Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Harmanswater Videos?
Where was the store located?
Bracknell, (United Kingdom)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1985
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
It was small, had movie posters and music-video everywhere, and was rammed full of videos. Cluttered would be the word.
What were the employees and/or owners like, and what kinds of interactions
did you have with them? What particularly memorable exchanges or events
do you remember?
I can't remember anything particular.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
None. No, it didn't change.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS and Betamax. The Betamax were by the door, the VHS were along the left-hand wall, and the central shelving thing.
In addition to mainstream Hollywood movies, what other kinds of videotapes
(for example children's, exercise, or X-rated) did the store rent/sell? Where were these
videos found in the store, and how often did you rent or purchase them?
They had some porn I think, near the counter? I was 10 so I wasn't really interested.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
Rent. Because they didn't show a lot of sci-fi/fantasy movies on TV (I especially remember annoying my parents by making them watch the Conan the Barbarian movies). I didn't want to buy it because I couldn't see why I'd want to watch the same film over and over.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
What, in the store? none, apart from the obvious stock churn.
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
I don't think it's open. I've no idea when it closed.
In your own words, tell the story of your first VCR/video player. Where
and when did you buy it, and why did you decide to make the purchase?
My parents bought it to tape stuff off the TV and watch other stuff at the same time. All my friends had videos (and colour TV!) long before we did.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
No.