 AM

I'm not seeing any. Didn't Terminator Genisys start out at $19.99, but dropped to $14.99? Maybe if you want to buy it as soon as it is available so you don't have to remember to buy it later like smaller titles that are quickly lost. Or you got a good deal on iTunes credit.

Otherwise, pretty useless.

satam55 · 11-11-2015, 06:05 AM

The only time digital media is worth preordering, is if there is exclusive bonus content or an exclusive discount for preorders. Other than that, I don't see any point in preordering digital media.

TheDean · 11-11-2015, 07:21 AM

I think if you pre order Goosebumps, you can watch the iTunes Extras now. Maybe this is true on other movies.

Or maybe you pre order so it just shows up in your account one day because you ordered before the release date was announced and you might forget to purchase on release day.

things others have mentioned.

I never pre order digital.

Krizzle1 · 11-11-2015, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruistopher

I always though the point of an iTunes preorder was that the item would automatically download to your device when the item releases.

This

ShaiBrooklyn · 04-06-2016, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gueeds

I'm not seeing any. Didn't Terminator Genisys start out at $19.99, but dropped to $14.99? Maybe if you want to buy it as soon as it is available so you don't have to remember to buy it later like smaller titles that are quickly lost. Or you got a good deal on iTunes credit.

Otherwise, pretty useless.

A lot of the iTunes releases have been starting at $14.99, just preordered Krampus and Deadpool for $14.99 each.

master gandhi · 04-06-2016, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaiBrooklyn

A lot of the iTunes releases have been starting at $14.99, just preordered Krampus and Deadpool for $14.99 each.

Yeah, I don't preorder stuff that's $19.99 (unless it seems like a decent value like with the Batman v Superman bundle on Vudu that includes the theatrical cut, extended cut and extras), but $14.99 is a decent pricepoint for a new release. Right now I have Deadpool and 10 Cloverfield Lane preordered for that price for each.

I guess it makes you feel like you're voting for what you like, and it reminds you that you'll have it the minute it becomes available. With my preordered Star Wars Ep 7 digital copy, I was logging into all my accounts around 9pm pacific time last Thursday, knowing it would be added to my Amazon Video, iTunes and Vudu, along with Disney Movies Anywhere. It was like I was being delivered a gift. Movies are my favorite types of gifts. Heh

Krizzle1 · 04-07-2016, 02:55 AM

^wont Deadpool have an iTunes code?

blurayfriend · 04-07-2016, 06:35 AM

There really is no benefit. I don't pre-order anything anyway, but "needing" to do it for something digital is unnecessary. It's just a way they can get you to pre-order Deadpool or something early, in case you're high on the movie or gullible enough to think it'll download immediately, then they've got your money.

master gandhi · 04-07-2016, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krizzle1

^wont Deadpool have an iTunes code?

Yes, but I've mostly gone all-digital. That is, unless there's some amazing exclusive included with the Blu-ray. If there is a retailer exclusive of Deadpool that includes a solid bonus disc, I'll opt for that. If not, I will have saved a small amount of money by going strictly with the iTunes version. Also, if the commentary isn't included on iTunes, I'm picking up the Blu-ray.

Hunk Golden · 04-07-2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by master gandhi

Yes, but I've mostly gone all-digital. That is, unless there's some amazing exclusive included with the Blu-ray. If there is a retailer exclusive of Deadpool that includes a solid bonus disc, I'll opt for that. If not, I will have saved a small amount of money by going strictly with the iTunes version. Also, if the commentary isn't included on iTunes, I'm picking up the Blu-ray.

Maybe s/he meant that, since it will (probably) have a code, you can buy it off the trading/selling forums for a lot less than $15(?) It'll probably be $3 to $4. The only advantage to buying off iTunes is if it has an early release, and if however early that release is (vs the Blu)...is it worth the extra $$ to you to own it early.

I like buying off the forums. I just bought some really good movies for less than $4 a pop. This was my first time buying, as I don't like the way it's done (PM the member, wait to hear back, maybe they've already sold it, etc...). It's too bad we can't set up a system like Ebay's Buy It Now. Rather than scroll through everybody's posts to see what they're selling, it'd be awesome to search all available titles, who's selling them, & for how much. Then you could just buy it outright rather than deal with the PM'ing/waiting.

Back to OP's question - the only benefit to pre-ordering is the rare occasion in which a movie is cheaper for a short window. I remember pre-ordering The Other Woman with Cameron Diaz b/c it was going for $10 early on. The movie isn't worth $10, but that's another story. The Night Before also had a few days or a week where it was $10 before release. It went up to $15 after that.

I've been bitten in the azz a few times with pre-ordering though. I end up wanting to cancel and forget to do so.

master gandhi · 04-20-2016, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunk Golden

Maybe s/he meant that, since it will (probably) have a code, you can buy it off the trading/selling forums for a lot less than $15(?) It'll probably be $3 to $4. The only advantage to buying off iTunes is if it has an early release, and if however early that release is (vs the Blu)...is it worth the extra $$ to you to own it early.

I like buying off the forums. I just bought some really good movies for less than $4 a pop. This was my first time buying, as I don't like the way it's done (PM the member, wait to hear back, maybe they've already sold it, etc...). It's too bad we can't set up a system like Ebay's Buy It Now. Rather than scroll through everybody's posts to see what they're selling, it'd be awesome to search all available titles, who's selling them, & for how much. Then you could just buy it outright rather than deal with the PM'ing/waiting.

Okay, that makes sense. I've never purchased codes on the forum before. I traded codes once.

