Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
cobleskill video
Where was the store located?
cobleskill, New York (United States)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1982
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
small store with racks for videos
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?
the owners were very friendly, catered to the customer. I remember before the store actually opened I went in to find out what kind of store it would be. the owners were there and when they told me they were setting up a video store for rentals I told them the town was to small to support one and they would go out of business early on. well. one year later they closed that store and rented a larger store to expand there business. they constantly joked with me when I went in to rent a movie and I was wrong and they were still there. It was all in good fun, but they never let me forget it.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
started with videos and extended to merchandise of vcr, televisions, stereo
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
vha. it was the only format i remember
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 know thy had x-rated in the back and you had to ask for them. I dont rember any others.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
rent, but my husband started buying them. He was interested in history and bought the old movies dealing with war. Primarily British. also,John Wayne, Charlie Chan and old mummie movies, Heratio Alger, etc.
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
Larger store, more vhs selections, expanded to other electronic merchandise connected to entertainment
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
no, it closed due to a family incident (divorce), that caused the business to be split and it folded
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 husband loved electronic toys. he was also a "home body' so I think we purchased our first vcr from montgomery ward dont remember brand.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
no