Vulcan Video

We love Vulcan. My husband is a movie geek and knows and has seen a lot of odd and great movies that I have never even heard of. He is always suggesting movies to me and they are always at Vulcan! The employees are also very forgiving of our special needs toddler that is fast as a bullet and not always easy to contain. They never act annoyed when he is being silly. This place makes us feel at home and we are so happy to rent

Such a fabulous, fabulous place. I wish I lived in Austin so I could visit All The Time.

This is the second best video rental store in Texas.
I went back after not going for about a year. I had a $ 5 late charge and they waived it bc they missed me.
Besides having categorized movies really well, their documentaries are interesting.
It’s also maybe the best kept secret on SoCo for buying gifts.
Where else can you get a coffee mug with your favorite 80s movie on it.

Netflix and redbox are great until you want to watch a specific movie, then they are the worst thing ever. With all the specials and pricing over here at Vulcan, I might as well cancel Netflix and all the other video services I’m using. The staff is friendly and always takes the time to check and see if they have a video I need.
With the 2 for 1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays I end up getting movies for a buck fifty for five days. Can’t beat that!

We live close by and come here often. Haven’t had one bad experience in the 50+ times we’ve been here. The staff is always friendly with good recommendations.

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that sometimes long-​distance relationships cause people to grow apart. I used to live within walking distance of Vulcan and was a regular. Then I moved. Not that much farther away, but when it came to a choice of streaming something with the click of a button, my lazy self would usually go with the streaming.
And then something happened to rekindle the spark. And I’m a little embarrassed to admit that that something was the fake commercials Jimmy Kimmel made while he was in town for SXSW starring this up-​and-​coming star named Matthew McSomething. How can you not love a store still holding on to an extensive VHS collection?
It can be a bit confusing when you are a newbie, but I love that they group movies by director, genre, country, different types of horror, cult, etc. And streaming be damned, sometimes it’s nice to stand in front of a wall of new releases.
I love the late fee forgiveness policy (half off on the 1^st of every month). I even came in on the last day of the month and they were kind enough to forgive my fees a day earlier. You can also rack up credits by returning new releases early. And 2-​for-​1 Tuesdays are awesome. They also sell these awesome buttons that remind my of the button maker I had when I was 13. I had to purchase the Crypt Keeper button. He is awesome.
I have heard comments that the staff can be aloof, but that has never been my experience. Two moments stick out. I had to rent Baby Geniuses 2 for a project I was working on, and I was so embarrassed but the guy who rang me up didn’t even blink an eye. He even told me an anecdote about the film’s director. Another time, my husband and I went in all decked out in Chicago Bears gear (it was gameday). One of the workers inquired «What is this angry emblem you are wearing?» and I found that really endearing for some reason.
I will be making an increased effort to patronize Vulcan, because it’s becoming a rarity to encounter people who love movies in that old-​school way common to every video store I’ve ever loved. Streaming cannot offer that (and on the price side, I rented two seasons of Hannibal and it was cheaper then renting from Amazon).
Love you, Vulcan!

I wish i had a store like this near me! It looks amazing, we need more places like this. To talk to one another about movies and get out of the house.

I swear I saw Matthew Mcconaughey in the parking lot one day… Not to mention, parking is free!!! Greatest video store around and they never disappoint. They have a huge selection of videos, games, and even f*cking vhs’s. F*CKIN VHS. Yes. You can’t go wrong with this place.

Stepping into Vulcan Video sent me to an alternate universe where Netflix never existed, and where Blockbuster was the equivalent to Wal-​Mart. Vulcan Video is incredibly awesome. Their selection of films/​TV shows is outstanding and I love that I only knew a fraction of the films.
Despite the overwhelming amount of option, Vulcan Video exceeds with their staff. Those who helped me out were such kind people and totally in love with cinema. Unlike other video stores in the U.S., they were genuinely excited to recommend movies that matched our taste and mood. If you’re ever in Austin (or live in the area), support the two locations. Nothing beats taking a trip to the video store.

