Blockbuster could close a number of stores nationwide

It's the story of 2 movie buffs. Eric Hughes is a loyal Blockbuster video store customer.

[jasin]

I must admit blockbuster always pissed me off with their expensive arse late fees. Nothing beats renting a movie only to hear "did ya know you had a $14 dollar late fee"? Yeah my bad, but it's not like they were totally out of stock on the movie I had.
If we rent now, we'll do redbox or dish ppv.

[icewolf]

I'm using Redbox now and it only costs $1 per night. Much better than Blockbuster or Hollywood.
Never had a problem. So Blockbuster get in the soup line. You're folding up like guest chairs after the party's over and it's what you deserve.

[cuttershelper]

Common Sense wrote:

This is outstanding news! These coc*su*kers are such a bunch of ba*tar*s it's unbelievable! During the blizzard of '03 they told me and several others (so they said) that the late fees would be waived if returned within the next 3 days if the video was due either that day or the day before, which mine was (which for those of you who were here will remember it was pouring like crazy the day before it started snowing). When I returned it I started getting late fee notices in mail. I called up the Manager, the fuc*ing c*nt hung up on me and the collection notices started going onto my credit record. I eventually paid it. It was only $5 or $6, but it's the principal of it. They stole money from me! I not only want Blockbuster to go out of business I want their executives homeless and starving on the street! This is one of the evilest companies to exist, ever! My story of how I got sc*ewed over by Blockbuster I know mirrors many others. I h*te Blockbuster and now do all my renting through Netflix! Netflix is so completely awesome! Mostly because their CEO is the guy who started the company (so he cares more than anybody that it succeeds)and not some douc*ebag they brought in from the outside. For anybody who doesn't have Netflix they are so missing out. I hesitated for years signing up and now that I have I really wish I hadn't. There's no hassles, no rude minimum wage douc*ebags behind a counter, no sc*ewing you with late fees, no getting sc*ewed for not reading the fine print. You just pay (per month it's less than 4 venti coffees from starbucks), rent, return them whenever and that's it! Blockbuster is a bunch of evil fu*king coc*s*ckers. The only shame is that it took so fuc*ing long for the consumer to flush this company down the drain!!!

Took the asterisks right out of my mouth, nice post.
We don't have blockbuster on our side of the hill(we have a smaller company but it is the equivalent of BB, same BS late fees)but I have heard enough stories about their service and such to never set foot in any of their stores.
Netflix rules, maybe why blockbuster went blockbusted.

[Smith]

When I was a little child my parents used to take me to the drive in.

[Marty Luther Koon]

The one near me is in the process of going out of biz. They are selling USED dvd's for $10. What a ripoff

[nichole]

I work for blockbuster and really dont want to lose my job! Does anyone realize that? I've been with the company for almost seven years now. Ive been there with the late fees, then no late fees, online crap, and listening to people give any excuse to get out of paying any fees. But through it all I still love my job. We have great benefits and get to talk about movies all day. Most of my customers are regulars and have been for years! No matter how much money people have they will find a few bucks to rent a movie. We all need cheap entertainment and this is it. Why pay ten dollars to go to the movies when 3.22 can get you one in your own home. Dont even get me started on redbox! Already we are relying on a machine. If these stores close lots more people will be out there trying to find work! Thats not what we need!

[Hussie]

I have no problem paying my late fees...As long as they're reasonable...
I use Netflix, as it's simply a more pleasant experience...No lines, no hassles, and no late fees...Just a short walk to the mailbox...

[cuttershelper]

nichole wrote:

I work for blockbuster and really dont want to lose my job! Does anyone realize that? I've been with the company for almost seven years now. Ive been there with the late fees, then no late fees, online crap, and listening to people give any excuse to get out of paying any fees. But through it all I still love my job. We have great benefits and get to talk about movies all day. Most of my customers are regulars and have been for years! No matter how much money people have they will find a few bucks to rent a movie. We all need cheap entertainment and this is it. Why pay ten dollars to go to the movies when 3.22 can get you one in your own home. Dont even get me started on redbox! Already we are relying on a machine. If these stores close lots more people will be out there trying to find work! Thats not what we need!

Your right, nobody is thinking of those who need to earn a living who may work there. Sorry for the troubles, but you have to face the facts...services like Netflix offer no late fees, return when you're done, no hassle, no line, no drive to the store...park...look around...wait in line. You can't tell me that is "part of the experience". Now, you can order one up and watch it right on your pc, thousands of movies at your fingertips. Movie galleries don't offer that convenience...maybe if they were a little more customer friendly it would be different.
Hope it all works out for you, never know, you might find something better.

