Vidiots

Great selection - Poor disk condition

by Marine at Citysearch

One of the best independent video stores in LA, with a wide selection of mainstream, independent, foreign and obscure movies, and very knowledgeable staff.

Problem is, a lot of their DVD are in bad condition: dirty, scratched, damaged. We have been renting a lot of DVD from them over the past few years and we live in the neighborhood so it's convenient, but more than once a DVD messed up in the middle of a movie, and we couldn't get it to work despite cleaning the disk and player, or trying it on different machines -- a really frustrating experience for cinephiles.

We've been reporting disk problems to Vidiots as an FYI, but found out that we were "flagged" on their computer system, and got an attitude from their staff because we were making too many reports (still less than 5% of the disks we rent). They blamed our DVD player, but we don't have any problems with disks we buy, borrow from friends, or rent from the library -- only with Vidiots disks. Plus, we always double-check DVD with other (computer) machines, because once we're in a movie, we want to finish it! So their uppity innuendos are disingenuous as much as they are unpleasant.

We love Vidiots, and we love supporting neighborhood stores, but we're at a point of frustration where we're seriously considering subscribing to Netflix, and dropping Vidiots altogether.

• Pros: Great selection
• Cons: Poor DVD condition

Lots of old school

by dylawat at Citysearch

great place, lots of Classics and rare finds. Bit out of the way, but worth the trip. The staff is knowledgable and friendly.

• Pros: rare movie
• Cons: bit far

The best video rental place...

by alipoo2002 at Citysearch

They have pretty much any movie ever made plus the finest selection of rare and obsure titles, documentaries, sci-fi, genre defying, art films, etc. The people that work there are all helpful and really conneseurs of film.

They also have really great, unique holiday cards when christmas comes around...very california-centric or goofy-beachy themes. Fun.

The Most Comprehensive Video Store

by tychovski at Citysearch

Vidiots has the greatest selection of Videos & DVD's I have ever seen. All genres and mediums are represented. The staff are not only very knowledgeable, but friendly and helpful as well. Street parking is available, but not reliable. Rental rates are quite reasonable, considering few other stores have half the selection they do. If you've been trying to find something you'd seen years ago, and no-one knows what you're talking about, Vidiots has two copies of it waiting.

• Pros: Selection, Knowledgeable
• Cons: Parking

How Could You Rent Anywhere Else?

by hexerei at Citysearch

Vidiots has it all, from extremely knowlegable staff to cheap rental fees to UNLIMITED obscure titles! I've loved this place for years and cut up my Blockbuster card after my first visit to Vidiots. Support these folks - they rock!

• Pros: Affordable Rates, Intelligent Staff, Cool Atmosphere