Log In | Register
8 Comments
PrintRedbox: Not a Netflix killer, but still great.
News Type: Event — Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:38 PM EDT
redbox.com
advertisement
Junk mail: The scourge of the postal industry. Everyone gets it, most of us throw it away without bothering to read it.
Enter Redbox.
"Introducing the newest, easiest, most convenient way to rent DVDs - Redbox at McDonald's."
Just stop by the Redbox at your neighborhood McDonald's and take home the hottest new releases for just $1 per night. Then return your DVDs to any Redbox location. No membership required, just a valid credit or debit card. It's that simple, and it's one more way your dollar goes even farther at McDonald's.
The Redbox model doesn't even attempt to compete with Netflix or Blockbuster Online. On the contrary, their solution is a perfect compliment to an existing membership with either online rental service.
The major drawback of services like Netflix and Blockbuster online will always be the preclusion of the "spontaneous rental." There's something to be said for the good ol' days of driving to a local video rental outlet and browsing a selection of titles until "the right title" presents itself.
For that reason, I was won over by a junk-flier -- and decided to give Redbox a shot. I often find myself balking at the idea of an expensive rental from Blockbuster, simply due to the fact that I'm already paying a monthly fee for my Netflix account.
Unfortunately, I'm not always in the mood for the next movie in my queue when it arrives at my door.
The next obvious choice is video-on-demand via my cable service. Price is still a factor ($4.99!) and most of the titles aren't even available in a widescreen format, which is a complete deal breaker.
Truth in advertising.
Redbox really is as simple as the copy indicates: Movies are chosen via a touch-screen interface, from a fairly wide selection of titles. Scanning through the list, there were several new releases mixed in with a few "new-ish" releases and a smattering of classics.
I made it to the third screen before choosing Monster House, but saw three or four titles that struck my interest. I would estimate that the kiosk held 100 titles, and I stopped looking after approximately 30.
Once selections have been added to a digital "cart" -- checking the movie(s) out involves swiping a credit or debit card, at which point a DVD is processed and spit out of a slot in a sturdy, plastic slip-case. Both the case and the DVD are marked with barcodes.
Pricing is fair: $1 is charged to your credit card for every night the DVD is checked out. (Rentals are "due" at 7PM each night.) After 25 nights, the DVD is yours to keep with no further charges.
As we were selecting our DVD, another customer stopped in to return his selection and this process also looked very simple, requiring the push of only one button.
Rentals can be returned to any Redbox location.
The decision to partner with McDonalds seems an odd pairing, but makes sense: Few outlets could provide such blanket coverage in even the smallest of cities, ensuring total availability.
Redbox also maintains an online presence, and it is possible to browse the movies available on local kiosks in this manner. Supply could turn out to be an issue, as the kiosk I used is now sold-out of Monster House. I was either lucky, or I rented the only copy on the kiosk.
Another sticking point may turn out to be rotation -- how often Redbox refreshes inventory. I can see the possibility of running out of options fairly quickly, given the current selection.
Ultimately, Redbox (alongside an online rental service) may ultimately spell doom for brick-and-mortar outlets such as Blockbuster.
So far -- I'm lovin' it.
Online: Redbox.
Update:
Astute reader and Blockbuster Owner Chas Averbrook (who I mistakenly refer to as "manager" in the comments) lovingly points out that I fail to mention Blockbuster's Total Access program throughout this article, which is true. Blockbuster does provide free in-store rentals to those who are enrolled in Blockbuster Online.
I also failed to mention that I used to be a Blockbuster Online customer and that I switched to Netflix because I got sick of receiving scratched discs and seeing movies pushed to "long wait" in my queue.
I also was too nice to mention that I recommend Redbox (alongside Netflix) as an alternative for those who wouldn't touch a Blockbuster service with a 10 foot pole.
