Question for anyone who works at Blockbuster Video or any other video store

[TheJadedGamer]

I just applied for a job at Blockbuster Video yesterday and they called me today wanting to talk to me about my application. If I end up getting the job, what should I expect from it? This will be my first foray into the great world of jobs, and I just need some advice.

[cocksmokinclerk]

i had fun when i worked at hollywood video, but be ready to be bitched at about late fee's and everything under the sun, people expect you to take as much pride in a counter job as they do in their office jobs, or wtvr, but hey free movies and you get to see them before everybody else, but dont let me eiscourage you, most workplaces are depend on one thing: co-workers, if you like the people you work with you'll be ok, and i learned and i still believe (for the majority) that ben affleck was right in mallrats: "ya know that saying 'the customer is always right' well its not quite right, 'THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS AN ASSHOLE!'" lol, hmm lets see....what to expect? get ready for people to come in and beg for the shittiest movies imaginable, people asking ou if you've seen shittiest movies imaginable and you telling them what you thought about said movies while trying to be as nice as possible, umm thats all i can think of right now, if i can remember anything else i'll get back to ya

[Inglorious]

Hes pretty much right. I work at Blockbuster, Ive been working somewhere else for a about a month, but I start back at Blockbuster pretty soon.

Just like CSC says, as long as you like the people you work with youll be fine. Through all the "Why was my card declined?!", "I didnt rent that movie, those fees arent mine.", "I didnt like this, can I pick something else out?", "7 bucks for a fucking videogame rental?!", "Do you think this Steven Segal movie's any good?".

I was always honest with them, telling them, Nah I think it would suck, or yeah that movies damn good. But I was never afraid to tell someone my exact opinion. Its a fun job though, I really like it. Till someone keeps a movie post-37 days and owns it and wont pay and its your fault... ;)

[sirdizzy]

I was an assistant store manager of a Blockbuster for 2 years and I really loved the job. Sure it can be shitty on days as you are dealing with the public and sometimes the public are just plain moronic and assholeish. Like CCC said you get free rentals. get to rent them before they are released and you also get to talk about movies all day and you get paid for it.

[cocksmokinclerk]

Originally posted by sirdizzy
you also get to talk about movies all day and you get paid for it.

that was my favorite part, whenever i'd have a shitty day, i'd just remind myself of that

[Inglorious]

Originally posted by cocksmokinclerk
that was my favorite part, whenever i'd have a shitty day, i'd just remind myself of that

And rant and rave and complain to my co-workers/managers/good customers. Hehe. At Blockbuster it's 5 movies free a week, and sometimes those pre-streets come in 2-3 weeks in advance, that RULES. Sometimes the pre-streets are things youd just never watch, THAT SUCKS.

But either way, I mean, just like any other job there are pros and cons. I think this jobs pros far outweigh the cons.

[fooknasty]

I work at Family Video and have been for over 2 years. It has it's really fun highs, and really fucking bad lows.

GOOD: Commision. Hopefully where you work you can make some mad extra dough, because that is by far one of the best perks. We have employee picksat the very front of the store, so it's always really fun to be able to talk to people about the types of movies that you like, but just movies in general.

BAD: LOOOOOOOOOOOONG Nights and weekends. Since you are probably starting off, you are gonna get stuck working the late shift and probably on weekends too. This could be said for any job, but at a video store like mine, we are open till midnight, and then it takes about an hour to get the store closed down and shit in order for the opening people. Those will start to wear on you.Especially during the summer when you are wanting to go out at night but you have to work. People are dicks, but whatever. I don't put up with their shit, plain and simple. People will try and bullshit you everytime they come in.

"Big Titty Fight Club, I don't remember renting that. What's that about anyways?" Smart asses like these piss me off, but whatever. If anything you will develop a thick skin.

My advice, if you can find something else, do it. This job is not as glamorous as it should be. It's good to do during school time, but in the summer you will regret it my friend. Trust me.....

