Video 2000 owner Kathy Duggins talks about the video business while sitting in the Imperial Valley chain's El Centro location. "It's tough. It's tough. It is a tough business," Duggins said. "I'd say we're surviving." (JOSELITO VILLERO) |
The popularity of Internet movies, mail-order rentals and automated DVD machines has taken its toll on the video store, but some people still prefer the traditional location.
“I like the old-school way of doing things,” said Arvilla Janis Jr., of El Centro, as he browsed DVDs at El Centro’s Video 2000.
Kathy Duggins is owner of the Video 2000 chain with stores in Brawley, Calexico and El Centro. The Imperial Video 2000 location closed last year. She said video stores don’t have it easy these days.
“It’s a tough business,” Duggins said from her El Centro location on Monday.
The automated Red Box DVD rental machines and Netflix, an online mail-in and on-demand movie provider, have decreased demand at stores like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video. Both Valley locations have closed.
Alejandra Amaro, of El Centro, visited the Walgreen’s Red Box location Monday. She said she no longer visits video stores and said she likes the cheaper prices and rapid service.
“It’s easier, faster and cheap,” Amaro said.
She typically gets movies for her kids from the machines for a dollar and is pleased with the selection, she said.
“It’s really nice,” Amaro said. “There’s a lot of selection. I usually come for the kids’ movies.”
Duggins credits a combination of selection and personalized customer service for the survival of her three video stores. She said selection at the physical stores is bigger than at Red Box locations. She also said her video stores have quicker access to some new releases than Netflix and Red Box.
“I think the major difference between us and Red Box and Netflix is the selection,” she said. “We get all the new movies when they come in.”
Duggins said customer service is key, since employees recognize many customers and can take reservations for movies from customers.
“I think we hold out because we’re paying more attention to our customers,” she said “We’re not a Wall Street company.”
Janis said the one-on-one interaction is a major reason he chooses Video 2000, in addition to proximity.
“It’s better when you’re dealing with a person versus the machines or over the Internet,” Janis said. “It’s more convenient for me. I’d rather come to pay cash rather than use a credit card.”
Duggins said Video 2000 rents out popular video games and also sells previously rented DVDs at a discount after a few weeks.
“We’re trying to hit both markets,” she said about DVD rental and sales.
Duggins said in this economy, all businesses are having a difficult time and video stores are no different.
“I don’t care what business you’re in — it’s tough,” she said.
>> Staff Writer David Steffen can be reached at 760-337-3452 or dsteffen@ivpressonline.com
“I like the old-school way of doing things,” said Arvilla Janis Jr., of El Centro, as he browsed DVDs at El Centro’s Video 2000.
Kathy Duggins is owner of the Video 2000 chain with stores in Brawley, Calexico and El Centro. The Imperial Video 2000 location closed last year. She said video stores don’t have it easy these days.
“It’s a tough business,” Duggins said from her El Centro location on Monday.
The automated Red Box DVD rental machines and Netflix, an online mail-in and on-demand movie provider, have decreased demand at stores like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video. Both Valley locations have closed.
Alejandra Amaro, of El Centro, visited the Walgreen’s Red Box location Monday. She said she no longer visits video stores and said she likes the cheaper prices and rapid service.
“It’s easier, faster and cheap,” Amaro said.
She typically gets movies for her kids from the machines for a dollar and is pleased with the selection, she said.
“It’s really nice,” Amaro said. “There’s a lot of selection. I usually come for the kids’ movies.”
Duggins credits a combination of selection and personalized customer service for the survival of her three video stores. She said selection at the physical stores is bigger than at Red Box locations. She also said her video stores have quicker access to some new releases than Netflix and Red Box.
“I think the major difference between us and Red Box and Netflix is the selection,” she said. “We get all the new movies when they come in.”
Duggins said customer service is key, since employees recognize many customers and can take reservations for movies from customers.
“I think we hold out because we’re paying more attention to our customers,” she said “We’re not a Wall Street company.”
Janis said the one-on-one interaction is a major reason he chooses Video 2000, in addition to proximity.
“It’s better when you’re dealing with a person versus the machines or over the Internet,” Janis said. “It’s more convenient for me. I’d rather come to pay cash rather than use a credit card.”
Duggins said Video 2000 rents out popular video games and also sells previously rented DVDs at a discount after a few weeks.
“We’re trying to hit both markets,” she said about DVD rental and sales.
Duggins said in this economy, all businesses are having a difficult time and video stores are no different.
“I don’t care what business you’re in — it’s tough,” she said.
>> Staff Writer David Steffen can be reached at 760-337-3452 or dsteffen@ivpressonline.com
