Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Crazy Eddie
Where was the store located?
Hartsdale, New York (United States)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1985
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
Video rentals were on the side. They were primarily sold TV's, VCR's, Computers, Records, Cameras, etc.
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?
Looking back they were kind of rude.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
As I mentioned before everything in electronics.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
Vhs
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?
Everything, Once a week, usally renting 2 titles Friday or Saturday.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
Larger selection of titles that were not on cable television. At that time I only rented.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
Titles they once had(i.e. Heavy Traffic(Dir. Ralph Baski) they did not replace finding that either the store sold that copy to a high paying customer or the video broke and did not replace it.
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
It closed in the early 90's.
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?
Emerson model, two heads, cheesy paded remote, paid at a low price of $299 in 1985. At the same place that I rented Crazy Eddie. I bought it with my payment from my first part-time job and a concept of when watching a show and can always tape another show at the same time(I am sure you heard of this before) also able to take a show while late at night or somewhere I will not be able to see it.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
No.