[cocksmokinclerk]

our pre-streets came in the wednesday before they came out, and only 5 freek a week? i dont know about you but that woulda pissed me off, ours was 3 out at a time, i watched like 2 or 3 a night and got new ones the next day, but eventually i saw just about everything i'd ever want to see to i only worried about the new ones and pre-streets, so i slowed waaaay down and just starting fucking my old girlfriend while watching shitty movies, lol

and why have i not mentioned yet, working there is the reason that clerks is my favorite movie, everything randal says; and i mean EVERYTHING is true about working in a video store, if you've got a kickass boss like i had you can occasionally treat people like he did, i only got written up once in 3 years, but i got away with a lot, while i'm with the above poster i do recommend fucking with people whenever you get the chance

[AndrewDB]

http://retailsucks.com


The most read story was written by yours truely, and I have 5 years in retail experience, if you want to ask anything, feel free to ask.

[cocksmokinclerk]

Originally posted by Xehirut
http://retailsucks.com


The most read story was written by yours truely, and I have 5 years in retail experience, if you want to ask anything, feel free to ask. ]


......bitch

[Mentiroso]

Lindsey the mod works at one of those chains I think? Maybe ask her.

[cocksmokinclerk]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Lindsey the mod works at one of those chains I think? Maybe ask her.

yea she works at hollywood video, i know she made a thread about her first year right about the time i quit after 3 years

[adamjohnson]

I would like this job because I would so flexmy movie muscles, and be completely holier-than-thou.

And then get fired for yelling at others.

Good times though.

[TylerDurden182]

Originally posted by Mr. Peanut
Through all the "Why was my card declined?!"


One of my favorites. I used to work at Hollywood Video. I got about 6 of those in one day, and I finally just started saying How the fuck should I know?

[Jamesadin]

I have a question:

What ring of hell are you located in?

[TheJadedGamer]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate you all sharing your experiences with me. I think people coming in complaining about late fee's will probably be the one part of the job I'll end up hating, but I don't think I'll mind people asking for totally shit movies or anything.

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Lindsey the mod works at one of those chains I think? Maybe ask her.


You don't hide your love for her at all do you?

[Inglorious]

Originally posted by TheJadedGamer
I think people coming in complaining about late fee's will probably be the one part of the job I'll end up hating...

Blockbuster doesnt have late fees anymore. Just restocking fees. And its funny when someone complains about the 1.25 they own for one. Its like, then go elsewhere and pay the 20 buck late fee for the 25 days late you kept thing dumb ass.

Autosold movies suck to tell them about though. I have alot of fun working there, my fav. job yet easily. Till someone shits in the bathroom garbage and in the sink and yacks on the wall all at the same time hahaha.

[Kings-Rook1]

Originally posted by TheJadedGamer
This will be my first foray into the great world of jobs, and I just need some advice.

Never trust your coworkers, never tell your supervisor how much of an ass he or she is, never pilfer from your own till, avoid all responsibility like the plague and always give the “impression” that you are working. Remember; have fun but don’t get caught!

[chinton]

You will lose faith in humanity and see them for the monsters they are. Then after you quit you will slowly regain it.

[cocksmokinclerk]

Originally posted by Jamesadin
I have a question:

What ring of hell are you located in?

near akron, ohio, its about an hour south of cleveland

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by therealjohng
You don't hide your love for her at all do you?

Well she falls into a rare category


Hottness combined with ability to get me free movie rentals. Whats not to love?

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Well she falls into a rare category


Hottness combined with ability to get me free movie rentals. Whats not to love?


I wasn't saying there isn't anything to love about her, just merely the fact that you don't hide it. But yes, hottness with free rentals is about tops for me as well.


*Drives to Oregon*

[sirdizzy]

I worked at blockbuster when there was late fees and after there was no late fees, I would take the late fees says anytime.

I freaking hated son of bitches who found out how to work the now late fee bullshit and abused it to now end. The movie doesn't autosale until it is generally 8-10 lates meaning if you rent a 7 day release you can have the movie for more than 2 weeks penalty free, and trust me some people would take it right to that 15th day just because they could. Why the fuck would you rent a movie and not watch it for 2 weeks.

Or when they autosale and the customer gets pissed at you because they kept it for like a month, no accountability.

I always use to tell people who would get pissed about the restocking fee I would be more than glad to not charge them that fee and we can go back to the old late fee way and you can pay the late fee, and then I'd figure out what their late fee was and put it on their account. That shut them up in a hurry.

