How much longer until Blockbuster goes out of business?

[CAMAROBOY69]

Lets face it, $8.99 for a game rental is just rediculous. I give them maybe 1 or 2 more years until they go out of business with the way the economy is.
The only part I will really miss will be the trade in deals. They always gave the most money on trade ins. They also usually had the best deals on used games.
So lets take a guess. What year do you think Blockbuster will go out of business?

 

[Sureboss]

Crikey, it's about £3.50 for a night's rental here, which is roughly $5. Can get it cheaper outside of blockbusters, too.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

We have Family Video and if you have the half off deal you can rent a game for $1.50. Movies are around $1.00. Some movies are free Tuesday through thursday.

2 of our Blockbusters already shut down and we have 2 left. I just dont see them lasting much longer especially in our area.

 

[exigeracer]

Without a massive change in their business plan, they will be forced into bankruptcy by things like The Internet much, much faster than rising rental fees. Netflix, iTunes and ThePirateBay will sink them faster than the Titanic.

 

[Philly]

I would guess that they're starting to charge more because they can, maybe. I would imagine that if they really were in trouble, they'd be lowering their prices for the lowest profit margin they can afford in an attempt to boost business.

 

[TB]

The only place I have rented a game or movie from for the last 20 years charges $1.87 for brand new movies (0 months - 2 or 3 months) for one day, $1.87 for older new movies (2-3 months - 6-9 months) for 7 days and $.87 for older older movies (6-9 months +) for 7 days. Games are prices similarly.

Either that or Redbox.

 

[mafia_boy]

Video Ezy took over Blockbuster in my area which was interesting as Blockbuster's store was nearly triple the size of Video Ezy's and had a better range of movies.

 

[Touring Mars]

Video Ezy took over Blockbuster in my area which was interesting as Blockbuster's store was nearly triple the size of Video Ezy's and had a better range of movies.

There is a chance I may have knocked on your door and tried to sell you a discount card for Video Ezy, since I once worked as a door-to-door salesman in Sydney, and Video Ezy were one of our biggest clients

I think all these types of stores are in serious trouble, with digital TV, downloadable content on things like PSN, and things like Love Film (where you get DVDs in the post etc.) taking over... I wouldn't say they will go out of business just yet though, but they will need to adapt to an increasingly competitive market if they are to stand a chance!

 

[YSSMAN]

Having switched to Netflix roughly two years ago, I've never looked back. Truth be told, spending $14 a month to have two movies out at a time (with unlimited exchanges) plus the unlimited movies streamed online via my computer or the 360... Its just about perfect for my viewing habits.

The problem with Blockbuster is that it is an overpriced inconvenience that did not adapt to changes in the market early enough to warrant long-term survival as-is. Now, I understand that they tried a Netflix like system, but the problem is that they tried to force it upon their users. Then they had the proposed Circuit City deal, obviously that wouldn't work. They're trying a Boxee-like delivery service, but I don't think that will work either.

Ultimately, it comes down (at least to me) that its a problem with the name brand, and the service that they had been giving for the past 20 years. A lot of people are just sick of dealing with them, plain and simple. While there may be some Luddites who stick with them, I really don't see the company lasting the way we see it now much past 2010. Even then, that may be too forgiving.

 

[Keef]

I use Redbox often for movies, and when I want something weird or old I can usually bet that one of the 4 blockbusters that are in walking distance from my house has it. They're also my first stop for renting games. Usually when I get the urge to play a new game I can't be bothered to wait much longer than the 10-15 minutes it takes me to get down to the store and back.

I have noticed that they've changed their store hours recently. They close earlier on certain days, no doubt saving money on payroll.

 

[Omnis]

Well hopefully I'll return my games before they go out of business. Even though it's 8 bucks, it's cheaper than buying new and selling to gamestop.

 

[Keef]

Speaking of selling games, I hear Blockbuster gives better prices than Gamestop when you sell your games.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I voted 2012... after all, isn't that when everything on Earth is going out of business?


The only time I ever used BlockBuster was last year when they were running a two month long promotion for unlimited free Blu-ray rentals... which allowed me to watch a lot of movies I normally would have just put off seeing for a long time.

I also have never used NetFlix, although my folks do and love it, and I use their account to put films in their que that I know they'll really enjoy... so I am familiar with their system, and I really like the interface.

Personally, though, I much prefer to own rather than rent. I like to have a wide variety of choices close at hand, and I also like the opportunity to sell stuff that I no longer have any interest in.

However, I do have a lot of HT minded friends who prefer BlockBuster because of the ability to have a single subscription for both online and store rentals. The advantage BB has over NetFlicks is if you want to, instead of mailing back the movie(s) you rented, you can drop them off at a BB store and get your next movies instantly from that store without any extra cost... which seemed like a pretty nice option to have.

Also, with NetFlicks bumping up their prices for Blu-ray rentals, do you think this might help BB, as Blu-ray rentals are a significantly larger percentage of both NetFlicks and BB revenue streams.

 

[911~Lad]

Hopefully in 2009, and then replaced with Xtra-Vision.

 

[TB]

Also, with NetFlicks bumping up their prices for Blu-ray rentals, do you think this might help BB, as Blu-ray rentals are a significantly larger percentage of both NetFlicks and BB revenue streams.

