McDonald's makes a very smart move into DVD rental territory

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loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
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McPaper link

I think this is ingenious, both for the company and for customers, especially with the proliferation of car dvd players. I always thought it was cool that you could rent audiobooks at Cracker Barrel then return them along your trip at another location. McD's will be doing the same with their DVDs. Rent a DVD for a buck (or a couple of movies if you've got a long trip) on your way out of town, keep the kids occupied for several hours, drop off DVD at McD's near your destination. It's great for McD's, because they get you in their restuarants two times for one small initial purchase, tempting you with the smell of their food to spend more.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
interesting...

Sounds like a good idea since they will only stock the top 30 or so movies at a time. Each McD's just needs to have a stash of them and they will naturally go from place to palce as people check them out. It'd suck to have to go in for it though, you'd have to have it available through the drive through.

Also wondering how you pay... Do you have to sign up and get a card so if you don't return one they can charge you? Do you pay for 1 day up front and then they bill the rest when you turn it in? The article doesn't hav emuch details...

However, I'd go there over Blockbuster anyway. Pick up a burger and a movie and head home to watch it. I never need a movie for more than 1 day anyhow. Blockbuster is such a rip off I'm amazed people actually still go there.

I remember 15 years ago BBs would always be packed and you'd have to fight for movies. Now you walk in and there's like 2 peopel working and maybe 2 or 3 browsing around. They jacked their prices up so high and made it totally a rip off.
 

That's seriously one of the best ideas I've heard from a large company in the last several years.

Kudos to McDs.
 
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LordMorpheus

Diamond Member
Aug 14, 2002
6,871
1
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and people will probably use it for normal rentals, just because lots of people go to Mickey D's anyway, and if they can cut a trip to Blockbuster out of their schedule, they will be happy to do it.
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
and people will probably use it for normal rentals, just because lots of people go to Mickey D's anyway, and if they can cut a trip to Blockbuster out of their schedule, they will be happy to do it.
Click to expand...
Not to mention it's only a buck a day!
 
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isasir

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2000
8,609
0
0
For a trip on the interstate, if you have a car DVD player, it's a great idea. Used with the local McD's, while I'm sure it can work, it practically encourages an already lazy U.S. to make two trips to McDonald's in a week. The fat will get fatter. :( ;)
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
interesting...

Sounds like a good idea since they will only stock the top 30 or so movies at a time. Each McD's just needs to have a stash of them and they will naturally go from place to palce as people check them out. It'd suck to have to go in for it though, you'd have to have it available through the drive through.

Also wondering how you pay... Do you have to sign up and get a card so if you don't return one they can charge you? Do you pay for 1 day up front and then they bill the rest when you turn it in? The article doesn't hav emuch details...
Click to expand...
In regards to how you pay, the DVD kiosks in Duane Reades here in NYC require payment with a CC. If you don't return it within a certain period, they bill you for the late fees, then they bill your cc for the (inflated) cost of the dvd.
 
Kelemvor

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
interesting...

Sounds like a good idea since they will only stock the top 30 or so movies at a time. Each McD's just needs to have a stash of them and they will naturally go from place to palce as people check them out. It'd suck to have to go in for it though, you'd have to have it available through the drive through.

Also wondering how you pay... Do you have to sign up and get a card so if you don't return one they can charge you? Do you pay for 1 day up front and then they bill the rest when you turn it in? The article doesn't hav emuch details...
Click to expand...
In regards to how you pay, the DVD kiosks in Duane Reades here in NYC require payment with a CC. If you don't return it within a certain period, they bill you for the late fees, then they bill your cc for the (inflated) cost of the dvd.
Click to expand...

That's good. I figured they'd use a credit card and have some fine print that you agree to pay $1 per day. But not all McD's accept credit cards yet so I guess by the time the DVD things goes nationwaide they'd all have to be converted.
 
R

Rogue

Banned
Jan 28, 2000
5,774
0
0
Originally posted by: FeathersMcGraw
So will cashiers now ask if customers want to rent "Super Size Me"?
Click to expand...

You beat me to it. I was thinking the same exact thing. I seriously doubt that will be available at the drive thru window. :D
 
T

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,899
1
0
We have a "Red Box" DVD rental in one of the McDonalds locations here in Northern Virginia. I've used it a few times. Some impressions:

- New releases on loaded on Tuesdays. Get there on that day if you want the new released.
- The $.99 for 24-hours appears to be an "intro" price, I'm not sure how long that will last.
- During your first rental period, you are limited to one video. However, on your next visit, you can rent up to 4.
- You are tracked via your CC or debit card number. You'd have to use the same card on your visits to be able to keep renting up to 4 videos.

Overall, I really like the service. Granted, the Micky Dees is about 8 miles from my house, so I really only get by there every-so-often to get a rental or two.
 
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RabidMongoose

Lifer
Aug 14, 2001
11,061
0
0
A store near me in Boston (not a McDonalds) has something like this, too. It's pretty good and cheap ($1.05 after tax), but I think all of the movies in this machine are fullscreen!
 
L

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
5
0
Wow, this actually sounds like a good idea. I know whenever i go out to rent a movie, i usually pick up foods as well (pizza, pop and chips/popcorn, etc).
 
vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,344
126
The Las Vegas airport has a Blockbuster stand set up that you can rent movies and even portable DVD players for plane flights. I have no idea what the restrictions are, or what the prices would add up to be, but it was a cool idea.

Sounds like a very interesting idea for the golden arches.
 
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