Has the thrill of steelbook collecting diminished?

[jhan8185]

Originally Posted by JimDiGriz

+1. Never mind bags - its plastic sleeves for those who know. And unprotected steelbooks will get marked no matter how careful you are - usually the bottom edge. My first couple of steelbooks got marks there before I realised.

No.

[Adam-93]

On the argument of bagging steelbooks - i did but realised i should just enjoy the movie and having the case rather than worrying about the odd scratches (which are rare for me - i find it more likely to open up a new steelbook with paint chippings on it tbh). On the thread topic, i wish they would slow down with the releases, it is damn near impossible to get all the ones you want and at those prices. Personally, i wish there would be a few more digibooks too, as these are less common now compared to steelbooks.

[Kakihara]

Well, I'm not one to buy a steelbook or digibook of a movie I don't really like or think is merely "ok" but I recently bought the U.K. steelbook of Cloverfield because it looked too cool and was only 5 bucks! I've only seen it once and thought it was "meh" but maybe I'll like it a second time around? I guess it was weird of me to do...but for 5 bucks, I figured it wasn't a bad gamble.

[JohnWayne]

Originally Posted by Kakihara

Well, I'm not one to buy a steelbook or digibook of a movie I don't really like or think is merely "ok" but I recently bought the U.K. steelbook of Cloverfield because it looked too cool and was only 5 bucks! I've only seen it once and thought it was "meh" but maybe I'll like it a second time around? I guess it was weird of me to do...but for 5 bucks, I figured it wasn't a bad gamble.

How'd you get it for $5?

[videohead]

Call me crazy everyone, I have over 60 steelbooks and metalpaks etc, and none of them are opened. I either already saw it, and bought it cuz I liked it, or I bought it because I had hopes of watching it but the ocd in me led to me re buying a " watchable/open-able " version to view said steel if I really wanted too. I had over 100 steels at one point but have started selling the ones that are going for double than I paid. I voted yes because I'm very cautious about buying any more exclusives when I fear everything will be released in some 4k bs version some day. Once I thin out my collection some more, it will have paid for itself and can keep my top 500 films or so. Take a look at todays frys ad, everything comes down to a lower price sooner or later. Last steel bought - zero dark thrity BB exclusive. I do have zavvi aladdin coming my way tho, dunno if ill buy many more in the future tho. And the walmart plastic hinged junkers, well op this is the definition of what your talking about. Now let's hear the peanut gallery roar!

[videohead]

Oh and on the bags......just like mama said " use 2 " ha. I'm sick

[ultlife2013]

The collectors that hoard steelbooks and buy multiple copies to fund their blu ray steelbook habit are killing the fun of collecting steelbooks. I don't know why steelbooks that are oop shoot up 100-200% above their original price, it's insane. Also the resellers who buy multiple copies of a steelbook causing the steelbook to artificially sell out and thus carry the oop status, thus jacking up prices is just messed up. I'm glad they keep rereleasing older steelbooks to put a dent on the reseller market. I enjoy steelbooks but I only buy 1 copy for myself.

[PsyTrix]

Like the videos and DVD's before them - blu-ray steelbooks will be worthless one day. In all honesty, it is a colossal waste of money. And the fact that people buy them and never open them - whats the point? New technology is right around the corner ready to make your precious Steel obsolete.

Open the sucker up and enjoy it - That is the point at the end of the day.. Is it not?

[nefilim]

Originally Posted by PsyTrix

Like the videos and DVD's before them - blu-ray steelbooks will be worthless one day. In all honesty, it is a colossal waste of money. And the fact that people buy them and never open them - whats the point? New technology is right around the corner ready to make your precious Steel obsolete.

Open the sucker up and enjoy it - That is the point at the end of the day.. Is it not?

what is that ?

[YoreLore]

Originally Posted by videohead

Call me crazy everyone, I have over 60 steelbooks and metalpaks etc, and none of them are opened. I either already saw it, and bought it cuz I liked it, or I bought it because I had hopes of watching it but the ocd in me led to me re buying a " watchable/open-able " version to view said steel if I really wanted too. I had over 100 steels at one point but have started selling the ones that are going for double than I paid. I voted yes because I'm very cautious about buying any more exclusives when I fear everything will be released in some 4k bs version some day. Once I thin out my collection some more, it will have paid for itself and can keep my top 500 films or so. Take a look at todays frys ad, everything comes down to a lower price sooner or later. Last steel bought - zero dark thrity BB exclusive. I do have zavvi aladdin coming my way tho, dunno if ill buy many more in the future tho. And the walmart plastic hinged junkers, well op this is the definition of what your talking about. Now let's hear the peanut gallery roar!

Definitely something wrong there. Wasteful not crazy

[NARMAK]

I don't think my lack of enthusiasm has diminished, but my ability to keep up with all these damn releases with having no solid income because I've just left university is certainly putting a kibosh on things.