[cjrian]

Such is the nature of business. When a competitor offer a better product, better service, more lenient terms, better prices, or any combination thereof, who is staying with the status quo as opposed to switching? Not many. Had Blockbuster adjusted their business practices, remained competetive, or provided better, they could have probably survived. They didn't. They die. C'est la vie.

[Sam]

redbox rules. they are less expensive by far and easier than blockbuster.

[Hussie]

cuttershelper wrote:

<quoted text>
Your right, nobody is thinking of those who need to earn a living who may work there. Sorry for the troubles, but you have to face the facts...services like Netflix offer no late fees, return when you're done, no hassle, no line, no drive to the store...park...look around...wait in line. You can't tell me that is "part of the experience". Now, you can order one up and watch it right on your pc, thousands of movies at your fingertips. Movie galleries don't offer that convenience...maybe if they were a little more customer friendly it would be different.
Hope it all works out for you, never know, you might find something better.

I have great sympathy for those who face losing their jobs, but they really need to rethink their positions with Blockbuster...Whenever technology improves as it has with video and audio, you can expect such sacrifices...In an industry that is solely consumer geared, you either adapt or you fail...We live in a 24 hour world now and folks want things immediately, so running to the video store has become an inconvenience of sorts...
It isn't due to poor customer service, or trashy stores, but the employees will become the first sacrifice...
Blockbuster also tried the direct-to-home rental like Netflix, but it didn't work out so well for them...It was a case where their reputation proceeded them (high late fees, class action lawsuits) and folks were already content with Netflix, who pioneered the idea...
Remember, there is no such thing as job security...Especially in the fickle worlds of tech and retail...

[raysmom]

I'm sorry for people losing their jobs, too. But do you really want to be a career Blockbuster cashier? And your attitude about customers, while I am sure they can be trying, is a big part of Blockbuster's problem, I think. Customer service is how businesses sink or swim. They might have survived the technology transition if they had seen the forest for the trees. It's too bad that all the wrong people pay for that, and weren't trained properly, but having been called a liar by them when they lost one of 3 movies (they found it in the bottom of the bin, eventually, and one honest employee apologized, while the manager said, "I'll be HAPPY to cancel your membership", I am not surprised to see the wheat being cut from the chaffe.

[Sympathize]

nichole wrote:

I work for blockbuster and really dont want to lose my job! Does anyone realize that? I've been with the company for almost seven years now. Ive been there with the late fees, then no late fees, online crap, and listening to people give any excuse to get out of paying any fees. But through it all I still love my job. We have great benefits and get to talk about movies all day. Most of my customers are regulars and have been for years! No matter how much money people have they will find a few bucks to rent a movie. We all need cheap entertainment and this is it. Why pay ten dollars to go to the movies when 3.22 can get you one in your own home. Dont even get me started on redbox! Already we are relying on a machine. If these stores close lots more people will be out there trying to find work! Thats not what we need!

As another employee of Blockbuster who loves their job, I can only say; Keep making a difference to your customers. Be the icon that your team looks to and make the difference to keep you store going. I know that bad experiences have soured the opinions of many people, but I still believe in my job, my store and my team. We provide good customer service, a good value and a great experience at my store. Sorry to those of you not fortunate enough to visit those of us who truly care.

[Marty Luther Koon]

Sympathize wrote:

<quoted text>
As another employee of Blockbuster who loves their job, I can only say; Keep making a difference to your customers. Be the icon that your team looks to and make the difference to keep you store going. I know that bad experiences have soured the opinions of many people, but I still believe in my job, my store and my team. We provide good customer service, a good value and a great experience at my store. Sorry to those of you not fortunate enough to visit those of us who truly care.

Too bad you will not have a job by next spring. Viva BFI and Auto Nation. You all know what I mean.

[dark miner]

nichole wrote:

I work for blockbuster and really dont want to lose my job! Does anyone realize that? I've been with the company for almost seven years now. Ive been there with the late fees, then no late fees, online crap, and listening to people give any excuse to get out of paying any fees. But through it all I still love my job. We have great benefits and get to talk about movies all day. Most of my customers are regulars and have been for years! No matter how much money people have they will find a few bucks to rent a movie. We all need cheap entertainment and this is it. Why pay ten dollars to go to the movies when 3.22 can get you one in your own home. Dont even get me started on redbox! Already we are relying on a machine. If these stores close lots more people will be out there trying to find work! Thats not what we need!

No worrys your majic president will make sure you are allright