Cheap DVDs
In this article we'll be exploring the best methods of buying cheap DVDs or at least, cheaper options than the ones that instantly spring to mind. Whether you need to replace a favourite, are looking to flesh out your DVD collection, are bored with streaming or just enjoy a bargain, this is the no.1 stop to get some top tips for cheap film and television! There's a few different methods and it really depends on what kind of films you want to buy, whether you're serious about film or just want a cheap DVD for some weekend family time, where you live and how much spare time you have.
Of course, if you enjoy the cellophane wrapped, snazzy covered titles offered by HMV, Zavvi, Amazon and larger supermarkets (and don't mind spending £10 a disc) they are the best option for hassle-free purchasing. But for the explorative cinephile, those that want to take an experimental plunge on a Comedy that flopped so hard it's funny, or a Drama that divided viewers and critics alike, or that action film they saw a bit of 10 years ago and thought might be worth a go someday, £10 is definitely too expensive.
So the question remains, what is the easiest and cheapest way to watch DVDs?
The DVD Divide
There is a whole host of places to buy DVDs with a variety of both cheap uk DVD's and more polished, expensive options. It all depends on where you look. Obviously, the main divide in options is whether you are happy shopping online or would prefer to browse in person. The route-one for many people right now is the internet. You'd think with many pages promoting their range of cheap UK DVDs that finding a good option would be a doddle, but it's actually turned into a minefield of non-UK formats, scratched discs and wrong-disc-all-together issues. Physically purchasing DVDs also has it's list of pro's and con's, it's probably more enjoyable and less expensive, but it's also less reliable and, for some, less accessible due to geography and.. well.. COVID.
DVD Bargains: A retrospect
It's not a stretch to say that, even before the COVID lockdown debacle, the presence of the DVD had depreciated significantly. 15 years ago DVDs were found pretty much everywhere, with some cheaper entertainment options available in the now-gone Woolworths and Blockbuster. Even cheaper DVD bargains frequented convenience shops, post offices and markets. These cornerstones of high street DVD purchasing were normally accompanied by those jagged neon cut-outs featuring; DVDs for 99p, or new dvd releases for under £5, or our personal favourite; 3 DVDs for a tenner!
Since Blockbuster closed in 2010 these options have faded into obscurity, failing to muster the appetite to compete with global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. However, hope is not lost, as a few viable options exist both in the current COVID climate and after the natural high-street equilibrium is restored (fingers crossed). We've catered this article to the cinephile with a huge 'to-watch' list. Someone that watches multiple films a week, with little time and money to spend on their new DVD acquisition. So, here are your choices!
Cheap DVDs: Where to buy them
CinemaParadiso.co.uk
CinemaParadiso.co.uk is a DVD rental service that is capable of being leveraged by users for super cheap DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K viewing. Essentially, the DVD by post service works by sending users a number of films and receiving them back before sending out more. Serial cinephiles will be licking their lips right now, because, as you may have already assumed, the more you watch the cheaper the service is. At a base rate of £9.99 you can watch upwards of 2 films a week. Meaning you are spending £1.25 a disc at the slower end of service! That works out as the cheapest way to watch films and the most efficient way to get through those cheaper films without having to gamble on a purchase. The huge 100,000 title catalogue size also means you'll always have something on your watch list and won't have to worry about going over the dedicated film budget that month.
Another huge benefit of the CinemaParadiso.co.uk service is that we normally receive DVD's before their release! Making it an incredibly affordable way to watch the newest DVD releases as well as classic titles, 4K remasters and a huge selection of international cinema. These features make CinemaParadiso.co.uk a highly viable option for the serious film fan that wants a cheap way to watch large volumes of films. While you're only renting these films, you could use the service to prioritise titles you like enough to purchase, saving you money and precious space in the DVD cabinet. Ebay
Ebay is a pretty good choice if you're looking to buy DVDs in a cost effective manner. Firstly, DVDs are often sold in bulk on the site. Let's say there is someone looking to shift 100 DVDs at good prices, some listings actually allow you to pick the titles you want to see from that selection. Naturally, something like a 4K avengers movie will garner a higher price point than say, cheesy horror VHS. This installs Ebay with the potential for cheap DVD acquisition if you happen to like less popular, older or just plain awful films. The prices are pretty competitive too, and bidding for films can be fun.
Unfortunately there's some downsides to buying DVDs this way. Some bulk listings only offer a job lot option, meaning you might be stuck with three Disney films when what you actually interested in was the Rambo collection. There's also the risk of losing a bidding war on some rare title, or a miscalculation meaning the postage charge has turned a DVD bargain into a blunder. Besides this, discs can be unplayable due to unspecified regional differences, have scratches that make them skip or be missing, damaged or wrong in some other way. Correcting these circumstances can be a real nightmare, especially considering that buying the DVD was low cost to begin with. While Ebay might be a good method if the right listing comes up, the time it takes to find, bid, buy and receive your film is time you could have better spent, well... watching films.
Trade - Ins
Trade-Ins signal a bygone era of entertainment purchasing. The idea of physically browsing films seems bizarre to younger generations today. For those that still remember the joyous activity, we'd trade the ever-revolving carousals found on streaming sites for some real-life aisle action in a heartbeat. There are a few major benefits to these bricks and mortar movie mecca's.
Firstly, by supporting these businesses you are helping keep film on the high street. It goes without saying that buying DVDs from Trade Ins helps keep stock coming in and therefore providing you with your next dvd bargains later down the line. Secondly (and perhaps most importantly) you can get DVDs for very cheap prices. Whilst titles like 'Avengers: Endgame' or 'Game of Thrones: Season 8' might set you back a hefty amount, you can get older film and television titles for an absolute bargain. Third, we like to think these stores always have a hidden gem or two, and, just like browsing the endless catalogue on CinemaParadiso.co.uk, half the fun is the hunt. Fourth, trade-ins these days normally come with some sort of loyalty system, meaning the more films you buy the cheaper future DVDs will be.
Unfortunately there are some downsides to trade-ins. Firstly, there's the huge caveat that right now... They aren't open. We hope for their swift return after the COVID lockdown, but for buying cheap DVDs in 2021, it isn't an option. Sure, you can go to their online websites and see a reduced selection, but it's never the same is it? Secondly, the decline of physical media has led to a decrease in bricks and mortar trade-ins. This has the obvious issue that there may not be a store in your area. Any attempt to travel to one is more than likely to raise the costs of your purchase from cheap to average, depending on your method of transport. There's also the rare chance that there's very little of value on offer. Who knows, maybe a fellow film fanatic wiped the shelves clean before you got there. Either way, for the sake of those film buffs who enjoy searching for films they've wanted to see for months, even years, long may these companies reign.
Charity Shops
Whilst trade-ins are the bread and butter for cheap DVDs on the high street, charity shops can provide another great conduit for some DVD bargains. Normally hidden away at the back of the store and surrounded by a whole host of books, toys, coats, homeware and miscellaneous items, the humble charity shop can be a treasure trove of cinematic goodies. Don't be mistaken, finding top class films, golden oldies, special edition releases or new DVD releases can be a hard task that yields inconsistent results. However, grabbing a special edition 'The Office' boxset for less than three quid is pretty satisfying. On top of this, you're giving to charity. It's also important to note that some charity shops are closed right now, but there are some good options in the ones that aren't!
So, there we have it! A short and sweet guide to savvy DVD purchasing. It doesn't always have to be online and even if it is, there is always smarter options! Thanks for reading, good luck with the hunt and happy watching!
