Hidefninja new SteelBook™ Collector Lounge

[digitalbabe]

*For retailer-specific chat, please visit the new Retailer Steelbook Zone here

Welcome all Steelbook newcomers from around the world!

For more Steelbook lists, pictures, and resources visit:
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This is a thread for those new to the hobby or those with general questions about collecting Steelbooks, including retailer-specific questions.

To keep things organized, please keep all trading talk in the Trading forum, and search for specific Steelbooks for more specific title-specific questions.

I am sure our seasoned members are happy to provide assistance, so please don't be afraid to ask-we all started this addiction somewhere. Regardless if your collection is small or large, someone here can probably help.

Have fun!
DB

Steelbook & Collecting FAQ's:

Q: Where can I find a list of Steelbooks released?

A: blu-raysteelbooks.com

Q: Can I play movies contained inside Steelbooks on my Blu-Ray Player?

A: It depends-Blu-Rays are coded with Region A, B or C. Most Blu-Rays are "unlocked", regardless of what region they are, but it's always a good idea to check this forum or web resources before buying, as some are "locked".

Q: What are the differences between Steelbooks™, Iron Packs™, Metal Paks™, Viva Metal Boxes, Tins, etc?

A: Check out pics and discussion in our forum here

Q: What does "G1" and "G2" mean when discussing Steelbooks?

A: "G1" (1st Generation) refers to a Blu-Ray in a DVD-sized case. And "G2" (2nd Generation) refers to a Blu-Ray in a Blu-Ray-sized case.

Q: How to fix a loose disc on a steelbook you want to keep factory sealed that came with a floater?

A: Fixing a loose disc

Q: How do I navigate international shopping sites?

A: You can download a free 'add on' for most browsers called 'Google Translate'. Once you have it installed, the pages will translate automatically.

Q: I have many more questions-is there a general list of links to help me learn about Steelbooks, protecting them, etc?

A: Yes, here

 

[apsmith21]

Amazon.de should give you a credit for shipping them back once they get them. I don't think it's the entire amount that you would pay, but you do get some back, I think.

Usually I throw any returns I have in one of those flat rate priority mail envelopes.

IMO, we get a pretty good deal from amazon.de. Flat shipping for as much as you can order and they respond to your e-mails / questions. Unlike other retailers - some times you get a trashed set of steelbooks in the mail and they never return your messages. Then you're left fighting with your credit card company to get your money back.

Personally, I don't sweat small defects - it's the large stuff that is problematic.

 

[apsmith21]

On another note, I ordered two Steels from Amazon.it 19 days ago. Is that par for the course from ordering form them? Their "tracking info" says it was scheduled to be delivered on the 10th.

Italy post is always slow to the States, in my experience.

 

[BluRayJunkie]

Amazon.de should give you a credit for shipping them back once they get them. I don't think it's the entire amount that you would pay, but you do get some back, I think.

Usually I throw any returns I have in one of those flat rate priority mail envelopes.

IMO, we get a pretty good deal from amazon.de. Flat shipping for as much as you can order and they respond to your e-mails / questions. Unlike other retailers - some times you get a trashed set of steelbooks in the mail and they never return your messages. Then you're left fighting with your credit card company to get your money back.

Personally, I don't sweat small defects - it's the large stuff that is problematic.

Ya, I agree. I have a number of slightly marked steels in my collection. And amazon.de has been good on returns. I think its more a problem here in Canada because of our postal rates. Its just too expensive to send back with tracking. So getting your credit takes a long time. And I have not nearly been compensated for that shipping. But I understand Nightowl's frustration. Just a little change in their packaging policy would make thing so much better!

 

[digitalbabe]

Bump for new members

 

[digitalbabe]

I've renamed the thread to allow for general Steelbook chat

 

[sengboy]

Thanks Digitalbabe for bump . I'm just curious that if I order some steels from Amazon.de or other German retailer such as mediamailer.de and buch.de and ship it to my friend's address in UK ( I'm in US) and the items are valued more than 18 Pounds, would it be possible that my friend may need to pay for the custom import tax? Some people told me that it would probably happen but some said no and I am sort of indecisive ordering it regarding of those huge amount of unfair vat. Thanks in advance.

 

[digitalbabe]

Hi Seng-I am in the US, so I am not sure. But perhaps someone that has helped in this way can assist-especially our UK members. It may have to do with what value is marked on the package. I know when I help friends in the UK obtain items, they usually ask me to mark a low value.

 

[o0 Deuce 0o]

Ive done plenty of trades with usa/canada ect and ive always asked the sender to mark as a gift and below the value of £18.00 as we do more then often get stung for customs fees.

Did you mean ship straight from amazon,de to your friends house or from your location as things sent inside europe dont get taxed.

Thanks Digitalbabe for bump . I'm just curious that if I order some steels from Amazon.de or other German retailer such as mediamailer.de and buch.de and ship it to my friend's address in UK ( I'm in US) and the items are valued more than 18 Pounds, would it be possible that my friend may need to pay for the custom import tax? Some people told me that it would probably happen but some said no and I am sort of indecisive ordering it regarding of those huge amount of unfair vat. Thanks in advance.

