New Blockbuster Total Access Program

[RRnTexas]

Blockbuster has a new scheme (on-line rental program) called Total Access.

Like Netflix, whom we hope to emulate, even though we don't have enough movies to keep up with demand, take forever to ship titles and have the worst customer service in the planet, the program allows you to rent movies online and mail them back and get the next movie in your que (subject to availability which means that we'll send you movies when we feel like it, OK). Total Access provides one and only one benefit over Netflix in that you can optionally take the movie back to your local Blockbuster store and exchange the on-line rental for a free in-store rental. So if you live within a block of BlockBuster this may be for you... of course Netflix average ship times are down to 1 day, so Netflix may still be faster. Plus we haven't yet figured out logistics for getting you your third movie sent back to you via mail, so in essence you'll end up waiting at least a week after turning in the in-store rental before you get another movie from us. Monthly prices for the program range from $9.99 for one movie out to $17.99 for three movies out.

The $9.99 program is a very good deal for anyone renting more than two movies / month, especially for those who don't read about how much BlockBuster Online service sucks compared to Netflix.

A free two week trial is available on Blockbuster web site. A valid credit card is required to sign up for the trial. If you are a complete fool, we encourage you to sign up.

Enjoy,

Robb

Admin: Editorialized edits in red.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Gee what took them so long? Netflix has been doing this since about the time of first generation DVD players. I don't think Netflix is worried.

 

[majorloser]

But there is no Netflix store where I live. This program is working out great for me. I get a new movie while I wait for the next one to be sent out.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

But there is no Netflix store where I live. This program is working out great for me. I get a new movie while I wait for the next one to be sent out.

? what do you mean? Netflix sends out all over the US. I used Netflix when I lived in FL.

 

[stratman]

Love Netflix, let's me see before I buy. I get it here in sunny Miami.

 

[majorloser]

But there is no Netflix store by me to drop the movie off and exchange for another one. This way I don't have to wait for the postal service delay. I get a movie from the store, they mail back the one I drop off and credit my on-line account that the movie has been returned. The on-line service then sends the next movie on my list out immediately.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

But there is no Netflix store by me to drop the movie off and exchange for another one. This way I don't have to wait for the postal service delay. I get a movie from the store, they mail back the one I drop off and credit my on-line account that the movie has been returned. The on-line service then sends the next movie on my list out immediately.

Ahhh, I see, I guess I am not in that much of a hurry. It cost me more gas to drive to the closest block buster then wait a day for the mail delay.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Sounds like a great program...

...Any one besides me think this post sounds a lot like spam? The info is great, but it's pure advertisement by a first time poster. Seems like a lot of the spam that is showing up these days is now in the form of a question or a did you know kinda format.

My $0.02

Jack

 

[GlocksRock]

I think it's great, there is a blockbuster on the way to/from work. So now I have online coupons, and movies I can use to get free in store rentals. I think they should have done this a long time ago.

 

[Audioholics]

I made some edits based on my expereinces and the fact that I have fully utilized both services - and am now using Netflix.

IMHO anyone who signs up with BlockBuster must either:

1) live within a block of the store
2) have never tried Netflix
3) be completely insane

If I mail back my movie Monday morning, I GET the next movie on Wednesday afternoon. It's insane - they have the Post Office scan the barcodes and they do immediate shipping.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I made some edits based on my expereinces and the fact that I have fully utilized both services - and am now using Netflix.

IMHO anyone who signs up with BlockBuster must either:

1) live within a block of the store
2) have never tried Netflix
3) be completely insane

If I mail back my movie Monday morning, I GET the next movie on Wednesday afternoon. It's insane - they have the Post Office scan the barcodes and they do immediate shipping.

I absolutely second that. I have been using netflix since they started out and have always had top notch service.

 

[majorloser]

I get my Blockbuster movies within two business days through the mail after turning my old one into the store. The advantage is that now the only wait is for the new movie delivery from Blockbuster. There is no wait for the movie getting sent back to Blockbuster. ALso the movie I pick up in the store does not count toward my mail service account. So I end up having a movie almost every day if I wanted.

You can think what you want, but the new system is great. I get the old "hard to find" movies through the mail and new release movies at the store. And yes, Blockbuster is on my way home from work.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Clint,

You should send Blockbuster a bill for posting their ad on your site. Then, still leave it edited. I understand why smaller companies resort to this type of spamming to get the word out about their products, but for a huge corporation there really is no excuse. I have a hard time accepting that some one with no interest in the financial success of this program is out posting ads for it.

Jack

 

[Audioholics]

And yes, Blockbuster is on my way home from work.

That's why it makes sense for you. The rest of the poor shleps sign up only to find that almost all the new release movies are in "Not yet available" status.

Their service is one big workaround.

If you truly want a DVD-by-mail solution, then go with Netflix.

 

[mech]

Okay, here goes...... Why is everyone a Netflix fanboy on here. I have had both services and they both can be slow, but in all honesty blockbuster is way better for me. By the way, didn't Netflix recently get sued for being slow and ripping off customers? Now it could be that I live 30 minutes from a distribution warehouse, but for 9.99 and now I can bring them into store? That is a total no brainer.... Sorry fanboys but I have to go with BB......

 

[Audioholics]

fanboys typically like something because they're vested - they also traditionally don't have experience in the competition. You are entitled to your opinion, but you've given the reasons why BB works for you: close to distribution and you don't mind going to the physical store.

For people wanting the DVD-by-mail solution, BB can't yet compete.

 

[GlocksRock]

The last time I signed up for Netflix I was totally dissapointed, it took forever to get the movies to me, and I didn't like the website's interface either. I stick with blockbuster since there is a store close by so I can use in store coupons, and now take my movies back there and exchance them for another instore rental. I have also had bad experiences with blockbuster, but since the prices are basically the same, I stay with bb since I can get more movies per month. Either way, just go with what you like.

 

[JeffS]

I am going to sign up for the Blockbuster plan, the free in store rental was the catch for me as I could basically have a movie in hand all the time or atleast most of the time.

 

[edonsmith]

I go to blockbuster now several times a month and spend 10-15$ each time. This sounds like a good idea to me

Don

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I use netflix because I can't go to a physical store. Shure they exist here, but I'm not going to let anyone see me rent copies of Little Monsters or Triumph Of The Will. I like my anonymity.