About 2 weeks ago we posted about the Top selling OOP DVDs on Amazon, so I was curious to find out what has changed in that 2 week period. How much does the market fluctuate and which titles are more stable?

 I decided, this time around, to include titles that may have re-releases so as to have a wider range of titles (and to make it easier to make the list). But keeping with the original guidelines, Amazon must not have it as available, or any OOS or expectations of shipping time (for the curious, Amazon seemed to have changed their marketing strategy by announcing the anticipated time in which they will have a product, rather than stating how long the wait will be). In addition, no user made pages, no aisan versions (no matter if they are R1 or R0), no collections (such as Friends Seasons 1-10), and no side-by-sides, back-to-backs, or multipacks in any form. Boxed sets are acceptable, such as Farscape Season 1. Also, for congruency's sake, MMM has to have it announced as discontinued.

CAVEAT: These numbers fluctuate every hour or so and this is only to be considered as a snapshot of Amazon at the particular time of this writing. Even as I write this, some variations are likely to occur, so by the time it gets published, you will see some changes in numbers and perhaps even place standings as I have them listed. 

Amazon's Best Selling OOP List 

 

#16) Last time, number 10 was Long Way Round which went from #7,930 down to #11,164. Still a good mover, however, drops out of the top 10 into the number 16 slot. Average price is $42.68, down from $47.00.

#15) Previously in the 9th slot was the Masque of Red Death/The Premature Burial double feature from MGM's Midnite Movies which was #6,932, dropping to #10,501. For a short time Amazon had this title for sale directly, which seems to affected some of the pricing from third party sellers. The drop is similar to Long Way Round, but even at 10,000, its a pretty decent mover (price dependent I am supposing at this point). Average price is $11.85 down from $13.97.

#14) A new entry in this list is Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth which is a particular favorite among schools, libraries, and intellectuals alike. The groundbreaking series, when originally aired on television back in 1984 became an instant classic and a standout as one of the most revolutionary minds in the latter part of the 20th century. It's current rank is #9,785. Average price is $88.38.

#13) Beautiful Girls moves out of the top 10 and into number 13. This great comedy remains a favorite among collectors and movie fans justifying its popularity. Previously at #6,819 and moved to #7,720. Average price is $16.96 up from $14.06. 

#12) Moving into the number 12 slot is Soylent Green for the first time in the list. This is the original snapper case release with a rank of #6,692. The current re-release does not qualify at this time as it has a expectation of 2-5 weeks for arrival. The death of Charlton Heston has spiked all of the Heston titles. This makes the top 10 by a small fractions over Beaitiful Girls. This version of Soylent Green is a great piece to have, however, the newer edition is keeping it prices at bay. Average price is $26.66.

#11) Last time I had Beautiful Girls as number 8, but the link was to A Bronx Tale. Although released in a boxed set (also OOP), this version is still a great seller, but at minimal prices and quantity keeps it from becoming too rare. It is now included in this list making its entry at number 9 with a sales rank at #3400. Average price is $15.53.

#10) Little Mermaid 2, previously at number 5 drops to number 10 from #3,720 to 3,022, despite increase in rank. So it remains in the lineup at this point. Average price is $18.48 down from $20.81.

#9) America: Freedom to Facist remains in the top slot, but with a dip in sales from #1,526 to #2,058. One of the more obscure titles released from Cinema Epoch, but continues to show a strong sales rank It should be noted that this item was not released in a keep case, but released in a paper sleeve. Average price $3.50 down from 5.57.

#8) Bambi, again, one of my personal favorites, is discontinued and this probably wont get released for some time. With nearly 100 copies currently being offered, one has the luxury of waiting as if it were still in print. Previously it was at #761, but has dropped 5 slots into the number 8 spot with a rank of #1,368. Average price is $15.64 down from $17.15.

#7) The Beatles Yellow Submarine continues to sale the stormy seas and is one of the better titles to own in this list. Previously its rank was #1,126 and has since risen to #969. There are still too many copies to keep it from getting to far out, even for used copies, however, new copies are getting scarcer and scarcer, so you might see a wider gap between the two. Average price is $28.94 down from $29.25.

 

#6) Pinocchio, one of Disney's classic films continues to be one of the top sellers in the list, despite pending re-releases within a year or two. Although prices are stable in the high 20's, the number of copies continue to get scarce. It has been discontinued for some time now, so there is some due anticipation for a re-release. The title has moved up a few notches from #1,016 to #972, so it continued to be an excellent seller. Average price is $23.30 down from $24.26.

