Netflix putting our neighborhood video store out of business

[realFedUp]

Wonder how many other small neighborhood non-blockbuster
video stores have had to close due to mail-to-your-home
video businesses?
I kinda like picking out videos in person, talking to
the familiar faces...I can see how getting mailed DVDs would
be easier but personally I like the interaction and our
neighborhood businesses to thrive.

[sellitman]

1. All our neighborhood video stores are gone.

Blockbuster is all that is left. A few months ago I decided to give Blockbuster a taste of their own medicine. I joined Netflix and now watch approx 4-5 movies a month for 10 bucks. It's easier and saves on gas.

Just my .02

[lindisfarne]

2. Unfortunately, the only "neighborhood" video store near me is Blockbuster

which charges $4.50 to rent a video and doesn't have much of a selection beyond current big studio movies. I don't use Netflix as I'm not much of a movie watcher but wouldn't blame anyone for choosing Netflix over Blockbuster.

[bananas]

3. That's progress

A long time ago, there were no supermarkets,
you'd go to the butcher for meat,
the baker for bread,
the grocer was for fresh vegetables,
and fresh milk was delivered to your door every morning by the milkman.
All that was replaced by the supermarket.
Shopping malls killed off a lot of small stores.

A lot of that change was because of cars,
people used to walk to the local shops,
with "two cars in every garage" it was more convenient to drive to the supermarket or mall.
The internet makes it more convenient to shop online from your home.

[realFedUp]

6. yeah, I just wonder how satisfying "progess" is sometimes....

seems like we may find ourselves going back to
thrive and survive. Netflix sure doesn't satisfy
the feeling of community.

[cynatnite]

12. A video rental store is the last place I go for 'community'...

If I want community I go to school functions, games, parades and other events that are for the community.

[Telly Savalas]

22. Our neighbourhood video store thrives because it is a place...

for community. Aside from renting movies, they sell ice cream and coffee. During the summertime it's where quite a few folks hang out. Some people like their community to be unmediated.

[cynatnite]

25. Do you mean informal?

Maybe the definitions vary for everyone. I stay in touch with folks in our community when we go to some of the things I mentioned. My mother's idea of community is her church.

on edit: I loved Telly. Just had a mini Kojack marathon last week when I rented season one from netflix. :)

[realFedUp]

36. by "community", I meant the frequented "chore" spots

like knowing the checker at the market, librarians,
dry cleaners et al....those you do business with
that doing errands more pleasant.

Community certainly includes church, school stuff etc.
but I don't include them as "errands"

[Poiuyt]

4. The reason I like Netflix is because I can get DVDs that my local store

doesn't have.

I predict that in a few years, Netflix will be driven out of business by online video-on-demand

[OnyxCollie]

20. Actually, that's the original idea behind Netflix.

Hence the name. I heard the founder of Netflix a couple years ago on NPR. He said his plan was to do online video-on-demand, but the technology couldn't support it at the time.

[cynatnite]

5. I'll take Netflix over video stores

There is a much wider selection to begin with. I'm notoriously late in returning movies and I prefer to watch them at my leisure rather than to watch them in a few days.

Netflix works better for us.

Oh, and it was chains like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video that drove these small independent video rental stores out of business.

[longship]

7. Netflix is great.

Try to get those Indy flicks at BlecchBuster or the neighborhood shop. All they have is thousands of copies of Hollywood's latest blecchbusters. "GET THE HOTTEST VIDEOS!" they say.

I don't want the hottest videos, I want something different. I want something that makes me think. I want entertainment that challenges me to pay attention with an intelligent script, not some tripe made in front of a green screen and rendered in a Linux server farm with nothing but silly catch phrase dialog.

Netflix provides this. None of the brick and mortor video stores do.

[fujiyama]

10. Are you sure they use Linux servers for that?

I think they use Macs...

[longship]

26. Linux in Hollywood/Supercomputing

Linux pretty much owns Hollywood rendering farms. Pixar flicks, Titanic, The Core, Star Wars, etc. were all rendered with Linux. There's really no competition in that market.
Linux Helps Bring Titanic to Life
Why Open Source Rocks Hollywood!

In fact, there's no competition for Linux in the supercomputer market in general.
Top 500 Supercomputer OS Chart
As of this year over 72% of the worlds fastest computers run Linux.

[fujiyama]

41. Interesting

Thanks for the links. I believe they used to use SGIs back in the day when they were at the top. I assumed they were using Macs for some reason. I know that Apples are used quite a bit in the industry in general for editing and stuff. At least that's what my friend that wants to go into the industry said. They seem pretty efficient.

I didn't know Linux was so big in Hollywood.

[benddem]

8. we only had one neighborhood video store left

I used to use it only. Then the owner sold it to some other people. They must have a death wish as they've just driven the place down. There's never anyone in the store now. So now I must use Blockbuster and I hate it.

