107 replies to this topic

[GFFmatt]

I just went there. There are no instructions re: returning movies. A bit odd if they're very concerned about recouping them.

Considering their amount of debt I doubt they're too worried about the DVDs. But it would be nice to have posted an answer to the most common question. They probably can't actually come out an announce "if you have DVDs, don't bother to return them", so I think the silence on the most obvious instruction says it all.

But I'm sure there is some word to be passed along about this.

[Oldschooler81]

The Hollywood video in Fair Oaks off of Madison and Hazel is closed as well.

Whoa I remember when they built that around '95 just before I moved away. In fact I think it was the first Hollywood I saw (it replaced some other little store in there which I forget). So strange that places I remember brand new are now going under.

Either I'm getting old or time is flying lmao.

BTW I worked at Blockbuster in SJ for several years, and yeah they had it set up to where you had to return movies to the store you rented them from. It's just 'cause every store's inventory is a little different, and the computer system only tells you what's in that store (like the UPC code's used to scan the movies are different too).

[Dave Burrell]

I just went there. There are no instructions re: returning movies. A bit odd if they're very concerned about recouping them.

Considering their amount of debt I doubt they're too worried about the DVDs. But it would be nice to have posted an answer to the most common question. They probably can't actually come out an announce "if you have DVDs, don't bother to return them", so I think the silence on the most obvious instruction says it all.

But I'm sure there is some word to be passed along about this.

Are they closed and gone now and was the return slot still there or did they seal it up?

the thing I disliked most about Hollywood Video was the late fees, which is why I always returned my rentals on time..... it's also why I went to Netflix years ago and never looked back

[redman]

To those pouncing on the "I'm keeping the DVD" comments, here's some food for thought:

First, they closed with no notice whatsoever. That's not normal nor is it professional. Normally when a business is going to close, they know it's going to happen and they inform their customers in advance. They don't just "disappear". Heck, I wonder if their employees even got their last paychecks. Kind of doubt it by the looks of things.

So you can't expect people with rentals to really care too much about taking the discs back.

Second, given how quickly they shut down, I would bet money they aren't ever going to ask for the discs back. They'd have to pay someone to collect the discs and log them back in. Doesn't sound like that's going to happen. It's probably not worth it to them for a few dozen DVDs.

I don't have any rentals in hand myself, though I kind of wish I did. Obviously, if they contacted me and asked for them back, I'd return them, but I have a feeling that's not going to happen here.

It's a shame to lose Hollywood Video. It's close to my house and a nice option if I want a disc today and don't want to wait for Netflix to send it.

[ducky]

If you had a PowerPlay account with them you may want to call 1-877-speak-to-us (1-877-325-8687) to make sure your account is closed out.

Supposedly, all this foreclosed store's accounts are closed out, but I'd still check my statement.

[Dave Burrell]

To those pouncing on the "I'm keeping the DVD" comments, here's some food for thought:

First, they closed with no notice whatsoever. That's not normal nor is it professional. Normally when a business is going to close, they know it's going to happen and they inform their customers in advance. They don't just "disappear". Heck, I wonder if their employees even got their last paychecks. Kind of doubt it by the looks of things.

So you can't expect people with rentals to really care too much about taking the discs back.

Second, given how quickly they shut down, I would bet money they aren't ever going to ask for the discs back. They'd have to pay someone to collect the discs and log them back in. Doesn't sound like that's going to happen. It's probably not worth it to them for a few dozen DVDs.

I don't have any rentals in hand myself, though I kind of wish I did. Obviously, if they contacted me and asked for them back, I'd return them, but I have a feeling that's not going to happen here.

It's a shame to lose Hollywood Video. It's close to my house and a nice option if I want a disc today and don't want to wait for Netflix to send it.

I'll admit, if I had a few DVD's out and they closed like this without any notice or contact for returning rentals, I'd figure they wrote the disks off already and consider them keepers.

They always called me when my DVD's were late or to offer me free rentals when I hadn't come around for a while - so it would not have been hard to make calls to folks with rentals out...

Seriously, if the store is closed and empty and there's no signs notifying customers what to do with their DVDs then consider the case closed - good score for anyone who had rentals out at this time.

[GFFmatt]

I'll admit, if I had a few DVD's out and they closed like this without any notice or contact for returning rentals, I'd figure they wrote the disks off already and consider them keepers.

They always called me when my DVD's were late or to offer me free rentals when I hadn't come around for a while - so it would not have been hard to make calls to folks with rentals out...

Seriously, if the store is closed and empty and there's no signs notifying customers what to do with their DVDs then consider the case closed - good score for anyone who had rentals out at this time.

Exactly, Dave. I went to Hollywood about once every 3 months or so and I'd get a bunch of DVDs. I happened to get 5 on Tuesday before Christmas. Good movies, too. District 9, Terminator Salvation, Funny People, Inglorious Basterds and Up.

