I know video rental stores have been out of business for a while but I just felt I should share my rant with everyone here. Feel free to comment.
Tonight's rant is about Netflix and movie rental stores.
R.I.P. Monster Video and video rental stores everywhere, you will be remembered well and missed greatly.
It's been so long since I used a video rental store. Last time I think was when I was still using a Beta machine (which I still have, BTW).
I'm a firm believer in "owning/licensing" my content (as opposed to "renting"). That way, i can watch it and re-watch it (and sometimes "binge watch" it) whenever I want, as often as I want. So, I was more likely to purchase the VHS tapes, when it was something I wanted. At the time, I also didn't trust "used" tapes in my machines, so I avoided renting. Of course, when DVDs came out, I was in Hog Heaven. I have cabinets full of them, now. I also went immediately to either specialty DVD websites (and then just to Amazon) rather then purchase in a store. I actually prefer *not* to have those talks with the sales people. I just wanted what I wanted and not being subject to a sales pitch about anything else. Similarly, I don't like it when Netflix and the others "recommend" things for me. They fact that they are collecting/analyzing these data of what we even "browse" much less "purchase" is scary. But, it's here to stay, I guess, so may as well get used to it.
I have only used Amazon Instant Video (since I also have "Prime") for the rare title I can't purchase optically or via hard digital download (to my local machine). I don't use Netflix, Hulu or the other "pay" streaming services. And, more often than not, I'll only rent from Amazon and not "purchase," unless I absolutely can't find it optically. The reason I prefer optical (or hard digital download) is that once purchased, it's mine.... and can't be taken away. Things on a content streaming server can disappear from those servers for various/sundry reasons. Netflix doesn't always keep given titles on their servers when the agreement runs out with the source provider. Also, in extreme cases, content can be pulled off the servers when the production runs afoul of the law, or the server provider's standards (eg. when all the "Honey Boo Boo" content was pulled after one of the stars was caught seeing a child molester or something). I agree it should be pulled for those reasons, but I pity the poor person that purchased a license for those particular titles (no, not myself
). I hope they got their money back.
But yeah, I guess we took different approaches. I deplore interaction with "sales people" pretty much in general. I know what I want and how to research it, and I don't need anyone wasting my time trying to upsell me or sell me what they want or think I should have, or what will make them more $$$. It's about what I want, not what they want.