Where to get CD's and DVD's

Maybe you're an iTunes phreak, I'm not (at $0.99 a song, do you REALLY OWN your music?). Amazon.com? No thank you (see Amazon Reseller Rating). So where 2 buy from then? Just like any other internet purchase, price pretty much is king. But then, I'd always suggest allowing a slight cushion (maybe $1-1.50 on small ticket items, and up to about 3% on expensive purchases) to use an e-tailer you've personally had success with in the past.

Aside from price, shipping options and ResellerRatings are major factors. Then, there is selection- do they have EVERYTHING you're looking for in one site? You'd likely save money on shipping by having it all combined. And if they do have it all, and your order goes smoothly, you'd be more liekley to keep using them in the future.

Why try to save $0.40 on a DVD, only to have it not arrive for almost a month? That's the common story with DeepDiscountDVD. Sure you can use them if you don't mind a delivery in three weeks. I'm trying to understand if it's worth it, personally. Jacob's Ladder is $6, Funny Face is $6- I could get ONE extra dvd for the same price as those two would cost elsewhere.

J & R Electronics is a site I trust. They currently offer over 1,100 dvd titles at $5.99. I used to live a block away and walk in, now they've created a very established internet presence.

Not only does Buy.com still offer some of the best prices, and their occassional specials are unreal, they have always been superb with customer service. A toll-free number, where someone actually answers and is helpful. That's valuable to me. Harry Potter boxed set for $30 (includes 8 discs: 4 movies, 4 bonus) with free shipping ($50 price - $20 off using Google Checkout, no coupons needed).

Amazingly, I used an Amazon.com reseller (MediaThrill) to buy the Dark City dvd. It NEVER showed an "order shipped" status, they claim to ship out within two business days, and if not, they will cancel your order. Almost 10,000 feedbacks. Well, I tried e-mailing TWICE to find status, no response, no shipping update on my order page on Amazon. DVD arrived yesterday (12/23), after a 12/7 order.

Here's why I don't use Amazon anymore. IF I need to file a dispute, I cannot before 30 days have passed (couldn't file before 1/6/2007). I tried to notify Amazon of my problems, I got a screen saying: "Amazon limits how many messages may be sent to recipients each day, this seller has already reached their limit. Please try to contact the seller again tomorrow." Yuck.

Anywho. Dark City is a film I cannot believe many don't know about.. Sure I've written a rave about it before (here), but: Jennifer Connelly, Keifer Sutherland, William Hurt, Rufus Sewell... (and Melissa George who played Lauren Reed on 'Alias'). Connelly sings the song "Sway" and it is truly a remarkable song, the score (by Trevor Jones ) throughout the film also hits a perfect tone.

Now, what's next in home theatre? Proton's LED backlit LCD HDTV's are proported to bring more accurate color reproduction when released in Q2 2007.

I can't believe it's difficult to find Norah Jones' Come Away With Me cd for under $12 shipped. Well, Overstock has it, for $9.49 and an add'l 10% off with a DealCatcher.com coupon. Cheers.

image credits: J & R from JR.com, Proton LED backlit PCD TV from EngadgetHD.com, Norah Jones from Overstock.com.