Renting DVDs via mail is great, but we chose Blockbuster over Netflix because the combination of movies by mail PLUS being able to walk into my local store, hand them two mailers and walk out with two new rentals, is incredibly convenient.
It'll take a while for the # of people downloading movies to overtake the # of people who rent DVDs, so I wouldn't count out this business model just yet. As much as I hated Blockbuster in the past, I'm at least glad they're trying new things...maybe something will stick.
No, it's just a company that got ginormous and had the market cornered...then Netflix showed up (woot, Netflix!). Blockbuster was raking in the money before because they charged (and still charge) way more than they needed to. They just need to back-off on the cost per rental and trim their margins.
I think they're onto something with the video games though; Netflix doesn't do those (yet), so it could be good to ramp up the video gaming. But they need to cut back on the rental cost of those too.
i Agree with Craig .. I take my 3 dvd's i get in the mail (for the same price as netflix mind you , i was grandfathered in) and get 3 brand new movies off the wall , Bluray as well and walk out , no charge , no hassle , in and out , so im getting 6 movies for the price of 3 and they send me my movies the same day PLUS they give me 2 coupons for game rentals each month .. I see NO reason to go back to netflix , to stream some crappy movies on a pc ?? Until you can stream HD movies (real HD mind you,not watered down) forget that ..
I think Netflix in a addition to rolling out these set top boxes.. needs to maybe consider looking into either a deal with Gamefly or think about expanding into video game offerings.
I will admit that the blockbuster deal is a good one, and having the option to walk in the store is pretty nice because maybe you aren't in the mood for the type of movies that were sent to you from your list. A couple of times I have gotten a Documentary and something like Pan's Labyrinth thats heavy and dramatic and just been in the mood for something funny. BUT, I can't bring myself to giving money back to the evil company that decided to screw me over and jack up prices ever since it got a strangle hold on the market.
Ahh, but while you're driving to the store to select your movies from the wall, and you have a limit to how many you can get on the Blockbuster program, we Netflix users can pop online and instantly watch hundreds of movies and TV shows-- An unlimited number of them-- without so much as a 2-minute wait.
I did both programs, and I've been in management at Blockbuster (as well as every other major video chain) and I believe the Netflix Instant Watch feature is far more valuable than the Blockbuster retail/online combo. It's great for things that have multiple discs, like TV shows. The quality is quite high, and the selection is decent and getting better all the time.
As for video games, Blockbuster will not be able to catch up to GameFly. Blockbuster's pricing on game rentals is terrible. For a couple game rentals at Blockbuster, you can rent an unlimited number of games from GameFly with no time limits or due dates.
However, game rentals are a dying thing. With online services like Goozex making it easy to just swap games with other gamers, the need to worry about subscriptions-- or even money changing hands-- is fast coming to an end.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
vypergts @ Apr 29th 2008 9:01AM
Blockbuster = an outdated business model with an identity crisis.
Craig @ Apr 29th 2008 9:22AM
Renting DVDs via mail is great, but we chose Blockbuster over Netflix because the combination of movies by mail PLUS being able to walk into my local store, hand them two mailers and walk out with two new rentals, is incredibly convenient.
It'll take a while for the # of people downloading movies to overtake the # of people who rent DVDs, so I wouldn't count out this business model just yet. As much as I hated Blockbuster in the past, I'm at least glad they're trying new things...maybe something will stick.
looseinthedeuce @ Apr 29th 2008 9:29AM
No, it's just a company that got ginormous and had the market cornered...then Netflix showed up (woot, Netflix!). Blockbuster was raking in the money before because they charged (and still charge) way more than they needed to. They just need to back-off on the cost per rental and trim their margins.
I think they're onto something with the video games though; Netflix doesn't do those (yet), so it could be good to ramp up the video gaming. But they need to cut back on the rental cost of those too.
Jon @ Apr 29th 2008 9:57AM
i Agree with Craig .. I take my 3 dvd's i get in the mail (for the same price as netflix mind you , i was grandfathered in) and get 3 brand new movies off the wall , Bluray as well and walk out , no charge , no hassle , in and out , so im getting 6 movies for the price of 3 and they send me my movies the same day PLUS they give me 2 coupons for game rentals each month .. I see NO reason to go back to netflix , to stream some crappy movies on a pc ?? Until you can stream HD movies (real HD mind you,not watered down) forget that ..
Nick M. @ Apr 29th 2008 11:06AM
I think Netflix in a addition to rolling out these set top boxes.. needs to maybe consider looking into either a deal with Gamefly or think about expanding into video game offerings.
I will admit that the blockbuster deal is a good one, and having the option to walk in the store is pretty nice because maybe you aren't in the mood for the type of movies that were sent to you from your list. A couple of times I have gotten a Documentary and something like Pan's Labyrinth thats heavy and dramatic and just been in the mood for something funny. BUT, I can't bring myself to giving money back to the evil company that decided to screw me over and jack up prices ever since it got a strangle hold on the market.
nDee @ Apr 29th 2008 12:00PM
Soon they are selling condoms - or whatsoever
ZeroCorpse @ Apr 29th 2008 3:43PM
Ahh, but while you're driving to the store to select your movies from the wall, and you have a limit to how many you can get on the Blockbuster program, we Netflix users can pop online and instantly watch hundreds of movies and TV shows-- An unlimited number of them-- without so much as a 2-minute wait.
I did both programs, and I've been in management at Blockbuster (as well as every other major video chain) and I believe the Netflix Instant Watch feature is far more valuable than the Blockbuster retail/online combo. It's great for things that have multiple discs, like TV shows. The quality is quite high, and the selection is decent and getting better all the time.
As for video games, Blockbuster will not be able to catch up to GameFly. Blockbuster's pricing on game rentals is terrible. For a couple game rentals at Blockbuster, you can rent an unlimited number of games from GameFly with no time limits or due dates.
However, game rentals are a dying thing. With online services like Goozex making it easy to just swap games with other gamers, the need to worry about subscriptions-- or even money changing hands-- is fast coming to an end.