Maybe I'm just being picky, I don't know...
Imagine you ask a friend to get you a DVD for Christmas. You receive their present, and when you open it, you find they've bought you a used copy of the DVD from Blockbuster. One of the those "Previously Viewed" movies they sell in a funky case that's not wrapped in plastic.
Am I just being picky? A friend asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I said 28 Days Later... on DVD. I got the present today because today was the last day I'll see her before we go back to school for Christmas break.
To my surprise, she purchased a previewed copy from Blockbuster. Yes, yes... it's the thought that counts, right? It's not like the movie isn't watchable (although I can't help but wonder where this whore of a DVD has been... it's probably been in every player in town), but isn't there some sort of ethical code behind buying DVDs as gifts?
I mean... even if she would buy a used DVD for herself, would she appreciate it if I got her the half-assed copy for $10 at Blockbuster? She explained to me that FYE had the movie for $30... this is because FYE is very expensive, as opposed to say... Curcuit City or Target, which has a brand new copies for $15-$20.
I suppose what I'm trying to ask is... are there gift-giving ethics for DVDs? Would you buy somebody a used DVD as a gift? Would you appreciate a gift given to you any differently if you got a used one?
if the girl is filthy rich, then hm...
if not, it's the thought that counts.
that's why I don't like all that fuss with presents. If you love somebody then love is bigger than any other present. ("love" as a friend or more than friend). Next time somebody asks you what you want for Christmas, say nothing less than love, friendship, good health, peace in the world...
It really depends.
I think giving someone a "previously viewed movie" can be tacky, but not always. Depends on the persons involved.
I gave my brother ten "previously viewed" movies as opposed to one "neverly viewed" movie one christmas and he was ecstatic, but I wouldn't get them PV for my dad.
But yeah... thought that counts.
prev viewed is some weak ass shit, unless there is a special understanding between people.
for instance: I asked for Sopranos Season 4 for christmas. I don't want a used junk heap with a scraggly case. I love my Sopranos. If you have to get me used, just forget it, get me a card and I'll buy the thing myself. But I also asked for About Schmidt, a movie I kinda like. I told my mom, "if you're gonna get this, you can pick it up for $8 at blockbuster, used". Why have her spend the extra money?
Does that make sense?
.....the best way to give someone a previously viewed dvd is to explain toi the person you are giving it to(when they ask why the case is phucked up)..
tell 'em."ohhh, i had it air-mailed and i guess (long pause) it was partially damaged during shipping".....
then the person would unnderstand and everyone will be just peachy....
If someone got me a pre-viewed disc, they might as well cut off my dick and nail to a piece of paper with "I hate you" written on it.
Quote from: Gamblor du Jourthey might as well cut off my dick and nail to a piece of paper with "I hate you" written on it.
nailing something to a piece of paper wouldn't really work. you'd have to be holding the paper, the nail, and the hammer in seperate hands. and the dick, too.
Quote from: picolasQuote from: Gamblor du Jourthey might as well cut off my dick and nail to a piece of paper with "I hate you" written on it.
nailing something to a piece of paper wouldn't really work. you'd have to be holding the paper, the nail, and the hammer in seperate hands. and the dick, too.
How many hands do you have Pic?
I'd say thanks.
Previews is better than nothing.
Personally, if it plays, I'm ok with it. So I don't care how they obtained it, if it shows promise and it relatively scratch free, I'm cool.
I can understand how you have a thing about it, though. We all have quirks. I guess, try to make it more obvious to your friends you hate used movies.
Quote from: RegularKarateHow many hands do you have Pic?
is that a challenge?
I would prefer a new DVD, i wouldn't scream and shout about receiving a second hand disc. my parents wouldn't care nor would most of my friends.
Me, i love them shiny little discs they are my babies.
Quote from: aClockworkWalrusPersonally, if it plays, I'm ok with it. So I don't care how they obtained it, if it shows promise and it relatively scratch free, I'm cool.
:yabbse-thumbup: And the case has to be relatively good.
I didn't make a big deal out of it at all to her face... and I'm not going to. I'm just taking it like it is. The dirty gross case will be kept separate from the rest of my DVDs, and maybe one day I'll buy myself a new one.
I did, however, get a word in to her about the movie's lack of plastic wrapping.
Her boyfriend got her Finding Nemo on DVD... her copy, though new, lacked plastic wrapping. "He opened it and watched it before he gave it to me!"
"Well, the movie you got me didn't have plastic wrapping."
"Oh, it came like that."
Quote from: BrainSushi"He opened it and watched it before he gave it to me!"
Her boyfriend sounds like a real class act...
My friend is giving his dad a used box of Band of Brothers. They allowed us to check the discs before buying, so it was cool.
Quote from: SoNowThenprev viewed is some weak ass shit, unless there is a special understanding between people.
Especially as a family xmas gift. Maybe a hard to get DVD or one that the person truely wanted might can be pulled off.
Quote from: SoNowThenQuote from: BrainSushi"He opened it and watched it before he gave it to me!"
Her boyfriend sounds like a real class act...
That's almost as bad as copying a CD before you give it to some one.
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanQuote from: SoNowThenQuote from: BrainSushi"He opened it and watched it before he gave it to me!"
Her boyfriend sounds like a real class act...
That's almost as bad as copying a CD before you give it to some one.
That's a bad thing?
Quote from: Gamblor du JourQuote from: Jeremy BlackmanQuote from: SoNowThenQuote from: BrainSushi"He opened it and watched it before he gave it to me!"
Her boyfriend sounds like a real class act...
That's almost as bad as copying a CD before you give it to some one.
That's a bad thing?
Only if you give the person the copy.
well, blockbuster is evil and they have to horrible cases so i'd say 'no'. buying used from elsewhere as long as copy is okay is fine though.