That's what I forgot about the place I go to - Blu-ray pricing is the same as DVD's, which I (happily) found odd as I would gladly pay at least a few cents more for BR.

Shh... Don't tell them I said that!

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Having switched to Netflix roughly two years ago, I've never looked back. Truth be told, spending $14 a month to have two movies out at a time (with unlimited exchanges) plus the unlimited movies streamed online via my computer or the 360... Its just about perfect for my viewing habits.

The problem with Blockbuster is that it is an overpriced inconvenience that did not adapt to changes in the market early enough to warrant long-term survival as-is. Now, I understand that they tried a Netflix like system, but the problem is that they tried to force it upon their users. Then they had the proposed Circuit City deal, obviously that wouldn't work. They're trying a Boxee-like delivery service, but I don't think that will work either.

Ultimately, it comes down (at least to me) that its a problem with the name brand, and the service that they had been giving for the past 20 years. A lot of people are just sick of dealing with them, plain and simple. While there may be some Luddites who stick with them, I really don't see the company lasting the way we see it now much past 2010. Even then, that may be too forgiving.

We have also been using Netflix since it came to the 360. Just a wonderful feature and if I remember correctly, Heather has over 300 movies in her Netflix queue that we watch whenever we want.
The only time we even think of renting anything is usually for games. Very rare that we rent movies.
I just do not like the idea of trading games in at gamestop. We will probably start selling more of them on e-bay.
For buying used games I highly suggest Newegg.com. They also have free shipping.

 

[Mrs. Famine]

We use LoveFilm, although we're using it more now to rent games on a try before you buy basis.

All of the 'high street' DVD and game rental shops will be out of business soon, although the rental business (online) will continue as people have less money so are going out less....

 

[Sureboss]

In-home entertainment sales will increase, and are, during a recession. Cheaper to pull in a movie, like through LoveFilm, which works well, than to go out for a night and spend £40-50 each week.

 

[Legendary]

Quickflix was the go for a while for us. We pay a certain amount a month and get unlimited whatever you want, excluding games because I dont think they had any. Right now we use blockbuster () because the bluerays are plentiful and about $5 a normal day and $2 on Tuesday.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Pfft Blockbuster here is an epic ripoff. It reached $9 for an OVERNIGHT new movie. And that was like, a few years ago. Can't imagine how much it'll be now.

 

[YSSMAN]

Also, with NetFlicks bumping up their prices for Blu-ray rentals, do you think this might help BB, as Blu-ray rentals are a significantly larger percentage of both NetFlicks and BB revenue streams.

The Netflix policy on Blu-Ray is an odd critter, but I can see where they're coming from. With the higher costs associated with the discs and the growing number of users demanding that kind of content, yeah, it makes sense to add the nominal increase in pricing to the plan. According to their blog, it would only be an increase of $3 over my current plan for Blu-Ray content. If I had checked the Blu-Ray box, I can't say I'd be that angry about it.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

The price increase certainly makes sense in terms of cost, but the question was whether or not it would help BlockBuster.

I just did a Google News search for "Netflix Blu-ray comparison, and it appears several articles have already been written about it, with comparisons to BB's Blu-ray prices and that at least for now, BB's rental plans are cheaper for people who rent Blu-ray movies, especially for frequent renters, but even for just the occasional renter.

Is that enough to draw in new business from the growing numbers of HD movie renters, and even lure away some of Netflix's current customer base? I don't know, but it can't hurt.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Looks like most of us that voted for 2010 were right. Rumors seem to be indicating the dramatic decline of Blockbusters lately. Not that we didnt see this coming.

 

[Frizbe]

Looks like most of us that voted for 2010 were right. Rumors seem to be indicating the dramatic decline of Blockbusters lately. Not that we didnt see this coming.

Good I hate that place there was one down the street from me when I was growing up and it seemed like 1 in every 5 discs was so scratched it wouldn't even play.

As for the Netflix Blu-Ray, I only pay an extra $1.50 a month for my Blu-Rays.

 

[SRinc.]

hopefully not much longer!

 

[Small_Fryz]

We have Civic video here and one day a week everything is $1. Games / New releases / Weeklies / Blu rays.. everything...

$1 AUD is about 79 US cents..

So why would anyone go to blockbuster?

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, they're talking like Blockbuster will do what Redbox does. Put up a keyosk in various stores across the country (grocery stores in particular), and rent videos for a dollar a day. Not a bad idea, because generally speaking, the Blockbuster name still carries a lot of weight. But, problem is that there are still people like me, who don't want to deal with them in any way ever again.

Netflix FTW.

 

[Northstar]

Blockbuster's problem is their too late to get a share of the market. By the time they started doing a mail service Netflix basically had that market wrapped up, it will be the same with the kiosk thing, people already are familiar with RedBox and will stick with it.

Edit: I think if they would have started the kiosk thing a couple years ago when RedBox was only at McDonald's they would be in a different situation.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Looks like everyone that voted for 2010 was correct. I drove by Blockbuster this weekend and saw the huge "going out of business" sale. 👍

 

[Mark T]

I guess it depends where you are. I have two Blockbuster stores in my town and they are located within a mile of each other.

The 2nd store only opened about 2 years ago and took over a privately run rental store.

I have noticed that the prices are getting a bit silly now. I think it's £6.95 for a game rental for 7 nights. They are doing a deal of four Blu-Rays for £10 for a week which is pretty good.