VHS angst.

My store still carries a goodly number of movies in vhs format. In the abstract, this sounds to the beneficial. More formats generally mean more accessibility. However, it is actually a pain in my ass from an operational stand-point.

The biggest reason is that the cassettes are considered obsolete technology by the industry. Fewer and fewer titles are being released onto VHS every month. If they haven't shut down that format entirely, it's not that far off.

The next is that the packaging is predominately paperboard.

How this all comes together is that I have a significant amount of inventory space devoted to the venerable vhs tape. The boxes being mostly paper are especially susceptible to wear and tear associated to being on the shelves. It doesn't take much to turn a pristine cover into a vaguely rectangular scuff-mark. In addition, the tapes are nowhere near as compact as the DVD and if they've been rented a few times will have the beginnings of stretches and distorted spots. Since that format is on the decline, it does not make any financial sense to replace worn-out or damaged cassettes. Selling them is optimal as it removes them from my concern.

So it's a "sale of attrition" at this point. We have a finite supply of tapes, which will not be replaced. As they are sold or self-destruct, the total selection dwindles. Eventually, it will reach the point where all that are left are the "dogs".

All of which means I have a headache trying to figure out the best way to get rid of the most of our stock with a minimum of loss.

Oh well. That's why I pull down the big bucks. (Granted, you do have to keep an eye out for a random antler and sharp hooves, but it's very therapeutic to choke the life out of those cheeky deer.)