edytwinky

How long do you guys think it will take for Blockbuster to get rid of their VHS inventory and start carrying JUST DVD's? They've already made a good step in the past buy taking "Video" off of their name and just being known as Blockbuster.

Dazed

until its non profitable probably. There are still too many people with VCR for them to do that now.

I still think we are a few years away and as long as studios make films available in VHS, the video stores will rent them

edytwinky

Man I don't even know anybody that rents VHS.

Gyno Rhino

I still rent VHS, because most of the movies I'm looking for haven't been (and may not be) upgraded to DVD at Blockbuster.

I don't go there to rent SWAT.

Jackskeleton

Block buster will rent VHS till even after the format is dead. to many folks still rely on VHS.

edytwinky

Not even in 7 years?

Me007gold

when i use to work there about 3 months ago, we were told about 1, 1 1/2 years till they would stop getting new vhs

Hendrik

...erm... there are and have been, literally, thousands of movies on VHS that have not (yet) received the DVD 'treatment' - and nor is it certain that (m)any of them ever will... TCF titles, anyone? Leave Her To Heaven, Wilson, Forever Amber, Anna And The King Of Siam, Captain From Castile, Cheaper By The Dozen, The Gang's All Here, The Blue Bird, Blood And Sand, On The Riviera, Three Came Home... and... and... and... MGM titles, anyone? The Good Earth (with the sepia-toned sequence, please!), Pride And Prejudice, For Me And My Gal, Two Girls And a Sailor, Honky Tonk, Dragon Seed... Paramount, anyone? Lady In The Dark, We're Not Dressing, Star Spangled Rhythm, Incendiary Blonde, Golden Earrings, The Story Of Dr. Wassell, Cleopatra, Samson And Delilah... and so on and on...

. . . . . .

Alan Smithee

They should get rid of VHS, and get LASERDISCS of the movie that aren't on DVD yet!
Although Beta and CED would be good too.

Joe Molotov

And then when Blockbuster is filing for bankruptcy 2 months later, everyone will wonder why.

talemyn

But can you get them all at Blockbuster?

Jackskeleton

yeah you can. in the PPV section, they always blow them away.

Block buster is strange like that, they like to get rid of the classics like above mentioned because they don't rent them out that much yet they have only one copy of each while they flood the walls with new crap. block buster a big waste of my 2 years of working.

Qui Gon Jim

BB actually makes out better renting DVDs since they are not bound by the same royalty situation with the studios and VHS. They get the DVDs for wholesale and within 2-3 rentals at most they are in the black. THEN they sell the PP DVD for $10 and really turn a profit.

bboisvert

There's no way that BB will still be renting VHS in 7 years. The format will be basically dead at that point.

Yes, there will obviously be titles that have not made the transition to DVD... but for a major chain dealing with big hollywood films, that won't be an issue. Most people don't go to BB to get indie/foreign/art films. Or really much else besides the latest Tomb Raider extravaganza.

VHS at Blockbuster will be gone in less than 5 years, methinks. It's a simple question of $$$$. Frankly, I think we're getting very close to the point when some fairly big films don't even come out on VHS any more. Looking at the number of Finding Nemo DVD sales vs. VHS sales does not bode well for tape...

renaldow

VHS at Blockbuster will be gone in less than 2 years. Blockbuster has stated that their intention is to drop VHS altogether, and have been following a plan to do just that for the last year. It began with integrating the DVD section into the VHS section while at the same time dumping the bottom 25% of worst renting VHS titles from their stores to make shelf room for more DVDs and games.

Blockbuster announced this about 9 mos ago or so. The plan is to do about 50% DVD/game rentals and 50% sales of new and used DVD/ games. You may have noticed that BV has been taking used DVD's as trade ins for new ones. They are trying to build their used DVD library to start selling them. BV is trying to change with the market place and become the place to go when buying new and used movies and games. DVD is a buyer's market and so they are moving in that direction.

renaldow

Consumer reliance on a format is immaterial. When a format dies the media goes to bargain bins, then specialty stores, then swap meets. It's the nature of the beast. Never once was there a major retailer that said, 'We've got to keep stocking this... our customers depend on it!' No major retailer, especially Blockbuster, will be dealing in VHS 4 years from now. Most will have abandoned it completely within 2 years.

Libby

I work at Rogers and were already selling 100's of vhs's from our inventory in ordrer to make room for dvd. The company predicts between 5-7 years

Numanoid

But Blockbuster only carries catalog titles as floor space filler. 90% of their money comes from "New Releases" rentals. So your argument is essentially meaningless.

- Numanoid (former Asst. Mgr. of Blockbuster )

edytwinky

EVerytime I go to Blockbuster, the only time I see someone in the VHS section is the much older crowd 50+ years old.

rushmore223

VHS is almost gone from the BB in my area, maybe 4 shelves with actual VHS in the entire store.