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DVD rental problems

post #1 of 20
8/2/06 at 9:41am
Thread Starter 
Anyone still rent DVDs from your local video store ? (As opposed to using one of those schemes where you pay a certain amount each month and can rent all you want, I think in the states you call them netflix)

Anyone really pissed off with the shitty way people treat them ? I've rented about 10 dvds in the last 2/3 months, and 5 were useless. They all had scratches and smudges. 3 made it about 20 mins and then didn't work, and 2 didn't work at all.
The stores should tell people how to handle these things.
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post #2 of 20
8/2/06 at 10:14am
That's a pretty high spoilage rate. I have trouble with Netflix DVDs from time to time, but the problems can almost always be solved by washing the disc for a minute or two. I think there have only been 2 cases where the disc was completely unplayable, and they sent me replacements right away.
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post #3 of 20
8/2/06 at 10:22am
I'm also a Netflix user and have been surprised by just how infrequently smudged discs arrive. Maybe I'm just lucky. Still, when it does happen it's annoying, especially when the skipping happens during a pivotal scene. I've told myself that I should give each disc a quick wipe before playing, but I always forget.

I don't rent from stores too often these days, but I can't recall too many problems. Really it comes down to how meticulously the employees are at checking returns for problems before restocking.
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post #4 of 20
8/2/06 at 10:28am

Not to get defensive, but...

The sheer amount of DVD's that come in every day make checking every single dvd for scratches and smudges completely impractical. Besides, sometimes small scratches can be deep enough to ruin a disc, and sometimes a disc covered in scratches runs perfectly fine. You can't tell until you put it in a dvd player.

A agree that scratched dvd's are a big problem, but it's not the video store's fault that people don't take care of them.
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post #5 of 20
8/2/06 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 
Should you wipe the dvd with a damp cloth ?
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post #6 of 20
8/2/06 at 10:59am
Just run it under a cold tap.

Seriously, though, I usually just use a sponge and dishwashing liquid. Seems to work pretty well.
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post #7 of 20
8/2/06 at 11:02am
Dvd cleaners, the one you buy at the store, are Windex, and that's all. Windex works like a dream.

And remember, when wiping start from the center and go out to the edge, and repeat until you've gotten the whole disc. Going in circles can cause scratches.
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post #8 of 20
8/2/06 at 6:01pm
Windex, are you sure? I've always been under the impression that Windex interacts badly with some plastics (for example, I've been told it can cause yellowing in the plastic windows on a convertible or jeep top).

Some dvd players handle scratches better than others. My Sony upstairs will play right over some damage than hangs up the old panasonic cheapy I keep in the basement (full disclosure - my significant other totally disputes this last comment and says I am crazy).
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post #9 of 20
8/2/06 at 6:39pm
That's what they tell me.
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post #10 of 20
8/4/06 at 3:37pm
I use one of those little cleaning cloths that come with glasses or cameras for smudges & fingerprints. Works great & no fluids necessary.
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post #11 of 20
8/4/06 at 3:44pm
Worked at three different video stores in the past (yeah, I know - got a desk job now).

I'll never forget the day I found part of a phone number etched into a DVD. Near as I could figure, someone used it as a surface to put a piece of paper over to write a number down.

If stores charged people for DVD damages, you'd see a change. Sure, it'd be a logistical nightmare, but... you know what, nevermind. With Netflix and downloading services, rental chains are dinosaurs anyway.
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post #12 of 20
8/4/06 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dario Delfino
Worked at three different video stores in the past (yeah, I know - got a desk job now).

I'll never forget the day I found part of a phone number etched into a DVD. Near as I could figure, someone used it as a surface to put a piece of paper over to write a number down.

If stores charged people for DVD damages, you'd see a change. Sure, it'd be a logistical nightmare, but... you know what, nevermind. With Netflix and downloading services, rental chains are dinosaurs anyway.
.
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post #13 of 20
8/4/06 at 3:52pm
Exactly my sentiment when I realize DVD's themselves are following closely behind.
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post #14 of 20
8/4/06 at 3:54pm
The worst part is, anyone who actually gives a damn is on Netflix, leaving the unwashed masses as my customers.

"How'd you like The Squid and the Whale?"
"It was...weird."

"How'd you like Munich?"
"It was...boring."

"How'd you like Grandma's Boy?"
"Oh man, that movie is soooo funny."

Breaks my heart.
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post #15 of 20
8/4/06 at 6:19pm
I've been with Netflix for over 4 years and can have had less than 5 discs that I've had to return for a replacement.

I used to work at Blockbuster back in college, but the store only had DVDs for about 6 months before I left in early 2000, so we didn't ever run into any horrible problems with unplayable discs, as it was still a format that was being discovered by the masses.

I rarely rent from the local stores and also rarely buy from them anymore either, unless I am purchasing a previously-viewed DVD.

While I bought one of those $15 DVD cleaning devices when I worked at BB, I usually just use a cotton handkerchief and for the especially stubborn smudges, I add a few drops of diluted glasses cleaner (1 part cleaner, 3 parts water). That's also what I use to clean my eyeglasses and it does the trick.
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post #16 of 20
8/15/06 at 7:15am
I tried Sugar DVD but their service is poor. I have now shifted to Adult video for rent
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post #17 of 20
8/15/06 at 7:46am
I use Blockbuster but only to browse the bargin bins. With the amount you pay for rental these days it actually is better to wait for it to go ex rental and then buy it.
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post #18 of 20
8/15/06 at 11:50am
Meh, online rentals never appealed to me. I always rent movies on an impulse, so when I want to rent a movie, I want it as soon as possible. Blockbuster and Hollywood Video are way too expensive to rent from (7 bucks for a game?). Places like Family Video and small mom and pop stores is where it's at.
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post #19 of 20
8/15/06 at 1:19pm
Plus, Family Video has porn.
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post #20 of 20
8/15/06 at 8:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DVO
I tried Sugar DVD but their service is poor. I have now shifted to Adult video for rent
Wow, porn!
Thanks for the link, shill.
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