Is Blockbuster going out of business?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Only problem with Redbox is that with the one outside my store, people keep coming in and complaining to US about it. We keep explaining that it's not our machine and we're not responsible for it, but there's always some jackass who wants to blame us for whatever goes wrong with the thing.

 

[RoJoHen]

Never used a Redbox. Actually, I don't even think I've seen one. I think the idea's great, but I really can't remember a time that I've seen it "in the wild." I'd definitely be open to Google mapping locations or something and trying to hit one up.

Really? I see them everywhere!

 

[caisson2delta]

I say I'm glad to see them go. Them and their former scum bag owner single handed put Major Video out of business, in my area. I never stepped foot into a Blockbuster or rented from them. I say good riddance and it would be nice to see smaller, privately owned or smaller chains around again.

This.

So, you mean Viacom... Because from '96 until '04 Blockbuster was owned by them.

I was referring to the owner previous to that, H. Wayne Huizenga. He has a nasty habit of buying and selling things, after he dismantles and messes with them. He did it to several of the local sports teams here in S. Florida.

 

[Random_Spock]

My local Hollywood Video is going out of business . Sad really... since they were the only good competition in the area against Blockbuster. I never even rented anything from Blockbuster in ages, due to their return by noon policy.

I didn't even know that they were doing that bad.

 

[Amaris]

Nice. I've only glanced at the Redboxes in passing, but I never really paid much attention. Might be worth checking out.

Nice. I've only glanced at the Redboxes in passing, but I never really paid much attention. Might be worth checking out.

same here. I've never used them. but my dad and mom used them with my 9-year old niece and they couldn't return a movie in time because a red box was supposedly malfunctioning and wouldn't take any movies back in. they were charged late fees I think. I'm gonna miss Blockbusters though. if nothing else, then for the fairly helpful, nerdy employees. isn't that the kind of place Tarantino worked?

Well, next time you go, try this code when you get to the check out menu:

MYFREEDVD
DVDONME

If you go to a Redbox at Kroger, use this:
DVDKROG

If you go to a Redbox at Walgreens, use this:
DVDATWAG

These codes will get you a free rental. You'll still create an account with a Credit Card, but there will be no charge.
Of course, you can only use it once per account, but this way you get to try it out and see if you like it.

 

[Star Wolf]

Not the niche stores. Unless Redbox, Netflix, and their Canadian cousin Zip-It also sell independent movies and documentaries out of those machines, niche stores will always be here, and will do great business. A machine cannot replace a human being as far as customer service goes, no matter how efficient it is.

EDIT: Also, there are other ethnicities to consider as well: many if not all Asian and East Europeans, plus the Caucasians that like Asian and East European cinema/TV are not going to use these services if movies from their respective nations aren't in these machines (this goes double for those from Arab nations too.)

I know with Netflix there are a TON of Bollywood films.

And for finding Tagalog movies while they won't have pirated copies of the latest movies, as most new foreign movies on the street are, it is a lot easier then driving two hours round trip to the nearest Lil Manila

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I think Redbox and Netflix will kill what little market is left for any kind of rental stores. There are always huge lines outside the Redbox machine at my store, but the Hollywoods and Blockbusters are all going belly-up.

Not the niche stores. Unless Redbox, Netflix, and their Canadian cousin Zip-It also sell independent movies and documentaries out of those machines, niche stores will always be here, and will do great business. A machine cannot replace a human being as far as customer service goes, no matter how efficient it is.

And the aforementioned "bredth of stock". Redbox I think is going to corner the market on "big films".

Yup, it's gonna be Redbox for the big-ass Hollywood blockbuster rentals and Netflix for people like me who want access to everything I can think of (in addition to the big-ass Hollywood blockbusters).

Come to think of it, I've never seen a Redbox in real life. I live in San Francisco, don't they exist here? Did a search...they're only at 7-11's and Lucky's? I don't go to either, no wonder I've never seen em.

 

[Mike Farley]

They're also at every McDonalds, at least here in Las Vegas. And in the front of most grocery stores.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

They're also at every McDonalds, at least here in Las Vegas. And in the front of most grocery stores.

Not in SF they aren't.