I remember reading an article a year ago that blockbuster was really concerned because more and more people were just buying movies instead of renting them, especially family type films that they know will get a lot of use.

So, perhaps that's one reason for the change.

The real problem for blockbuster though is their gouge prices.

yeah, why pay $5 to rent a movie for 3 days when i can just buy it at best buy for $15.99 when it comes out. I haven't rented a movie in ages.

I havent rented a movie since before the advent of dvds. I remember when first run videos were $100 and you were forced to rent. Things have changed greatly.

I don't see the point of renting when the cost is so close to the purchase price. :?

I havent rented since the mid 90s.And with films on DVD getting cheaper i think the era of renting movies will come to an end soon.

You are still risking about $15-$20 on a movie you have never seen before. Renting will always exist for those who want to risk only $2-4 or in some other case $20 for a unlimited monthly fee to rent movies like Pluto Nash instead of buying them. Its almost like saying 10 years ago, the internet will put phone companies out of business

blockbuster really must be desperate

Obviously they are feeling threatened by something or they would be doin this :wink:

I'm not sure what though.. That actually sounds like a good deal to me... :wink:

Exactly. When do major corporations actually care about the consumer...the people who keep them in buisness?

Poor bABA keeps trying to remind everyone of internet ordering rentals. He's right. There is much higher purchasing, but above that, for people that aren't willing to caugh up 10-15 bucks for a movie I'll most likely not like (Guess what? I'm picky), then yes, there will always be rental. What form that rental is taking will change however. Eventually, its not even going to be about mailing and returning rentals via internet ordering. Some site is going to set up a film archive/bank, and you'll be able to connect your computer to the tv, and whenever you want to see a movie you will go to the archive, select the movie, and it will feed directly to your t.v. right when you want it. Hey, we'll be fatter and lazier since now we don't even need to leave the house to get in-house entertainment, and we'll become increasingly alienated by the thought of actually having to talk to a real life person, but you know you win some you lose some.

Blockbuster is desperate because even though it is holding up well compared to smaller rental places (One of the ones I used to work for already went out of business, and the second one is pretty damn close after having closed half of its 4 locations) business is anything but booming. They'll scramble, but unless they come up with a dorrstep delivery service the way pizza parlors do, they'll have to close shop within the next decade. Their european market will allow them to continue ordering cheap bulk for only so long. They'll switch over to internet ordering as well.

Thank you for listening.