# Do you still visit brick and mortar video stores? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630 "2010-01-27T05:38:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BKReporter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@BKReporter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BKReporter)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/1 "2010-01-27T05:38:30Z")
I still have my Blockbuster card, but it’s been nearly two years since I last set foot in one. I’ve had Netflix for four years, and if I want to see a movie instantly I usually just go to the Redbox. I for one, however, will still shed a tear when Blockbuster finally goes under. People on this board like to denigrate it. And yes, they’ve messed up big time over the past decade, what with the No Late Fees gimmick and getting into the online rental business way too late. But where I grew up it was about only the place where you could get a lot of art house or foreign films. When I was in high school, it wasn’t uncommon for me to go in there and spend an hour looking around. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/2 "2010-01-27T05:43:56Z")
I haven’t been to a video store in years. Whatever I don’t see in the theater, I can see on Comcast, even a lot of indie features, and even some that are still in theaters. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/3 "2010-01-27T05:47:08Z")
On occasion … to rent PS3 games. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/4 "2010-01-27T05:53:44Z")
Yes, but must less frequently that I used to. In my pre-Netflix days, I would go maybe 3 times a month, whereas for the past year or two, it’s been more like once every couple months. Luckily, I have a Hollywood Video in town, which I much prefer to Blockbuster. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/5 "2010-01-27T08:08:39Z")
Not since we got Netflix, I’ve got enough DVDs for Christmas to more than fill in the gaps, not that I have a lot of time. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/6 "2010-01-27T08:11:38Z")
Sure, but I never buy anything. It’s more of something to do while I’m in the area and the womenfolk are visiting the nearby clothing store. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/7 "2010-01-27T09:31:57Z")
Well, we don’t have Netflix here, but we do have DVD rental vending machines, which I understand aren’t that popular in the States. They - along with file sharing - have hit the local rental market pretty hard. I still visit my video library fairly often, but then, I’m a member of the Third Ear, the best music/movie store in the country. They have a terrific selection of music and films, almost as good as my previous place, Mondo Kim’s at St. Marks, NYC (which I understand is no more). ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/8 "2010-01-27T09:35:35Z")
Hmm… This has gotten me thinking: what will (or has already) happened to all those esoteric movies that only ever came out on VHS? Will they survive somehow, or will they be gone for good? ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/9 "2010-01-27T09:58:01Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Hmm… This has gotten me thinking: what will (or has already) happened to all those esoteric movies that only ever came out on VHS? Will they survive somehow, or will they be gone for good? They will be pirated, and if the original copyright holders cannot be found to re-release them, they will also end up in the 88-cent DVD bin at Wal-Mart as public domain. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/10 "2010-01-27T11:15:39Z")
YEs (then again,no Netflix in my country) ---
**Author:** ![I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19adc/32.png) [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Am_The_Lorax)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/11 "2010-01-27T13:09:56Z")
We just started going to Family Video since our Blockbuster closed. (Not that we went to Blockbuster more than twice a year, anyway.) Now I understand why Blockbuster couldn’t compete. Kids movies are free to rent, so are workout DVDs and educational. Most other movies are 2/$1 or $1, and new releases are 2something. These are five day rentals. Redbox is cheap and convenient, but the selection is shit. Netflix is great for some people, but we wouldn’t make it worth it, as we don’t watch that many movies. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/12 "2010-01-27T13:13:09Z")
I haven’t been in one, or any brick & mortar video store, in the 7+ years I’ve belonged to Netflix. My wife went into a Blockbuster last year to get a gift card for my parents, who get all of their videos from there. About six months later, their branch closed their doors. Fortunately they had redeemed their gift card already. ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/13 "2010-01-27T13:25:22Z")
We had a Movie Gallery near us that closed over the holidays. It had a decent selection of blu-rays and we’d rent two or three movies a month from there. I joined Netflix in January and am OK with it. I always enjoyed browsing the movies at the vid store and picking something spontaneously. With Netflix you can still browse and be somewhat spontaneous, but you lose the sense of immediate gratification. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/14 "2010-01-27T13:30:43Z")
I would if we had one. As I mentioned a couple of months ago, they closed the last one in town abruptly, without warning. Now all we have is a red booth stuck in the supermarket with its pitiful selection of recent disasters. The only other videostores are in neighboring towns – and very few are in towns literally neighboring ours. The only way it makes any sense is if I pick up movies on my way home from work. And I don’t trust those stores to stay open – one is a Blockbuster, and they’ve already admitted they’ll be closing more of those. I think I’m going to have to join Netflix. I actually found myself _buying_ a video I wanted to see recently, because there was no place where I could rent it. (Fortunbately, we still have places selling a rich collection of videos nearby that aren’t parts of huge nationwide bland chains) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/15 "2010-01-27T13:41:21Z")
I used to stop in occassionally to see what DVDs they had on sale, but I don’t buy movies anymore. Since I got a PS3, I decided it was Netflix-only for me. And since I can stream On Demand as well, there’s enough selection available at all times to make me seriously consider dropping cable. (If only I could subscribe to only the networks and ESPN…and FX.) ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/16 "2010-01-27T14:06:01Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Well, we don’t have Netflix here, but we do have DVD rental vending machines, which I understand aren’t that popular in the States. ) Actually the vending machines, or Redboxes, as they’re known here, are becoming extremely popular in the U.S. Almost every grocery store where I live has one. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/17 "2010-01-27T14:18:01Z")
The local Rogers store, which I quite liked, closed, so I tried Blockbuster for a year, but its limited selection, its confusion over its own discount cupons, its store manager, and its long line ups, led me to try Roger’s mail service, which is quite nice. I look forward to the day that my internet service improves to the point that I can watch movies on line. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/18 "2010-01-27T14:26:53Z")
Every once in a while. Whenever I’m not paying attention enough to catch a new release in advance from Netflix or Redbox is out of whatever I’m looking for, then I’ll go to a brick and mortar mom and pop shop down the street. But they are going under because they’re too dang high. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/19 "2010-01-27T14:33:57Z")
In the three years since we moved away from our hometown, we’ve rented two Comcast movies-on-demand. Next week we’re moving back, and one of the things I’m looking forward to is being able to frequent the nearly little mom & pop video store once again. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630/20 "2010-01-27T14:39:58Z")
I had a membership to the Hollywood Video for a while that let me rent up to 3 movies at a time for a while. It was great when we were catching up on Battlestar Galactica - we could watch a bunch of episodes over the weekend, and then I would get 3 more the next weekend. . . etc. But the rules were different if it was a new release video, etc - so once we got the older series out of the way, I dropped the membership and just rent as needed. It’s been several months since I’ve rented from them. I do like that better than Netflix for series, because then you don’t get any out of order. But fortunately, my bf works at the library so he checks out a lot of moview from there for us and returns them - and we have friends we borrow the others from . . . it works out well. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-visit-brick-and-mortar-video-stores/526630.md?page=2)