01 Nov 06 Blockbuster’s march to 2 million
Blockbuster has been Netflix’s largest competitor and the competition has become more fierce. After the last SuperBowl, Blockbuster was offering 4 in-store rentals (1 a week) in addition to what you checked out from online. This is all done to try to drive towards 2 million users by the end of the year.
The new system is a bit fuzzy, but it seems to work out better for anyone using the service. It is now called Total Access, and this is how it works.
Rent 1, 2, 3, or 4 DVD’s online via mail at a time. If you return it to a physical store instead of via mail, you get a free rental coupon on the spot. They will scan your return and the next movie in your queue will be shipped to you.
This allows you to have a new rental without waiting for your queue’d movie to ship to you. They say this will speed up the shipping by about a day, since Blockbuster is scanning them when you return.
I see this as an advantage if you rent more than 4 movies a month. They say there is only 1 E-Coupon per month, but I am still showing one a week for the next 4 weeks.
[...] Blockbuster’s Total Access program allows you to (like Netflix) have DVD’s mailed to you, and you can mail them back. The benefit to Blockbuster’s service is that if you bring it back to any store location, they give you a free rental on the spot. [...]
[...] On top of the updated Blockbuster Total Access program, where you can return in-store for a free rental on the spot, and allowing Netflix users to get free in-store rentals, you now also get 1 free game rental a month. The coupon is sent out once a month and can be used for a movie or video game. [...]
Starting December 19, 2006, Blockbuster Total Access (online) is giving customers 1 free video game rental each month plus the first month is free.
Sign up at
First month free with promo code 1557TA
Facts:
1. Offer changes to 2-week trial beginning Jan 15 2007. 3 movies out at a time.
2. Members will be able to exchange online movies for titles at their local bb store for no charge. (online mailer/movie will work like a coupon). As soon as the online movies are exchanged at the store the next movies in your que will ship as well. YES YOU WOULD THEN HAVE 6 MOVIES AT ONCE WHEN THE ONLINE TITLES ARRIVE!!
3. Members will also receive 1 in store coupon every month for a free movie OR video game (even during free month).
4. Only $17.99 per month after the 1st month.