Parent2

My 2 year old was looking for his new tigger movie and when he turned around he saw a picture of something that scared him. I asked the store manager why they don't move the horror movies away from the kid’s movies and he told me it was because of the first amendment and freedom of speech, he said that it might upset people if they moved them. Well I don't know about you but the first amendment talks about freedom of speech, not placing horror movies next to kid’s movies. Parents can’t keep there little ones from having to see images of scary monsters if they are in the kids section. I like movie stop but to me that was the worst answer I have ever heard from a store manager as to why they have that store lay out. Now I have to think twice about taking my child in there. He also told me that other parents have asked them the same question. If you are a parent Please ask the store managers the next time you go so that maybe they will understand what the first amendment is and they will change the store just that little bit to try and help protect little once from having to see those images for no good reason...

jjcool

No matter where you put the kids section, it is going to be next to a section that is going to contain more adult fare.

Pointyskull

Tell the manager you're going to go to a different video store, if there is one (these days you just never know).

Plus, I cracked up at the guy's response about "first amendment" and "freedom of speech"
Is he a freedom fighter or businessman?

MrSmearkase

The first amendment and freedom of speech defense is totally out of place, and it sounds like you caught a manager who didn't know what they hell they were talking about.

That being said, where would the Kids section go? Like jjcool said, it will most likely go next to something else containing material someone is bound to deem inappropriate for children. I don't mean to seem insensitive, but any child is bound to be exposed to something that will 'scare' them sooner than later. Just consider yourself fortunate that you were there at the time to explain the situation, if you did in fact do that prior to speaking to the manager.

Groucho

There is no "Parent1" or "Parent" for that matter.

The Man with the Golden Doujinshi

Front of the store next to the registers.

Larry C.

As a kid I loved the horror section. I saw exorcist when I was 5. Looks like your kid needs to toughen up. Try smacking him/her around a bit.

Jason

btbrossard

It could go next to the porno section?

At the local mom and pop store (a few years ago, before it closed) had the porno stuff about 5 feet from the new releases. Way classy if you asked me.

"Dad, what is that mommy doing?"

Cardsfan111

This would have been a much better answer for the store employee to give. The first amendment stuff is ridiculous. Especially since he indicated the question had been asked before. He had time to think about his answer, and that's the best he could come up with?

Also love the line about how upset people would be if he moved them. I'm anxiously awaiting the next thread topic on "My video store moved the kids movies!!!!"

BobO'Link

"Freedom of Speach"?!!?? What a jerk! The First Amendment does *not* protect product placement! If that were the case you could pick up your favorite porn magazine *anywhere*. Even next to that copy of "Uncle Scrooge" your kid wants to get.

It sounds like he just doesn't want to concede it's a bad move and re-organize the store.

There's actually more anecdotal evidence for *moving* the horror away from the kids section (or vice versa). Just talk to some comic shop owners who have to keep "mature" content out of sight *and* reach of children for fear of being shut down. Some of the product I've seen that had to be relocated was *far* less shocking/disturbing then some horror DVD covers.

If I'd go over this jerks head and vehemently complain... about the placement as well as his response to your concern. Go to the owner if local or the District Manager if a chain.

The Man with the Golden Doujinshi

Why is the OP taking his kids to a business of sin if he doesn't want his kids to see such evils?

BKenn01

Exactly, what a stupid response

Jedi Master 33

I also find it amusing when they put something in the kids section that's clearly not for kids. Like one time I saw the Watchmen Motion Comics in with the kids DVDs.

Ropes Pierre

"she is cleaning that man's face with her private sponge"

"oh, because i saw mommy cleaning Mr. Jones' face with her sponge when you were away last week"

Parent2

I like the one reply about when I was 5 I watched a scary movie. Well when He is five he probably will. It’s called the NEWS. But while he is 2 we try to do are best to keep him amused in other ways. Also a good place for the Kids movies are next to the comedy section. It is a lot less bloody then the horror. And to answer the question "were was mom?" She was with dad looking for that silly tigger as well. And last but not least I would rather the porn section be behind the closed door in the back of the building due to there are a lot of people who are not married and need to get it in other ways. At home with a good movie is fine with me. My son can’t see it.

chino77

i bet he put them there on purpose. i imagine he gets a lot of laughs watching the look of horror on the little brats faces.

Groucho

Do you have a twitter feed?

Abob Teff

Is that what you kids are calling it these days? "Son, when a mommy and a daddy really love eachother, the daddy's silly tigger likes to play with the mommy's mopey eeyore."

And to answer the original question ... the store manager is a moron. "Freedom of speech" governing product placement makes as much sense as citing Roe v. Wade to justify their uniform policy. "Corporate dictates that we wear long sleeves so that the female employees don't show too much skin and then have to have abortions."

Larry C.

Its gonna happen maybe not here and now but someone will bite. I really hope so.

Drav3n

My Other Self

I think Parent2 needs to just get a Netflix account or perhaps stop bringing his 5-year old son out in to society.

lanemyer74

Was it this? I would've been scared too.

Abob Teff

After a little research and several angry letters to their corporate office, I have received the following response:

Dear "Customer Crusader,"

We at "Video For All" are concerned about our customers and were disheartened to hear about your recent experience in our store. Please accept our apologies along with three $.75 coupons, good off any combination of five rentals, and a promotional "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" cloth shopping bag.

At "Video For All" we try to stock a movie for everyone, from little Suzie to Uncle Pete O'Phile. Sometimes we do like to take a different marketing approach ... for example the placement of horror titles next to the Children's section is our attempt to assist parents with potty training. When Bear and the Big Blue House aren't getting the job done, bring little Junior into our store and we will scare the shit out of him on command.

Again, please accept our most sincere apologies (along with the swag reparations). Please remember that we are firm Constitutional supporters and will exercise our Second Amendment rights if you complain one more time. Perhaps you should begin shopping at Blockbuster ... after all, they are Communists who support censorship of the arts.

Thank You and Good Day,

Fitzgerald Uckyou
President and Founder
Video for All


Those condescending bastards.

Dr. Calamari

If your kid is so sensitive to such images as "monsters" on DVD covers, maybe you should blindfold him before you enter the video rental place. The rest of the world shouldn't have to cater to what you, or your kids, may deem offensive or "scary".