How to deal with gifts that are 4:3 DVDs

[spaceman_spiff]

Recently I had a experience at a family reunion where my brother-in-law gave me Matrix Reloaded in 4:3 version. I was very happy that he was thoughtful about the great gift, but deep inside I couldnt stand but ask him to exchange it to widescreen version for me. He didnt know where he misplaced the receipt for it. We went through the ordeal of searching thru everything for the receipt. Finally found it and exchanged it for a widescreen version.
This whole experience was embarassing for my wife, everyone in the family must have thought that I was too picky. :rolleyes:
Thinking back about it, I am happy that I have the widescreen version, but a little embarassed in the family.

Has this happened to anyone ? How do you deal with family who dont really understand your hobbies ?

[51gator50]

head to wal-mart, they take back anything.

[Seared Steak]

All my family doesn't understand my hobbies. But I personally would have gone about it differently. If it was not open, you could have exchanged it at Walmart or somewhere else for the WS. Most places will do that on unopened DVD's, even without a receipt. Or in conversation, gotten him to tell you where he bought it and you go back to that store. If not I'd say nothing. It's a gift. I'd put it away and go out and buy what I really wanted. Sometimes you have to do alot to please the family :cool:

[LeeS]

Tough call. I only have to deal with immediate family and my wife and kids know what a movie nut I am. They all know the difference between widescreen and full screen DVD's. They may not care but they know I do :). And they all know I buy my own movies.

Quietly exchanging it (as previously posted) would have been best if you had a place that would do it with no receipt.

You could have bought your own widescreen version and gave the other to someone else (discretely). Sounds like they wouldn't have noticed the difference anyway.

Or sell it at the hock shop, add some money and buy the right one.

Or grit your teeth and watch it full screen. :) I'd put this choice at the bottom of the choices list.

Whatever it takes to keep the peace. :) As long as the wife is not mad at you, all can't be too bad.

Lee

[57U]

My family knows they can't buy me anything. Since I've really got enough stuff (doesn't everyone), I ask for the following:

1. Their understanding that they don't need to buy me anything.
2. If they must get me something, get me something that doesn't last - like a good wine, or some chocolate (even if I don't like it, I can always "regift")
3. Dinner out.
4. Gift Certificate.
5. I don't ask for it, but some people give me gifts with the receipt attached. (Their choice, not mine).

But really, I prefer number one.

Last time someone bought me a movie it was the Director's Cut Bladerunner on VHS. When I opened it, I mustn't have made the right noises. My friend immediately said, oh sh*t, you've already got the laserdisk don't you?

[mikehbkwm]

Im really upfront with my family come Christmas time i flat out tell them "IF YOU BUY ME THE FULL SCREEN VERSION YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT GIVE IT TO ME CAUSE ILL JUST THROW IT IN THE TRASH." they know just to only buy widescreen and im glad they are aware :D

[P175]

No, no, no ... NO !

First look astonished, dumb founded even ... sit and stare at it for a few minutes, then "siiigh" deeply shaking your head muttering to yourself. Shrug your shoulders a few times, extend your arms, palms up, DVD in left hand, right hand pointing to it a few times and with a pained expression shrug them again. Hang your head and "sniff" loudly. Pathetically .. ask for a tissue. Snort loudly, sobbing uncontrollably. Hang your arms by your side while drooping your shoulders, head forward and sway back and forth a couple of times [not side to side]. Throw your head back and wail like a "scolded cat". Have an uncontolled shaking fit and drop to your knees. Collapse forward on the floor and beat your fists alternatively on any padded surface. Pick up the DVD and again more head shaking with shoulder shrugging and perplexed, questioning looks. Appeal to higher being of your choice to 'not let this be happening to you', look even more distressed when magically DVD doesn't do a damned thing. Break into further wailing, sobbing, sighing, muttering, profanities etc when you discover no Superbit, DTS, THX Optimzer, Added extras or out takes.

Eventually, when you have thoroughly embarrased either yourself or gift giver, look them squarely in the eye, cock your head to one side, raise your left eyebrow, nod your head a few times and confess it was "just what you were wanted, best present you have ever received" secretly planning of course to get even with a really bad tie or pair of socks with a cute Santa on them.

File DVD in collection, out of order, upside down and slightly protuding so as to remind you every time to search your collection of what a thoughtful person that was.

Of course you could always laugh, thanking the person and admitting you already have that one and you could perhaps visit store together to exchange for a movie neither of you have seen. Invite gift giver and spouse for a movie evening, serve popcorn, refreshments and have a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

You decide.

[LeeS]

ROFLMAO :D

[Paleface]

:D

I usually just say thanks and go and exchange the movie myself.... then I make a point to my wife to discreetly let the offending party know what they've done is very wrong.

[Yang1815]

umm... it's a gift... if I get something I don't like... o well, I'll exchange it if I can, if not, give to someone else, sell it on eBay or something... but I'd never say anything other than "thank you" to the person that gave it to me... I personally would have to agree that you are kind of picky.

[BadCamper]

I would just hang onto it (the 4:3) movie until after right after the Christmas season is over. They are very forgiving about returns/exchanges at this time because not many people get a receipt with their present. At the very least you could exchange it for store credit.

In the meantime, should you REALLY want to watch that movie you could just purchase your Widescreen version and store that Fullscreen til after the holidays.

[Shmackers]

Exchange it. No one will know but you.

[Shmackers]

Error.

[Goblincat]

I see no problem in asking the gift giver to give up the receipt or exchange it themselves. The point in them giving you the gift was to make you happy, right?

[packman4]

Just send this link to all relatives and friends before Xmas.

Hilarious!!

http://www.theonion.com/3949/news3.html

[57U]

I love the onion. It's so irreverent.

[spaceman_spiff]

Originally posted by packman4
Just send this link to all relatives and friends before Xmas.
Hilarious!!
http://www.theonion.com/3949/news3.html

I had gone through the same experience that Tyler went through with the same DVD. Except that I got lucky and exchanged the fullscreen version for a widescreen version.