DVD Vending Machines: Good Idea or Pointless?

August 5, 2008

Variety is reporting today that Blockbuster has plans to roll out its own version of the Redbox DVD vending machines that can currently be found in some supermarkets and McDonalds restaurants.

Blockbuster chairman-chief exec Jim Keyes has said that the kiosks represent "one more step in the fulfillment of our mission to transform Blockbuster into a multichannel provider of media entertainment." The kiosks will begin rolling out this Fall.

Do you think the vending machines make things much more convenient? Or in this day and age, when there's Netflix (and Netflix's "watch instantly" feature) and iTunes and On-Demand, do these vending machines serve a purpose?

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39 Comments

3 years 8 weeks

red-box is pointless they don't have a very good variety of movies. and since i don't usually rent any new releases because the movie business today is total crap it's the same movie over and over again

4 years 4 weeks

I checked online where the redbox location were, I checked mine for a movie to see. It says they are "Sold Out" of the movie I want. It seems like many of the new movies sell out quickly, perhaps I am missing something? Do the DVD's really "sell out"? It said the next 4 redboxes also don't have the DVD. If I went to rent a movie at one of these thing and it said "SOLD OUT" I would be annoyed. I don't have a high tolerance for wasting my time. I think I am going to ask my wife to check it out just to try it. From what i see so far, it doesnt look great next to Netflix. Looking forward to seeing Blockbusters version of Redbox....

CanadianInVA 4 years 41 weeks

Love, love, love Redbox. You can't beat $1 for a movie. And you can reserve the movie online and pick it up wherever you want. And you can sign up and they will text you a code for a free night. So free redbox is even better. My only complaint is that there is always some slow poke in line in front of me. Alphabetical order seems to confuse some people.

Allytta 4 years 41 weeks

who in this modern age even rents dvds? i never do.

foxie 4 years 41 weeks

Awesome. They have these on military bases, and they're really convenient for soldiers living in the barracks who don't want to go off-post to rent.

Taadie 4 years 41 weeks

I use netflix and when i look at the selection of red box I dont usually see movies I want to rent, plus Im a lazy bones and I wouldnt go back to return the movie the next day so it wouldnt be cost effective for me. However, I do think its a great option for people who just want to see a movie every once in a while and arent netflix or blockbuster people. I dont actually know anyone who uses the blockbuster service so I dont know if there is a demand for them to do this specifically but if netflix did this i might go to a box every once in a while.

piper23 4 years 41 weeks

I love the convenience. I get groceries AND a movie at the same time! Turning them in the next day is a hassle but that's what husbands are for. :)

Phorrest99 4 years 41 weeks

I tried the Redbox thing once, but because it took me a few days to return it, I ended up having to pay like $5+ for the one movie! So, now I prefer Netflix with their no late fees & instant watch movies! And, of course, there's always On Demand! :)

SomethingWicked 4 years 41 weeks

Love it...just found out about them a while ago and have never turned back...1$ a movie...just have to go at off times so ya don't get stuck in line :)

Le Etiana 4 years 41 weeks

I've never used the red box but whenever I see them locally, there's always someone using it or a line of people waiting. It must work!

ilanac13 4 years 41 weeks

i've actually seen these at a grocery store in FL and well...i think that it has it's benefits, but i'm not sure that it's something that's overly useful. i feel like there are so many other easy ways to get DVDs but i guess if some one's invented it, there has to be a demand somewhere right?

chatondeneige 4 years 41 weeks

Redbox is great! I still have a 3 at a time Netflix plan, and I'm using it currently for a movies which aren't new, or are a little unusual (I'm on a pre-20th century period pieces kick right now!) but when I want a newish film, I go to the redbox. The only thing I don't live is that there's ALWAYS a line, there's only one redbox in this town. Lawrah, how do you get a free rental every Monday?

chasingjamie 4 years 41 weeks

I love Redbox... I always thought it was dumb to rent a movie for 5 days when it only takes two hours to watch it. So now I get a movie for a buck, watch it, and take it back the next day. It's awesome.

mariellynelly 4 years 41 weeks

When I first saw one of these I thought it was one of the oddest ideas. I didn't think people actually used them until a week ago when I went to Walgreens and there was a huge line of people at this red box. I would never use one mostly because I think that Netflix would fulfill my needs better.

sweet feet 4 years 41 weeks

i've seen this at my local albertson's! it seems like a good deal... $1 for a movie! I'll have to try it one day.

Rasputin45 4 years 41 weeks

We don't have red boxes here, but I probably wouldn't use it if they had. I usually rent the DVDs out of my library for free, here in British Columbia they have an extremely wide selection and you can reserve what you want online and just go in to pick it up. The best part -- it's totally free! [except late fees]

taylorbath 4 years 41 weeks

Red Box was a genius idea. I use it all the time. It's quick, easy, convenient and judging by the lines at the kiosk, it's popular too.

mratin 4 years 41 weeks

Red Box is very cheep and convenient. Now onwards i am very much like to using this. ====================================================== Ricky fashion designing

mehollowell 4 years 41 weeks

This is my new love. I use it all the time.

crystalvillage06 4 years 41 weeks

I've been using Redbox for over a year. It's cheap and convenient.

Allyace 4 years 41 weeks

I've never seen one of these, but love the price. We use Netflix and love it. We had Blockbuster on-line for a while and it was great to be able to trade them in at the stores, but they took forever in the mail, were more expensive and we waited like 6 months to get some of the things on our list... But I agree w/ the commenter that said downloads/on-demand are the way things are going.

esmerb 4 years 41 weeks

I am addicted to RedBox. It is convenient and so inexpensive. I do wish they had TV on DVD but I can get over that.

fuzzles 4 years 41 weeks

By "library," I meant the local public library system.

sassy_chick 4 years 41 weeks

I think they're great! If you're not going to do Netflix due to the expense, this is a great pay-as-you go option.

kaykayelle 4 years 41 weeks

I've used redbox and DVDXpress, and I think they are great. The only problem with them is the selection- only new movies. But you can't beat the price of $1 a rental!

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