Return to the Forbidden Planet
When I first started buying anime DVDs in the UK, the Shaftesbury Avenue mothership of Forbidden Planet was my outlet of choice. And I enjoyed my purchases of Azumanga and Noir very much. Nonetheless I felt the pinch of skipping lunches to save up for one DVD a week and was enlightened about how it was often better value-for-money to buy thinpak boxsets from The Right Stuf. Popular titles (e.g. Ghost in the Shell) were also deeply discounted at Amazon.co.uk; the UK arm of the Bezos empire also offered free delivery for a minimum spend that the price of one DVD easily covered.
But I've been impressed by FP's fightback for my wallet. After browsing comics yesterday, I saw that it was selling Paprika (which I enjoyed tremendously) for GBP 14.99 which matched Amazon UK's price while it had marginally undercut Amazon UK price of GBP 15.48 on the GITS: Solid State Society DVD with its offer of GBP 14.99 and won hands down on the Vision of Escaflowne box sets - Amazon UK at GBP 34.98 each; Forbidden Planet GBP 24.99 each.
Of course TSRI could beat FP (marginally after factoring in Got Anime! 10% discount and international S&H, or hands down if there was a 40% Bandai sale) but the desire for instant gratification, especially with the current postal strike, and the fear of GENEON contagion led me to make the above purchases. Forbidden Planet, good job!
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October 5th, 2007 - 15:41
Ah, FP… the one place that I will always visit if I happen to be in town. I dread to think how much of my cash they’ve claimed over the years. Too much, certainly.
But I have to agree, they’ve definitely been working hard on the anime side of things. Good selection, and good prices to boot. Less good with manga, but I suppose we can’t have everything.
Besides, for manga there’s Orbital down the street. Complete with Lucky Star music in the background and in-depth Keroro discussions. How far the London anime scene has come!
Got Paprika the other day. Thanks to thesis rewrites, haven’t watched it yet. Hugely looking forward to it.
October 5th, 2007 - 18:20
FP is one high street store that has claimed a sizable wedge of my hard earned cash over the years…not helped by the fact that the Newcastle branch is on my direct route between the train station and campus…fatal on days when I hav lectures.
I’d normally say that the cheapest buys are online but as you said, places such as FP are fighting back and we’re getting the benefit with some nice bargains every now and then.
The weirdest thing I’ve seen in one of those places was (I think) FP in Leeds: a Darth Vader plushie!
October 5th, 2007 - 18:45
Although I only popped in from time to time, I was most upset when my local Forbidden Planet rather abruptly closed down. The only consolation is that Gamestation is right across from where it used to be.
October 6th, 2007 - 00:20
Haruchin, I’ve yet to check out Orbital (9 Old Compton St). Thanks for the recommend and good luck with the thesis!
Martin, Darth Vader plushie!? 0_0 I find your lack of chibi-ness disturbing. *squeaky breathing*
Karura, how’s the anime/manga stock at Gamestation?