Reliable vendor for DVDs of old (1990s-2000s) TV shows

[Anonymous]

Entertainment forum hive mind, help me out. Streaming is great but old shows don't always stream...anywhere. Anyone got a good, reliable online source for DVDs of shows from the 1990s-mid-2000s? If you're going to say, "Just go to Amazon," well, bear in mind that Amazon sells DVDs that actually come from other sources. I'm seeing "non-US format" and "out of stock" and covers that look dodgy, like someone has cobbled together their own bootlegs. (And I know someone who got burned that way, buying via Amazon but the actual DVDs were someone's bootlegs.)

So if you're a regular Amazon user for DVDs of shows that don't stream, which specific sellers are you using?

Seeking DVDs of "Judging Amy" which doesn't seem to stream anywhere, and DVDs appear to be hard to come by except a few collections that say "sold out." Another is not even US format. I've found "Northern Exposure" on DVD on Amazon, but would like a read on vendors with which folks have had good or bad experiences.

Other sites besides Amazon are welcome, too!

[Anonymous]

Ebay or Mecari

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ebay or Mecari

Thanks, I've looked at them, but both are like Amazon -- they're marketplaces for sellers, not sellers themselves. I'm seeking some reviews of individual sellers.

Reviews for DVDs from so many sites are awful. Lots of "the DVDs were just someone pointing a camera at a TV screen and taping" etc.

So nobody's got specific vendors they know are legit? They can be selling via Amazon or Ebay etc., I just want to find legit vendors selling actual DVDs rather than bootlegs. I'm willing to pay more to get the real thing but not even sure some of these series exist on DVD.

Some streaming service would absolutely get a lot of business from me and many people I know if it streamed these older TV shows in their entirety! I know music rights create a streaming problem for some series ("Northern Exposure" is one, "WKRP" another) but geez, they should work that nonsense out. There's a market out here for them. Really just want to find "Judging Amy" especially.

[Anonymous]

You just sent me on a search down the rabbit hole for the tv series Homefront. Sigh. No joy.

[Anonymous]

Omg my parents basement. Whatcha need.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried an electronics or general retailer that stocks their own goods like Best Buy or Target? Or check FB Marketplace in your area and buy directly from individuals who are looking to downsize vs. buying online from bulk resellers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ebay or Mecari

Thanks, I've looked at them, but both are like Amazon -- they're marketplaces for sellers, not sellers themselves. I'm seeking some reviews of individual sellers.

Reviews for DVDs from so many sites are awful. Lots of "the DVDs were just someone pointing a camera at a TV screen and taping" etc.

So nobody's got specific vendors they know are legit? They can be selling via Amazon or Ebay etc., I just want to find legit vendors selling actual DVDs rather than bootlegs. I'm willing to pay more to get the real thing but not even sure some of these series exist on DVD.

Some streaming service would absolutely get a lot of business from me and many people I know if it streamed these older TV shows in their entirety! I know music rights create a streaming problem for some series ("Northern Exposure" is one, "WKRP" another) but geez, they should work that nonsense out. There's a market out here for them. Really just want to find "Judging Amy" especially.

I’ve bought a ton of DVDs from Ebay over the years, mostly British series. Haven’t run into this issue at all. Everything I have bought has come in the original DVD box.

I think you’re asking for something so niche that you’re not going to get individual recommendations. You need to find who is selling the series and then read through their reviews. A quick internet search shows that there are not thousands of sellers who have Judging Amy available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ebay or Mecari

Thanks, I've looked at them, but both are like Amazon -- they're marketplaces for sellers, not sellers themselves. I'm seeking some reviews of individual sellers.

Reviews for DVDs from so many sites are awful. Lots of "the DVDs were just someone pointing a camera at a TV screen and taping" etc.

So nobody's got specific vendors they know are legit? They can be selling via Amazon or Ebay etc., I just want to find legit vendors selling actual DVDs rather than bootlegs. I'm willing to pay more to get the real thing but not even sure some of these series exist on DVD.

Some streaming service would absolutely get a lot of business from me and many people I know if it streamed these older TV shows in their entirety! I know music rights create a streaming problem for some series ("Northern Exposure" is one, "WKRP" another) but geez, they should work that nonsense out. There's a market out here for them. Really just want to find "Judging Amy" especially.

I’ve bought a ton of DVDs from Ebay over the years, mostly British series. Haven’t run into this issue at all. Everything I have bought has come in the original DVD box.

I think you’re asking for something so niche that you’re not going to get individual recommendations. You need to find who is selling the series and then read through their reviews. A quick internet search shows that there are not thousands of sellers who have Judging Amy available.

