[SSJup81]

Just checked out Crunchy Roll and it is a good alternative. For the most part, though, I'm not all that into anime and my series watching is far and in between, so most of what's there doesn't interest me, 'cept for Gundam 00, and that's only because it was recommended to me. I wish there were older titles to choose from with official subs...even something simple like Pokemon would be nice or Monster Rancher or Yoroiden Samurai Troopers (I know it has one, but Bandai was stupid with the series' limited release; this is a series I literally want to own, and that's rare with me when it comes to shows).

To be honest, I wish more manga would get licenses so that I won't have to look at scanlations...then again, there's some manga that doesn't have that due to how rare it is. I just hope Kuroshitsuji gets a license for its manga. I definitely would buy that.

All that aside, about "sampling"...I don't have a problem with checking something out prior to buying, especially if you have to import it. I'm more into music than I am into anime so most of my money would go towards that. I like to hear something before I get it if it has to be imported. I'm more lenient towards stuff I can get at the Best Buy stores like 10 and 20 minutes away from me. Of course there are some artists/groups I buy for regardless (Akino Arai; Rie fu; THYME; etc), but others, if I like the cd, it goes onto my "I will someday be able to get this" list. lol Import fees are expensive.