Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

[sir clinksalot]

Blockbuster Closing Hundreds More Stores Than Planned: Tech Ticker, Yahoo! Finance

And they are wondering why. Let's see ... $5 to rent a movie for 2 days. Trying to do mail-in movies like Netflix but not as good. I can't remember the last time I rented from Blockbuster to be honest.

[disneylandkitty]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

we rent there every week pay 10.00 as many movies as you want no lates fees we rent a couple movies anight.

[OC2Epcot]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I've never been a big renter of movies. I've always preferred to see films at the theater. I hate watching movies on a computer screen. I probably rent maybe 2 or 3 films a year and did that even before Netflix existed. I did have Netflix for a while, and it was convenient but I'll still take seeing a movie projected on a big screen. Lucky for us, we have a $1.50 theater not too far from us.

[Joshrzmeup]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I don't bother with rental stores. I just go to my local library and reserve what I want before it comes out. I'm there all the time anyway to pick up books and it's free! And I get them for 2 weeks and can renew if no one is on hold for it.

[leopardchucks]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

Seriously....like they didn't see it coming. If ever I owned stock in a video rental company, I would have SOLD Loooooooong ago. Technology has surpassed that mode of entertainment. I'm not saying renting vids is bad, I just rarely ever do it. I'd say we rented maybe 6-8 movies last year...and that was only because we weren't sure if they were films we wnated to purchase. With NEW dvds going for as little as 6 bucks (Target, DMC,etc), why rent?

I feel bad for the folks who work there, though. It sucks when your company closes your location because of lack of customers. It happened to me at my very first job. C'est la vie!

[BC_DisneyGeek]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

When the world switched from VHS to DVD, the market changed to make all new movies affordable for purchase, whereas with VHS there was usually a window where you could only rent a movie (or pay $100 to buy it, not likely).

Blockbuster, and other video rental stores, always price movies for purchase higher than everywhere else, in my experience.

If video stores became the go-to place to rent and buy movies, maybe they'd be doing better. As it stands, I buy more movies than I rent, and Blockbuster is the last place I'd go for that.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

^ Agreed with that one.

[Disney Wrassler]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I have stopped doing business with Blockbuster for years. I just got sick and tired of paying money to rent dirty and scratched DVD's. Not saying it's their fault. I just decided to purchase PPV's or go out and buy the movies brand new.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

It's redbox for me. I have never paid to rent a movie there (though they don't bgive out as many free codes anymore)

We did rent a movie from Blockbuster a few months ago for some reason and it was SEVEN dollars. I about had a heart attack.

[cositaluvsmickey]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I don't bother renting because I go to the theathers when I want to see a particualry movie...Im more of a classic movie fan and I love tuner classic movies so I really don't need blockbuster..my brother rents from redbox and he loves it cheap too I hear

[wolfy]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

Since we now have time to see movies again at home (child is almost 13 now) we have gone back to Netflix. Went to Blockbuster last week for an older movie and paid almost $5.00, sorry just not worth it to me.

Nice to have time again, so back to old habits of movie nights at home (heck even "R" rated ones)!

[RooBear]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

When they started editing movies, from my understanding, or only putting specific films on their shelves-which, btw, they have every right to do-I elected to take my business elsewhere. I like to have more choices then the ones they will let me have.

Netflix is, by far, much better.

Peace,
Roo

[Blue Dragon]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I used to go to blockbuster to rent video games, but lately the store near me for some odd reason hasn't received any news games for a few months now. I'm assuming that one will be closing very soon, oh well.

[MickeyMousePal]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I’m not surprised that Blockbuster is doing so badly. I haven't gone to Blockbuster in a long time. It's been probably over 10 years since I gone. It's not only the scratched DVD's but it's also the lousy service. Another thing Hollywood Video isn't doing so well either. The Hollywood Video that was close to where I live got out of business. If I want a DVD I either buy it or just rent it at the library (it’s cheaper).

[clairebear]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I read about this! Honestly, I can't even remember the last time I went to Blockbuster to rent a movie! I usually just either see them in theaters or just "On-Demand" them at the comfort of my own home. I hate renting DVDs and then they have scratches on them or skip or something..

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I drive by one every day that is closing. It seems like it's the end of an era.

[flynnibus]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

Their business model is antiquated. They only cling onto the customer base that doesn't know how to move forward. But the redbox revolution is pretty much kicking blockbuster square in the face and taking all the 'I just want an impulse rental' market.

Blockbuster has a 'plan', they are just too slow to have started it.

Check out this from their financial postings... they have ideas, they just have failed in execution and have relied on the B&M stores way too long.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/09/block-buster-future-roadmap-rm-eng.jpg

Blockbuster plans to part with 960 retail stores by end of 2010

I agree with others that the start of the downfall was when they stopped carrying wide selections and focused too much on the 'guaranteed new release' stuff.

With the branding and relationships, they could have seen redbox and beat them at their own game, but just like netflix, they must have thought it wouldn't work.. and boom.. they were wrong.

[aimster]

Re: Blockbuster to close almost 1,000 stores

I can't remember the last time I rented a movie. I either go to the theatre (which in itself is rare... if I go more than 2-3 times a year that's a lot) or I just pony up and buy the DVD.