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Blockbuster is stupid

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No Lifer
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
 
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...


Confused
 
Originally posted by: Confused
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...


Confused
Click to expand...

That is on select new releases only 🙁

Either way, if you plan to get a certain movie, then it's annoying to have to settle for something else.
 
Originally posted by: Confused
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...


Confused
Click to expand...
They have that here. In regards to whether it works for a media, you know it should, but I've not asked. I emailed them (a little more articulately than my first post) recommending more dvds.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...

Many people still have VHS because it is an old standby that they are confortable. The capabilites/options that the DVD system provides can be complexing.
with VHS, you put it into the machine and it plays. No fancy selecting of options or acknowlegements to worry about. Plus the VCR can be programmed to record shows. They do not have to invest $$$ in a fancy electronic system.

Blockbuster and other video stores know what the target audience/customer base requires. Note that movies originally came in Beta/VHS format. When was the last time you were able to see a Beta format movies at a rental store.



Originally posted by: Confused
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...
Click to expand...


Blockbuster (US) has a similar thing, but only for high visibility movies.

My kids will cruise through video stores looking for such offers. They may not have wanted the movie, but if they can get it free at a later date, they will request the Free offer.


 
we spent a good three weeks looking for the first lord of the rings on dvd (at all the blockbusters we could find - approx 4 of them) and also at some other random video stores. finally, we found one copy and i immediately rented it. it was almost the same story with the two towers, but in the end we just settled for vhs. ive never had so much trouble renting a movie until i tried to rent the fellowship of the ring.
 
The capabilites/options that the DVD system provides can be complexing.
with VHS, you put it into the machine and it plays. No fancy selecting of options or acknowlegements to worry about. Plus the VCR can be programmed to record shows. They do not have to invest $$$ in a fancy electronic system.
Click to expand...
Complexing? Fancy? You sound like an old fogey 😛
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...

Did you forget that you are living in Alabammer?
 
Originally posted by: Confused
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...


Confused
Click to expand...

We have the same thing here, but I dont know either if it applies to both types of media.... hm.
 
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: Confused
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...


Confused
Click to expand...

We have the same thing here, but I dont know either if it applies to both types of media.... hm.
Click to expand...

Yeah its called Gauranteed to be there... but its only on select new releases where they have 1/3 of the new releases covered with that movie.
 
Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: Skoorb
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...

Did you forget that you are living in Alabammer?
Click to expand...

I made that point as well.

btw: Nice sig. Did you ever hear back from Miramax?

 
Originally posted by: Confused
Blockbuster in the UK have a "if we don't have it this time, rent it for free next time" thing. Whether that applies to only 1 kind of media (dvd or vhs), i don't know...


Confused
Click to expand...

earlier last year, some of us went to rent a new release(what lies beneath?), of course it was gone, so we got a rent it free next time reciept. as we waled towards the exit, i saw a worker picking up drop-offs from the drop window. there was a copy in his pile, so i asked for it. the guy hesitated, and asked his manager. the manager was a little ticked, but gave it to me, & scolded the worker for not checking if the copy was available. free rentals are always nice, especially when they're the ones you're actually looking for.
 
I think this is just a ploy on Skoorb's part to confuse us into thinking he's not a redneck. 🙂

Blockbuster's reacting to the market, maybe they are a little behind on their ratio at the moment. Or maybe they're right on target.

Since most people do have a VCR the VHS version is a viable alternative product. In the reverse scenerio where there are DVDs left on the shelf and all VHS copies gone because the ratio is too advanced, the VHS only customer leaves the store without a rental. The DVD preference customer may be displeased occasionally, but as long as he/she isn't displeased to such an extent as to quit renting movie at Blockbuster the model is working.

 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
The capabilites/options that the DVD system provides can be complexing.
with VHS, you put it into the machine and it plays. No fancy selecting of options or acknowlegements to worry about. Plus the VCR can be programmed to record shows. They do not have to invest $$$ in a fancy electronic system.
Click to expand...
Complexing? Fancy? You sound like an old fogey 😛
Click to expand...

Skoorb, you youngsters (<30) want all the gadgets and never use all that is available.

Remember us old fogeys have knowlege and experience that you youngsters appreciate/desire.

 
you can request a "rent it free" if there are no DVD's left but are VHS's ... i've done it .. if they give you a problem, just say you don't have a vcr anymore (mine certainly is no longer hooked up!)
 
Originally posted by: K1052
Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: Skoorb
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...

Did you forget that you are living in Alabammer?
Click to expand...

I made that point as well.

btw: Nice sig. Did you ever hear back from Miramax?
Click to expand...

LOL, you are kidding right? Nope, and I didn't get my replacement tickets from the theater yet either. Will do some more calling on Monday. Hopefully, I can annoy the little sh!ts so they might actually mention it in a board meeting or something.

The local Blockbuster has about 80-90% of New releases in DVD form, the other half of the store is pretty much an even split. Typically, the older and more away from mainstream the more chance it is on VHS only...One of the reasons why I am getting a VCR is for dubbing some of them over to avi format. In the meantime if you don't like it switch to Netflix or Walmart DVD. I'm using Walmart and they have a hub in Georgia.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...


My... aren't we shallow. Why is it that you think I am poor or a redneck because I don't need to go out and by a new DVD player? I have the money to do so but I would rather spend it on the home I bought for my family of 5, on the diapers I use on my 1 year old daughter etc... Yeah, I could go get a credit card and make payments on things but why? I have a VCR that only has one problem... It can't play DVD's and I won't be able to see the 10 hours worth of extras on LOTR DVD's. I barely have enough time to watch the movie let alone the "extra's" between my kids sports, keeping up the house work, my work and sleep.

So this poor redneck is going to go out back with ma and the kids to dig up some grubs, we gotta go fishin to catch tonights dinner. Thank god Santa brought my 6 year old a shovel, she got tired of using her fingers to dig.
 
Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: K1052
Originally posted by: Nitemare
Originally posted by: Skoorb
About 1/5 times I go to rent a movie the DVD for it is gone, so I end up being forced to pick up the VHS version. Often I've seen all of the DVDs gone and LOTS of vhs cassettes available. Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...

Did you forget that you are living in Alabammer?
Click to expand...

I made that point as well.

btw: Nice sig. Did you ever hear back from Miramax?
Click to expand...

LOL, you are kidding right? Nope, and I didn't get my replacement tickets from the theater yet either. Will do some more calling on Monday. Hopefully, I can annoy the little sh!ts so they might actually mention it in a board meeting or something.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, that is what I expected.
You might want to avoid Monday and Tuesday for calling. Distributors are always the busiest on these days.
Calling later in the week will reduce the chances of being brushed off, but only slightly.
 
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Originally posted by: Skoorb
The capabilites/options that the DVD system provides can be complexing.
with VHS, you put it into the machine and it plays. No fancy selecting of options or acknowlegements to worry about. Plus the VCR can be programmed to record shows. They do not have to invest $$$ in a fancy electronic system.
Click to expand...
Complexing? Fancy? You sound like an old fogey 😛
Click to expand...

Skoorb, you youngsters (<30) want all the gadgets and never use all that is available.

Remember us old fogeys have knowlege and experience that you youngsters appreciate/desire.
Click to expand...

Dude, it's a thread about blockbuster.
😉
 
Doesn't blockbuster realize that only poor people and rednecks still watch VHS, and that blockbuster needs to up their ratio of dvds to vhs?
Click to expand...

Well, with all of the $29 DVD players being sold by Wal-Mart at Black Friday, even the rednecks and poor folks now have DVD players.

 
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