Bay Street Video FAQ

Where exactly is Bay Street Video and how can I contact you?
Come see us in Toronto at 1172 Bay Street (1/2 block south of Bloor Street, same plaza as the Tim Hortons) - Click here to map our location
Our telephone number is 416.964.9088 and you can also email us at baystreetvideoTO@gmail.com

What are Bay Street Video's store hours?
We're open 7 days a week from 10am to 8pm (Sunday-Thursday) and 10am to 10pm (Friday-Saturday). (Exceptions: Closes at 7pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve / Closed on New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Monday, and Christmas Day.)

Does Bay Street Video really have Toronto's largest 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD collection? Or, likely, even Canada's?
With 40,000 rentals and roughly 12-15,000 sale titles in the store at any given moment, we're extremely confident in calling ourselves the biggest and the best. And if it's available and we don't have it, we are always happy to bring it in for you.

Do you have a loyalty program?
We do! And like a lot of things we do, it's a little old fashioned. Customers can take a stamp card during check out to use on rentals and purchases. Each paid rental gets 1 stamp, and each 20 dollars spent on sale items gets 1 stamp. Once the card is full, you can use it for either a free rental (regular rental terms apply) or 5 dollars off a sale item.

Can I use multiple cards on a purchase?
Sure, as long as you have at least as many items as full cards. If you have 4 full cards, you can get 4 free rentals, or you can get 5 dollars off 4 sale items. You cannot get 20 dollars off one item. So no saving up all your cards to get the Criterion Bergman boxset for free. On any day we have a sale, we will give you any stamps earned for purchases, but you cannot redeem them towards sale items. Using them for free rentals though is A-OK.

I only like *insert decade or niche here* movies! Why do you even carry other movies?!
Well, we have quite a diverse clientele and set of regulars who we also need to consider. Becoming too niche doesn't make any business sense in the long run, and we want to be an archive for all of cinema. And remember, there are no bad years for film. Just years where you didn't watch enough.

That's a fair point! You must be very smart, and handsome. Why not carry more film memorabilia, like posters or books? Or video games, like some stores used to do?
Space! We are always constantly pushing up against our capacity, and carrying those things means less space for discs. They also have very different supply chains, with distributors we do not have relationships with. As for video games specifically, as a former Blockbuster manager, they were a huge pain to maintain and work with. And as funny as it might be to imagine some of our staff saying that you not being able to get past Blighttown is not a issue with the game, and that you need to 'git gud,' it's definitely not worth it.

Does Bay Street Video accept pre-orders?
Absolutely! We always encourage people to put their name down for a title once a release date is announced. It makes sure you get a copy when they come in (helpful for limited runs,) and it also helps us gauge interest and demand so we can adjust our order numbers. There does need to be a set release, though. With this ever changing industry, nothing is guaranteed until it happens, no matter how likely. So no putting a name down for a blockbuster that hasn't opened in theatres yet, or a title that a label has said they picked up but there is no date or format information.

What about an already released title? Can you set one aside for me?
Sure! We're always happy to set something aside; we just need your name, contact info, and estimated pick up date. Generally, we will hold titles for a maximum of two weeks, but that is subject to change based on supply and demand. If it's our last copy of a hot title, we will generally only hold something a couple of days.

And rental titles?
Absolutely! As long as a title's in stock, we can set it aside for you. If a title is rented out/upcoming, we can't hold it as there is no guarantee that it will be back on time. Rentals are held for a maximum of one week for older titles, and two days for new releases, subject to demand.

I am trying to downsize my collection. Do you buy used titles?
We do not. We're always happy to accept donations of current formats, but if you are looking to sell try BMV or the Vinegar Syndrome store in Toronto - (click for links)

Why can't you get *insert title here*?
There are several reasons why a title might not be available to us. Oftentimes they have just gone out of print. Maybe there were music issues, maybe the distributor shut down or the license changed, maybe it only got a limited release. There are also more and more titles produced by (or purchased by) streaming platforms that do not get physical releases in order to push subscriptions. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the streaming titles that do come out, so hope springs eternal. Sometimes titles are released overseas and are region locked. The other big issue is exclusivity. Several labels and distributors have certain titles they only sell through their own stores, or strike deals with retailers for them to be the sole seller (i.e. Amazon, Walmart, etc.) This is the most frustrating one, but there is usually nothing to be done. Some of them won't even acknowledge our existence.

I want to order a title, but I absolutely need a slipcover. Can you guarantee that it will come with one?
No, there is no way to tell when we order if it will come with one or not. The barcode is the same regardless, as the release is the same. Generally, only the first printing will come with a slipcover and once those sell through, that's it. Sometimes that can take a while, sometimes only 60% of our initial order will have slips. No way to know, but generally after a month or two, it's a dice roll. Also, some labels and distributors seem to be phasing them out in some markets (like Canada) and there is nothing we can do in those cases. We cannot order US releases if the same label has released it in Canada.

Can you order international releases?
Sometimes! We are always looking for new distribnution partners and options to bring in titles efficiently and at a reasonable price. As more and more releases are region free, we definitely have more options than we once had. But sometimes, whether because of rights issues, potential playback problems, or just not having a listing available to us, we can't get everything. But it's always worth asking!

