Good day Confederate, Signofzeta, Takeshi666, Giannis, Van-Dammage, Nissling, Forper, Rein-o, Firehorse_44, Laserdisc_fan, Je280, Xtempo & Blam1
I hope that you are all well and taking good care of yourselves and your Families,
The subject of expensive, extortionately priced beyond 99% of peoples reach is something that I have an issue with regardless of any viewpoint.
On the Lddb Sellers Shops there are titles such as TITAN A.E & THE SIXTH DAY that are ''with an asking price of $5000'' and when I enquired about one of these, the answer was to the effect of (and I shall try and be as accurate here as I can.) the seller replied by mentioning that it's not for sale but they leave this on view just to see if someone is crazy enough to pay and then they may think about it if someone does.
My answer to that is this and please forgive me here but I am just expressing my own personal view: Are you Kidding me! / and I don't think I would ever do business with such people I mean that, just for the shear front and greediness / Call it arrogance / Call it such a Front and so on and so forth..........
If people say they are not selling and are playing games, then they should not have such titles on display PERIOD!
The majority of the membership who are active on this forum come across as fair unique individuals, whose viewpoints that are worthy of reading, weather I agree with what is shared here or not, and that's the beauty and joy of visiting this forum.
As I read the members replies / Comments I am feel honoured in getting to know a little insight into each person's personality Thoughtfulness, care, balanced or unbalanced views, partial or impartial Comments or views.
Reading between the lines with each message read, one discovers that each member is conveying as best they can (myself included) the way they see things at any particular time, or frame of mind.
I reasonably consider each individuals views and why they have posted a comment in such a way, & consider others personal concerns that maybe going on in their personal life, and some show this more than others and I appreciate each that.
Now here is my point Guys with all balance intended here;
I have mentioned the following words before on previous posts, and for those who have not read them I shall try my best to convey here.
I have spent up to $456 for around 6 Laserdisc titles each in my collection, and some I have 2 of, not for profit or to sell one at some point it's just personal.
I do not have money to throw away ''However Laserdisc is a collectors market'' When I personally mention collectors market I personally mean I cherish this format ''it's personal to myself ''
I have been doing business with Nicholas Santini for the last 'let's say' for around 15 years now.
He moved from France to Japan in 2000-2001 roughly and then around three years ago moved to Australia and is still unpacking 10,000 Laserdisc's and with a good deal of Hardware back in Japan in storage.
funds
Nicholas reserved many LD Titles for me around 12 years ago and I sent available funds when I could afford it every few weeks / months and in recent years available funds have become less.
This has been mostly due to other matters going on in my life, The loss of my mother being the one in charge of her savings, then I equally shared the Mums savings to each member of my Family (still settling my twin who has a long time drug related unhealthy dependence,) / car Repairs, Cut in wages and so on.
It's not about me here understand, but for the sake of the subject matter in question so bare with me and thank you for reading.
When I communications with Mr Santini I expressed my apologies for not being able to pay him any quicker than I am able, of which he doesn't have a problem with, and that we have over time garnered ''TRUST'' between us.
Mr Santini knows the kind of person I am and that we understand each other well enough, he has informed me that due to his other business activities and travelling from his Country of dwelling to the next, that I am the only Customer at this time who he is doing LD Business with, due to his priorities with other business ventures.
So here is my Point sorry I will now finally mention, I just thought by giving some personal background we can all find some common Ground on a united front;
I have spent a lot of money on Laserdisc's because I love the format, this has for the most part not been easy.
I have invested heavily into the Format and worked up to 120 hours in the past years from 1998-2003, in order to acquire the software and hardware that one desired of which has also been a journey (one cold write a book, ''no really'' and humbly I mean this, as it's been a journey.)
There is a Title ''Titan A.E'' £100 imported to the UK at the time, to be honest I cannot see myself owning but, came so close just before release However, the seller in London at the time would not take a deposit to reserve of which was sad....... Literally a week or two before release: I purchased The Phantom Menace / Star Wars Remastered box set and then drove home 26 miles away.
A good number of people who have purchased TITAN A.E paid a handsome price, and so they want some profit understandably but not $5000 that to my mind is just Hideous sorry it is.
Truth be known I own this title on US DVD, but has not been released on Blu-Ray as yet I have searched and it has not so on Blu-Ray.com I have registered my interest and for them to inform myself when it may become available if they get enough interest in this title.
I want this title on Laserdisc it's not complicated.
So regardless of any movie weather widescreen or pan and scan, if sellers are trying it on with ridiculous Pricing ''I personally find it hard to ever trust them sheerly because of the greed aspect.
Like Signofzeta has most eloquently mentioned, that Laserdisc was already expensive when in production ''especially but not exclusively coming from Japan''
My desire to spend $1000 on a Laserdisc has in recent years diminished due to the this being ridiculous and certain titles have become unobtainable I have had enough sadly to say but true.
I currently have a new sealed ''The Sixth Day'' reserved at $456 and another approximately 15 titles, of which includes new sealed A Man Like Flint and In Like Flint James Coburn box set around $150?.
Young Indiana Box set x 2 price to be finalised.
T2 with a Black OBI $175? Squeezed I already have the other squeezed T2
There are others to be purchased and mostly 1940-1960's black & white and colour Japanese versions as I love the way the Japanese packaged Laserdiscs / the gatefolds are superb.
Sorry for going on but just wanted to convey a selfless account that we can relate to here Guys.
Thank you for reading my rant and also sharing in my own way your thoughts in some way ''I hope''
Sincerest Regards to everyone