Blockbuster Changing In-Store Exchange Policy

adam42381adam42381 Kernersville, NC Posts: 2,515
edited March 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
I know there are a few of us that use Blockbuster for home movie delivery because of the in-store exchange option. Well, I am going to be switching over to Netflix. Blockbuster has revised the way in-store exchanges work so that now you have to return your in-store exchange before they'll ship the next movie in your queue. The way it used to work (and the only reason I chose them over Netflix) was you would return a movie to the store and get a new movie to take home and they'd immediately ship out your next movie. This benefit let you always have a movie out. I'm sure this is going to have some serious backlash and may spell the end of Blockbuster. Blockbuster is acting as if they're doing the customer a favor by saying that this move is eliminating due dates for in-store exchanges when in fact they're eliminating the real benefit of going to the store in the first place.

Here's the email they sent out:

Hi Adam,

As of March 2, 2009, there will be no more due dates for your free in-store movie exchanges!

- In other words, as long as you are an active BLOCKBUSTER Total Access subscriber, you can keep your free in-store exchanges as long as you like from participating BLOCKBUSTER® stores.
- In order to eliminate due dates, the free in-store exchange will now count towards the number of DVDs you may have out at a time under your BLOCKBUSTER Total Access plan. Once you've returned your in-store exchange, we'll then ship you the next available movie in your queue.
- Your free in-store exchanges will now show up on your Queue page and in your Rental History, making it easy to keep track of the movies you've rented

MY RESPONSE:

I just got notice that you guys are going to hold off mailing out new movies when in-store exchanges are done until the in-store exchange is returned. The fact that I could return my movie and get another while I waited for the other to be mailed was the only reason I chose Blockbuster over Netflix in the first place. I will assume there will be a lot of customers switching over to Netflix now.

What you guys bill as a new feature - no due dates - actually takes away the one big benefit of going with Blockbuster in the first place. Oh well, I guess I'll be making the switch after March 2nd when the changes are made.

THEIR RESPONSE:

Hello Adam,

Thank you for contacting Blockbuster Customer Care.

I apologize for the inconvenience the changes in policy may have caused. We are improving our service by providing our valued customers more time to watch and take advantage of requested DVDs at the store because of the "No Due Date" changes. However, I appreciate you taking the time to write us with your feedback and suggestions about this new changes. Your comments are taken very seriously and we welcome them as a valuable tool needed to improve the quality of our service.

We use your queue to provide service and I suggest that you keep at least 15 or more "Available" titles at the top of it at all times to ensure that there are no delay in shipments. Your queue have "Very Long Wait" status near the top of it, you may want to drag it down your queue, to make way for the "Available" titles to be shipped easily. The availability of movies can change from day to day and we do not want you to have any disruption in service.

Please let me know if there is anything else that I can assist you with. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Always here to help,
Sai
Blockbuster Customer Care
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
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Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • TravelarTravelar Kalamazoo, USA Posts: 3,410
    Maybe I missed something vital, but what does the amount of movies in your queue have to do with this service change? Seems like kind of a canned answer to me, indicating that they don't really care what you think to begin with.
  • PorchsitterPorchsitter Loganville, GA Posts: 1,078
    Too bad. It seems Blockbuster is doing what it can to deter people from renting from them and sink further into oblivion. I've been on the Blockbuster Online thing for two years now and have been satisfied by the program only b/c I could make the exchanges in-store and have a movie to watch while waiting for the next one to arrive. Once I receive that notice, I'll be dropping them an email saying that once this next pay cycle is over I'll be canceling my account and defecting to Netflix. It's unfortunate really.
    We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.--Bill Hicks
  • adam42381adam42381 Kernersville, NC Posts: 2,515
    Too bad. It seems Blockbuster is doing what it can to deter people from renting from them and sink further into oblivion. I've been on the Blockbuster Online thing for two years now and have been satisfied by the program only b/c I could make the exchanges in-store and have a movie to watch while waiting for the next one to arrive. Once I receive that notice, I'll be dropping them an email saying that once this next pay cycle is over I'll be canceling my account and defecting to Netflix. It's unfortunate really.

    The only reason I kept Blockbuster is for the same reason you did - having a movie to watch while I'm waiting for the next one to be shipped. I think they're automatically sending out the notice a week before the change takes place on your account. The change comes 2 days prior to your billing date - my change is March 2 and billing date is March 4 - so you might want to check your billing date to see when you'll be notified.
    I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
    __________________________________________________________
    Shameless beer-related plugs:
    Instagram/Twitter/Untappd: FtMyersBeerGuy
  • adam42381adam42381 Kernersville, NC Posts: 2,515
    I just signed up for the free trial of Netflix and downloaded a trial of a media server program for the PS3 called PlayOn which allows me to stream Netflix. If it works well, I'm going to pay the $39.99 for the license which never expires. I've been reading good things about PlayOn. As of now you can stream Hulu, Netflix and Youtube to your PS3.
    I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me.
    __________________________________________________________
    Shameless beer-related plugs:
    Instagram/Twitter/Untappd: FtMyersBeerGuy
  • AmentsChickAmentsChick Posts: 6,969
    I have always loathed Blockbuster. I started boycotting them years ago...long before Netflix and On Demand won me over.
    This is the greatest band in the world -- Ben Harper

  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,300
    adam42381 wrote:
    I just signed up for the free trial of Netflix and downloaded a trial of a media server program for the PS3 called PlayOn which allows me to stream Netflix. If it works well, I'm going to pay the $39.99 for the license which never expires. I've been reading good things about PlayOn. As of now you can stream Hulu, Netflix and Youtube to your PS3.

