I almost couldn't wait for Gladiator & X-Men....  

Hey Tim,

Funny, I've just been thinking the same thing, except I haven't even gotten notice that mine have shipped(!!!!) from Amazon much less received the DVD's. And I ordered weeks to months ago!!! It prompted me to send off an e-mail registering my displeasure, not something I normally do at all. I've spent mucho money at Amazon for DVD's and CD's (and now even a couple of SACD's), but I am becoming more and more disgruntled with Amazon.com for the following reasons:

1) Prices are definitely going up

2) Fairly long lag time to receive orders, especially new release DVD's

3) Ocassional errors in the orders

4) Customer service is now apparently only by e-mail. This one I particularly dislike because previously their customer service over the phone was excellent.

Anyway, for the above reasons I too have been seriously rethinking whether or not Amazon is the best place for me to be shopping.

I would be very interested to hear others recent experiences with Amazon.

Brian

I bought GLADIATOR from Busted Buy for $14.99. I'm buying the high profile discs locally as price comp heats up. I shop on the net for catalog titles and lesser releases though. Best wishes!

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Rachael,la gata del disco Grande

Tim, they've raised the prices on many titles at Busted Buy. eg.- Star Trek OS discs are up to $17.99. They intend to get you on those throw-ins you'll pick up with your sale title. The 30% off of most of the e-tailers beats BB's price every time. The sales tax is high here too, so the e-tailers look good on the majority of discs. Also, BB's selection has not kept up with the times. They stille don't carry all the new, not so new now, Woody Allen discs here! The Disc Exchange, a local plattering hole, new and used, is starting to build up a fair used selection too. With return privilge too, if the CD or DVD has problems for ten days. I have not had to return any of the DVDs I got there used. Online, I like Ken Cranes, Amazon, and Evolution. I was peeved to read in Widescreen Re that Disney is raising many new releases on DVD to $39.99 list. I think they're #%$, well this is a polite forum, you know! I'm thinking prices are going to drift down, despite Disney's attempt to further gouge consumers IMO. Target and Wallfart are trying to get a piece of the DVD action locally too. Circus City is supposed to expand their DVD section too, here. I see increasing competition and I like the scenario. I hope it doesn't lead to too much Vee-Sss-exHation. My cousin and her husband are an example of recent DVD adoptees, they hate widescreen. They hate vertical bars... they wish that they could find more full-screen discs. How long can it be till Wallfart shoppers demand full-screen? Oh, well, I'm rambling and ready for bed, buneos noches, best wishes!

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Rachael,la gata del disco Grande

I was at the local BB today. All I can say in their favor is that they have a large selection of discs, but none of the prices were lower than my usual on-line source, and many were higher. The few featured sale discs were out of stock. Saving Private Ryan DTS was $27.99! Ironically Rachel, the only discs that matched the online prices were the old Woody Allen films. I guess there's more demand for them in NJ than your area! I will go back to BB only if for some reason I MUST have the disc today. Otherwise DVDEmpire delivers very reliably in 2-3 days. The only downside is that for only 1 disc shipping is expensive, but the price per disc drops quickly for multiple discs. Anyone have experience ordering from Reel.com? I notice that their prices are a bit lower than DVDEmpire. Thanks!

[quote]
[/b]

1) Prices are definitely going up [/b]
They need to make a profit by next year

[quote]Originally posted by BSteinke:

2) Fairly long lag time to receive orders, especially new release DVD's

This is more along the lines of UPS and USPS. Also, they recently installed a new computer so they need to knock a few knicks out.
3) Ocassional errors in the orders
I'll agree with your their but they has also been alot of turnover at the internet companies as of late since the stock market has gone down. Also, the e-mail teams seemm to take a long time to answer calls.

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What is popular is not always right.
What is right is not always popular.
Better to be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

I went to BB yesterday to get some of the DVD's that were on sale. They didn't have any of them.

So, I just grabbed the flyer, went up the street to Circuit City, (which I hate) and they had everyone that I wanted. They matched the BB price without a hitch. They weren't smiling while they did it though. Too bad they'll never get any of my business unless I feel that they are at least close to loosing money. Did I mention that I hate Circuit City?

I got
MI2- 11.99
The Patriot- 11.99
Jarassic Park- 11.99
U-571- 11.99

I hear you Corey.

I agree with everything you said except the lag time being due to UPS, only because I expect that. However, with the last couple of orders the ship dates have not been timely, ie. for DVD's released 11/21, mine haven't even shipped yet and was one of the earliest orders!!

The question I'm asking myself is is Amazon where I want to shop given the above problems. And I think that overall, the answer is yes. To me, the convenience, comfort level, and the overall "community" there makes it worth it. I hate going to stores anymore, especially the Best Buys/Circuit Cities - service sucks, prices aren't particularly better, you never know what they're going to actually have, etc.

My .02 only,

Brian