16 Votes- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
Published to:
- Brian Ford's Column, All of Newsvine
- Groups: Journalism on Newsvine, Movies, Etc., Old viners
- Regions: none
 | Blockbuster Offers Cheaper Online Rental | Associated Press | Wed Jun 13 | 3 |
 | Blockbuster Lowers Online Rental Fees | CNET News.com | Tue Jun 12 | 0 |
- Public Discussion (8)
- Journalism on Newsvine
- Movies, Etc.
- Old viners
What's this?
Who's leading the conversation?
This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user
has on the current conversation.
The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd
row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera).
Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group
is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the
left, in their corresponding group.
Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the
number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative
one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their
relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.
6.2
{"commentId":772019,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
The flier I received included four free rentals, but the website will email a free rental if requested.
{"commentId":772019,"threadId":"112513","contentId":"771833","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 4 votes
#1 - Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:39 PM EDT{"commentId":772030,"authorDomain":"cal"}
When these first showed up in my hometown about a year and a half ago, I immediately fell in love. You'd be surprised how much the service has improved since then -- the machines are a lot better and the online service is fairly new. In any case, the convenience is exactly the thing that gets my attention.
I recently moved and was sad they didn't have any locations in my area, but a machine just turned up at the Albertson's (grocery store) two blocks from my apartment. Now I just walk over there when I want to rent a new(ish) movie. You won't find anything too obscure so Netflix and Blockbuster are safe, but this is a great solution if you're looking to pick up something quick.
{"commentId":772030,"threadId":"112513","contentId":"771833","authorDomain":"cal"}
- 3 votes
#2 - Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:47 PM EDT{"commentId":772042,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":772209,"authorDomain":"schwab"}
yeah, and for 1 buck, i don't mind renting a movie that i know is most likely going to be @!$%#.
I used one once to rent a @!$%#ty sci-fi movie (ultraviolet). I probably could have browsed the touch screen longer to find something better but I was in a hurry. anyways it was entertaining garbage, and the perfect way to spend my evening and one dollar.
{"commentId":772209,"threadId":"112513","contentId":"771833","authorDomain":"schwab"}
- 2 votes
#3 - Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:09 AM EDT{"commentId":772649,"authorDomain":"chum"}
I surprised myself by using Redbox (at the grocery store--Harris Teeter). I dumped Netflix because I have killed two DVD players with their movies--or maybe it was just a freak coincidence, but it annoyed the hell out of me. Anyway, Redbox was a very easy and cheap experience. Love it.
{"commentId":772649,"threadId":"112513","contentId":"771833","authorDomain":"chum"}
- 3 votes
#4 - Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:06 AM EDT{"commentId":776586,"authorDomain":"chasav"}
Dear Brian:
You ought to read the other sections of Newsvine, where everyone is raving about Blockbuster's combination of mail order and FREE RENTALS at the store.
You say the "obvious choice" if you want spontaneous rentals and mail order Newtflix plus Redbox. No, the obvious choice is Blockbuster Online and their Total Access program that gives you FREE RENTALS at the store.
You're probably the only one in America that hasn't heard about it.
Next time, write about something you know something about, and don't waste your readers time with poor advice.
Chas Averbook, Boca Raton, FL
{"commentId":776586,"threadId":"112513","contentId":"771833","authorDomain":"chasav"}
#5 - Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:12 PM EDT{"commentId":776694,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
{"commentId":806704,"authorDomain":"pdllake-id"}
Redbox is fast, easy and inexpensive. Sometimes it's free. I came across a new site where members can write reviews and even share codes for free rentals REDBOXfriends.com
{"commentId":806704,"threadId":"112513","contentId":"771833","authorDomain":"pdllake-id"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:13 AM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"112513","isPrivate":false}
You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
Start Tracking
Stop TrackingCOMPANY STUFF:
LEGAL STUFF:
- © 2005-2009 Newsvine, Inc. |
- Newsvine® is a registered trademark of Newsvine, Inc. |
- Newsvine is a property of
