My opinion of DVDNow and other comments

O.K., I thought I would post this to my website because everyone of you that calls me or e-mails me asks the same thing. "What is your opinion of DVDNow?"... Here's my opinion of the company.

First of all, I'd like to let you know that I started quite awhile ago. I started when DVDNow was in the stages of around 100 Kiosks. My builds were in the mid 100's so Michelle and I (my wife), were very hesitant about spending money with a company in it's infant stages. We talked with Bob Gallner, at that time one of DVDNow's salesman. Bob was a great guy and to large degree answered some of our questions. We of course, were still hesitant about buying the kiosks. When a company just starts up and has a little over 100 kiosks out, it leaves the question in your mind, "Is this the right thing to do"... I am a sales manager at a local Ford dealership and my background would have really told me that it wasn't a good risk to take.
After talking to my wife for several weeks, we just had this gut feeling that it was going to work. We knew that it was going to take alot on our end to make it work, just like it's going to take some time for you. But, you can do it!
We talked to the President of the company "Scott McInnis", hope I spelled that right and were impressed with his vision on where his company was going. I could tell that he wasn't interested in only selling these machines. I could tell that he was in it for the long haul and was concerned about who had machines from his company. During the interview, he answered many questions that came up as well.
I took the risk and here's what happened. I want to be honest with you here and want you to know that DVDNow does not pay me for my comments and respects the fact that I tell everyone of you the truth about the company. I ordered 5 machines right off the bat. I had one machine that didn't work right away. I plugged it in and the carriage didn't work correctly. I called the company up and they put me in touch with a Rebecca back East. She was awesome! She had a new carriage in the mail right away and it was at my doorstep the very next day. She asked me if I needed someone to help me put it in. I told her no... I could do it myself. The machines are built so that most people that can turn a screwdriver can fix them. There's nothing complicated about them. DVDNow just replaces the part. There's no soldering or any other crazy amount of work that needs to be done. I replaced the carriage and broke another part on my own while doing it... So there I was again, waiting for a guide to show up in the mail. Again, it was there the in the next couple of days. I finally had it going and it worked great.
As time went on, I experienced a couple more mishaps with the machines. Again, DVDNow was there to take care of me. This was one of my worst fears. I was concerned about the service end of the machine. These guys have taken care of me from the get go. In a nutshell, they have proven to me that they are in it for the long haul. By the way, my fifth machine was build 224... I have had absolutely no problems with this machine at all. There was a quality control issue with some of the earlier machine (in my opinion).... However, they all work great now and some of the software that has come out for them is absolutely awesome. I can control where my movies are in the machines and I have two machines that are 250 miles from my house. I don't do much with these machines and the revenue comes in. That's what I like.
By the way, Mark Rudolph who has been in touch with me from the get go has been an unbelievable amount of support and help.

Another Question that I get:
Why did you get into this business?
My answer to that is simple! I wanted a business that I could depreciate out so we actually get an opportunity to write expenses off on our taxes. I also wanted something that didn't consume all of my time. My oldest boy races motorcycles and I ride alot too. I didn't want something that was another job from my main job. This business seemed to fit all of the criteria I had for what I was looking for.
Here is what this business has done for me.... I've been able to actually get money back this year in the form of a tax refund... For the first time ever, I actually had a check back from Uncle Sam. I make money off of my rentals and the sales of previewed movies. Plus, it's started up an advertising business too. I bought some video equipment and I videotape people's activities such as weddings, parties and anything else that folks want to keep for memories. I have a super expensive camera Canon XL2 that I have rigged with wireless microphones that allow my videos T.V. studio quality. I do it for less than half of what any T.V. crew would charge. I also undercut everyone else in town that has their own video business. My regular job allows that. Basically, I have an awful lot of fun with this business. DVDNow set the stages, and I ran with it. They aren't responsible for making it fun and profitable, I am responsible for that. You will have to do the same. You can't depend on them to make this business work for you. You will need to do that yourself. The great part of all this is that the potential is unlimited. You earn what you make of it.

Another Question:
Did you use a locator?
No way! I am a salesman at heart, I don't need someone doing my job for me. I think that if you have a decent amount of people skills, I'd do it yourself.
Here are some things that I looked for (because location is the key to success)
1. Does the place have lots of foot traffic? Do people have to drive or can they walk to the business? Make sure that they can walk there. With the price of gas, you need that. If they have to drive, it makes it harder.
2. Does the store owner or host, like the machine or are they just going to treat it like the bubble gum machine that's in the corner. The best cheerleader for your business is the crew that works around it. People that can explain how the machine works will make your business successful. Also, the customers should be able to depend on them.
3. Does that location offer several different varieties. By that I mean, can they do a lot of things there. Can they buy Pizza, Beer, Pop, snacks? Can they get everything in one place? That's key. If it's just a gas station, it's probably not going to work.

Hope that helps you guys out that call me or e-mail me. If you have any questions beyond that, just e-mail me. My time is very important to me and I don't mind answering questions, but I also value the time with my family. Plus, I need some time to ride motorcycles with my son. Before long, the little bugger won't want to ride with me anymore... I'll be to slow and old for him.. Ha Ha

Take Care and the Best of Luck to ya,

Sincerely,
Mike Weiland
http://readydvd.com