Blockbuster's die-off is no tearjerker (Netflix, too?)

Denver Post ^ | January 02, 2005 | Al Lewis

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Maybe it is just me but why would anyone want to own movies/dvd's (with the exception of kiddie movies for the kiddies who can watch tripe over and over?) If I have seen a movie I really don't need to see it 50 more times.

There are some true classics that you have to own. But mostly I agree with you.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I hope we don't lose Netflix, too. I know I'll continue to use them over downloading movies off of the satellite.

I also use my library a lot for music CDs, movies and videos. Wisconsin has an awesome setup for inter-library loans all throughout our state. I can find just about anything that I want with ease, and I can order it from my computer, too for pick-up at my local library. :)

There are plenty of ways to NOT support the Hollywood pukes. ;)

[billbears]

Their support of the failed CC DIVX model which most DVD player owners were against

LOL, try convincing someone to buy one of those pieces of crap. The year before I left CC for good, they rolled those things out. Very, very high commissions for the sales person on the DIVX models with practically non-existant ones on the regular DVD players. Add to that a managerial 'request' to focus selling only DIVX models it was a recipe for disaster for customers as well as salespeople there.

[Bear_Slayer]

Why pay $4 to rent when you can buy for $12 to $20

I'm not a collector of movies. So I won't pay any price to own them. Maybe, if I really liked the movie and the price was real low.

I have the Blockbuster Movie Pass. For $25.99 a month, I can take home two movies at a time. I can watch them immeidately and return them for two more or hold them for a long time. All without paying an extra fee.

Because we only have 1 TV channel, we tend to watch alot of movies. My only complaint with BB is that the movie selection is thin and because of that I'm thinking of dropping the Movie Pass entirely.

[SwatTeam]

I love Netflix. Been with them for about a year now. I missed a lot of the tv shows I wanted to watch because of the commercials. So I ordered a whole season of CSI, The Sopranos, The Wire, plus the Apollo series that was on HBO and narrated by Tom Hanks. It is a great concept and I watch my DVDs on the computer with headphones while my husband watches tv. It's great.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I went out to buy a video the other day. Couldn't find anything I really wanted to watch. There have been so few releases that I would waste time over, and I already have them. I find myself buying old films just to build up my library.

[savedbygrace]

A few months ago, we rented a movie at BB, watched it right away, then after telling a friend about the movie, we loaned it to them (probably a Terms of Use violation, but whatever) with the understanding that they'd return it to BB within the rental period.

The next time we rented from BB, the clerk told us aobut a late fee we owed. I asked her what movie it was. You guessed it. Our friend had gotten busy and forgot to return it in time. Last time we'll try that approach.

[Hardastarboard]

but most of what is out today is just inane and worthless.

Agreed

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I have the Blockbuster Movie Pass.

Why?

[don-o]

I use Netflix precisely because I can find thousands of old movies. I watched a Cagney flick I had never even heard of. He was a painter, not a gangster

[kingu]

I've always figured that the biggest mistake that Blockbuster ever made was not paying attention to Netflix. Oh, I'm not talking about the videos by mail aspect (though a good one), I'm talking about rental queues for wanted videos. Where you can go in and know that the video you want is waiting for you.

Unlimited rentals for a monthly fee was a good idea; stupendous even. It got me into their stores quite a bit for a time there. But the frustration of trying to find what videos I wanted drove me out of their stores. Why should I waste a half hour looking for something?

They had some great ideas, though, using that monthly unlimited feature - you kept the videos in your hand while you picked out the new ones, and then handed the ones you were turning in to get the ones you wanted to rent. No card, typically no standing in line. I wouldn't mind browsing when I want to, but honestly, I'd much rather have the videos I want waiting for me at the counter.

[Bear_Slayer]

Because.