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Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

reuters.com

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Re: Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

#2

Post by city41 »

Not to dance on someone's grave but to me this is fantastic news. When Blockbuster was the dominate player, they were quite the nasty bully. Ridiculously high late fees that were very hard to avoid. Half the time you'd return the DVD on time, but the employees wouldn't inventory it until it was too late and still hit you with a fee. A fee which they were extremely reluctant to remove. Their customer service was downright awful. Before Netflix came around I responded by stopping shopping at Blockbuster altogether and just started buying my own movies. Even at $20+ a pop, it was still more convenient and less stress filled than hoping Blockbuster would show you some mercy.

I'm very glad to see the market can respond and a new player can come in with a better business model and treat customers better, and win. It's reassuring.

Re: Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

#6

Post by jonpaul »

city41 wrote: post #2

Not to dance on someone's grave but to me this is fantastic news. When Blockbuster was the dominate player, they were quite the nasty bully. Ridiculously high late fees that were very hard to avoid. Half the time you'd return the DVD on time, but the employees wouldn't inventory it until it was too late and still hit you with a fee. A fee which they were extremely reluctant to remove. Their customer service was downr…

I couldn't agree with you more. I'm glad that Netflix and RedBox have torn Blockbuster apart. I knew this day would happen, and I don't want to wish any employees any financial hardship, but the company itself deserves this.

Re: Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

#7

Post by cabalamat »

krschultz wrote: post #3

I wouldn't go long on Barnes & Noble or Borders either.

Well, Borders in the UK went bankrupt a year ago, but I don't think bookshops are going to go away any time soon.

When I buy a book, either I want a specific book (in which case Amazon is the most convenient way of getting it) or I want a book on a particular subject, but I don't know which book I want. In a book store, I can easily and conveniently browse several books, and decide which I like the best -- this is harder online.

Re: Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

#8

Post by vaksel »

cabalamat wrote: post #7
krschultz wrote: post #3

I wouldn't go long on Barnes & Noble or Borders either.

Well, Borders in the UK went bankrupt a year ago, but I don't think bookshops are going to go away any time soon. When I buy a book, either I want a specific book (in which case Amazon is the most convenient way of getting it) or I want a book on a particular subject, but I don't know which book I want. In a book store, I can easily and conveniently browse several books, and decide which I like the best -- this is ha…

i kinda feel the opposite way, in the bookstore you base everything on the cover/thumbing through it...with Amazon you can actually read customer reviews and see if the book is worth it.

Re: Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

#9

Post by Mc_Big_G »

city41 wrote: post #2

Not to dance on someone's grave but to me this is fantastic news. When Blockbuster was the dominate player, they were quite the nasty bully. Ridiculously high late fees that were very hard to avoid. Half the time you'd return the DVD on time, but the employees wouldn't inventory it until it was too late and still hit you with a fee. A fee which they were extremely reluctant to remove. Their customer service was downr…

I was insanely happy when all of the "Movie Gallerys" went out of business in my area. Fist pumping and the whole nine yards. Few businesses treat their customers as terribly as video rental stores. Multiple times, I had to physically lead their employees to the video I had returned, weeks earlier, to prove that the $89 (or whatever ridiculously high) late fee was bull$#!*. Dying in a fire is too good for these stores because then then could collect the insurance. :)

Re: Blockbuster files for bankruptcy

#10

Post by nhebb »

city41 wrote: post #2

Not to dance on someone's grave but to me this is fantastic news. When Blockbuster was the dominate player, they were quite the nasty bully. Ridiculously high late fees that were very hard to avoid. Half the time you'd return the DVD on time, but the employees wouldn't inventory it until it was too late and still hit you with a fee. A fee which they were extremely reluctant to remove. Their customer service was downr…

I never understood the concept of buying movies. How many times can you watch the same damn thing?
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