Bye Bye Blockbuster - Hello Red Box and Netflix

[DaveWadding]

I must be the only person on the Internet that's never had a problem with Blockbuster Online. I've had them for like 5 years? Always the best price, tons of perks (my plan is 3 out, unlimited exchanges & 2 movie/game coupons a month for $20), never have a prob getting the movies I want via store or online, no extra charge for Blu rentals (since Netflix charges for that)...I have gotten Netflix trials before to scoop the rare thing that Block Buster doesn't have, but it's not enough to make me switch.

Although I wish Netflix would offer a streaming only plan, I'd pay for that.

[blackcauldron85]

Yeah, well with Netflix, Streaming is free for members.

Yeah, and I watched a lot of steaming movies when I subscribed, but since I canceled my account, I'm glad to have a cheaper rental alternative (Blockbuster's $3.99 for steaming) when RedBox or the library doesn't have a title I want.

Although I wish Netflix would offer a streaming only plan, I'd pay for that.

That's actually a really good idea. Does Blockbuster do that? Does Blockbuster even stream? Netflix's streaming doesn't have everything, but they have a good selection, and titles all the time are being added (although some get deleted from being available to stream).

Oh, and when I went to bring the RedBox movie back, the local 7-11's machine, after pressing the "Return a Movie" button, said that it was having technical diffulties. So I drove to the other 7-11 and THANKFULLY had no problems. I even rented another (free) movie. I do love the free codes that you can find online!

[Luke]

I mean, it just seems kind of sketchy. Why can't you just use regular money instead of a credit/debit card when it's only $1 per night? And if you have to wait since it can be overloaded, that's crap.

I'm no Redbox devotee; to me it seems like a colossal waste of time, effort, gas, etc. compared to Netflix. But if you were to just put in a dollar, you could very easily walk off with a DVD valued to them at much more than a dollar for a dollar and not return it. With the credit card, you give them the promise to pay a dollar a day until return and it's a form of identification as well.

Two Redboxes filled to capacity sounds like some bad luck. Or that they're not doing very well, since they have all the DVDs they can fit in there. Might it have been better to wait and see if someone took something out instead of going to another one? Of course what if someone else comes to return? Anyway, it sounds like a genuine headache to me. And yet the studios are so up in arms about the thought of $1 rentals.

[blackcauldron85]

I'm no Redbox devotee; to me it seems like a colossal waste of time, effort, gas, etc. compared to Netflix.

At least for me, it wouldn't be a waste of gas if the machine at the 7-11 two streets over from mine worked properly. (Hopefully tomorrow when I return the movie I rented today, the local 7-11's machine will work, but I won't hold my breath). But, especially using the free codes located online, the price of gas is the price of the movie, which isn't too bad if you think about it that way!

Might it have been better to wait and see if someone took something out instead of going to another one? Of course what if someone else comes to return? Anyway, it sounds like a genuine headache to me. And yet the studios are so up in arms about the thought of $1 rentals.

Well, I didn't even think about that...but one machine wasn't working properly today, so I mean, technically I did wait, and it still didn't work. I'm just glad that there is another RedBox not too far from my house; if someone only lived near the malfunctioning RedBox, they'd have to call the company or something, so they wouldn't get charged extra.

And about the $1 rentals- What about the free rentals? I haven't tried using the same code twice, but the codes are readily available online, and I used one code yesterday and another today. That's $2 that they won't get back from me. Oh, and you can type in your email address on the screen and they'll send you a receipt of your purchase, and a return receipt when you return a DVD, which I think it handy.

[Luke]

And about the $1 rentals- What about the free rentals? I haven't tried using the same code twice, but the codes are readily available online, and I used one code yesterday and another today. That's $2 that they won't get back from me. Oh, and you can type in your email address on the screen and they'll send you a receipt of your purchase, and a return receipt when you return a DVD, which I think it handy.

If you have a Redbox in walking distance or in a place you regularly frequent, I guess it works out okay. And those free codes are nice. Because of them, I didn't pay for a Redbox rental the two or three times I've gotten something from there. It is a hassle to have to return the next day and then going there and leaving empty-handed feels like a waste but that's the circular thinking they want you to fall into I guess. But the selection and time thing is a deal-breaker for me. Plus I always make use of the local library for free week-long rentals.

[Ting Ting]

I must be the only person on the Internet that's never had a problem with Blockbuster Online.

I haven't had any problems with it either. I've heard many complain about how their selection isn't very broad, but they've had everything I've wanted so far. Plus, the in-store exchange option is just awesome!

[VagueSimplicity]

What I most liked about Blockbuster was the social aspect of going to the local video store (even though it's not video anymore, but the title hasn't really changed) and chatting with friends or family about movies you see. It gets you out of the house for a bit of fresh air.

However, I do agree their selection is fairly limited and their prices atrocious, especially for movie snacks. I mean why am I going to pay triple for a candy, sodas, and popcorn when I can go to the grocery store next door and get the better deal. And of course, the rental fees. Although, this was before we got Blockbuster Online which luckily we got started on when it was $18 a month (we got the best plan that's $34 now). But it's become extremely useless and obsolete. We have the same three damn movies from the Summer of last year, so basically we've been paying over $50 for the same three movies, but I guess we can only blame our laziness. If I had a license and a car, though, I'd do the errands myself, but alas I haven't even started Driver's Ed (which is embarrassing cause I am old enough to have my license )

I've been trying to get my mom to cancel it, but she always seems to forget. My motive is to just get the Netflix plan for $9 that my brother has. 1 DVD in the mail + Instant Streaming on my PS3. I don't want them both coinciding at the same time, though. I worry about the family budget a lot.

Anyway, back on subject. I guess I can't really imagine a world without Blockbuster, just like I can't envision a world without Disney. Guess it's because it's the world I've always known since I was born.

[musicradio77]

I used to go to Blockbuster all the time. I used to buy Disney VHS tapes that I have in my collection, sometimes DVD's. The one in Kingston Plaza has a Blockbuster on there, but I hope they are closing down soon. Thanks to Netflix, the internet, file sharing and cable movie channels like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, Encore and the Movie Channel along with the On Demand channels. I have been watching movies ever since it was on TV and on the internet. Too bad, Blockbuster has got to go. I remember seeing a Blockbuster when it was on Court Street in Brooklyn, NY back in the 1990's. I do missed them all.

[ajmrowland]

thankfully, at least one chain of movie store is stll alive in my area today.

I wonder what games Family Video has?