That's why I'm asking here. And I already did the "read through the reviews" stuff for quite a few sellers before posting on DCUM. Seeking people's actual experiences in case I missed something.

It's not just about that one series, though. (As for "niche," it was very popular when it was on broadcast TV, so maybe not so niche, if people had access to DVDs or streaming of it....) There would be other people looking for many series from that rather extensive era of TV. It's too bad none of the networks and others who own the rights will bother to put out some DVDs of them. Oh, well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried an electronics or general retailer that stocks their own goods like Best Buy or Target? Or check FB Marketplace in your area and buy directly from individuals who are looking to downsize vs. buying online from bulk resellers.

Ugh, how does one reach these individuals without being on FB or other sites like it? I don't use FB or other social media types of sites, hence the search for some kind of reputable dealer.

[Anonymous]

I would also look on Etsy, facebook market place and any other general sales source you can find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried an electronics or general retailer that stocks their own goods like Best Buy or Target? Or check FB Marketplace in your area and buy directly from individuals who are looking to downsize vs. buying online from bulk resellers.

Ugh, how does one reach these individuals without being on FB or other sites like it? I don't use FB or other social media types of sites, hence the search for some kind of reputable dealer.

You’d have to join Facebook ..... they have tons of area “yard sale” groups that have a ton of people selling their stuff they don’t want anymore.

But failing that, try Craigslist?

[Anonymous]

Actually OP, I just looked into it and it appears you aren’t the only one having trouble finding Judging Amy. Looks like maybe CBS never released it on DVD or took it out of print years ago, AND has also not put it on their streaming service or any others. Hard to believe but check out the comments on this post: https://theamybrenneman.com/notebook/2010/10/judging-amy-dvd-news/

Even the comments in 2020 people can’t get their hands on this show. Sorry op! Wish we had better news for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually OP, I just looked into it and it appears you aren’t the only one having trouble finding Judging Amy. Looks like maybe CBS never released it on DVD or took it out of print years ago, AND has also not put it on their streaming service or any others. Hard to believe but check out the comments on this post: https://theamybrenneman.com/notebook/2010/10/judging-amy-dvd-news/

Even the comments in 2020 people can’t get their hands on this show. Sorry op! Wish we had better news for you.

OP here. Thanks for this, PP -- I really appreciate your making the effort to look this up! It's both heartening (to realize fans have wanted this and asked for it repeatedly) and disheartening (to see that nothing has happened).

Full disclosure, I never saw the series in broadcast but came across clips of it online and read about how it was ahead of its time on several social issues, and would really like to see it.

Like I told a PP above, the issue is larger than one series anyway. There are quite a few from that era that were great TV, and a lot are series one could watch with both your parents and your kids and everyone would enjoy them, but the series aren't dumbed down, either. But just try getting them. Music rights to songs used in shows are a very real problem, and what kept both "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Northern Exposure" off DVD for a long time, though the latter now seems to be available in its entirety. Still, the music doesn't seem to be the problem with "Judging Amy." I guess CBS or whoever owns it now figures why bother when the streaming services churn out new content constantly. It's a pity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually OP, I just looked into it and it appears you aren’t the only one having trouble finding Judging Amy. Looks like maybe CBS never released it on DVD or took it out of print years ago, AND has also not put it on their streaming service or any others. Hard to believe but check out the comments on this post: https://theamybrenneman.com/notebook/2010/10/judging-amy-dvd-news/

Even the comments in 2020 people can’t get their hands on this show. Sorry op! Wish we had better news for you.

OP here. Thanks for this, PP -- I really appreciate your making the effort to look this up! It's both heartening (to realize fans have wanted this and asked for it repeatedly) and disheartening (to see that nothing has happened).

Full disclosure, I never saw the series in broadcast but came across clips of it online and read about how it was ahead of its time on several social issues, and would really like to see it.

Like I told a PP above, the issue is larger than one series anyway. There are quite a few from that era that were great TV, and a lot are series one could watch with both your parents and your kids and everyone would enjoy them, but the series aren't dumbed down, either. But just try getting them. Music rights to songs used in shows are a very real problem, and what kept both "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Northern Exposure" off DVD for a long time, though the latter now seems to be available in its entirety. Still, the music doesn't seem to be the problem with "Judging Amy." I guess CBS or whoever owns it now figures why bother when the streaming services churn out new content constantly. It's a pity.

CBS has always been obnoxious about streaming their shows. Have you checked CBS All Access?