dvd/vcr demise...do I replace?

[babybugmama]

I need thoughts/opinions.

Dh and I have cut drastically back on any kind of spending. In fact we have successfully maintained a no-spending January.

Our one major form of entertainment is movie night on saturday night with dd. Otherwise she watches no other tv and we only watch some dvd tv shows after she goes to bed, occasionally.

Our problem, our dvd/vcr combo has finally died. It's been dying, but now you have a 1 in 4 chance of getting a dvd to work and we can no longer record to the vcr.

I want to replace it b/c to repair it equals the cost of a new one. But then I get into the spending money (we can replace it for b/t 80 - 100), as well as the consumerism, as well as the waste.

What are you thoughts?

[oldcrunchymom]

From a frugal point of view, it is not worth repairing. I would skip getting a VCR and just get a new DVD player.

[srain]

Are you sure about the price? My parents just got a DVD player for $30.

Does your computer play DVDs?

[MidwifeErika]

I would replace it. So many electronics are made to be disposable now days, so even if you fixed this problem another issue may arrise soon. Maybe just shop around and wait for a sale?

[oldcrunchymom]

Originally Posted by srain

Are you sure about the price? My parents just got a DVD player for $30.

She wants a DVD/VCR combo. They're more expensive than regular DVD players. I have one that I got some years ago and we hardly ever use the VCR half now.

[Ruthla]

It might be cheaper to get a DVD player plus a VCR than a DVD/VCR combo. Also, with separate units, you don't need to replace both of them if one breaks.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

It might be cheaper to get a DVD player plus a VCR than a DVD/VCR combo. Also, with separate units, you don't need to replace both of them if one breaks.

That would be my thought.

Another option would be to sell any Video tapes you have on the TP and use that money to buy a cheap DVD player and only do DVDs from now on. Depending on how many videos you have, it could be totally doable.

[Allie2]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

It might be cheaper to get a DVD player plus a VCR than a DVD/VCR combo. Also, with separate units, you don't need to replace both of them if one breaks.

This is what came to me as well. You can also wait for sales on one or the other and make do with whichever you get first.

ETA: I would defiantely replace our VCR if it broke. We have tons of VCR kids movies that make it worth while. We get them at the flea market for $1 most of the time.

[flapjack]

We've gone no VCR: the last two years, we've bought everything on DVD or done without, and now our VCR has died and we aren't replacing it. It depends on how much TV you watch.
(Oh, and we sold our video collection. It didn't make much, but it's paying for the new DVD player when that dies.)

[root*children]

DVD's get DESTROYED in our house We still have a few, but only bought used, on clearance, as gifts, etc.

I'd call around to the pawn shops in your area to find one. They are MUCH cheaper. And they will negotiate (lower the price, throw in some free movies, etc.)