Hollywood Video

Not a great selection, like Brad said. The only reason I have a card here is because they’re the closest to me. Had I reviewed the place a couple of months ago, it might have been ok, but my most recent trip just made me angry. First, they jacked up the prices of their videos — something like $ 4 for 5 days. I don’t want a new release for 5 days! But there’s no other option… it’s just an outrageous price now. It used to be you could pay extra for extra days. The thing I HATE about this place is that they always ask if you want the «damage protection» for I think 50 cents extra. The first time I went they actually put it on without asking me! Since then, half the time they put the DVD wrong-​side-​up in the case so if you don’t buy their stupid protection, you’re likely to scratch it because of how they’ve put it in. Lastly, the last time I was in, I was asked about the damage protection, which I declined, then if I wanted to join their scam «no-​late-​fees» program, which I declined, then if I wanted to buy any ice cream or candy. NO, I don’t want these things! If I did I would get them! To be pitched three different things before I could just check out made me mad. No wonder video stores are failing! Oh, also, their late fees are very expensive.

The Hollywood Video on Packard is the closest video store to my house after the one on Washtenaw and Platt closed down last year. The Washtenaw location had a decent collection and actually included some older films, which was nice because I occasionally get a jones for a classic movie here and there.
The Packard HV is inferior to that location in multiple ways, and it makes me sad because their faults are many of the same faults that I’ve seen in a hundred video stores that have now since closed. The staff is nice enough but they are often hidden behind the front counter talking amongst themselves and they don’t seem to know a whole lot about movies that aren’t new releases. I’m sure there are exceptions, but this has been my experience.
The movie selection here is pretty much terrible, with a huge slant towards the very newest films and an absolute lack of classics. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked through the aisles of this store hoping to find a well known, Oscar winning film from before 1998 just to find out that they don’t carry it. In fact, the number one comment when this happens is that they probably have it at the Stadium location, which I have learned is the «good» Hollywood Video (i.e. the one with a respectable selection).
As the video store as a concept slowly dies, I sometimes wonder what has killed this once mighty business. Surely having your films infrequently mailed to you isn’t that much better than being able to walk around and browse the actual aisles? Then I go to a place like this Hollywood Video and realize that the sparsely stocked shelves are a dead zone of films made mostly after 1998 (because there’s apparently more demand for Snakes on a Train than the Midnight Express) and a bunch of overpriced candy and snacks.
One last minor complaint: the credit card machine has been down at least twice in the last few months while I’ve been there to rent a film with my credit card.
Long story short: go to the Stadium location or don’t bother going at all.