Horror Books | Books & Reading | Classifieds.co.uk :

Scary as horror films and TV series may be to some of us there is a huge market out there for these kinds of DVDs and videos. Horror buffs of all ages can buy horror films or series from early classics such as Nosferatu through to modern slash movies that would make most people hide behind the sofa! There is consequently a booming market for horror DVDs and videos on a global basis -- this has been accelerated by the Internet which allows collectors and fans alike to find and buy the horror films and TV series they want to watch easily and quickly.

A brief overview of types of horror DVDs and videos
Most horror DVDs and videos are of films although there are also a fair few TV series out there as well. This genre is one of the most popular for DVD and video collectors as well as for general consumers and film fans. The broad audience here buys horror DVDs and videos for a range of reasons and in a range of formats.

Some people, for example, may only own a couple of horror DVDs or videos of films they have seen on TV or in the cinema and which they really liked. Others will collect just about any type of horror genre DVD or video that they can get their hands on! People also sometimes limit their collections according to their personal preferences. Some people, for example, may only collect early black and white horror movies or cult foreign films whilst others may focus on films connected to a certain writer such as Stephen King or to an actor such as Peter Cushing, for example. Some people like to buy genres within the horror sector so may only collect Hammer films or the Halloween series. And, of course, there are the spoof horror films to consider here as well -- they may not be as scary as standard horror films but at least they will make you laugh!

Things to consider before buying horror DVDs and videos
The main thing to think about here is whether you or your intended audience are old enough to watch this kind of film! Horror DVDs and videos may appeal to young people and have a cult audience but they can actually terrify a lot of young kids. So, if there is a chance that the film or TV series will be watched by younger members of the family then check out reviews first and the rating that has been assigned to the film to check that it will be suitable.

You also need to watch out for pirate DVDs and videos which flood this extremely popular sector. Buying a pirate version of a film or TV series on DVD or video is not a good idea. You are not buying a legal copy so you will be breaking the law (and the penalties for ownership are quite significant). Moreover, the sound and picture quality you get with a pirated version will almost certainly be considerably inferior to the real thing.

If buying horror DVDs then check that the DVD is for a region that is compatible with your DVD player. A region 1 DVD for the American market may not play on a UK DVD player that is only designed to play region 2 DVDs which are set up for the UK and European sectors. So, check your player first before buying a DVD otherwise it won't work!

Buying horror DVDs and videos second hand
There is a big market for second hand horror DVDs and videos both on the high street and on the Internet. Buying a DVD or video in this way in a shop can be a lot easier than buying it online as you can see the disc or tape and make a visual assessment as to the quality and value for yourself. Obviously this isn't possible in the same way if you buy a second hand DVD or video online.

If buying online then you'll need to do a bit more work. Ask the seller for a photo of the item so you can at least give it a quick check -- beware of stock photos here as you want to see the actual DVD or video that they are trying to sell you. Also make sure that you check regarding the quality of the DVD or video -- most sellers will be very honest here in any case but you do need to know if a DVD is scratched or if a video has any damage to the case or to the tape.

Try to avoid buying from sellers that won't answer your questions or that become evasive when you ask if the DVD or video is an original. They may well be selling sub-standard or pirated versions. If a seller on an auction site, for example, lists 20 copies of a single horror DVD then the chances are he or she is selling pirate copies.

It's always a good idea to find out why the seller is selling the DVD or video. Some people sell on their video collections when they switch to a DVD player, some sell on DVDs or videos they no longer watch and some people may be selling on an unwanted gift. And, of course, some people run small businesses selling second hand DVDs and videos.

Some horror DVDs and videos are actually worth quite a lot on the collector's market -- there are some rare copies, imports and deleted films out there. If buying a horror DVD or video online that is worth a bit of money then check how the seller will send the item. It may be that you'll want to pay postal insurance to cover the DVD or video if it is worth a lot of money.