#5) A new entry into this list is the ever popular The Nightmare Before Christmas. Even in the summer, this popular, and now somewhat cultish film, continues to be a fan favorite with its darkly humorous take on the Christmas lore. Although it has a very good sales rank, pricing is on a seasonal basis and, unless a re-release is announced, expect these prices to go back up during the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Its current rank is #952 slightly edging out Pinocchio. Average price $24.92 up from $24.26.

#4) A new edition to the group is Lady and the Tramp. Again, Disney monopolizes the top slots in the list. Its induction sales rank is at #598, slightly above Snow White's current position, which could change at any given moment. This is its second release under the Platinum line which is a 2-disc set, while the original release was a single, bare bones disc that was under the Limited Edition banner. Average price is $19.33.

 

#3) Snow White has a much anticipated re-release, however, no date is slated at this time. Previous ranks was #601 and has since risen to #563 keeping itself in the top 10 at #3. Right now the price seems just about right. There are plenty of copies to keep the title from getting too expensive. Average price is $54.86 up from $32.14.

#2) Lastly, our number one seller was with Beauty and the Beast. Certainly a good addition to anyone's OOP collection for both buyer and seller. Previously the #220, while currently it has risen quite a bit to #114. Currently there are 51 copies with prices starting at 24.99 for a used and new at 40. These are equally hot on eBay, however, it is difficult to get too much more than that due to the number of copies that circulate. Average price is $39.74 down from $48.82.

#1) The new top seller this week, once again belongs to a Disney title, that one being The Lion King. I had originally considered this title for the previous list, but there was a Gift Pack that was offered, so I had to rescind the option. This time around, I am including it despite the set, and allow this to now be the number 1 seller, shifting everything one slot up. Current rank is #120. Average price is $28.00.

 

Honorable Mention: North by Northwest I am posting this under honorable mention as it should be in the list, but for reasons of Amazon's stock status frequently changing from in stock to out of stock makes this a candidate for future lists when it becomes more stable. However, it has a strong sales rank. This is for the Keep Case version from Warner Brothers (the snap case version is further away) and its sales rank is currently at #2,525. Average price is $10.12.

 

The prices noted here are determined by 2 recent completed sales on eBay (preferable new and used if possible) and the lower new and used on Amazon and an average of 4 total. The Disney titles are HEAVILY bootlegged by both foreign and US sellers that it really becomes difficult to make distinctions on some of them. However, I used only titles that I was certain were authentic versions as price coordinates so that the average was more accurate to officially licensed material.

On another note, researching some of thes titles, especially Disney, is really disturbing to see so many rip off sellers out there. As a seller it makes me embarassed and sad that, not only is there so much pirated material being sold on eBay, but also that a company like Disney does little to manage the issue. I feel it is a lost cause to make preventative issues in newer DVDs as their films are already available for easy piracy, but getting a grip on what is becoming a real sore spot for those that want a real DVD is like a losing battle for the buyer. I encourage buyers out there that read this to take time and investigate what it is you are really getting. I still see buyers paying near 50 bucks for a bootleg of Beauty and the Beast from a seller who states it all authentic, but clearly it not. I also see sellers manipulate the auction by advertising "new" but then states its been opened. There is no telling how many times an item can be played if properly cared for. A cheap DVD is cheap for a reason. Read the sellers feedback history. Not just the numbers. If they have some negatives and the negative feedback responses state the seller sold a bootleg or copy, then chances are the current item for sale is also a bootleg. If the seller continually sells the same OOP titles over and over, then there is a high probability they are bootlegs.

Speaking from a seller point of view, and i know this is sometimes a sore spot with buyers, but the fact remains, with all of these bootlegs out there, it makes it difficult for third party sellers to profit and even survive when bootlegs are being sold at 5 and 10 dollars each. And if you think then that Amazon has only official items for sale, guess again. The same problem exists (somewhat harder to determine). On a positive note, what I do find on eBay is that the officially licensed items (usually the ones with real photos and not stock photos) do sell pretty well and above the fake versions being offered. There are buyers who do want legitimate copies and will pay the extra cost for certainty on a given product. It would be a dream to see the bootleggers wash away and really see the effects on the demands and prices of some of these Disney titles that would illuminate their true worth and rarity.

As it stands, although these are constant and continual best sellers, the cheap copies are actually distorting the information more than they care to know about. Right now, the best way to battle this issue is for the buyers to learn more about determining officially licensed titles, reading auction descriptions, and buying from reliable out of print sellers (many of which come through here). Most of the sellers I personally dealt with care more about the buyer getting the item that is advertised and not out to fool the public with cheap products. 'Nuff said.

 

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