Where are y'all buying things

[eightslicesofpie]

Where are y'all reliably preordering things and receiving them on or before release day?

I used to go with Best Buy, who shipped before release so everything would arrive on or before release, but with them out of the game I've had to rely on Amazon and...they are slacking a lot lately. In some extreme cases preorders are delayed multiple weeks, but at the very least probably 50% or more of my preorders get delayed to the following Thursday. Which isn't the end of the world or anything, but it's annoying!

I've been going with Gruv for a lot since they ship early, but obviously that only works for stuff Universal releases and not Disney/Sony/whoever else.

I've tried out Target and Moviesunlimited, but they don't ship out until release day, in my experience.

So, is there a retailer y'all trust who always ships things out early enough to arrive on (or, even better, before) release day?

(And obviously I'm mainly talking about the wider release or sometimes indie stuff, stuff that is not released by boutique labels like Vinegar Syndrome or whoever else)

[Bradsdadg]

OrbitDVD is probably the best I've seen for getting things in a bit early. Amazon can be hit or miss and doesn't really take care of the item, imo

[CrimsonLegionVMCXIX]

I mainly shop on OrbitDVD and Grindhouse Video for the more mainstream releases, DiabolikDVD for my Discotek releases (though they should carry more), and Atomic Movie Store for everything else that isn't in stock at either of the three aforementioned. They're all pretty good at packing orders, though Diabolik is a little slow to ship.

I only ever use Amazon now for exclusives (like the upcoming Forbidden Kingdom) or a boxset that may be on sale (usually has to be a 20-25% markdown for me to consider it).

[Brad1963]

This is a good thread.

I'm trying to cut off Amazon for good. Jeff Bazos is wealthy enough and is a doucebag IMO. I also have issues with how the company treats it employees. It is tough, but I have been able to take breaks from them here and there, but there is always something that takes me back. Otherwise, I make purchasing choices based on label.

Kino Lorber - No problem buying directly from them. I make big purchases during their sales, but I also will place an order with a bunch of titles at a time that I want sooner than later.

Gruv - Great place to purchase sale items and pre-orders. Also, you can do Pay Pal pay in 4 with them. Reminds me, I need to pre-order Nosferatu.

Movie Zyng - Just started with them recently. I pre-ordered The Searchers with them and it shipped in a timely manner, ditto with Talk of the Town. Also, you can do Pay Pal pay in 4 with them.

Criterion - I try to hold off until Flash Sales and Barnes and Nobel. But Sometimes I do want a title sooner than later. B&N you are able to pre-order titles at 30% off which is acceptable if I am able to do it. Also, Pay Pay pay in 4.

Hamilton Books - Great for picking up discounted titles. $4.00 flat shipping rate, so good to order a batch at a time.

Walmart IMO is useless, and I cannot think of any brick and mortar stores at the moment. Best Buy used to be my main alternate against Amazon. It hurts not having them any longer.

[formula_nebula]

Orbitdvd, Diabolikdvd, and Grindhouse Video. Out of those three, it's mostly Orbit. Also been ordering a lot from Walmart. Mostly for mainstream movies. If it's a preorder, I usually get it the Sunday before release day Tuesday. Plus, i'll usually get a $5 credit to use for a future purchase, once a write a review for a movie I received.

[eightslicesofpie]

Interesting, I would not have expected Orbit to ship things early, for whatever reason. Maybe I should give them a shot.

I haven't tried preordering a shipment from Walmart really, but interesting to hear they sorta ship early. I have a location near me so I could always just go there to get things on release day, but their stock is sometimes hit or miss. It'd be great if you could preorder for store pickup, lol

Keep the suggestions and explanations coming! I agree with what the above poster said that even with delivery delays aside, it'd be great to spend less on Amazon in general

EDIT: Places who don't charge for shipping (like Gruv) are also ideal, but I know that's not always possible

[Brutalizer79]

Primarily Orbit and DiabolikDVD.