I actually decided to cancel those preorders that I mentioned earlier. I'm very wishy washy. I'll be like "All digital, baby!" then "Mostly digital, everyone!" to "Okay, digital's cool, but I still want to primarily support physical and adopt UHD BD." Heh

So I have now preordered the UHD BD of Deadpool from Best Buy with a $5 certificate I somehow never used and was going to expire in 14 days. So now I'll have the UHD BD, BD and iTunes copy. Not sure what I'll do about 10 Cloverfield Lane yet. Doesn't look like that'll have a UHD BD release, but it'll have a steelbook for the BD and a digital copy.

Yeah generally preordering digital copies is kinda pointless. I guess they want you to impulse preorder them and forget you did it, so you don't change your mind.

mochikek · 04-29-2016, 09:31 AM

I used to pre-order but not anymore. Usually a week or two later they go into the specials list and go for $9.99 when I had paid $14.99-19.99. Never again.

L.J. · 04-29-2016, 10:11 AM

Haven't seen a benefit to preordering a blu yet unless its a limited edition. Games usually have some bonus content if you preorder tho.

HockeySlasher · 05-27-2016, 12:30 PM

Speaking of pre-orders, iTunes doesn't have anything up for Batman v Superman yet. Now, say what you want about the movie, I kinda find it strange that Apple doesn't have it available for pre-order yet.

X-Men Apocalypse comes out today, and you can pre-order it.
Cap Civil War has a pre-order option.
Batman: The Killing Joke and The Nice Guys (other WB movies) are available...

Curious to know what the deal is with BvS. Wonder if this has to do with the different cuts that may/may not be released.

11-11-2015, 04:13 AM	#1
Scarface32 Blu-ray Baron Member since:Oct 2012 Location:New York 4K collection:24 Blu-ray collection:1170 DVD collection:341 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:3	Are there any benefits to pre-orders? I can understand a Blu-ray being pre-ordered, since it might sell out quick. But digital movies don't technically "sell out" since there's no actual object, it's a file that can sell an infinite amount of copies. Yet iTunes offers pre-orders. Why? Is there any benefit to a pre-order on iTunes? It seems kind of pointless to me.

11-11-2015, 04:15 AM	#2
Benh911f Special Member Member since:Nov 2011 Location:Boston Trading Score:275	Nope, none at all.

11-11-2015, 04:29 AM	#3
bruistopher Expert Member Member since:Sep 2012 4K collection:73 Blu-ray collection:830 DVD collection:84 Trading Score:12	I always though the point of an iTunes preorder was that the item would automatically download to your device when the item releases.

11-11-2015, 04:43 AM	#4
gueeds Active Member Member since:Jun 2012 Blu-ray collection:166 DVD collection:10 Trading Score:66	I'm not seeing any. Didn't Terminator Genisys start out at $19.99, but dropped to $14.99? Maybe if you want to buy it as soon as it is available so you don't have to remember to buy it later like smaller titles that are quickly lost. Or you got a good deal on iTunes credit. Otherwise, pretty useless.

11-11-2015, 06:05 AM	#5
satam55 Active Member Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Texas Blu-ray collection:29 Trading Score:80	The only time digital media is worth preordering, is if there is exclusive bonus content or an exclusive discount for preorders. Other than that, I don't see any point in preordering digital media.

11-11-2015, 07:21 AM	#6
TheDean Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2009 Home Theater Gallery:514 4K collection:630 Blu-ray collection:3932 DVD collection:1458 MA collection:2333 Digital collection:2896 iTunes collection:3069 iTunes music:104 Prime collection:277 Blu-ray reviews: 12 Trading Score:247	I think if you pre order Goosebumps, you can watch the iTunes Extras now. Maybe this is true on other movies. Or maybe you pre order so it just shows up in your account one day because you ordered before the release date was announced and you might forget to purchase on release day. things others have mentioned. I never pre order digital.

04-07-2016, 02:55 AM	#10
Krizzle1 Power Member Member since:Jan 2015 Location:the island Trading Score:14	^wont Deadpool have an iTunes code?

04-07-2016, 06:35 AM	#11
blurayfriend Banned Top contributor Member since:Jul 2011 Blu-ray collection:699 Trading Score:54	There really is no benefit. I don't pre-order anything anyway, but "needing" to do it for something digital is unnecessary. It's just a way they can get you to pre-order Deadpool or something early, in case you're high on the movie or gullible enough to think it'll download immediately, then they've got your money.

04-29-2016, 09:31 AM	#15
mochikek Active Member Member since:Apr 2016 Blu-ray collection:113 Digital collection:60 iTunes collection:1189 Trading Score:30	I used to pre-order but not anymore. Usually a week or two later they go into the specials list and go for $9.99 when I had paid $14.99-19.99. Never again.

04-29-2016, 10:11 AM	#16
L.J. Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2013 Location:South Carolina 4K collection:251 Blu-ray collection:754 DVD collection:23 Blu-ray reviews: 145 Trading Score:56	Haven't seen a benefit to preordering a blu yet unless its a limited edition. Games usually have some bonus content if you preorder tho.

05-27-2016, 12:30 PM	#17
HockeySlasher Power Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:St. Paul, MN iTunes collection:563 Trading Score:39	Speaking of pre-orders, iTunes doesn't have anything up for Batman v Superman yet. Now, say what you want about the movie, I kinda find it strange that Apple doesn't have it available for pre-order yet. X-Men Apocalypse comes out today, and you can pre-order it. Cap Civil War has a pre-order option. Batman: The Killing Joke and The Nice Guys (other WB movies) are available... Curious to know what the deal is with BvS. Wonder if this has to do with the different cuts that may/may not be released.

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