Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Ray's video
Where was the store located?
Chico, 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?
Everything I remember about Ray's video is from the pov of the four-foot-something five year old that used to love to rent muppet movies. I remember the facade of the store was the same as most video stores are now, full floor to ceiling windows that were always sunny somehow. The shelves were all impossibly high, full of the old cardboard cases from back in the day with the gaudy pictures of the actors emblazoned on them. Since it was California, there was a whole shelf devoted to Disney movies in the kids section. Classic cartoons, animated features, and the ever memorable Tron were all there within kid-arm's reach. I loved Ray's video.
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 was very young, but I think that many of the employees were college students, as the store was located near Chico State University.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
The reason we kept going back to Ray's was that they had VHS machines for rent in big blue canvas bags. Take it home, plug in the power cable and one video cable (presumably coaxial) and enjoy your movies.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
I remember VHS, but they probably had Beta. Beyond that, I don't know. It was a small town.
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?
I was most familiar with the childrens section. I know there was an extensive collection of horror movies on the other side of the store.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
It was at least four months after purchasing our own VCR before my family ever bought a movie (Ghostbusters). Prior to that we just rented them and taped programming off of the Disney Channel.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
The only real change I can recall was the addition of new releases. All I ever cared about was renting the Great Muppet Caper.
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
I have no idea. We moved away from the area in 1986.
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?
I can remember a large Panasonic box showing up in our family room. For some reason I thought my dad had made it at work out of spare motorhome parts. The biggest thing I remember was that it was the first remote controlled device I had ever used. It was nothing short of incredible to me at the time. The machine ran without incident for ten years.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
We used to rent a VCR before we owned one.