Are all of Bay Street Video's titles listed on the website?
Unfortunately, video rental software is not as well maintained as it once was, and getting ancient programs to communicate with each other is tricky. Our website lists all of our rentals, and titles we have brought in for sale. However, it won't necessarily tell you if it is in stock, and out of print titles will not be shown. Don't see something you are looking for? Give us a call! It's very possible we can bring it in!

How can I purchase or rent titles from Bay Street Video?
Sales can either be done in person or shipping orders can be done over the phone with a credit card. In addtion, you may request special orders or upcoming releases for sale over the phone (payment is made after the titles comes into stock). We also have an ONLINE STORE! It doesn't have a full catalogue yet, but we are adding new titles constantly! The Bay Street Video Online Store - Click for the link If you are interested in our rental business, you will need to come to the store to set-up a membership with a valid credit card or to leave a one-time cash deposit if a credit card is not available.

Do you rent and/or sell 4K UltraHDs and how do I find them on the website?
We do! Trying to list more than two formats on the website makes it have an existential crisis, though. Just search 'UHD' in our search box and it will give you a list of everything.

A title I want is out of print, but you have a rental copy. Can you sell it to me?
If we did that, that no one else could watch it! We want our collection to be always growing, and to be as comprehensive as possible. If we ever do sell off a rental copy, it's because a better release has come out.

I pre-ordered something as soon as it was announced! Why is it late?
We place our pre-orders as soon as our suppliers allow. Production delays, shipping issues, and other mishaps are out of our control, though.

I really want this boxset, but it's pretty pricey. Can you give me a deal? Or can you at least price match with Amazon?
Can't fault you for shooting your shot, but no. We work with several suppliers to get as good a price as possible, but we are still a small, independent business and our markup is not that big.

Okay, that makes sense. But do you do any sales?
Yes! We hold one day only sales in store and online three times a year: Boxing Day (December 26), International Video Store Day (third Saturday in October), and our anniversary (generally mid-summer). We never do anything for Black Friday, as it only recently broke containment from the USA and the rank commerialization is a turn off.

If a title is listed for rent and/or sale on the site, does that mean it is in stock right now?
Search results do not indicate if a particular title is currently in stock. Always drop a line to confirm!

Can I put a partial payment down for an order? Or just pay for the whole thing in advance?
No, as prices can always fluctuate. We essentially never know the price of an upcoming title, though can make an educated guess based on similar releases. With older titles, we will always give you a estimated quote at the time of ordering, but things can always change suddenly.

If I place an order, how long will take to come in?
Generally orders take 2-4 weeks to arrive, though there are always exceptions. We have had titles come in the next week, and we have seen things take 18 months (or longer.) We never know when a title will come in until we get an invoice for it, usually the day it arrives. We will keep you posted if there are any updates or issues with a title as we learn them.

Why are the purchase prices for DVDs, Blu-rays and 4K UHDs not listed on the site?
A couple of reasons. First is technical; as previously mentioned, getting software from the 80s to talk to current web design protocols is not a perfect process. Secondly, prices change constantly, and if there is a title listed that we haven't carried for a while, the price would very likely be different.

How accurate is the information on the site?
We try hard to keep the website up to date and accurate, but constantly changing information, tech issues, and the occasional user error do happen. Please reach out if you have any questions, and we'll do our best to help out.

Should I wear a mask?
While not required, we do encourage all customers and staff to take common sense precautions against spreading illness during this ongoing pandemic. We understand people's reticence, but believe it is a simple and effective way to respect the public good and help keep yourself healthy (seriously, I have not had even a cold in 5 years), but the choice is yours. Also, it's super dusty in here.

Are you hiring?
Probably not. It's a prety sweet place to work, and I am a cool boss, so our turnover is very low, so openings do not come along very often. We are always accepting resumes though, so feel free to introduce yourself and drop one off or email us.

I just called and spoke to the woman who works there?
We have several women who work here! Half our staff are women or more femme presenting, so you will need to be more specific.

Wait, are you political?
Film is political! Just like all art, it is a product of the circumstances it was created. From the sleaziest lo-fi slasher to the highest brow Oscar film, politics inform every movie. To your larger point, we pride ourselves on trying to create an inclusive and diverse space for our staff and customers. To that end, we do not tolerate any harrassment or discrimination such as homophobia, transphobia, racism, fascism, Islamophobia, anti-semitism, ableism, pro-colonial or genocidal viewpoints, misogyny, or anything that might get you decked by Indiana Jones.

But the woke are ruining everything! Go woke, go broke!
I think that's for you to unpack, but we've beeen doing extremely well. We also have no tolerance for the intolerant. Break the social contract, and you will no longer be welcome at BSV.

Well, can I get some porn at least? Where the ******* at?
We do support sex work! But that's the one area where we have thrown up the white flag in the internet age. We cannot compete with all the options, so we just suggest using them. Just don't be skeevy and make sure you are paying the performers and productions. We do carry some culturally signifigant adult titles, your Wakefield Poole's and your Emmanuelle's and the like. But that's it.

Where can I find out specifics about the titles listed?
If you desire details such as storyline, directors, actors, etc. check out IMDB - The Internet Movie Database. For more specific information on specific discs or release dates, go to Blu-ray.com. Also, check out our Letterboxd!. You can see weekly updates, follow along with what we watch in store, and also check out staffers' thoughts on releases.