How do you feel about buying used movies/incomplete packages?

[4kUltraBD]

Hey all,

I ran across some killer deals on some UHDs from a video store deciding to sell off some of their inventory.

The problem with this is that I am not getting the full retail package and contents. It’s generally just the 4K disc and the case. Some of them are just in a generic rental case the video store used (no artwork, non-standard case). Most have scratches and things, but I’ve only found one that I couldn’t get to play fine after cleaning the disc.

The deals are good enough, I feel it’s worth it, and I’ve nearly doubled my UHD collection in the past week. However, because of these missing all the extra discs, and sometimes even the cases, I’m hesitant to add them to my collection on here. It feels weird, like I don’t really own them...or something in that vein, that I’m unable to articulate. I hope all of this makes sense.

So, having said all that, what do all of you think?
Are you fine with owning just the 4K disc and case?
What about just the 4K disc?
Should I add these to my collection on here?

Any thoughts or input is appreciated.

[traths]

I never buy used movies.

[Nothing371]

UHD discs are super sensitive to scratching and marks so I probably wouldn't buy any unless they were super cheap. Half the package, half the price maybe? But new discs get so cheap now when on sale that I don't think it's really worth it to buy used for the most part. Prices at used stores here are laughable anyways.

[nick4Knight]

I'm totally fine with it. I wish australian e-bayers had a larger and cheaper selection of used UHD's and "4K disc only" in plain jewel cases if it's cheap enough. I would get lots of movies I consider to be way low down on my purchase hierarchy if i could snap them up for 10-13$ shipped.

Titles like Air Force One, Oceans 8, King Kong, Groundhog Day, Unforgiven, Chappie, Independence Day: Resurgence, Goodfellas, Spider-Man 3, Deadpool 2... Stuff like that

And either of these two sections of my wishlist;
Dolby Vision #2 -- Because I want a pretty big DV collection, but these aren't justified to pay 16$ a movie which is usually my average as of now.

Format Fodder -- Movies I consider only worthy of owning because of their value to the format, basically.

Hopefully prices in general come down in the coming years on lots of my eventually titles so I can buy them new and support the format -- At this point on Blu-ray you could get early format titles in 2 for $20 deals and you could get 6 month old releases routinely in the 2 for $30 deals sections.

[Falaskan]

I feel like singing.

[crystalpepsi]

Originally Posted by 4kUltraBD

Are you fine with owning just the 4K disc and case?
What about just the 4K disc?

It depends on the price.

Like, if it's a fraction of the price and the only differences are the lack of a Blu-ray and a piece of paper, it's not a big deal. If the Blu-ray release has additional content and doesn't cost that much, I could just combine the used 4K disc with the Blu-ray release.

In my experience, the prices are too high to justify it and it's more cost-effective to wait for good sales for new copies than buying used ones (especially if the used copy is incomplete).

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by crystalpepsi

Like, if it's a fraction of the price and the only differences are the lack of a Blu-ray and a piece of paper, it's not a big deal.

Depends on what type of collector you are. It would bug me if the 1080p blu ray and the paper with the digital code (even if it doesn't work) aren't included because the cover states "4K ULTRA HD + BLU-RAY + DIGITAL". As far as I'm concerned, they're a part of the package.

It also bugs me if I don't have the slipcover of a release that I know initially came with a slipcover. It's all a part of the release's history. Also, I like to get the package in good condition, which is mostly an issue with digipaks.

Then there are those who don't care about anything but a standard case with a cover and the UHD disc. I imagine that most are like this.

And then there are those who go even further and might not care about anything but the disc itself, and store their collections in these:

[SPIDERone]

It depends on what you get, at what price, and what condition.

I've found lots of new-release titles on eBay going for $14-16 for the 4K disc (often brand new) and coverart (no blu-ray, digital copy or slipcover). For a lot of movies, this is perfect for me since I wouldn't watch the blu-ray, digital copy and the slipcover is more of a "nice to have" thing. Especially for catalog titles and stuff like the Marvel/Disney movies where you might already own the blu-ray, getting the 4K disc at such a discount can be a big score.

I tend to draw the line when there is no cover art included or stickers on the discs themselves.

One thing to keep in mind are that a lot of these titles have all of the features on the Blu-Ray disc, so you may lose those.. you also might miss out on any secondary 4k discs (like the Deadpool 2 super-duper-cut disc, Logan Noir, Apocalypse now, etc..) by just getting the main disc.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by traths

I never buy used movies.

Me too apart from the Star Wars saga box set becouse i didn't want to pay full price

[StingingVelvet]

One reason I own 1800 movies is because I go to used shops and get stuff I don't care about much for like $3-4. There's one used place near me that has a constant BOGO thing going with movies and they're all stickered at $6-8, so half of that is a great deal. Cheaper than renting the movies in some cases. These random flicks in genres I like are literally piled up in my closet, waiting to be watched someday... some distant day...

I don't collect discs for packaging or anything though, I collect them because I actually own them, they look and sound a little better and no Hollywood a-hole can edit them. Blu-rays are very durable so there's no real usage fears. If you're really into packaging though, I get why it doesn't push your buttons.

[s2mikey]

I buy used quite often and have never had any issue at all. Saves a lot of money and the lack of a few things here and there doesn’t stop me. It’s the movie content I’m interested in. Now, for my absolute favs like Star Wars or LOTR I’m sure I’ll buy day 1 new.

[Sky_Captain]

99% of the US discs I import now, are technically used. Saved a fortune that way.

As long as all discs/artwork are present and correct, I don't care if a slip or digital copy is occasionally missing.

[evanft]

I buy almost nothing but used movies. Usually just need a quick wipe down at worst. Most are in perfect shape. I also buy a lot disc-only when the price is right. Save a ton that way.

[imsounoriginal]

Most of my collection is used movies. Cheaper that way.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

99% of the US discs I import now, are technically used. Saved a fortune that way.

As long as all discs/artwork are present and correct, I don't care if a slip or digital copy is occasionally missing.

Same here, most of my American discs have come from US re-sellers over this last year or two. I've willingly bought one or two that were just the UHD on its own in the case but most are the full package, just lacking the slip or code as you say (go peachy are far better for keeping slips than decluttr, codes are just dumb luck though). I've had the grand total of one used UHD give me playback problems (two including the UK Deepwater Horizon I bought from CEX, never doing that again as UK disc owners seem to be a bit scummier than US ones ) but they gave me a refund so it's all good.

[Majin Blu]

I'm definitely all for the movie itself. With that said, if I buy it used, I prefer to have everything intact. I don't mind not having the slipcover, but everything I'd like.

I plan on doing a big sale of some of my movies and I made sure to have everything that came with it when I bought them (minus the digital copy slips because those were used, so I shredded them and I know some people are like me.)

[brainofj72]

I have no problem buying used, but only if all the artwork and packaging is included. And if it’s 4K, I also won’t buy it if it doesn’t include the slip (unless it never came with a slip, of course).

[imsounoriginal]

I make certain concessions with used stuff. When it's that cheap, I just care about the movie. But I've been lucky to get slips more often than not, and even digital copies (which I prefer over slips, because I can use or sell them).

[Vangeli]

If I need certain discs or just want some prettier Blu-ray disc art to make my own “ultimate” UHD sets then I’ll buy split up sets.

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by traths

I never buy used movies.

I cannot understand this. I know a lot of people who do the same for music. Most things are out of print in that example, maybe they just listen to Greatest Hits CDs? Sometimes it is either buy used or never have it at all.