 

[sengboy]

Ive done plenty of trades with usa/canada ect and ive always asked the sender to mark as a gift and below the value of £18.00 as we do more then often get stung for customs fees.

Did you mean ship straight from amazon,de to your friends house or from your location as things sent inside europe dont get taxed.

Thanks a lot for Digitalbabe and Deuce. I mean, if the items are sent directly from Amazon.de ( or other German blu-ray retailer such as buch.de or mediadealer.de) to my friend's address in Uk. So, according to Deuce, it would be ok if ordering and sending among European countries, right? ( Regardless of the price entirely? or if the price is in highly amount like £50, there's still no vat right?) So sorry to ask a lot but I'm so noob about this.

 

[digitalbabe]

No worries, Seng-hopefully someone living in these areas can help sort it out for you

 

[o0 Deuce 0o]

Inside europe you dont have to declare the value of the items inside (well ive never done so and nor will amazon.de ect) and im pretty sure theres no customs fees inside europe whatever the value.If you order from amazon.de your friend will get inside 3 days no problems

Thanks a lot for Digitalbabe and Deuce. I mean, if the items are sent directly from Amazon.de ( or other German blu-ray retailer such as buch.de or mediadealer.de) to my friend's address in Uk. So, according to Deuce, it would be ok if ordering and sending among European countries, right? ( Regardless of the price entirely? or if the price is in highly amount like £50, there's still no vat right?) So sorry to ask a lot but I'm so noob about this.

 

[apsmith21]

The only thing I'm a bit confused on - as a US buyer, the amazon.de system will remove VAT from your item cost.

But if you are a US buyer, and you send to a friend in Europe...does the system still remove VAT?

I guess what I'm saying is that you're paying more to get the steelbooks to the friend, and then having them resent to you...and you're still paying VAT...

I can see how it would get pricey very quick.

 

[o0 Deuce 0o]

Thas a good point Andy

Ive never had anyone do this for me but i would assume if they see your sending to an address inside the UK then they would add the VAT on.

The only thing I'm a bit confused on - as a US buyer, the amazon.de system will remove VAT from your item cost.

But if you are a US buyer, and you send to a friend in Europe...does the system still remove VAT?

I guess what I'm saying is that you're paying more to get the steelbooks to the friend, and then having them resent to you...and you're still paying VAT...

I can see how it would get pricey very quick.

 

[sengboy]

Thanks Deuce for your clarification. I only order to my friend address in UK when finding something in Lightning deal because for Lightning deal, the final price is still the same, no vat remove at all. So, sending to US with flat rate 14 Euro would cost me more compared to send to my friend in UK that just costs 6 Euro.

 

[apsmith21]

Thanks Deuce for your clarification. I only order to my friend address in UK when finding something in Lightning deal because for Lightning deal, the final price is still the same, no vat remove at all. So, sending to US with flat rate 14 Euro would cost me more compared to send to my friend in UK that just costs 6 Euro.

Ahhh - that makes sense.

 

[n3wk1d]

I just received my first package from http://www.movies-blu-ray.nl/ and I would like to add in my feedback from ordering from this site.

Store owner did response to all your queries and responsive.
But I received my package will 2 badly dented titles, RED and Kill Bill.

Packaging were done badly, only newspaper on a soft cardboard box. Bubble wrap were to minimal.
I will never order from here again if I have the choice. Maybe it's just my luck.

You may have better luck.

 

[digitalbabe]

Bump for more chat

 

[surfury]

It seems that quite a few folks like the pakaging that HMV use as it is a more rigid box than that used by Amazon although the latest Harry Potter release showed up its weakness. If they used just a single layer of bubble wrap then there would be no damage as it was my copy was scratched, dented and dinged (due to the lack of shrinkwrap).

I have had mixed fortunes with Axelmusic (or PlanetAxel as they now are) generally they are in a stiff cardboard wrapper inside a jiffy bag or 2. Yet once I received 6 steels in a box with a couple of Airplus bags which is shocking - at least I didn't get a customs bill mind. Having said that no damage to any of the steels.

 

[surfury]

Well I hope this doesn't put the cat among the pigeons, but as this is to do with HiDef format I hope I can mention here without being sworn at and I know DB has a soft spot for them. My point is that I collected a lot of HD DVDs (which I am now selling to fund my Steelbook collection), some are keepers and as they are open will allow me to enjoy the films in 1080p/24 without opening the Steels. I am only worried that come the next format, Steelbooks.will go the way of HD DVDs and that is said by an officianado and supporter of the format who was sad to see it die. Still at least they have beauty which was lacking in

 

[digitalbabe]

Surfury-not to worry, we don't want to create a combative environment here, and the "format war" is history. Anyone that has been around for any length of time, knows that formats come and go over the years. I am sure you're not the only one that has ever traded one collection/addiction for another. Sadly it's a risk we all take as collectors and film fans, if we want to enjoy whatever "format" is currently available. To keep this discussion on topic, feel free to shoot me a PM with any HD DVD's you still have or visit this thread. Enjoy the Steel collection!