I'm a current sub to Vinegar Syndrome, so that covers them at the moment

I typically buy Mondo Macabro straight from their BigCartel

88 Films on occassion, but since they started releasing more of their stuff in North America, that has stopped a bit.

Kino during sales

I need to use Grindhouse more, as they seem to have some good deals on there.

Hamilton Books as well, I always forget about them, but was able to land some stuff during their recent Arrow sale

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by eightslicesofpie

Interesting, I would not have expected Orbit to ship things early, for whatever reason. Maybe I should give them a shot.

I haven't tried preordering a shipment from Walmart really, but interesting to hear they sorta ship early. I have a location near me so I could always just go there to get things on release day, but their stock is sometimes hit or miss. It'd be great if you could preorder for store pickup, lol

Keep the suggestions and explanations coming! I agree with what the above poster said that even with delivery delays aside, it'd be great to spend less on Amazon in general

EDIT: Places who don't charge for shipping (like Gruv) are also ideal, but I know that's not always possible

Orbitdvd have a buy 3 items or more policy, that allows free shipping. They do have faster shipping rates but, the free shipping is great anyway. They package very well, and ship the day of or next day. Once shipped, I usually get my movies in three days. I can't recommend them enough.

Walmart has gotten better. For me at least. It varies by store, what you will find on release day. But, my store usually puts out new releases over the weekend. So, depending on which store you go to, there is that.

There were many people complaining about their preorders of The Substance, and Kill Bill's and such having an estimated arrival date of the end of January or early February through Amazon. I kept telling them that Walmart already have them in store. But, many seemed to not listen

[eightslicesofpie]

Originally Posted by formula_nebula

Orbitdvd have a buy 3 items or more policy, that allows free shipping. They do have faster shipping rates but, the free shipping is great anyway. They package very well, and ship the day of or next day. Once shipped, I usually get my movies in three days. I can't recommend them enough.

Do you happen to know, does it work where if I preorder 3 movies with 3 different release dates that they'll ship individually? Or would they wait until the last one's release date to ship all 3?

[starsteam]

I rely on a Target B2G1 for most pre-orders. I've also been using DiabolikDVD lately since Bullmoose isn't as wallet friendly anymore.
My needs are best price (with shipping and tax factored in) and preferably someone that uses a split payment service for larger orders.

[formula_nebula]

Originally Posted by eightslicesofpie

Do you happen to know, does it work where if I preorder 3 movies with 3 different release dates that they'll ship individually? Or would they wait until the last one's release date to ship all 3?

They will ship everything at once, once the last movie is in stock. Still free shipping though.

[dubhousing]

You've heard their names on this thread already, but DiabolikDVD and (to a lesser extent, only because they are located much farther away from me) Orbit DVD for me. Jesse at Diabolik (and whoever works for him) puts incredible care in packing each of my orders for shipping (unlike Amazon).

I occasionally order from HamiltonBooks (I can thank them for finally getting a copy of Der Fan on Blu Ray), Movies Unlimited, Movies Zyng (for Warner Archives titles) and directly from Criterion, Scream Factory and Kino (when there is a good sale).

[hanshotfirst1138]

Amazon, primarily. eBay if it’s out of print.

[The Great Escape]

Have to say like others Amazon. Though I just switch my membership to monthly. Thinking of leaving though and this will buy me some time. Though they do get their hooks into you with that free shipping.

[Justin2000]

Amazon, eBay, Goodwill, Library Sales.

[LT.Schaffer]

Deep Discount is my go to place ATM.

[mikey horror]

Orbit DVD and Atomic Movie Store.

[Chris J]

Most of my haul comes from thrift stores and flea markets. I do sometimes order from eBay for things that I probably won't be able to find.

[playingphysicist]

For in print items, usually Amazon. Since I work for them, I get a discount. And by the way, at least where I work, they are good to their employees.

Out of print, ebay.

[brainofj72]

Bull Moose, Atomic Movie Store, and Orbit DVD.