Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Video Rentals
Where was the store located?
Huntsville, Alabama (United States)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1980
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
I was very young--around 11--at the time, so I don't remember that much except that the store seemed small, dingy and half-ass organized. Plus the videos seemed expensive at the time. I can't give you a dollar figure because it's been so long, but I'm pretty sure they were close to $5 each. All in all, to my young mind, the place seemed sort of seedy and the selection sucked. There were LOTS of cheesy horror movies, but I can't remember much else.
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?
Sorry, none that I remember
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
They also rented out VCRs--for a pretty large sum if I remember correctly.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS and Beta.
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?
No X-rated as far as I know. Just pretty much mainstream stuff with bunches and bunches of cheesy horror movies
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
Rent. I don't know why.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
Movies became cheaper and more plentiful.
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
I have no idea, but I doubt it. I moved away from the area over 20 years ago and I don't recall that it was still there even then.
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 mom actually had to finance the damn thing. It cost over $1000 and it had a remote that was connected to the VCR by a cord. It was one of the HUGE behomoth monster VCRS that first appeared, but I must say it lasted at least 12 years before it finally died for good. She bought it at Rent-A-Center probably around 1983, but I'm not exactly sure
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
No.