    You've been able to watch Hulu, youtube and others on the PS3, via the web browser for a little while now (since their flash upgrade).

    But anyways, I used to have the Blockbuster service a little while ago. It was cool at first, then more people started doing it and my que got so damn backed up it took forever to get anything I really wanted. I ended up canceling the service and might check out Netflix.

    You can get Blu-rays thru Netflix right?
  • AmentsChickAmentsChick Posts: 6,969
    mca47 wrote:
    You can get Blu-rays thru Netflix right?

    Yup

    Does Netflix carry Blu-ray movies?

    Yes, we carry Blu-ray movies and are adding more as they are released by the studios. After signup, you can add unlimited access to Blu-ray movies to your account for $1 a month, in addition to your monthly membership charge.
    This is the greatest band in the world -- Ben Harper

  • HermanBloomHermanBloom Posts: 1,764
    I used to use Blockbuster when I was right next store to them and they were great. I have Netflix now and am glad I switched now after this crap; the only problem with Netflix is popular movies always have a very long wait.
    SLC 11/2/95, Park City 6/21/98, Boise 11/3/00, Seattle 12/9/02, Vancouver 5/30/03, Gorge 9/1/05, Vancouver 9/2/05, Gorge 7/22/06, Gorge 7/23/06, Camden I 6/19/08, MSG I 6/24/08, MSG II 6/25/08, Hartford 6/27/08, Mansfield II 6/30/08; Eddie Albany 6/8/09, 6/9/09; Philly 10/30/09, 10/31/09; Boston 5/17/10
    I thought the world...Turns out the world thought me
  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    adam42381 wrote:
    I just signed up for the free trial of Netflix and downloaded a trial of a media server program for the PS3 called PlayOn which allows me to stream Netflix. If it works well, I'm going to pay the $39.99 for the license which never expires. I've been reading good things about PlayOn. As of now you can stream Hulu, Netflix and Youtube to your PS3.

    I was just about to say that Netflix has them beat on the download thing too. Blockbuster's days are numbered. They may still be in business but I bet they convert over to full mail service/download in the future. The overhead on these stores has to be killing them.
    DAL-7/5/98,10/17/00,6/9/03,11/15/13
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    MTL-9/15/05, OTT-9/16/05
    PHL-5/27/06,5/28/06,10/30/09,10/31/09
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    HTFD-6/27/08
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  • Flagg wrote:
    adam42381 wrote:
    I just signed up for the free trial of Netflix and downloaded a trial of a media server program for the PS3 called PlayOn which allows me to stream Netflix. If it works well, I'm going to pay the $39.99 for the license which never expires. I've been reading good things about PlayOn. As of now you can stream Hulu, Netflix and Youtube to your PS3.

    I was just about to say that Netflix has them beat on the download thing too. Blockbuster's days are numbered. They may still be in business but I bet they convert over to full mail service/download in the future. The overhead on these stores has to be killing them.

    Yeah, between netflix, on demand and that red box, blockbuster HAS to be losing money.
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • TravelarTravelar Kalamazoo, USA Posts: 3,410
    Flagg wrote:
    I was just about to say that Netflix has them beat on the download thing too. Blockbuster's days are numbered. They may still be in business but I bet they convert over to full mail service/download in the future. The overhead on these stores has to be killing them.

    Not to mention, Blockbusters prices. I don't know how their mail program works, but the last time that I walked into a Blockbuster (3+ years ago) and rented a movie, it was five fucking dollars and it had to be back the next day. Kind of bullshit if you ask me and it was the last time I ever rented anything from them.
  • Drowned OutDrowned Out Posts: 6,056
    People still rent movies?
    I have always loathed Blockbuster. I started boycotting them years ago...long before Netflix and On Demand won me over.
    I started boycotting them in the mid-90's when they sent me to collection for $22. I moved, forgot to change my address, and they couldn't find me...apparently the phone book was too complex for them.
  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    Update:

    http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 5600e.html


    Blockbuster reportedly hires firm to explore bankruptcy 1:43 PM CT

    01:50 PM CST on Tuesday, March 3, 2009
    By MARIA HALKIAS / The Dallas Morning News
    <!-- e --><a href="mailto:mhalkias@dallasnews.com">mhalkias@dallasnews.com</a><!-- e -->

    Blockbuster Inc.’s shares plunged around 1 p.m. after reports that it had hired legal counsel to explore a possible bankruptcy filing.

    Kirkland & Ellis LLP has been hired to evaluate restructuring options for the world’s largest movie-rental chain, according to Bloomberg News.

    The wire service quoted a person familiar with the situation.
    DAL-7/5/98,10/17/00,6/9/03,11/15/13
    BOS-9/28/04,9/29/04,6/28/08,6/30/08, 9/5/16, 9/7/16, 9/2/18
    MTL-9/15/05, OTT-9/16/05
    PHL-5/27/06,5/28/06,10/30/09,10/31/09
    CHI-8/2/07,8/5/07,8/23/09,8/24/09
    HTFD-6/27/08
    ATX-10/4/09, 10/12/14
    KC-5/3/2010,STL-5/4/2010
    Bridge School-10/23/2010,10/24/2010
    PJ20-9/3/2011,9/4/2011
    OKC-11/16/13
    SEA-12/6/13
    TUL-10/8/14
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