The news that Blockbuster could file for bankruptcy in the next week or so is of course very sad. Some will say that this is the natural course of business and that the company deserves to fail, and they are correct. Businesses either survive or fall and that’s the way of the world.
The problem with Blockbuster is that it has become a victim of competing businesses before everyone else is prepared to flock to these new forms of digital delivery. How many people do you know who rent or stream films and TV programmes over the Internet? The number must be very small compared to the number who rent films in a physical store.
I still rent films for my children and the trip to our local Blockbusters is a small treat that invariably includes popcorn and some sweets that iTunes does not sell yet. I admit that I am now much more likely to rent a film from iTunes, hook up my iPhone to the TV and watch it within a few minutes of placing my order. I don’t have to return the DVD to the store the next day and the cost is the same as getting it from Blockbusters. The convenience alone wins out for me.
But, I will miss those little trips to the store and so will my children because there are no alternatives. Not everyone owns a device that can play digital films and few want to do so. These people now have little choice except to go out and buy films and that is sad.
Not to speak ill of a company in trouble, but Blockbuster sales tactics were borderline harassment. The conversation would go something like this:
While checking out a movie at the resister.
Salesperson “Would you like to join our Blockbuster Club and rest xx movies for xx price?”
Todd “No thank you?”
Salesperson, “Why not? Why would you pass on this fantastic deal.”
Todd “Because I do not rent often enough for the deal to be worthwhile. I am not interested.”
Salesperson, “Why would you not be interested? What part of this fantastic deal is holding you up? Let me look up your rental history and show you how you would save.”
Todd “Um, I have friends waiting.”
Salesperson, “I still do not understand why you would want to pass on this fantastic offer?”
Todd “Are you going to let me rent this movie?”
Salesperson “OK. But here are some informational brochures so you can learn more.”
Todd “No thank you, I am just going to throw them away.”
Salesperson, “Why would you throw away such a fantastic deal?”
Todd “I am not interested. Please check out my movie or I will be leaving now.”
Salesperson, “Here you go. Have a nice evening.”
The above was repeated each and every time I went there. After the third visit, I joined Netflix and I occasionally visit my non-chain, very helpful, local video store, when I want to rent a move not yet on Netflix.
Ouch- that would really annoy me as well. I guess we are lucky- everyone who works in our local store is either a Goth or seriously into Heavy Metal (ear rings and tattoos everywhere), but the service is always polite and very helpful.
I think they’ve been left behind like lots of other pre-internet businesses. It is nice to browse the shelves rather than read a screen from time to time but it’s much less convenient than instant access with no physical disk return to worry about.
My kids always look forward to a trip to the local BB shop…have never had any hassle from their sales staff, quite the opposite in fact.
We still go to our local video store to look around and hire something. But there are several reasons for this. Last time I looked, you still can’t rent/buy film through iTunes here in Spain. I use a 3G modem and can’t afford nor have the time to download movies. I do tend to make a copy of the films I rent for the kids so they can watch it again later or in case they fall asleep. It’s purely for personal use, I don’t know if that justifies it.