The Movie Rentals Thread

[metrokard3]

Apparently if you rent a movie or a game you dont have to pay for late fees for it. There is a huge catch though if the movie/game isnt returned in 7 days after the due date you have to buy it. The computer will charge you minus the rental fee and you are forced to keep it. Now i thought Blockbuster makes a ton on late fees and this method sounds like it would make them less money....So I'm kinda confused as to why blockbuster would do that if there going to be at a loss....? any ideas?

[Oedipus]

I saw the ad on tv and wondered what the catch was. I'll stick with Net Flix, late fee or no late fee Blockbusters selection still sucks.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Late fees are the MAJORITY of their income.

However, Blockbuster is taking it in the ass from companies like NetFlix. This is their last attempt at keeping the brick and mortar.

I'm sure the pay off is RETAIL too - not "Blockbuster cost".

I'll stick with NetFlix too.

[Darksol]

Netflix all the way for me. If Blockbuster had a decent distribution network that may change, but their cheap ass prices are a lock in for 2005 but they will go up tons in 06.

[WorknMan]

If Blockbuster goes belly up, let's home Netflix doesn't go down the toilet as well - since I've been a customer, I have been pleasently surprised at how good the service is. I hope it stays that way.

[crv]

Another catch is that not all Blockbusters locations have to participate in this "no late fees" thing (though I'm not sure how much that matters).

[Shane R. Monroe]

Well, look at it this way ... netFlix is like a roach. You can't kill it.

What a lot of people forget is ... during the .COM crash, netflix was pretty much the only big business on the web turning a PROFIT (if I recall, even Amazon was in the red). They survived what should have easily killed them.

Sure, Blockbuster COULD catch up (as could Wal-Mart) but just as with convergence, if you're not dedicated to something, you're never going to be in charge. Netflix doesn't have super stores or brick and mortar to carry "the mail division".

Its what they do - all that they do - and dammit if they don't do it right.

[jamcat]

Hahaha, but keep the movie or game long enough, and you end up buying it. They are hoping people get lazy and forget to return the game or movie so they can bill your credit card for a sale.

Don't matter to me though, I don't rent movies or games anyway. With DVDs being as cheap as they are, any movie I want to see I buy from Best Buy. I have yet to regret buying any movie so far.

[Oedipus]

Hahaha, but keep the movie or game long enough, and you end up buying it. They are hoping people get lazy and forget to return the game or movie so they can bill your credit card for a sale.

Don't matter to me though, I don't rent movies or games anyway. With DVDs being as cheap as they are, any movie I want to see I buy from Best Buy. I have yet to regret buying any movie so far.

I couldn't do that. I'd end up with too many movies I hate.

[Bryan 'KidHype' Smith]

If people here are STILL going to Blockbuster (you've got to be insane or live in a town where thats all you get) get ready for your favorite movies disappearing and never coming back since if you keep it too long you own it. Especially that rare out of print DVD that you really wanted to see that Blockbuster is notorious of keeping 1 copy of.

Heh...Blockbuster will now be able to go back to what they did best, renting VHS tapes since thats all there will left after this little fiasco.

[Darksol]

After Netflix came out I wondered why a lot of people go to Blockbuster. A lot of the movies I want to rent , Blockbuster always has it rented out or they never had it to begin with. With Netflix anything I want I can get. All my rentals come in a day.

[JayP]

What does Netflix charge?
I used to rent from BB- easily spending $20 a month. These days, I'm lucky to rent 2 or even 1. Can't justify Netflix yet.

[Bryan 'KidHype' Smith]

goto http://www.netflix.com for a pricing structure

If you only rent 2 movies a month, netflix would be extorton for you. If you are renting 2 or more a week, its a great deal.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Netflix is funny. Even though you ARE paying for the service, when you think you're getting "free" rentals, you are MUCH more likely to try indie movies or other films you NEVER would rent from Blockbuster (if they even have it).

[JayP]

Yea- $17... right there on the front page. I'm lazy.

If/when I get more free time, I'd like to try Netflix. It's tough to catch movies when I spend all my time work/commute/online gaming... (running away...)

[Darksol]

Yea- $17... right there on the front page. I'm lazy.

If/when I get more free time, I'd like to try Netflix. It's tough to catch movies when I spend all my time work/commute/online gaming... (running away...)

We all need more time in the day. I haven't quite figured out how to do it yet. I tried not sleeping , but I lost .

[Oedipus]

Netflix is funny. Even though you ARE paying for the service, when you think you're getting "free" rentals, you are MUCH more likely to try indie movies or other films you NEVER would rent from Blockbuster (if they even have it).

Thats very true. You do find yourself renting stuff you never would of tried which can be good and bad lol.

But really Blockbusters crappy selection is the main drawback to their stores. Their selection blows.