[hexola]

9. Oh please...Blockbuster is not a ma and pa outfit...!

One corporation is beating another...the market has decided that they dont care about people who "kinda like picking out videos in person..."

Awwww...poor Blockbuster..."

...neigboorhood business...NOT!!!!

The nearest Blockbuster is 20 miles from me and gas is 2.50 a gallon...

[LittleClarkie]

27. Here in the Milwaukee area Hollywood Video is kicking Blockbuster's ass

They're quite the chain themselves, but at least they're a WISCONSIN chain. Suck it up Blockbuster.

On edit: just went to their site. They appear to have... grown. Maybe not so small after all. Who else has a Hollywood Video in their neighborhood?

[Rosco T.]

11. If you REALLY want a selection of hard to find films.... try NICHEFLIX

www.nicheflix.com

they specialize in imports and cult films. Highly recommended.

[cynatnite]

14. Looks good, but I don't have a region free DVD player :( n/t

[Rosco T.]

18. You can get one EASILY...

Philips DVP 642 (available at Target and other places for about $60)

- Open the tray.
- On your remote press '0000'.
- Press '0' to make it region free or whichever zone you want to set it to.
- The newly selected region will appear on the top left corner of the screen.
- Close the tray.
- Set Video Out Format to NTSC in setup.

Enjoy, Region Free and EXECELLENT PAL > NTSC conversion.


you may even already have a region-free(able) player, check
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks and see if your player is listed.

[cynatnite]

19. I'll check mine out...

I have two Panasonic DVD players and really don't want to spend money on another one.

Thanks for the link.

[negativenihil]

46. you gave an old code..

the "0000" code doesnt work anymore.

The proper method for de-regioning a dvp642 is as follows:

- start player with no disc in the drive
- eject the tray
- on the remote press 7 8 9 OK 0

You should now see a 0 in the lowwer left hand corner, if so, you're player is now region free.

[Rosco T.]

53. Depends on your firmware revision...

.. then again, I have an older 642.

[Clarkie1]

13. The thing about the video store is often the titles I want are all gone.

I've had Netflix for a few weeks and am very happy with it so far.

Perhaps other small businesses will replace the video stores.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

15. I'm Sure Blockbuster Isn't Fairing Too Well WIth Netflix Either.

I gotta give netflix props. They tapped the market at the perfect time by moving forward with technology in a world of convenience. It was a perfect idea that has caught on immensely. Ya gotta give it up to them for keeping up with the times.

[skipos]

16. Our local mom and pop video store survives on

porn rentals.

[realFedUp]

37. lol

I guess that's where my neighborhood video store went
wrong :-) they didn't stock them.

[fujiyama]

17. I don't think

I have a non Blockbuster within five miles of my home. We had one about 1/2 mile away and I agree it was nice to see familar faces but that place just shut down.

Blockbuster was the one that used Wal Mart tactics in driving out Ma and Pop video rental places. They had better selections (well atleast more copies of 'latest hits') and offered them for decent prices.

Then they started gauging people. I went to a video place a few weeks ago and they wanted $4 or something stupid like that.

It doesn't matter either way, because they got in a bit late on the Internet rental thing themselves. Now, I'm sure they'll do similar things to NetFlix.

So I'd blame Blockbuster for this situation, not NetFlix. NetFlix offered an innovative way of renting out films. I'm not sure if it's best for me, since I usually rent films with friends and we like to go in and see what's available on short notice, but if I had a few days to decide then it would make sense.

I personally don't think eCommerce can be a complete replacement for all brick and mortar stores. After all, people still do attend bookstores (OK granted those are most B and N or Borders at this point and Borders got bought out by Amazon)...but the point is, I don't think they necessarily compete with each other. It's like complaining about videos driving down movie theater sales. We're not in danger of losing theaters. They'll always be a number one dating and socializing destination.

[sakabatou]

21. Videos places didn't have the selection I wanted

Or had a bad return policy.

[BlooInBloo]

23. Whatever. I like netflix....

And I'm not aware of any specifically evil stuff they do like walmart.

That's good enough for me.

[NNN0LHI]

24. Netflix will be gone soon too

Everything will be available on demand from your cable or satellite provider very soon I suspect.

Don

[LittleClarkie]

28. I rather like that function as well

I've just discovered Exersizetv on Demand. Quite spiffy, I must say. A ton o exersize videos at my fingertips. I'm trying Tai Chi. Whoda thunk it.

[mattclearing]

35. On Demand won't have bonus features or selection, though.

Netflix is going to offer On Demand through the Internet as well.

It's not going anywhere.

[realFedUp]

38. do you think the cable and satellite providers monitor what you watch?

Just wondered if that was a function now or will
be in the future...more big brother?

[rucky]

29. And the Public Library should be putting them all out of business.

I haven't payed for a video rental in years - minus a few overdue fines.

