DVD/bluray collecting-GAF is this acceptable? Am I overreacting?

[ZombiePlatypus]

I ordered Tale of Princess Kaguya from amazon (which if you haven't seen it, it's like one of the best things Studio Ghibli has ever done.) Anyway, it arrived kinda banged-up. The discs seemed mostly fine, but clearly the whole thing had been tossed around a bit.

I almost didn't call for a replacement, cause I felt like such a stickler, but, part of the joy of collecting these is admiring the packaging and artwork, and just generally keeping the collection in good condition. I figured I paid for a new product, so I shouldn't expect anything less than mint and new.

Here are picks of the damage:

Scratches on the case

These are the knobs that form a part of the circle that you press to release the disc. A bunch more were loose.

Here's the portion that you press, missing more. The DVD didn't feel secure in there.

Neither did the bluray

Scratches on the DVD. It also doesn't show up clearly in the photos, but the whole front plastic is warped and bumpy, like they left it sitting out under direct sun or something.

I called amazon, and the service rep was super pleasant, nice, and helpful. She quickly offered to send a new one, and just asked to return the beat up one back. Fair enough.

Well the new one arrived. Everything on the inside of the package, including the discs are fine. But the pesky outside:

I mean wtf. Did they just go on a scratch-spree of their whole stock of this movie? I kinda feel like a total tool-bag for wanting to call, again, for a 2nd replacement, but I can't help but feel bothered every time I see the cover blemished-up like this.

Am I being too OCD or should I demand a new, mint product since that's what I paid for?

 

[taahahmed]

You should demand a new one since you paid with your money to get it.

 

[George Oscar Bluth II]

It may be better to return the Amazon one if it bothers you that much (I understand your annoyance) and go to a physical shop. I keep seeing all these posts about Amazon's terrible packaging in the US, its weird how the UK gets it so much better.

 

[wenis]

Just ask for a replacement if it bothers you that much. Amazon will just write it off and one of their third party sellers will replace he packaging and sell it cheaper... Or you could replace the case yourself.

 

[EBE]

was likely banged up in transit. ive limited my online orders and now prefer to do in store pick ups wherever possible.

send it back in, I say.

 

[mdubs]

Go on chat with them, they are really good about exchanges. I'm in the same boat OP, I've had a few times where I've received mildly banged up stuff and told myself to just let it go and not be a stickler, but slowly I find it eating away at me. Just get it exchanged, you'll save yourself some stress in the long run

 

[milanbaros]

Ever since I minimised material stuff like this I've been much more at peace. You enjoy your cases, that's fine, but why on earth are you allowing a plastic case to cause you stress? Life is too short.

 

[leng jai]

Is it just the case or is the actual cover inside damaged? Pretty sure you can get replacement BD cases for like 50 cents.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

Is it just the case or is the actual cover inside damaged? Pretty sure you can get replacement BD cases for like 50 cents.

Oh I didn't think of this. It's the case itself. I think I'm gonna call, one more time cause it's easier than going out and picking up a new case. If it comes damaged again, guess I'll just ask for a refund and pick the film up from a physical store.

 

[Coreda]

Unless there are scratches on the disc or inner sleeve on the replacement I'd just buy a replacement Blu-ray cover.

I'd only get annoyed if it were a collector's edition or somesuch, but for a regular CD/DVD case it's not a big deal imo.

 

[MikeDip]

That shit is broken, you aren't in the wrong if you complain.

 

[20cent]

take it easy man.

here are your options:

*move on
*swap the case with a shitty movie
*order a BR case (ebay/amazon)
*ask for a replacement if that's possible

 

[Bloodrage]

Yeah nah I'd return it. Fuck these guys if they think I'm accepting broken boxes.

 

[panty]

I'd understand better if that would be the japanese collectors edition bluray which is really nice but thats just a regular ass bluray case. It's still broken of course and you're entitled to a new one.

 

[leng jai]

Oh I didn't think of this. It's the case itself. I think I'm gonna call, one more time cause it's easier than going out and picking up a new case. If it comes damaged again, guess I'll just ask for a refund and pick the film up from a physical store.

You might as well buy a pile of replacement cases for stuff like this in the future. Contrary to what people think buying "new" things doesn't mean they're going to be in 100% immaculate condition all the time. If you're going to be buying a lot of blu-rays online then I'd just use replacement cases like this to save the hassle.

It's just not worth kicking up a stink over shit like this, especially when it's a standard edition run of the mill product.

 

[ZombiePlatypus]

You might as well buy a pile of replacement cases for stuff like this in the future. Contrary to what people think buying "new" things doesn't mean they're going to be in 100% immaculate condition all the time. If you're going to be buying a lot of blu-rays online then I'd just use replacement cases like this to save the hassle.

Yeah, good call.

 

[webkatt]

Spoiler

Personally I wouldn't care but can see why people would

 

[Death Metalist]

I wouldn't say you're overreacting but it's better you just buy a bunch of empty blu cases for such a thing. Since I live in the Middle East all the movies I buy are imported so I'm used to this kind of shit happening to me from time to time. It's better to have some spare blu cases.