I’m a bit of a film geek. For years, I stopped renting, and instead watched movies online via Netflix or whatever. But this year, I realized again how much I prefer Vulcan Video. The selection on Netflix is brutal, right? I found myself watching crummy movies, and that felt like time wasted. The folks who work at Vulcan seem eager to answer questions about the films they carry. It’s obvious they’re into films. I believe they appreciate me being there, and they show that appreciation in a variety of ways. It’s a pleasant surprise when I’m checking out, and they let me know I have a free rental. Rockin!

Vulcan is one of those places that make Austin so great and unique! This place is truly a treasure. I’ve almost never had a problem finding a title and even requested a couple that they quickly ordered. Great people, great location! The directors wall is bliss! Also check out the north loop store!

Vulcan Video is awesome! They have a huge selection. I’ve always been able to find a title I was looking for, no matter how old or foreign. They do well marketing their New Releases letting you know which ones can’t be found on either Netflix or at a Redbox. Being that video stores are outdated, they have adapted well to the times.
Their staff are friendly, knowledgable and always willing to help you find what you’re looking for. They’ll even give your dog a treat!

Me and two friends came in here after having dinner nearby, I vaguely remember being here before a few years ago and that they had a great selection of videos.
Register went something like this after looking up my account:
Employee: you owe $ 75 in fines, from about three years ago for the movie _​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
Me: what?!!
Him: yeah, sorry, if you come in the first of the month we can cut it in half.
Me: did I ever bring the movie back?
Him: yes… It was just REALLY late.
Me: so you want me to pay, at a minimum, $ 35 for a movie that is over three years old that you still have?
Him: …yes.
Thanks but no thanks Vulcan. Even redbox doesn’t pull those kind of fees for a movie rental.

I think I frequent this place more often than any other. I really don’t need to say anything more do I? It’s a video store. It’s rad. Support your local video store. Seriously. I got rid of netflix a year ago and haven’t looked back. Vulcan Video is organized and full of obscure stuff. They have all sorts of deals what with the two for one days and free movie credits. I hesitate some times to talk about how awesome Vulcan is because I walk in pretending it’s my top secret basement full of my glorious movie collection… but uh, yeah, I guess you can come over and visit or whatever.

These type of places are becoming increasingly hard to find around the country, but one look around Vulcan, and you realize you are in a film buff’s video store if there ever was one.
Organization by director, sub-​categorized by nationality; It’s the antithesis of it’s extinct corporate counterparts. We may see those distinctive melamine shelves in the odd thrift shop, or come across a blue and yellow awning on a pet store, but don’t let those ruins fool you… Places like Vulcan will remain crucial for the foreseeable future.
The video store is not dead, it simply serves a far more meaningful purpose in the world. Come check out Vulcan and see what I mean.

Blockbuster’s bankrupt, has broken videos, and let’s be honest, too mainstream. Vulcan video has all of your obscure, and non-​obscure needs met. No matter what weird foreign film you’ve never heard of your neighbor suggests, you can find it here. If they don’t have it in stock, the other store up north probably does! Don’t be afraid to ask the employees here anything. They are a tad more friendly here than at the north location.
Signing up for a membership is ultra easy, all you need is a driver’s licesnce. So your roommate doesn’t have one? Don’t worry you can add as many people on your account as you need. It’s super cheap to rent and there are a million different deals to take advantage of. Return your movie a day early and you get a $ 1 credit on your account! These guys are my favorite!

I love Vulcan! When I discovered this place I couldn’t believe it existed. Yes, I know, it’s Austin. They have everything: new stuff, old stuff, foreign stuff, TV stuff, and more stuff I’m forgetting.
Vulcan’s 2-​for-​1 nights are great and, on a side note, they’re dog friendly. So go check it out; this place rocks.

