Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Blockbuster
Where was the store located?
Lakewood, Colorado (United States)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1989
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
organized around the perimeter with new releases in alpha order, older versions internal on shelves, bright and open spaces plus lighting, checkout up front, food by the checkout line and candy shelves, electronic sensors to go through on the way out. . ..
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?
Employees were younger between ages of 18 and 25 mostly, managers might be 30, little customer service interactions generally occur, systematic checkout process, some would engage if prompted, but usually automatic service. Only a regular young man with diabetes that required constant insulin IV would make eye contact and chat. He freely explained the IV connected to him and seemed at ease about the explanation. He would make recommendations occasionally too. Other employees when asked would provide service, but would let distractions take precedence to delivering any service.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
Food offerings haven't changed over time, no free popcorn any more though and that was a special offering in the past, no free video if it's not in anymore so guarantees have changed. Now more DVDs are offered than videos and they are phasing out videos.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS and Beta in the beginning, no laserdisc and now more DVDs than anything else. Used to have DVDs in the middle up front, now they are interspersed as videos become fewer.
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?
Blockbuster had all these except x-rated. Anything but new releases were internal and not on the perimeter. Can't remember how frequently I rented anything that long back.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
Rent videos and buy ones I could use for teaching tools. Have to apply to some concept in my discipline or provide analysis of some theory.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
All of those mentioned abov.e
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
yes, though I've moved and come back.
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?
Who can remember????
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
Used to rent VCR in the beginning. Not frequently and only because I didnt' want to buy something that would change to soon after purchase.