The store is absolutely closed (permanently, according to the sign!) and while the slot was open and some DVDs were strewn about the counter, it looked like it was left that way when they scooted. I sat and watched a group of people as they showed up last night and none of them put their DVDs in the slot. They all stood around (and tried opening the door, for some reason), got on their cell phones and then drove off. I then walked up to take a look and there was NOTHING about returning rentals. And as I've said, if they were concerned about getting them back they would have posted instructions re: that very issue. Too bad I didn't rent more!

[Devdave]

lol

Nostradamus, Century X, Quatrain 73:

And the door shall close
to the tape of hollow wood
in the town of fools sum
and the man in black does cry

[ducky]

I know this is kind of off topic but didn't feel like opening a new one.

At least Folsom is keeping one business.

http://www.sacbee.co...ry/2424629.html

"The family that operates Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships in Rocklin and Jackson is closing those two stores and consolidating their operations into the family's Harley-Davidson operation in Folsom..."

[Dave Burrell]

I know this is kind of off topic but didn't feel like opening a new one.

At least Folsom is keeping one business.

http://www.sacbee.co...ry/2424629.html

"The family that operates Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships in Rocklin and Jackson is closing those two stores and consolidating their operations into the family's Harley-Davidson operation in Folsom..."

I was very glad to read the Folsom shop is staying open. If anyone's looking for deals, everything is 50% off right now at Rocklin Harley

[dimeracer]

Okay, so as of an hour ago there is a piece of cardboard taped over the return slot with a handwritten note on it saying that if you tear out the cardboard and deposit your movie in the slot, you will be charged as if you didn't return it. Another handwritten note that is taped to the outside of the glass with packing tape says that you must return the DVDs to one of three other locations (Citrus Heights, Cameron Park... can't remember the third location) or you will be charged for the DVD.

Very strange. I would not have rented knowing that those were the terms and I'm not sure that their contract spells out a situation such as this.

[Bill Z]

Okay, so as of an hour ago there is a piece of cardboard taped over the return slot with a handwritten note on it saying that if you tear out the cardboard and deposit your movie in the slot, you will be charged as if you didn't return it. Another handwritten note that is taped to the outside of the glass with packing tape says that you must return the DVDs to one of three other locations (Citrus Heights, Cameron Park... can't remember the third location) or you will be charged for the DVD.

Very strange. I would not have rented knowing that those were the terms and I'm not sure that their contract spells out a situation such as this.

I'm not surprised.

I searched online for their Rental T's & C's and couldn't find them, but their website T's & C's is pretty comprehensive, I expect their Rental agreement is as well.

[legofamily]

I too am not surprised Hollywood Video has closed. Every time I passed by there never seemed to be any cars in the parking lot and I always wondered if it was still open. My husband and I switched to Apple TV and we download movies. We very rarely ever buy DVDs anymore either. I think downloading movies is the way things are heading in the future.

[Michael Hughes]

El Dorado Hills closed as well (not sure if anyone posted that) and it says the same thing (return to Cameron Park).

They closed most of the Game Crazy's in the area (only kept maybe 3 in Stockton/Sac Area) and they are now closing many Hollywoods.

For those who don't know in the middle of December they retained a company that normally assists in two ways:
- asset sale of businesses
- assisting companies through bankruptcy

They are currently assisting Hollywood Video in retooling their leases, divesting of leases/real estate, shedding locations that may be non-profitable, and attempting to stave off bankruptcy as this would be their second in the last couple years. Should things not go well we could be looking at a Chapter 7 Hollywood quite soon. I know many past managers who have left recently and was talking with a couple current store managers recently both in California and in Reno while I was up there checking their inventory during some closing store sales and according to these people, Hollywood is bleeding like a stuck pig.

[ducky]

El Dorado Hills closed as well (not sure if anyone posted that) and it says the same thing (return to Cameron Park).

They closed most of the Game Crazy's in the area (only kept maybe 3 in Stockton/Sac Area) and they are now closing many Hollywoods.

For those who don't know in the middle of December they retained a company that normally assists in two ways:
- asset sale of businesses
- assisting companies through bankruptcy

They are currently assisting Hollywood Video in retooling their leases, divesting of leases/real estate, shedding locations that may be non-profitable, and attempting to stave off bankruptcy as this would be their second in the last couple years. Should things not go well we could be looking at a Chapter 7 Hollywood quite soon. I know many past managers who have left recently and was talking with a couple current store managers recently both in California and in Reno while I was up there checking their inventory during some closing store sales and according to these people, Hollywood is bleeding like a stuck pig.

I know when I spoke to the headquarters on the phone to be sure I would get credit for my DVD returns the employee on the phone sounded very depressed. It is so sad seeing people lose their jobs.