So hopefully I can start earning more money again with my new venture and start collecting again properly

[YoreLore]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

The collectors that hoard steelbooks and buy multiple copies to fund their blu ray steelbook habit are killing the fun of collecting steelbooks. I don't know why steelbooks that are oop shoot up 100-200% above their original price, it's insane. Also the resellers who buy multiple copies of a steelbook causing the steelbook to artificially sell out and thus carry the oop status, thus jacking up prices is just messed up. I'm glad they keep rereleasing older steelbooks to put a dent on the reseller market. I enjoy steelbooks but I only buy 1 copy for myself.

+1 agree completely

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

The collectors that hoard steelbooks and buy multiple copies to fund their blu ray steelbook habit are killing the fun of collecting steelbooks. I don't know why steelbooks that are oop shoot up 100-200% above their original price, it's insane. Also the resellers who buy multiple copies of a steelbook causing the steelbook to artificially sell out and thus carry the oop status, thus jacking up prices is just messed up. I'm glad they keep rereleasing older steelbooks to put a dent on the reseller market. I enjoy steelbooks but I only buy 1 copy for myself.

It takes 2 to tango. If there wasn't such a market, there wouldn't be people selling steelbooks at inflated prices. Unfortunately, this happens all the time with anything, remotely, in demand.
So the blame could just as easily be thrown on those that pay outrageous prices to further their collecting habits. If there are no buyers, there would be no sellers!
Heck while we are placing blame, you might as well blame companies like Zavvi only putting out 5k copies. If they bumped that up to 100k copies resellers would avoid this like the plague. Of course, they aren't going to order that many units. So we are stuck in a vicious circle of supply & demand.

[Skog]

Originally Posted by nefilim

what is that ?

think he's referencing 4k, smart tv and streaming all of which will not render steelbooks obsolete, even when their value diminishes people are still going to want a nice looking storage for the hard copy of their favourite films.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by Skog

think he's referencing 4k, smart tv and streaming all of which will not render steelbooks obsolete, even when their value diminishes people are still going to want a nice looking storage for the hard copy of their favourite films.

they'll just go for the 4K BD steelbook

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Brian81

they'll just go for the 4K BD steelbook

And the kicker, the cases look the same so no need for a new steelbook because there isn't any info except on the J cards to say it's 'normal' or 4K

[legendarymatt92]

It's not as simple as a "yes" or "no" answer to me; I love steelbooks, but I don't like the current over-saturation of the market. I know I should be grateful that Zavvi are releasing so many movies in steels, but it just all seems so pointless when everything is released in a version that, to me, should be limited to only a few to keep them special. Of course, the problem of subjectivity then comes into it -- what films does everyone deem "right" to have a steelbook and so on -- but it does ruin the collecting aspect when it's so easy to just buy all these current re-releases in steelbook form.

It's a difficult one, but I'm much more inclined to pass on a steelbook purchase now than I was when I first started on this forum and wanted them all. The artwork has to be impressive, or the film incredible, to get buying it.

[mrwizard62]

I still enjoy collecting them. I just wish I had started sooner than I did.I missed out on some steelie's that I want badly,but can't pay the jacked up price's for.
Specifically I'm talking about "Up" "Beauty and the Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty".
Missed out on the Bond steelie's but those can still be had for fairly down to earth price's.

[MattvonSyborg]

Originally Posted by Skog

think he's referencing 4k, smart tv and streaming all of which will not render steelbooks obsolete, even when their value diminishes people are still going to want a nice looking storage for the hard copy of their favourite films.

I think of them as memorabilia, just a physical representation of a movie you like. Maybe one day streaming will be better than blu quality but I'll still keep some nice looking blu packages around. Also not sure if the extras will be available to stream etc... When you start nerding out about special packaging, be it steels, digibooks, slips etc you've left "function" territory and you're definitely a collector.
But IMHO the average steelbook will probably not go up that much in price. There'll be about the same demand or less for most as it is now, with a few rare ones commanding high prices. The same way it is with NES games for example - which people still enjoy and collect even though you could play them all on emulators or just buy a Wii. But it's a minority of NES games that are actually more expensive now than they were on release day.
I don't think having 100 sealed steels around is a good investment. But if you enjoy your collection like that - hey, who is it hurting?

[richieb1971]

I buy mine to display. Good artwork never goes out of date. As for the resell value thats just a bonus if it goes up. I don't mind if less steelbooks come out, just as long as they are available for a certain period of time. I don't care if its a 500 print run or a 20k one. As long as its available so I have a choice to buy it. I don't like it when its sold out straight away and you feel like you missed out. A hobby shouldn't make you feel rejected and bad.

So unless the artwork starts becoming less attractive, I think steelbooks have a good place in my home.