Stupid Video Shop Owners

[TheYak]

The reason videos are so expensive when they're first released is because Blockbuster somehow got some system implemented where movies are released to rental places first so people will rent movies before they buy them. Unless they want to cough up the 100$, obviously.

Actually many titles are for sale at about the same time as they are for rent.  Due to competition, I suppose.  One example is Harry Potter.  Hollywood video, Inc. carried this movie on a certain date for 19.99 and released it for rent the same day.  Walmart was also selling it that day, but for 14.99.  As far as Blockbuster goes, the most manipulative practice I know they have is that of negotiating for movies released by its parent company (Time-Warner) to not be rented at Hollywood videos.  

[Sylpher]

Being a former Blockbuster employee maybe I can shed a little light on this subject. I don't have any solid numbers but I do know that of all the videos that leave the store at least half don't make it back when they are supposed to (and some never at all). A video store takes a risk by lending you the movie you wish on a trust level that you will bring it back when you are meant to.

Back in the day to make sure the video was brought back they came up with the idea of late fee's. If you don't bring it back they are gonna charge you (which is where the majority of there actual profit comes from) (Also many people don't pay there late fee's in which why a credit card is again needed people will just go to a different store and start renting movies there...). But that alone didn't stop people from breaking videos...turning in the wrong ones with switch labels...Turning in wrong videos all together and never bringing back the proper one...Or never even bringing back the movie at all.

And because people do these things extra security for the buisness must take place. Since some people do stupid things we all suffer. So a credit card isn't out of the question. If that is the least of what you were asked for you should be thankful some places (High in store theft and crime) They will require a home phone (Which they will call and verify more then once as well it cannot be a cell phone). A home address (Which they will again verify more then once) and they limit how many movies you can have out at one time.

Although where I worked they will let the credit card thing slide if you can bring a bill in your name. I know it sucks (Trust me I have listened to every complaint you can imagine...in a couple different languages as well) but it all comes down to commercialism.

* Sylpher burns flags and eats children!

(Also just so you know Blockbuster, and I am sure others, is starting to report people with severe account problems (Large sums owed usually 50$ or more, running off with videos and stuff like that) to the credit bureau. So just imagine not being able to buy a car or a house because you didn't want to bring back Back to the future?)

(Also also the price for one video brand new (such as harry potter) to rent out is around 100-135 per tape. Considering they usually get about 100 of each of those big movies you can see how much of an investment that is. They are allowed to overcharge the movies so much to make up for the lose of the movie being rented for years and years. I don't remember exactly but most places don't make a profit off of movies til 5 or 6 months after they are out...but it depends on how much it is rented...)

[Las Naranjas]

I've buy all my videos and DVD from warehouses that sell to rental places. It does cost alot, since they're paying for the rental licence rather than the movie itself.

Of course, even with video you can get the video or DVD as soon as it's released rental for a normal retail price, and cheaper than retail 2 weeks later.