Blockbuster closing the last of its stores

[FeralFemale]

I know...sign of the times...advances in technology...etc.

But do you remember what it was like? (play nostalgic music)

You would go to the local vid store with your parents and/or siblings to pick out a vhs and browsed and browsed and fought over what to see until you found a movie that was not only one you all wanted to see but also didn't have all the copies rented out.

Then...you were going 'steady' with a guy and had dated long enough that going out wasn't even something you considered. He picked you up on Friday night. You went to Blockbuster and would go through the same process (without fighting, lol) Then you'd go back to your parent's house (or his) and cuddle on the couch while you watched whatever it was you rented.

And later in life that turned into going to Blockbuster with your spouse or your children.... and vhs turned to dvds...

Then Netflix came. I joined when it first came out and it was cool, but you only got to watch whatever came in the mail that was next in your viewing list. If you were in the mood to watch a RomCom that night instead of an action movie, you were out of luck. So I still went to the brick and mortar stores to rent what I was in the mood for that night, like me and my family, honey, spouse, whatever, used to do.

Then all brick an mortar stores went away, Blockbuster, mom and pop vid stores, everything. So I turned to Redbox and similar dvd vending machines. However, if you went to the machine later than Thursday morning, you didn't have any real choices.

I know they say that everything is streaming now, but I have yet to buy a streaming vid. I want to watch a vid on my TV, not on my computer monitor (TV with internet hook up is next on our tech list of wants). So if there is nothing at Redbox we rent pay per view from the cable company. Which is ok, but still...back to the original thought...it's not the same as going to the vid store with your family, honey, spouse, etc, and picking out a vid. That was almost like a...i don't have the right word...a ceremonial(?) act.

RIP Blockbuster. I've got a lot of great memories of you and the movies you exposed me to.

[Awnry Abe]

Ahhhhhhhhh Blockbuster. There must be something about browsing for movies that makes a dude pass gas. The worst display of public windage that I was ever subject to was in a Blockbuster. Some rather large fellow sent everyone home, myself included, not so happy.

[DEKE01]

Originally Posted by Awnry Abe

Ahhhhhhhhh Blockbuster. There must be something about browsing for movies that makes a dude pass gas. The worst display of public windage that I was ever subject to was in a Blockbuster. Some rather large fellow sent everyone home, myself included, not so happy.

And do you remember what vid stores were like before BB came along. They were usually dirty, poorly lit, disorganized, and had a little room in the back where children were not allowed to go for some X-traordinary reasons. BB greatly improved the industry.

[Shrek]

Originally Posted by DEKE01

And do you remember what vid stores were like before BB came along. They were usually dirty, poorly lit, disorganized, and had a little room in the back where children were not allowed to go for some X-traordinary reasons. BB greatly improved the industry.

Not for the clerks working at the locally owned video stores.

[Harry Chickpea]

I made it a point to pass gas in Blockbuster stores. The first time I went in one and tried to sign up they wanted my social security number. EXCUSE ME??? I went back and faked one (made me feel young again) browsed the store and left empty handed because of the selection aimed at delinquent 14 YOs with a love for horror porn. Went back again and they had lumped science fiction in with horror, had a fifteen minute wait at the counter, left and never returned. Went instead to the mom-n-pops and Hollywood (who stole my receipt style on their tickets, FWIW) but then resorted to Facets and TCM.

About three or four years ago I tried the BB by mail and discovered they were selling off their inventory and stuff on my queue was being sold before I could see it. Dumped it.

Sumner was a jerk anyway. I turned down working for him in theatres. One of his tricks was not paying vendors until they showed up and pounded on his office door in person, telling him they were going to take him to court. Only then would he pull a check out of his desk. He however was highly thought of in the movie industry.

[thesedays]

I never liked Blockbuster. They were always more expensive, and didn't have a very good selection. In my case, my Netflix subscription didn't help put them out of business because the things I get from them aren't available at BB.

I, too always heard they weren't a pleasant place to work at.

[DEKE01]

Originally Posted by Shrek

Not for the clerks working at the locally owned video stores.

And the car or truck you drive is not good for the buggy whip manufacturers.

[Tiempo]

I never cared for blockbuster either, their selection was always way too conventional for us, they never seemed to have anything we wanted to watch.

[7thswan]

Times change, things go by the wayside. Now, if we can just get rid of the Lieing, Propaganda TV,Paper media...

[Oggie]

I kind of like those Redbox dispensers, but I feel sorry for the people who have to work in those camped windowless things.

[arabian knight]

Dish Network saved them from Bankruptcy less the 3 years ago. Now it is Dish Network that is dumping those stores. They just wanted the huge selection for their own Video On Demand. LOL

[Roadking]

Library has a great selection, and it's free.

Matt

[mrsgcpete]

with even target getting in to video on demand, i am not surprised. i didnt think the company was bad to work for , but i worked for the music end.

[Darren]

Blockbuster was where I received a spiritual affirmation while browsing the foreign films. As they say, God is everywhere.

[Harry Chickpea]

Originally Posted by Darren

Blockbuster was where I received a spiritual affirmation while browsing the foreign films. As they say, God is everywhere.

What did he rent?

[Patchouli]

Originally Posted by 7thswan

Times change, things go by the wayside. Now, if we can just get rid of the Lieing, Propaganda TV,Paper media...

Glenn Beck is getting up there so there's hope he will retire soon!

[Patchouli]

I remember back when we first got married renting the VCR from them to watch the occasional movie before we got our own.

[plowjockey]

We paid more in late fees, than for actual rentals. The "new releases" were always gone.

I was surprised to hear any stores were still in business. They put the lower budget, mom-and-pop stores, under. Our local independent video store, now has all movies $1. Only a matter of time for them, too.

At least with on-demand, you don't have late fees.

[arabian knight]

Originally Posted by plowjockey

We paid more in late fees, than for actual rentals. The "new releases" were always gone.

I was surprised to hear any stores were still in business. They put the lower budget, mom-and-pop stores, under. Our local independent video store, now has all movies $1. Only a matter of time for them, too.

At least with on-demand, you don't have late fees.

I really didn't think Dish wanted to close them all right away. They will leave 30 stores open, so they are not all closed. But like I said the only reason the Satellite company The Dish Network bought blockbuster in the first place and got them out of bankruptcy was to get their library, so they could then have more movies for their Pay Per View. LOL

[secuono]

I LOVE video stores! But Blockbusters got rid of most of their stores years ago...Same with bookstores, which, to me, is far worse....I loved Borders.... =(