So do they not make VCRs any longer??

[pumpkinfish]

My grandparents need a new VCR. DH and I went out to Best Buy and Target yesterday and it seems there are only VCR/DVD combos available. Even the guy at BB said you won't be able to find them.

We'd just buy all new DVDs of the videotapes grandpa&grandma own but they have LOTS! lol. Grandma loves her movies.

Any ideas on where to find a quality budget VCR so I don't have to break down and buy the combo?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I think we got ours at Sears and it was about $30. They are hard to find, but you can find them. I have to have one.

Now you can buy this machine and convert your tapes to DVD. They have those at Bed, Bath, & Beyond but they are expensive.

Suzanne

 

[kat3668]

I think your best bet may be to go to Walmart and buy the combo.... you are probably not gonna find them cheaper than this.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9864612

 

[ma2jr]

Pretty sure walmart has a dvd/vcr combo

 

[pumpkinfish]

Thanks for the combo suggestions. I'd like to stay away from those if we can (too much technology for my grandparents...they just got down how to work the DVD and VCR remotes ).

I'll check out Sears.

 

[NJtoATL]

I saw a VCR for $29.99 @ WalMart last week. Check them out.

 

[veraletta]

refurbished Emerson 4-Head VCR
for $29 at Amazon.com

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We were in a pinch last Friday when my DD (14!)was trying to watch Winnie the Pooh on VHS and the machine died. My DH already knew they were hard to come by so he made it to Best Buy before they closed and got a combo unit for 95 dollars. It was Toshiba.

We admittedly took the easy way out.

The best part is that we now her old DVD player in our bedroom now since she no longer needs it in the basement!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Perhaps Craigslist/classifieds, someone looking to get rid of old technology?

 

[JoyG]

Thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army have tons of VCRs for sale...they're a dime a dozen. Well, probably not that cheap, but close to it.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Yes, a thrift store could be a good source.. Just test it out on "some ole worthless" movie first in case it tries to eat one. Better a junky one than a Disney favorite!

 

[jlima]

Try a pawn shop . . .

 

[wall*e2008]

I only see VCR/DVD combos now.

 

[akenneson]

I do know they still sell the DVD/VCR combos. My in-laws just bought one 2 weeks ago at Walmart.

 

[Imzadi]

The ones at a thrift store might have worn out heads. They would wear down granny's existing tapes in no time. You are better off getting a DVD/VCR combo. I have one. I never use the DVD side, so it's not like a lot of extra technology to learn.

However, I wish I had originally bought a DVD recorder combo instead, so that as I play the VHS tapes I could simply burn the VHS tapes to a DVD and be done with the tapes. They are taking up too much room now. Also, old tapes degrade over time. Any homemade video tapes close to 20 years should be expected to be falling apart by now and should be transfered over.

 

[nunzia]

The ones at a thrift store might have worn out heads. They would wear down granny's existing tapes in no time. You are better off getting a DVD/VCR combo. I have one. I never use the DVD side, so it's not like a lot of extra technology to learn.

However, I wish I had originally bought a DVD recorder combo instead, so that as I play the VHS tapes I could simply burn the VHS tapes to a DVD and be done with the tapes. They are taking up too much room now. Also, old tapes degrade over time. Any homemade video tapes close to 20 years should be expected to be falling apart by now and should be transfered over.

I have to say that I think DVDs have more problems than VHS..(and I work part time in an entertainment store..so shhhh) They really seem to degrade quicker IMO. Especially if you play them over and over like my grandkids do with favorites. We have many Disney VHS that are over 20 years old and still play great.
I have bought a few 'back up' VCRs from yard sales and so far they all work great and haven't had an effect on our tapes.