It pretty much ruined the 2 day release because most people just keep it for a week anyways since their is no penalty or responsibility on their part, which means you have to stock twice as many movies or just always be empty.


"WHY DO YOU NEVER HAVE ANY OF THE NEW RELEASES I WANT"

then you look up on their account and their one of those asses that keep 2 day rentals for 9 days and you want to tell them because other mother fuckers like yourself keep our 2 days rentals for 9 days.

Ah yes there was good days and there was bad days but it was always a good day when a really nice regular would come in and would refuse to let anyone else help them because they wanted your opinion on what to rent (I used Memento, Boondock Saints, The Station Agent, and the Machinist a lot)

It also made me feel good to talk people out of renting shit like Stealth. Or when an asshole customer would ask for a movie and you could recommend the crapiest shit to them, my favorite to recommend if I didn't like you was Birth or some crappy period piece like Vanity Fair.

[IronMonkey]

I thought about getting a PT gig at a BB or HWV, but you guys must be lucky, because in the over 20 years I have been renting movies, I have only heard employess talking about movies 4x - and those 4x were ALL at mom and pop stores where actualy customer interaction about movies, etc or employees talking about a movie was observed by me.

Only once at a BB was I asked by a worker if a movie I rented was any good. Never at a BB have I seen or heard workers seem joyous or even in a good mood.

HWV - 1x did I see some kidding around or fun times. I think these people arent allowed to have fun.

Oh, and maybe cuz I always say NO, I am NOT willing to work on Sat or Sun is why I dont get called :D

[IronMonkey]

Originally posted by sirdizzy
I worked at blockbuster when there was late fees and after there was no late fees, I would take the late fees says anytime.

I freaking hated son of bitches who found out how to work the now late fee bullshit and abused it to now end. The movie doesn't autosale until it is generally 8-10 lates meaning if you rent a 7 day release you can have the movie for more than 2 weeks penalty free, and trust me some people would take it right to that 15th day just because they could. Why the fuck would you rent a movie and not watch it for 2 weeks.

Or when they autosale and the customer gets pissed at you because they kept it for like a month, no accountability.

I always use to tell people who would get pissed about the restocking fee I would be more than glad to not charge them that fee and we can go back to the old late fee way and you can pay the late fee, and then I'd figure out what their late fee was and put it on their account. That shut them up in a hurry.

It pretty much ruined the 2 day release because most people just keep it for a week anyways since their is no penalty or responsibility on their part, which means you have to stock twice as many movies or just always be empty.


"WHY DO YOU NEVER HAVE ANY OF THE NEW RELEASES I WANT"

then you look up on their account and their one of those asses that keep 2 day rentals for 9 days and you want to tell them because other mother fuckers like yourself keep our 2 days rentals for 9 days.

Ah yes there was good days and there was bad days but it was always a good day when a really nice regular would come in and would refuse to let anyone else help them because they wanted your opinion on what to rent (I used Memento, Boondock Saints, The Station Agent, and the Machinist a lot)

It also made me feel good to talk people out of renting shit like Stealth. Or when an asshole customer would ask for a movie and you could recommend the crapiest shit to them, my favorite to recommend if I didn't like you was Birth or some crappy period piece like Vanity Fair.

I take advantage of the no late fees on 2 day rentals ALWAYS.

But I dont think I abuse it -

When I rent on a tuesday, I do not return unitl Saturday early Sat noon. This way, whomever in my family hasnt seen the movie Tus, wed or thurs can see it Fri night.

[sirdizzy]

theres a difference between renting it tuesday due back by thursday and keeping it just an extra 2 days until Saturday, at least we had that copy back for the weekend rather than someone renting it tuesday and bringing it back a week from Thursday

an extra 2 days just kind of brings it in line with Hollywoods 5 day rentals


we would have a number of people come in rent all the new releases Tuesday come back the following Tuesday return all of the previous weeks releases and do the same thing, I always use to tell people wait a week and we will have it


I can't remember which movie we had but we only got 12 copies of it of the 12 copies all were rented on tuesday only 2 came back before the next Tuesday the other 10 all came back the following Tuesday morning, so you have to listen to people bitch all week about wanting a certain movie but we really only had 2 in circulation