[Demolition Man]

I gave up on Blockbuster eons ago. Between the at the time pro pan and scan status they had ("ohe nozs our cudstomers don't like dem blhaacke bharz so whe wille noze lohner chary whydesckreen when twho fhormats are relleased"), the annoying inconsistant rental system (this DVD is 3 days, this one is 5, and that one is 7 days... okay, I'm supposed to remember all that, right), and the fact that I've gotten more than one DVD that was scratched to hell just drove me away from Blockbuster.

I tried Netflix for awhile. Nice service, but most of the time I ended up buying the movie after renting it so I ditched them in favor of Nicheflix whom I started using a few weeks ago. I'll post a review on how I think of Nicheflix in the near future, but so far its been a worthwhile experience that I'm very happy with. :D

[Flare]

I wonder if the dumbass who came up with the concept of cutting the late fees will get his ass fired?

Read on:
http://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001435725

[ArcadeNut]

I wonder if the dumbass who came up with the concept of cutting the late fees will get his ass fired?

Read on:
http://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001435725

BlockBuster is doomed. They were too greedy for too long and now they are going to pay for it. $4 to rent a DVD, then like $500 in late fees...

As for the "No Late Fees!", there is still a late fee, but it's now after 7 days and they call it a "Restocking Fee".

People are lazy and they like convenience. Netflix caters to that.

As Bender would say... "BlockBuster can bite my shiny metal a$$!"

[Darksol]

Just goes to show you how much the late fees affect Blockbuster's bottoml line. Their business plan is basically to count on you being lazy and not returning movies.

[Flare]

Interesting...

Blockbuster looking to take on Redbox with kiosks (http://www.insideredbox.com/blockbuster-looking-to-take-on-redbox-with-kiosks/)


In a not-so-surprising move, Blockbuster - the original movie rental giant that has taken a beating recently by Netflix and Redbox - has announced that they will be placing 50 DVD rental kiosks in a pilot test they are doing.

[Shane R. Monroe]

You guys DO know I invented the redbox right? Yet another great idea I didn't patent in time before someone else snagged it.

This was back in like the late 80's, early 90's - I invented the VIDEO VENDOR. It was for VHS tapes, but the concept is IDENTICAL to my original plans. Wonder if I still have the sketches and notes I made about it ...?

Sort of crap pisses me off.

[Flare]

Do like NTP.... sue them like they did (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/16/rim_ntp_settle_lawsuit/) with RIM.

[Shane R. Monroe]

If I still had proof, maybe ...

[Flare]

Hypocrisy alert.

Winchester fights DVD rental boxes (http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=8924285)

Yet another small town is petitioning to keep Redbox out of their town because of concerns of their children watching R-rated movies.

My favorite quote from the article is this:
“The question is, are they the problem? Where’s the responsibility for the parents?” wondered one Winchester resident.
Those are my thoughts exactly, which many of you have expressed as well.
Any new thoughts on this?

[Flare]

Redbox to start stocking BluRay?


I just read a report (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/09/13/blu-ray-discs-popping-up-in-red-box-rental-kiosks/) that there are a few Redbox’ out there that have some Blu-ray discs in them…

… we’ve received a report from the wonderfully named Aloha, Oregon that at least one Red Box movie rental kiosk has a Coming Soon flyer for Speed Racer on BD. When our tipster contacted Red Box concerning the discovery, the representative did affirm that if Blu-ray was shown, Blu-ray was on the way… Perhaps Oregon is a part of some test Redbox is doing, though…

[Flare]

Redbox to Offer Movie Streaming Service, Compete with Netflix (http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-to-offer-movie-streaming-service-compete-with-netflix/)


In a surprise move, Redbox has announced that they will start offering a movie streaming service later this month. In keeping with its current pricing structure, the cost to stream a movie will be just $1, and customers will be able to choose from any movie in the Redbox library, including new releases.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Redbox to Offer Movie Streaming Service, Compete with Netflix (http://www.insideredbox.com/redbox-to-offer-movie-streaming-service-compete-with-netflix/)

That is the single worst, gayest dumbest idea EVER. This HAS to be an April Fool's joke. NO ONE is that stupid.

[Flare]

That is the single worst, gayest dumbest idea EVER. This HAS to be an April Fool's joke. NO ONE is that stupid.

I was able to get a hold of April, a New Product Manager at the Redbox corporate office

Oh my... I've been had... LOL

[Flare]

So I saw a charge of $1.09 on one of my credit cards, the charge is from Redbox, the rental kiosk that's $1 a day.

I called them, because I know that I have never paid for any of their rentals, I always use a Free rental code and use it multiple times with my multiple credit cards; so I haven't had the need to pay for any yet.

I called them and they said that indeed I didn't use a code on this one. Perhaps I made a mistake so now I have to pay one full dollar! :mad:

What I found hilarious was when the lady told me "No, you you didn't use the code, you used the code of the rest of your rentals with different credit cards that day, but not on this one". You could tell by her voice that she found that a little annoying :o

No wonder Redbox has discontinued the free rental monday codes, now you have to hunt for them in websites and stuff.

It was good while it lasted... f*ck it, I'm going back to Mexico anyway.