Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Video Invasion
Where was the store located?
Martinsburg, West Virginia (United States)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1987
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
Part of an old shopping center...shelves along the walls and on shelving in the center of the room.
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?
Most of the employees were young...high school age. Most were pleasant and helpful.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
Game boy cartridges...since this wasn't something my children were into...didn't notice the change.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS--other than the electronic games--no other formats.
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?
Yes, children, exercise and X-rated...all had their separate locattion.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
My family tended to rent videos. Less expensive. If there was a favorite movie, we wanted to add to our collection of all time favorites, we then would purchase the video. Space at home was also limited to house those videos purchased.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
Membership was purchased--higher fees then becoming less expensive.
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
The store is closed...not sure when it closed...probably when the Blockbuster in town opened.
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?
Our first VCR was purchased about the early 1980s. Purchased to tape our favorite programs on TV...play Disney videos for the children.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
No.