Blockbuster Auctions Itself Off; Any Takers?

[javi_ucsd]

I will be sad to see Blockbuster disappear. It has so many advantages over Netflix. I guess they just got their game together too late and they burned people in the past who never came back??? =(

I'll admit the rental of movies (.50-$5 per movie, depends on how old) at a store is not an economical choice for watching movies but the DVD/Blurays through the mail works awesome (Blockbuster Online, starts at $9) and the Kiosks (Blockbuster Express, $1) is dirt cheap for a rental.

I don't understand it! =(
I clearly get movies faster (in-store exchange), and sooner (28 days earlier), and better quality (by not using streaming), save money (no extra charge for Blu-rays) by using Blockbuster Online rather than Netflix. And BTW, they don't sensor movies anymore like they use to.

For a couple bucks more, you get the in-store exchange which really increases your throughput of movies (if you are close to a store). I am not a fan (yet) of the streaming. The streaming selection is very limited and the quality is not even close to actually having the disc. When that does happen, I will totally be in favor of streaming. Blockbuster customer service is awesome (at least for the last 2 years). A few of times, I was sent the wrong disc, so I just let them know via email. I got a free rental coupon I can take to a local store or I just take the disc to a local store and explain it to them. They give me a free rental on the spot. That's a lot faster than waiting for the next disc in the mail.

Although, Blockbuster Online does have streaming, and they have the latest movies (unlike Netflix), it is a pay-per-view model (kind of expensive). It would be more affordable if they could do an inclusive streaming package per month (so many pay-per-view movies per month or something like that).

 

[house70]

[citation][nom]marquis[/nom]piracy claims another victem[/citation]
Pray do explain that... Scapegoating, maybe? Instead of blaming the CEOs that have not been able to evolve their business model, easier to blame... pirates?

 

[jgiron]

"I'd buy that for a dollar"

 

[captaincharisma]

[citation][nom]sunflier[/nom]If Blockbuster is late for Bankruptcy court I hope they are slapped with a HUGE late fee!!![/citation]

but i thought there were no late fees anymore? just a big one if you don't return it in 2-3 weeks

 

[coldmast]

"I'll buy that for a dollar"
~Robocop reference

 

[festerovic]

I'll give em tree fitty.

 

[Guest]

I have a couple of bucks I was going to buy lottery tickets with, but what the h3ll.....

 

[Marco925]

I bid a dollar!

 

[mikem_90]

In the Immortal words from the Robocop movie:

"I'd Buy that for a dollar!"

 

[joytech22]

I wouldn't take it off their hands unless they paid ME!

Even if i could own all of their sites for $1, i would lose more money than i would get just by trying to operate it, and within a day i'd also be bankrupt.

Blockbuster should have just moved to cyberspace.

 

[bto]

I thought redbox was looking for a brand to use as their new streaming service (like netflix) why not acquire blockbuster, they are already in with the legalities for the most part. Just need to establish the server side. It looks more like redbox is going walmart or amazon instead though? why not buy something cheap that will make the money you won't have to split with a company that will eventually absorb you anyways? Eat or be eaten. walmart/amazon will eat redbox. redbox could eat blockbuster and grow name recognition and have a name for their online service.

 

[ssddx]

its a shame to see b&m stores closing up because of all the online business nowdays. i think we all know by now that usually we can buy products cheaper online then we ever could in a store, however, buying at a b&m allows instant gratification. no waiting, no shipping, no hassle.

i never rented a ton of movies but i was happy to pay the $5 just for the convenience factor alone.

 

[verbalizer]

never was a fan of blockbusters..

 

[xantek24]

that's what they get for making me pay $120 for Chrono Trigger back in 95...

 

[robochump]

Blockbuster's leadership is at fault and BB disappearing is similar to what happened to AOL. Both companies were too stubborn to realize their new competition's sales model was the way of the future and did not adapt. No one likes lines and BB always had lines during busy nights and movie streaming (though limited) is all too convenient. Of course both companies have Execs that made tons of money so they will just write it off and go work for another company to keep making big bucks...lol. Sucks but it is what it is, the rich feeding off each other.

 

[enforcer22]

I haven't rented a movie in like 20 years... and i never once rented one from blockbuster.

 

[ktullu]

If I never see Blockbuster again it'll be too soon.

 

[Thunderfox]

Blockbuster is dying because they charge $9 to rent games and $6 or 7 to rent movies. For the price of a rental or two I could BUY a used copy elsewhere. Their prices have always been too high, even 20 years ago when I rented an NES game there for twice as much as every other store in town.

If they'd let you rent for a night or weekend for a reasonable price, they'd be doing better.

 

[wild9]

I shall miss Blockbuster, even though I found their prices high. Why? Because of the physical nature of the medium and the excitement of browsing films in an exceptionally clean, spacious and warm environment. Some of the staff at our local store were so slow it was unreal, and there was a lot of resentment from smaller, more independent outlets, over the way the bigger outlets seemed to take over. Just shows doesn't it..even the biggest fish get swallowed in the digital ocean.

So someone buys the name..but is it the same? What I mean is, just clicking on a film and downloading it..I don't really feel it has the same kind of appeal as actually going to a store and picking one or more titles off the shelf. I think I'm biased because like many I grew up in a time long before broadband, and You Tube, and streaming HD content. I grew up in a time when stores actually meant something more than closing down sales; there was somewhat of a sense of community, and now these stores are boarded up it just makes the place look even more drab and uninviting.

So I miss the physical aspect of visiting a store and using my arms to reach for the mysterious box on the shelf..even if half the stuff on offer was politically-correct garbage from Hollywood. Now people just lock themselves away in their private little cubby holes and download their content without having to worry about rubbing shoulders with someone else. Aside from a bag of chips and a can of pop to soften the blow, I think that kind of sucks don't you?

 

[itchyisvegeta]

I miss all the mom and pop video stores. I miss renting a video game for $3 bucks for 1-2 days, that sold for $50 bucks brand new.