Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Another Video Store
Where was the store located?
Santa Clara, California (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?
generic. Aisles with 4 foot shelves, videos sorted by genre.
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?
family owned. Friendly. little interaction other than business.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
none.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS only
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?
children's -- along one wall exercise -- shelf in front of children's sectino music -- along second wall some x-rated in back room, I think. didn't rent/purchase any; only mainstream and foreign language
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
rent; no desire to own.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
increase in titles special offers to increase rentals: discounts on week nights, especially Tuesdays increase in staff, non-family members
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
No. Closed in 1993 or 1994, I think.
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?
first video player was reel-to-reel for institutional (school) use. Not a personal purchase, but purchased on behalf of school. later, purchased vhs player, Panasonic, I think. Purchased at electronics store sometime in early 1980s.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
no