Video Wave — Local services in San Francisco

I'm giving this place two stars because I really want to support the mission of an independent video store, but my one interaction with it makes it hard to recommend.

I called and asked whether they could special order a given item for me to purchase (a 4K box set of a beloved film trilogy, nothing crazy), and the store employee was frankly pretty rude. They impatiently explained their policy of being a rental store first, and how they won't do special orders for folk that aren't already their customers(?!), and generally seemed disinterested in working with me.

They did state how they charge a surcharge fee for any special order they do decide to place, but didn't say how much it is. I could have been okay with paying it to support a local business, but it felt like it was brought up to detter me, rather than as a friendly disclaimer.

Personally, I understand the distinction between having stuff for rental and stuff for sale, but I had figured that a special order for purchase wouldn't have been an issue.

I'm just an average movie enjoyer, but the person on the phone didn't make me feel super welcome, so I'm gonna shop elsewhere. Which is a bummer, because a local video store seems like such a precious...

If you're looking to buy movies this isn't the place, the movie collection is amazing but all for rent. It's not suitable for foreigners or tourists. I was very disappointed because it's the only place in San Francisco similar, and they don't sell anything.

In addition, the owner was a little desperate and impatient, I was just looking for movies to buy and trying to express that (in my not very advanced english) but he was kinda rude, repeating that his entire vast movie collection is for rental only, and I respect that, but not what I was looking for.

I spent money and half an hour from downtown San Francisco just to this store. I tried calling before to ask about movie availability for buying, but no...

It's so great that San Francisco still has a wonderful 'mom and pop' video store. This store is a SF gem. Colin is super friendly and knowledgeable. He's happy to talk movies, make recommendations, etc. The store has a lot of titles that aren't streaming or are hard to find online. Plus- watching a DVD is such a treat compared to streaming: no pop up ads interrupt your viewing pleasure. Most have fun extra features and interviews if you want to learn more after watching.

Also convenient is his rent by mail plan for those who don't live...