Are Local Video Stores Going the Way of the Dinosaur?

[BethR]

Our local video store just put up a sign that they are going out of business. The closest decent video stores are now about 10-15 miles (20 minutes travelling) away. We live in a large housing plan with a main highway that runs through it. We are not in the "sticks" by any stretch of the imagination.

I was talking about this with a friend of mine and we were wondering with NetFlix, Blockbuster Online, Pay per View, and Video on Demand, that locally owned (and convenient) video store will soon be a thing of the past.

Has anyone else noticed this happening in their communities? Do you have any other video stores with a decent inventory other than Blockbuster?

 

[olena]

I suppose so. The last time I was in any video store was 10 years ago and it had been a while before that time.

 

[NMAmy]

We have a Family Video store that's closer than any Blockbuster. I love it--they have great specials.

The parking lot is always full so I don't think it's going anywhere soon. They are getting rid of all the old videotapes--which means I've gotten some cool movies that I haven't seen in a long time for 1.50 each. Less than the cost to rent them so even if I donate them to the library later, no big deal.

 

[mickeyboat]

I think you are right. We have not signed up for Netflix, yet, because we don't watch many movies (yes, it's because most of the time I can't stay awake for the whole thing ). But I hesitate going to both of our local vedeo stores because I have late fees pending at both of them. Yes, I didn't follow the rules, but I'm not about to pay $15 to rent a movie because I kept The Piglet Movie two days too long.

If they gave more lenient late fee terms, I might consider returning. If not, and I decided to try getting movies all the time, I would definitely switch to Netflix.

Denae

 

[BethR]

I suppose so. The last time I was in any video store was 10 years ago and it had been a while before that time.

What do you use to see videos? Or don't you rent movies?

 

[CathrynRose]

I think the reason most Mom & Pop's have even stuck around this long is their "non-family-type movies" they carry... <wink-wink>

We have one by our house, ALWAYS running wonderful specials...and most people who go there, sneak into the ...back room....

Youre probably right.

 

[jennyl772003]

I have not been or seen a local video store in YEARS! All I see are Hollywood Video and Blockbuster. I think the little local store we used to go when I was a kid is gone.

 

[wvjules]

But I hesitate going to both of our local vedeo stores because I have late fees pending at both of them. Yes, I didn't follow the rules, but I'm not about to pay $15 to rent a movie because I kept The Piglet Movie two days too long.

If they gave more lenient late fee terms, I might consider returning. If not, and I decided to try getting movies all the time, I would definitely switch to Netflix.

Denae

Blockbuster doesn't have late fees anymore.

 

[mickeyboat]

Blockbuster doesn't have late fees anymore.

I wish we had a Blockbuster around here. We have Hollywood Video and a local company. We haev to drive an hour to get to a mall - and to Target. You might say I live in the boondocks.

Denae

 

[BethR]

We have a Family Video store that's closer than any Blockbuster. ...
The parking lot is always full so I don't think it's going anywhere soon. They are getting rid of all the old videotapes

I always thought that our video store was busy too! So I was floored when I saw the Going Out of Business Sign yesterday. Guess I should have expected they were in trouble a couple of years when they added a spray on tanning booth in their place.

Instant Replay would always have a "tent sale" every summer to get rid of old movies/ tapes, etc.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

We have a very small Blockbuster and a larger family-owned store.

But I've been using NetFlix for years. No late fees and they always have the movie you want - you can't beat that!

 

[beckmrk04]

The closest video store to us is Family Video, which is still about 12 miles away... We don't go up there that often (once a week or so to Wal-Mart), so we were getting KILLED with late fees. We could have bought the stupid movies- I know, our fault...

SO- we signed up for Netflix and haven't looked back. 17.99/month for 3 movies at a time, as many as we want to order!!! And it comes to my mailbox- no driving/gas involved! No late fees!! Hooray!

For us, it was the perfect solution.

Family Video does have good deals, though, and we still rent from there on occasion, like when we want to see a movie right away and Netflix has a long wait, but overall, we just don't rent movies anymore.

 

[BethR]

I think the reason most Mom & Pop's have even stuck around this long is their "non-family-type movies" they carry... <wink-wink>

You may be right. DH was DISTRAUT when I told him about our video store closing last night.

 

[beckmrk04]

You may be right. DH was DISTRAUT when I told him about our video store closing last night.

OH NO!!!!

Honestly, that's where Family Video still has an edge, too.

 

[BethR]

Just a shameless bump up to see if anyone else would care to join in this conversation.

 

[Planogirl]

Our local Blockbuster is always packed in the evenings and they sure don't have that edge.

We like Blockbuster mostly for renting video games. It's nice to test drive them before paying $40-50. We also rent lots of trashy horror films that we would NEVER actually buy.

 

[BethR]

PG, is your Blockbuster close to your home? As I mentioned, the closest we have is about 20 minutes or so away. And I am too much into convenience to travel a good part of an hour (round trip) to rent a video (or game for that matter.)

 

[pdchris]

We have a Family Video store that's closer than any Blockbuster. I love it--they have great specials.

The parking lot is always full so I don't think it's going anywhere soon. They are getting rid of all the old videotapes--which means I've gotten some cool movies that I haven't seen in a long time for 1.50 each. Less than the cost to rent them so even if I donate them to the library later, no big deal.

Hi, neighbor! I'm about 2.5 hours from Lansing (grandmother's family was from around Lansing so in my youth visited there quite often). We also have a Family Video and since I do live in the sticks, I doubt if it's going to be going out of business any time soon. However, my DD joined Netflix and hasn't gone there in years.

 

[Planogirl]

PG, is your Blockbuster close to your home? As I mentioned, the closest we have is about 20 minutes or so away. And I am too much into convenience to travel a good part of an hour (round trip) to rent a video (or game for that matter.)

It is close. Actually, we have three Blockbusters and one Hollywood video store within 15 minutes or so. I think that people in our area love these places for some reason.

 

[drakethib]

I think the Netflix type companies are going to hurt most of them.

The mom and pop type stores won't last too much longer I am afraid.