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Ask Slashdot: How To Make a DVD-Rental Store More Relevant?

Posted by timothy on from the information-kiosks-and-great-snacks dept.

smi.james.th writes "Here on Slashdot, the concept that older models of business need to be updated to keep with the times is often mentioned. A friend of mine owns a DVD rental store, and he often listens to potential customers walk out, saying that they'd rather download the movie, and not because his prices are unreasonable. With the local telco on a project to boost internet speeds, my friend feels as though the end is near for his livelihood. So, Slashdotters, I put it to you: What can a DVD store owner do to make his store more relevant? What services would you pay for at a DVD store?"

10 of 547 comments (clear)

  1. Hey Guys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My friend manufacturers and sells horse whips. With this trend towards horseless carriages he doesn't seem to sell as many as he used to. Does anybody have any ideas on how he can increase his business?

    1. Re:Hey Guys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Perverts.

    2. Re:Hey Guys by ifiwereasculptor · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yeah, unless you have access to a time machine, I think DVD stores (of any kind) are not great ideas anymore.

      On the plus side, after reading all these comments, you'll probably have enough observations about horses and automobiles to open a stale metaphor store. It's been only a few minutes and I've already spotted five.

    3. Re:Hey Guys by Joce640k · · Score: 3, Funny

      Does he still do VHS tapes too...?

      --
      No sig today...
    4. Re:Hey Guys by Mister+Transistor · · Score: 3, Funny

      Tentacle p0rn.

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      -- You are in a maze of little, twisty passages, all different... --
    5. Re:Hey Guys by r1348 · · Score: 4, Funny

      We're not connected to the same Internet, apparently...

    6. Re:Hey Guys by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Funny

      take out a rack or two of the oldest movies for a large table with a power station for people to plug in laptops

      Laptops? Plug in? What year is it? I suppose you think he should rent wax cylinders as well?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. DVD re-winding service by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Offer free DVD re-winding for the returned movies.

  3. Re:Stop renting DVD's by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shutting down a business may be a violation of the rules. What collective bargaining agreements do his employees operate under? And if not, what the fuck? What kind of nutbags start a job without the protection of a collective bargaining agreement?

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    Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
  4. Send them a bill by StripedCow · · Score: 5, Funny

    Compute how much these new internet business models actually cost you in the long term. Send them a bill for potential losses.

    MPAA and RIAA do it all the time!

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    If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.