Classic & Cult Films | Film & Music

A lot of us like to buy classic cult (both modern and ancient!) films nowadays; sometimes we just buy the odd film here and there that we really like and sometimes we collect according to a genre, a country, an actor/actress or a director. And, of course this sector of the entertainment market is particularly popular with serious collectors and with people who run DVD and video stores.

Where to Find Classic Cult Films
In a lot of cases you'll find standard cult classics in the high street as these films are on fairly constant release. So you could buy them new in a shop or pick them up for a bargain price in a second hand or charity shop.

If you are looking for a rare classic cult film, a special version or one that has been deleted then you may find it easier to shop online as this will give you more choice. Sometimes you'll be able to pick titles up new, but you may need to hit the second hand market. Many people do, in fact, prefer to buy their DVDs and videos online in any case as they can usually pick them up cheaper than on the high street.

Bear in mind that most online stores will give an automatic discount to DVDs and videos so you could save a fair amount of money. But do bear in mind at the same time that you need to work out the costs of postage; you don't want to find out that your bargain cost more than picking it up in your local DVD shop because having it posted bumped up the price!

Things to Look out for when Buying Classic Cult Films
Do try to avoid buying copies of classic cult films, either on DVD or video. Pirated copies are not legal and they may not give you the best quality options. And, if you are paying a lot of money for a rare cult classic then it will generally be worthless if it is a copy.

If you are buying DVDs then make sure that it will be compatible with your DVD player. Multi-region players will play any kind of DVD but region specific players won't. So, if you have a Region 1 player then it won't play Region 2 DVDs.

If you manage to find a classic cult film that you want to buy second hand on the high street then do give it a quick once over to check on its condition. A rattling, wobbly video may not play correctly and could well fall apart in your VCR and a heavily scratched DVD may be better used as a coaster!

Buying Classic Cult Films Online
Given the world-wide nature of the internet you can find just about any classic cult film online! It can also be a lot cheaper to buy this way, especially if you buy second hand or manage to bid for a bargain on an auction site.

Again, do look out for pirated DVDs and videos here. A seller that lists multiple copies of the same classic cult film is probably hocking copies. And, remember, the fact that they tell you that a DVD is shrink-wrapped means nothing; pirates can shrink wrap too, so look for holograms and any signs that the item may be a copy.

This is one of the reasons why it is good to see a digital photo of a DVD or video before you buy it. A stock photo is not enough, you want to see the thing you'll be paying for! This compensates a little for the fact that you cannot see the item in person before you buy it.

Do remember that you can also ask the seller questions as well. Ask them if the DVD or video is in good condition and ask them why they are selling it. Ask if it comes with all the original inserts and if they have suffered any damage as. Most people sell for valid reasons; they may be getting rid of videos because they only use DVDs now. They may be getting rid of unwanted gifts or simply having a clear out.

Do make sure that the postage costs that you will be charged are fair for the method of postal delivery that you'll be getting. A lot of online sellers will sell items cheap but then whack huge amounts on to basic postage to make some extra money. If the classic cult film that you are buying is of any significant value then make sure that it will be packaged well and that it will be sent by an insured postal method in case it gets lost or damaged in the post. Finally, check what the seller will do if there is something wrong with the classic cult film that you buy and you need to return it.