Blockbuster Puts Itself Up For Sale

[Hunk Golden]

Originally Posted by Allforce

I'm actually shocked by how many people in here admit to shopping at Blockbuster anymore, I switched to NetFlix years ago and never looked back. 5 dollars for a 2 night rental, give me a break.

And what's the problem with streaming? I think I use the Netflix Instant more than any other service on my 360 and that includes playing games. Hell I have the 1 disc plan with Netflix and can't even remember the last disc I had out, I think we sent back Marley & Me months ago and I never bothered to put another title in my "DVD Queue". It's all Instant Queue for me.

I seriously doubt any hard core Blu fans are renting store releases at full price. That's for moms and dads who don't have a lot of time and aren't movie buffs, people who just want to pick up a rental for the weekend. Most of us belong to the online program, which entitles you to 5 free in-store exchanges per month. They're just like the online rentals, you don't have to have them back until you feel like it. After your 5 in-store exchanges are used, you can rent new release Blu's at $2 for 3 days. They almost always lose track of how many exchanges I've done, giving me anywhere from 6-9 per month.

Streaming is great if you don't demand HD picture/sound. It's great if you value bulk content over quality content (quality sound/picture...not quality of movie). A lot of people have cancelled cable and use the streaming to watch older movies and tv shows. But if you get hooked on Blu, streaming doesn't cut it. If you love new releases (they're all I rent), streaming doesn't cut it.

[Hunk Golden]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Maybe now Netflix will actually work on their streaming quality instead of attempting to force everyone away from disc. Hmmm, actually improving their product instead of trying to make everyone choose it by price hikes, and punitive policies on their disc customers. What a novel concept.

This. Stop forcing the market onto customers. Let customers decide. Isn't that how a free market works?

[Hunk Golden]

Originally Posted by FlipperWasIrish

I think you got it backwards (I could be wrong).

I'm pretty sure the agreements ONLY effect the kiosks. The stores will be the same as usual.

This is the correct answer. Their kiosks have the lame 1 month thing. Blockbuster is a sinking ship, but it's going down REAL fast if the stores lose their 1 month advantage.

[aboothlsu]

Originally Posted by Hunk Golden

I seriously doubt any hard core Blu fans are renting store releases at full price. That's for moms and dads who don't have a lot of time and aren't movie buffs, people who just want to pick up a rental for the weekend. Most of us belong to the online program, which entitles you to 5 free in-store exchanges per month. They're just like the online rentals, you don't have to have them back until you feel like it. After your 5 in-store exchanges are used, you can rent new release Blu's at $2 for 3 days. They almost always lose track of how many exchanges I've done, giving me anywhere from 6-9 per month.

Streaming is great if you don't demand HD picture/sound. It's great if you value bulk content over quality content (quality sound/picture...not quality of movie). A lot of people have cancelled cable and use the streaming to watch older movies and tv shows. But if you get hooked on Blu, streaming doesn't cut it. If you love new releases (they're all I rent), streaming doesn't cut it.

Ill go ahead and admit I rent a full price BD from time to time. We go see just about every major release of interest at the theatre and I own over 300 BD's and have netflix. Sometimes I have a desire to see a movie on a whim and me and the wife go down and rent one.

I enjoy browsing through them in the store even though I have hundreds of options sitting on the shelf at home, or can get it in 2 days from netflix.

Netflix doesnt stream everything, and picture quality is lacking on lots of the movies on there, I dont want a subscription card b/c we may rent 2 a month from Blockbuster that we havent seen in the theater already, so If I want an instant gratification option of seeing a movie immediatly then Blockbuster is the way to go.

[arcadeforest]

Well speaking for myself I have enjoyed having a Blockbuster by me. For the last year I've done the two out at a time plan and probably averaged 25-40 movies per month for $29.95. It's been great and it has saved me quite a few mistakes with potential blind buys. The store close to me is closing and I will miss the manager and staff there. Very friendly and helpfull.

Their online service is not as good as Netflix.

[bkbluray]

I was sad when I saw my Blockbuster with a going out of business sign. I remember going there when I was really young and renting movies. More recently, I went there with my wife and we would pick out an older movie, usually a comedy, and get one of their buckets of popcorn too. Now where can I go to rent an older DVD or Blu-ray? Nowhere. Redbox doesn't have that many older ones and I would either have to do Netflix or BB online again or buy it.

I will say that Blockbuster was digging their own grave when they took so long to lower prices after Redbox was introduced, but I will still miss having a Blockbuster nearby.

EDIT: I did get Grown Ups on Blu-ray for $12.00 after tax at the going-out-of-business sale. There were some decent deals to be had.

[jeffb66]

The financial problems with Blockbuster seem to be affecting the availability of new titles. My BB by mail queue has an increasing number of recent releases listed as on order or unavailable.

[Nemo3404]

I picked up a ton of blu's from my closing Blockbuster. I think I got about 20 at an average of $5 each.

[blujacket]

Originally Posted by Nemo3404

I picked up a ton of blu's from my closing Blockbuster. I think I got about 20 at an average of $5 each.

You're in the minority. Most stores are only 15% off.

[krazeyeyez]

Originally Posted by blujacket

You're in the minority. Most stores are only 15% off.

Don't feel like your missing out, he must have picked up the titles that have been 5.99 - 6.99 standard for the past 4 years of them carrying blu's

[Nemo3404]

I actually got new releases and an some stock titles, all for the average 6.99 w/ 20% off. A friend hooked me up. (And I'm a she just for the record, lol.)

[MrSlr]

I picked up zombieland and grown ups for like $7 bucks each

No scratches or anything.. Took my extra cases i had in the house and through in the cover art and all was set

[yesright96]

BB will be missed.

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Thats funny, none of the BB in my city are closing. They must get good business.

[shonuff6]

ahh man april 8th will be the last day for my favorite blockbuster. I dont have a problem with netflix its just not for me. I like to buy the movies i dont rent bluray's. owning is much better than borrowing.

[steve1971]

Went by my local BB yesterday and sure enough they are closing as well. No more BB's in my area and that sucks!!!!

[ckenisell]

It's done.

[steve1971]

So Dish Network has purchased BB? I wonder if they plan on keeping the stores open? It would be nice not only for the employees but for us disc renters as well.

[dukenukem]

I would hope so but unfortunately in my area all of their stores are permanently closing so renting from bb online or netflix will be only options now.

[yangmeily]

I'd hate to see Blockbuster go, they've always been good to me.