 

[EdReedFan20]

When you pay full price for something you deserve pristine condition, especially when you pay for shipping and handling. Last year I bought a bunch of games and a movie from Best Buy and they came in one soft package. Inside, one of the game cases was broken like your movie and the movie I bought also had the same issue (even the disc ring). The movie was one of those Warner Bros. Blu-Ray Book cases. It was all dented. It looked like it had been through the ringer. I went to Best to get in-store exchanges. The movie wasn't in stock, so I returned it (haven't re-ordered it). And, if I recall, I couldn't do an even exchange for the game for some odd reason. Unfortunately, I couldn't buy a new copy of the game until my bank account was refunded. When I returned to get a new copy of the game, I noticed they had no copies of the game. I asked the help desk if they had any copies of the game. They went in the back and got a copy. I purchased it and left the store. Stupidly, I checked the game after I left. My fault. Totally my fault. But I noticed they gave me the case I returned the day before (same cracks in the same spot). When I went to the help desk, a different worker was there. I told her that I had returned that copy the day before. She told me it was literally impossible repeatedly. At that point I gave up, as I didn't want to fight over it. But I have not been back to that particular store. I also won't order online from Best Buy again. What a miserable experience.

 

[DonMigs85]

It looks bad, I would definitely get it exchanged.

 

[Famassu]

Unless you yourself paid 300$ for some Collector's Edition or the copy you bought might possibly be a rare-in-the-future Collector's Edition you're keeping in the hopes that you can sell them for $$$$$ later on, who gives a fuck if there's a little bit of a scratch on the case? I assume you don't spend hours upon hours in your day just marvelling the covers of your DVDs/Blu-rays.

 

[JimmyRustler]

I'm a collector myself and I would certainly get it replaced.

 

[Faltimar]

Hmhmhm.dvds...blurays? for suckers.

 

[Zing]

To answer your question, yes, you are overreacting. Are you putting this single case on a stand in a glass display cabinet with LED lights like some sort of museum artifact? How often do you even see the bottom 3 millimetres of the front cover?

 

[Jesus Carbomb]

Would have called about the first one due to the scratched disc.

The replacement is perfectly fine, though. Small scuff on the case is nothing and not worth the risk of getting banned from Amazon.

 

[CassidyIzABeast]

You should have no less than 20 extra blu cases stashed for situations like this.

 

[neorej]

I never ordered anything online for collection purposes. Too many factors could damage the product. Just buy it in a physical store, the only way to ensure a pristine condition.

 

[RadioHeadAche]

Disney also uses those cheap, flimsy cases right? I know my Totoro one is like that.

 

[Atraveller]

Write to Amazon, they'll offer refund or send a new one. I've done this many times before.

 

[Noisepurge]

Yeah, less hassle at that point to just swap the case unless the paper is warped.

Be glad it's not a steelbook! those are always destroyed when ordering online

 

[Cronox]

It's worth noting that many major retailers now price-match Amazon and other online stores. Best Buy, for example.

 

[Fox Mulder]

If you collect movies, it makes sense to have replacement cases on hand. I frequently get broken cases due to shit packaging from amazon, best buy, and many other places.

 

[Trojan X]

Send it back. They have to handle ALL handling charges. You must not pay a thing. You received damaged goods and that is the end of story. They cannot say anything about that. In Japan, that will NOT be tolerated at all and the sender would be greatly apologetic and provide some compensation for the inconvenience such as a bottle of wine or even discount on the next purchase or anything. In this case, you deserve for the sender to sort outeverythint for you, hassle free. If they complain or defend then take it further for that is BS.

 

[Madness]

I wouldn't risk it. Amazon has started to close more and more accounts as their profit margins have shrunk. They're going to label you a problematic customer soon. 'our research shows that you have had an extraordinary amount of returns or damages parcels, much higher than the average. We're sorry to say that although we try to give the best customer service in the world, we feel it would be best if you shopped elsewhere'.

I know how you feel Op. Nothing comes more damaged to me than Blu-ray from Amazon. It's less about the transit and more about the fact how they're kept in warehouses. I've gotten a few replacements, I've told them that they need to take better care, but even now, they come so damaged. Damaged slipcovers, broken cases, scratched cases. I'd rather just price match in store if I could.

 

[Trojan X]

Oh yes. You may want to consider shopping elsewhere too. Find someone that fan near guarantee a mint copy. No delivered good should ever be received damaged. I know it may hurt to do this but Amazon is unrealiable.

 

[BananaPancake]

I think you're just right sending them both back especially because you're collecting them so you obviously want them to be in mint condition. And you paid for a new one not a used one so you shouldn't have to accept that.

 

[bryanee]

I send anything back that doesn't come in mint condition and I have a replacement sent. You paid for it and you should get a product that's in brand new condition.

 

[SCReuter]

I don't understand how Amazon stores Blu-rays. Earlier in the year I ordered A.I., War of the Worlds, The Adventures of Tintin, and The Town and all the cases arrived busted up and warped. Now I'm slightly hesitant to order any movies from the site that aren't new releases.