I love Vulcan so much that I bought a Vulcan Video sticker to put on my car.
My Mom used to work in and own a video store, so I’ve grown up around them. I love movies and I’ve seen way too many. (But, really, is that even possible?) This store is wonderful for a variety of reasons:
1) One of the staff members has a dog that he brings to the store every time he works. Do you know how happy that makes me that I get to rent cool movies AND pet a sweet dog at the same time?
2) Two-​for-​one Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (Speaking of which, today is Tuesday… I know what I’m doing later.)
3) Every 11^th rental is free.
4) They have an entire section dedicated to cult classics.
5) The horror movie selection — be still, my heart.
6) They are usually playing a great movie every time I come in.
7) Staff members are super friendly — my friend was looking for a rare film and the woman knew exactly which film he was talking about and where to find it. Kick ass.
8) There are doggies. In the store. DOGGIES. Fluffy, loveable dogs.
9) If they don’t have a movie, you can request it. There’s a little notebook you can write requests in at the front desk.
10) They have all the Miyazaki films. All of them.
This store is one of the many reasons why I love Austin.

I love Vulcan and I will always be a customer here, just to support the existence of an independent, classic video rental shop. Prices could be compared to Blockbuster or any other chain video store, however two for one on Tues and Wed and Go Local discount make the prices hard to beat. Also, their late fees are not bad. Some weeks I make 3 trips to Vulcan.
All that being said, after being a somewhat regular customer here for a few months, I have a few minor complaints. 1… One time I was charged twice for late fees. I paid them with cash, didn’t get my receipt, and then was told I owed them again the next time I visited. 2… I’ve found that about 25% of the DVDs skip in some way. I understand this is just the nature of DVDs, but I don’t know if they actually do anything and remove them from the inventory when I tell them they skip. 3… The employees always seem to be eating. Like perpetual dinner time, every time I’m in the store.
Still a gem of a place and a must visit stop for locals.

Places like Vulcan give me a reason to tell my friends– I’ve got to return some videos, want to come along?
I don’t know if they love the place as much as I do, but I drag them with me anyway. Walking inside the store makes me feel like a child in a toy store. I just want everything in there. The prices for videos aren’t as cheap as back in the day; but it’s understandable with Netflix, Hulu, VOD, and Redbox killing the business. I do contribute my two cents to keep this video rental culture alive.
Also the best part, wait for it… is that they have their own parking lot! Yes. I’m glad I don’t have to drive up and down S. Congress to find a spot to visit them. I love this store. Give it a try, you’ll fall in love!!!

The only place I like for renting a movie in Austin. Eerily… it is one of the only places LEFT really. I sincerely hope they stick around.
It is independent and AWESOME.
Lots of rare movies and things you have forgotten about.
Inexpensive rental with a long return date for older movies.
WARNING: this place can be tragically hip. But don’t let that scare you from renting Free Willy on a saturday night by yourself.

Now that I’ve moved to the frozen north I miss Vulcan more than ever.
There’s something to be said about jumping in your car and driving to a standing video store. It’s something I did most of my childhood to get VCR tapes and then years later to get a DVD or two, and brings back fun memories of hours wasted. Having worked for two major video rental chains in the past, Vulcan has always been a refreshing breeze on the corporate dinosaur landscape — though that corporate dinosaur is little more than a bone field now due to mismanagement and greed… but I digress…
Vulcan is, aside from an excellent and quirky video store, very much an Austin institution. I have always found it oddly endearing going in on a slow day to find the staff watching an 80’s classic like The Jerk and snorting with laughter while they eat take out right behind the counter. Everyone is calm and happy and there isn’t a dress code forcing people to wear idiotic polo shirts and khakis or movie theater uniforms.
While Netflix may be cheaper to an extent, and those movies you just have to see are sent almost directly to your door, you realize what a departure from humanity you’re indulging in when you actually get off the couch and go browse a selection. You might even find an old favorite you forgot about — or see a new movie you never heard of that one of the helpful staff points your at.
If you enjoy movies, do yourself a favor and drop in. Because I guarantee Netflix doesn’t carry half the wacky shit Vulcan does, plus all the other titles you’re itching to see.