I have decided that Blockbuster is evil.

Recently a new trend has swept America, and that trend is known as netflix. Basically it allows you to rent out two DVDs via the mail at a time and hold them as long as you want. Realizing (correctly) that unless Blockbuster did something similar they would lose a lot of $$$, they decided to implement the "Blockbuster Movie Pass."

This movie pass allows me to rent up to 2 DVDs and hold them as long as I want; I can rent two more when I return the other two. It's a great idea and I was enthralled to finally get a pass to rent anything from Blockbuster that I wanted.

Until today.

Today, one might say, was the day I ran into "the wall." I went into Blockbuster, holding the movies "The Terminal" and "Thirteen" in my hands ... and I was eager to trade them in for two fresh DVDs.

So I casually stroll into the Blockbuster ... and I begin going through the new releases. The first two walls ... nothing. Hrm. Ok ... this is a bit worrisome, but perhaps there will be some movies on the last wall that I might find I like.

I go through ... "The Terminal," "Walking Tall", "White Chicks..." ....... and nothing. Fear begins to build up.

It's about this time that I decide to go through the action and drama sections. Nothing there. Thinking that perhaps I missed something in the new releases ... I go through the new releases again. It's about this time I get a call from home.

"Roy, where are you? I thought you were just going to Blockbuster."

"I am, I'm still here." I look at my pocketwatch ... it's been 45 minutes since I left home. Crap.

20 minutes later, I finally decide on "The Replacement Killers" and "Along Came Polly" and leave the store. I'm dejected.

See, the problem is that when you return the two movies from the Movie Pass, you're obligated to rent out two movies; it's pretty much free! But the problem is that you really don't want to watch any of the crappy DVDs they have ... but you can't leave the store emptyhanded.

This causes problems where people spend too much time trying to find a movie they might like. But the quandary is worsened when it becomes impossible to cancel your movie pass. You reason to yourself, "Hey, I've got two more weeks. Even if I can't find anything to rent today, "Harry Potter" comes out next week. I'll just get that and then I'll cancel the movie pass. But next week, you come back and notice that "Hero" is coming out next week ... so I guess you really aren't going to stop the movie pass.

I look around the Blockbuster and notice many other helpless souls ... just looking for two movies to get and get out. And it's not even enough to get one ... you have to get one. More than once I passed a couple who were going through the racks, trying to find a movie... "Honey, want to see this?" "I saw it, it's not too good." "What about this one?" "We saw that one already, honey." I wouldn't be surprised if young couples with Blockbuster movie passes had a higher rate of breakups than non-movie pass people.

I long for the days with Blockbuster's overpriced rental prices; at least then you could just not rent something...

I'm stuck in a horrible addiction I can't break. Help.

Posted by roy on November 27, 2004 at 10:56 PM in Foolishness | 19 Comments

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Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 02:08 AM
I'm the most impulsive person in the world. I need the DVD _now_. Not 3-4 days when the USPS decides to give it to me. NOW.
Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 12:34 AM
if you live near a blockbuster, the movie pass is a much better investment than netflix. simply because you can rent many more movies in a months time than you can through netflix. you don't have to wait for them to come back in the mail. we had people who would rent 60 movies in a month, easily, if not more., (of course half of these guys were burning them too, sometimes revisiting the store 3-6 times in one day)

the trick to movie pass is just to buy more than it would have cost to pay for the rentals, then not worry about it, if you rent 5-6 then you've paid the thing off.

and narzack is right about the cancelation
Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 02:08 AM
YES BUT THE SELECTION OF MOVIES I WANT TO WATCH IS GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER AND SMALLER AND DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


i still love my movie pass. i just wish i didn't feel obligated to rent two movies everytime i go there.
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 10:36 PM
Happy birthday. :D
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 10:11 PM
Oh and, may I add: Smallville = death. O_o;
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 10:09 PM
That green... thing... for your icon REALLY scares me.
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 09:12 PM
i have always had this wall in my dvd selecting life. !!!HURRY UP SAL!!!

happy birthday too. *FIRRRRP*
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 03:14 PM
And yes, Blockbuster is evil. That's why I love it.
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 03:05 PM
Happy Birthday!
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 11:39 AM
When you 'cancel' the movie pass, all you do is cancel the renewal on your credit card. You'll still have it for the entire month that you bought it. Heck, if you only want it for one month, you can buy it, come back the next day, tell them you want to cancel the rebill and keep getting movies, bastard.

Not that I know or anything.
Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 02:09 AM
I know, but it still doesn't solve hte problem of me going every week and looking at that stupid "what's new next week" list and seeing something i want to rent.
Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 02:11 AM
Would you like a tampon?
Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 02:15 AM
Touche.
Comment posted on November 30th, 2004 at 02:17 AM
douche.

teehee.
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 09:13 AM
happy birthday.
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 02:18 AM
thats an awesome business model!
Comment posted on November 28th, 2004 at 01:55 AM
life is tough, I feel ya man
Comment posted on November 27th, 2004 at 11:33 PM
Ooooops! its today right? hehehehe!!!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Comment posted on November 27th, 2004 at 11:32 PM
Belated Happy Birthday? ;)