[realFedUp]

39. I don't think people know that libraries stock lots of great videos

for me, especially the PBS kinds of series you
can't find anywhere else except at PBS store.

[radfringe]

30. why I use netflix

neighborhood video rental never has movies I want to see available - they claim to have "many" copies of new releases but in reality only have maybe 3

rental costs keep going up - now $5 per movie, as opposed to the $20 fee for netflix per month, up to 3 movies out at a time and we usually get 3 a week for a total of 12 a month - so the cost is a little more than $1 per movie. Same 12 movies at neighborhood rental place would cost me $60 a month.

neighborhood place has a 1 day rental on new releases or you get charged late fee or if you want it for longer you can rent it at the $5 per movie/per day

returning movies with neighborhood place a pain in the butt - movies have to be returned before noon (or you get late fee) - no outside drop off box, have to bring the movie into the store - so if we rent on a Sunday, one of us has to leave work on Monday morning to get there between 10am and noon

netflix has wider range of selections, most movies in neighborhood store are the teen-testosterone type - martial arts or slice 'n dice

neighborhood store won't "reserve a copy" for longer than 24 hours - meaning they only keep a list of your request for a day. So if I go in there on a Saturday, request them to reserve "x" and "x" isn't available on that day I'm S.O.L. With netflix, you get to maintain a list of movies you want to see and when they come up it's sent to you

[TheWatcher]

31. What's a Netflix?

Here in Seattle, we have Scarecrow Video. We don't need no stinking Netflix here. :)

http://www.scarecrowvideo.com/

Jesting aside, Netflix is a grand service, and it is very good.

But, believe me, having a Video Sotre like Scarecrow does spoil you horribly.

I wish every town had one.

[realFedUp]

42. you are a lucky duck....that store looks amazing. nt

[Squatch]

32. "Mom and Pop" stores aren't always the best.

I find Netflix to have the best selection of videos available anywhere. To boot, the price is right.

[Bridget Burke]

33. There are NO video stores in my "neighborhood"

There's a Blockbuster a few miles away. I'll stay with Netflix.

There are neighborhood restaurants, bars, shops & coffee houses. They get plenty of my money.

[mattclearing]

34. Neighborhood video stores tend to suck anyway.

Netflix is great, and has put a serious dent in Blockbuster/Hollywood.

[realFedUp]

43. well, mine didn't suck that bad....had films not found at Blockbuster

I like the old b/w's and Blockbuster doesn't carry them.

[mattclearing]

48. I'm willing to bet that Netflix has more selection, but it's limited

to films that have been released on DVD.

Small-time video stores are going to be a thing of the past soon, and there's not a lot that can be done about it.

[Tyranny of Evil Men]

40. No Neigborhood Video Store for 10+ Years

I haven't seen a mom & pop video store in any neighborhood I've lived in for over a decade and that covers 3 states in that time frame.

First it was Blockbuster/Hollywood video, then the dominant grocers took down everyone else.

Now Netflix is just eating other corporations market share.

If you want to decry that B&M rentals are going the way of the dinosaur that's one thing but there have been no individually owned video stores for ages.

[realFedUp]

44. Welcome to DU...

Our video store is/was a family owned business.

[Tyranny of Evil Men]

49. And you've survived?

How has any family video store made it this long in the face of Blockbuster, Hollywood, grocery stores, digital cable and Netflix?

The last person I knew that owned a store closed it in 2001 and said without a large pornographic selection he would have been forced to shut down in 1998. Once digital cable started offering that? He started breaking even and just quit.

Sad commentary when it had to be something like that keeping his business afloat.

[realFedUp]

52. It wasn't my video store, but the neighborhood's...

and it is/was a family business.

[Wcross]

45. 20 miles to the nearest video store.

They charge 4.99 for a dvd two day rental. I don't think it makes sense to go with anything other than netflix for me.

[SmokingJacket]

47. Blockbuster put ours out of business two years ago.

Our local store was great -- had foreign movies, interesting stuff. But it couldn't compete with the chains.

Blockbuster was across town, annoying, blasting movies whenever you went in, never had what I wanted.

I was SO happy to join Netflix and never have to go into Blockbuster again!

I preferred our local store, ultimately. But it was having trouble making the switch to DVDs. I think any business that depends on a fast-changing technology is a hard one to keep going.

[Tyranny of Evil Men]

50. Hard Time Switching to DVD's?

No way, that makes no business sense.

Studios were in the business of "priced to rent" VHS tapes that sold from $79.99-99.99 for the first 6 months on the market. You could buy 5-8 new release DVD's for the same amount.

[SmokingJacket]

51. Well, I'm only saying what I observed.

They had floor to ceiling VHS tapes, and a little corner that had DVDs -- which only grew slightly before they closed up shop. Maybe the business was in trouble before that...