Lateness and the Hidden Gems
So Blockbuster is dropping late fees eh? That's great...until you get so used to your "one week grace period" that actually end up having to buy the damn game or DVD.
And don't you think for a minute that when they mean buy, they mean the complete, full, retail price from when it was first released. You forgot to return Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 because it was scratched and you didn't play it? Well, say hello to a $50 charge.
Is this listed anywhere in the press release? Of course not, its legalese silly. There's no such thing has fine print in news stories. We're all much too busy for that kind of bothersome information.
The fact is that Blockbuster gets a huge chunk of their operating profit and revenue from late fees. Last I recall the number was over 30%. This means that they've tested out this No Late Fee thing, and while it looks good plastered on billboards and posters, it is also very good for business. Why charge someone a measly $6+ for missing a return date when you can get $30-$50? This is big bucks folks.
It's also simple retaliation in response to Netflix taking away a huge portion of their business. My friend Jeremy and his wife love Netflix, as it provides good entertainment when you want it and a return policy that doesn't include ripping money out of your gullet when you return something not precisely on time.
For the gamers out there, Gamefly has this exact same type of service and should bode well for any gamer on a budget. $20 a month should easily be affordable and can provide the necessary means for gaming goodness at all times. This is the service that took years to arrive and now that it finally has just makes perfect sense.
The problem with Blockbuster is that their brick-and-mortar base just isn't cohesive with the lazy American lifestyle. Sure they were huge in the 80's and 90's, but the times they are a' changing baby. We Americans want it Half Off, Ready Now, Shipping Free, Delivery Directly To Our Door, and Easy Web-Based Payment Options. Blockbuster simply can't compete with a search box. Walking the aisles of a store is like comparing automobiles to a home cooked meal: One is hot and fresh. The other requires maintenance, money, and effort.
I believe in retrospect this will begin closing the door toward Blockbuster's demise. They won't drop out of the limelight completely, as there is always a market for stores such as these, but they will begin to lose marketshare and soon will find themselves the new minority.
Welcome to the new world order, one that doesn't include teenagers who don't know what movie you're speaking of or how to properly operate a cash register.
Lastly, check out these lost Beatles Xmas recordings. These were sent out to fan club members as a gift each year, and they are fascinating to listen to. Something to listen to while you search for movies and games you wish to see and play, eh?
And don't you think for a minute that when they mean buy, they mean the complete, full, retail price from when it was first released. You forgot to return Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 because it was scratched and you didn't play it? Well, say hello to a $50 charge.
Is this listed anywhere in the press release? Of course not, its legalese silly. There's no such thing has fine print in news stories. We're all much too busy for that kind of bothersome information.
The fact is that Blockbuster gets a huge chunk of their operating profit and revenue from late fees. Last I recall the number was over 30%. This means that they've tested out this No Late Fee thing, and while it looks good plastered on billboards and posters, it is also very good for business. Why charge someone a measly $6+ for missing a return date when you can get $30-$50? This is big bucks folks.
It's also simple retaliation in response to Netflix taking away a huge portion of their business. My friend Jeremy and his wife love Netflix, as it provides good entertainment when you want it and a return policy that doesn't include ripping money out of your gullet when you return something not precisely on time.
For the gamers out there, Gamefly has this exact same type of service and should bode well for any gamer on a budget. $20 a month should easily be affordable and can provide the necessary means for gaming goodness at all times. This is the service that took years to arrive and now that it finally has just makes perfect sense.
The problem with Blockbuster is that their brick-and-mortar base just isn't cohesive with the lazy American lifestyle. Sure they were huge in the 80's and 90's, but the times they are a' changing baby. We Americans want it Half Off, Ready Now, Shipping Free, Delivery Directly To Our Door, and Easy Web-Based Payment Options. Blockbuster simply can't compete with a search box. Walking the aisles of a store is like comparing automobiles to a home cooked meal: One is hot and fresh. The other requires maintenance, money, and effort.
I believe in retrospect this will begin closing the door toward Blockbuster's demise. They won't drop out of the limelight completely, as there is always a market for stores such as these, but they will begin to lose marketshare and soon will find themselves the new minority.
Welcome to the new world order, one that doesn't include teenagers who don't know what movie you're speaking of or how to properly operate a cash register.
Lastly, check out these lost Beatles Xmas recordings. These were sent out to fan club members as a gift each year, and they are fascinating to listen to. Something to listen to while you search for movies and games you wish to see and play, eh?
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