In Montreal lebt Jean-François Hall, ein leidenschaftlicher DVD-Verkäufer, der mit 9.000 DVDs und einer kreativen Marketingstrategie auf sich aufmerksam macht. Trotz des digitalen Zeitalters hat er eine Nische für nostalgische Filme gefunden, indem er alte Sammlungen von Spendern und geschlossenen Videotheken aufkauft. Mit handgemachten Plakaten aus alten Wahlplakaten hat er Interesse bei potenziellen Käufern geweckt. Halls Erfolg überrascht die Community, die seine Botschaft unterstützt: „DVDs dürfen nicht verschwinden!“
Exploring Montreal’s Unique DVD Business
In the vibrant city of Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier thrives on his passion for storytelling, often running through the streets with his office bundled in a backpack. He engages with a diverse array of individuals, uncovering captivating narratives and experiences within this urban landscape.
The Surprising Comeback of DVDs
Amidst the digital age, DVDs have carved out a niche market, and one Montreal resident is making waves by selling these nostalgic items through an unconventional yet effective advertising strategy.
Jean-François Hall’s home in Rosemont is a treasure trove of DVDs, with columns of boxes occupying half of his main corridor.
A stack of ten holiday-themed DVDs eagerly awaits a new owner.
Nearby, a box filled with thirty envelopes stands ready for dispatch:
“There’s about $150 worth of films in there,” reveals the man proudly sporting a “DVD Pro” cap.
His shirt boldly declares: “DVDs must not disappear!”
Just one minute after I arrive, his phone buzzes.
“I just sold one!” exclaims the enthusiastic “DVD Pro.”
To my surprise, Mr. Hall is not the older gentleman I had envisioned from his handmade promotional posters scattered throughout Montreal.
At 42, this film technician maintains a staggering collection of around 9,000 DVDs at his residence.
Out of these, approximately 6,500 are actively listed on eBay.
“A customer in British Columbia just purchased the movie Stonehenge Apocalypse from me for $12,” he shares.
The listing details include a note indicating D6… which corresponds to the box housing the film.
I retrieve the specified box from a corridor column and return the DVD to Mr. Hall.
He inspects the disc for quality and scribbles the buyer’s address on an envelope.
But how does he acquire these DVDs? Through generous donations from those unsure of what to do with their old collections or by purchasing stock from shuttered video rental stores, for instance.
Capitalizing on Demand
“Many films are nearly impossible to locate on streaming platforms, and even if just 1% of the population still enjoys DVDs, my sales across Canada create a significant customer base,” Mr. Hall explains.
The ingenious aspect of his business lies in his grassroots marketing approach: he repurposes discarded election signs, transforming them into eye-catching posters with marker drawings.
“I thought this personal touch would resonate with people and potentially go viral on social media,” he reminisces.
Indeed, his unique approach has sparked curiosity among thousands of potential buyers.
As he posts his flyers on street poles, passersby greet him warmly.
Some even ask to snap a photo with the legendary “DVD Pro.”
“Police officers and workers who see me in action give me supportive gestures while smiling,” he beams.
“A marketing professor from Concordia stopped me on the street to express how impressed he was with my campaign’s success.”
While he hasn’t received any autograph requests yet, he’s optimistic that day will come!
“I never anticipated such a positive response from the community,” Mr. Hall reflects.
“Many believe I’ve been at this for years, but in reality, it’s only been two!”
I left the “DVD Pro’s” residence with one of his charming signs tucked in my bag, promising him I would display it near my home – a promise I intend to keep.