Anyone work at Blockbuster? ** Update Post #25 **

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm trying to get someone to explain something to me and the MANAGER at the store I went to was clueless....

Anyone who can help?

 

[DaisyLynn]

I don't work at Blockbuster, but I'm so curious what you wanted the manager to explain to you.

There needs to be a nosey smiley.

 

[ChrisFL]

Blockbuster...the video store?

They're still open?

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Yeah, some of the stores are still open and they've changed their pricing scheme. Rentals are now per night, which I love... and a lot of them are 99 cents.

Here's my question for the nosy posies (You like how I did that? You have a flower in your avatar and I said "posies". *giggle*)

I got a coupon in my email that states the following:

We're celebrating our new prices and massive stockpile of new releases with a new deal: unlimited free rentals at your Blockbuster store!

Just rent one of our newest releases for $2.99 and enjoy unlimited movies priced $1.99 or less for FREE through July 4 (1-day rentals, 1 at a time).*

I'm trying to figure out if that means:

1. Every time I rent a $2.99 movie, I get a $1.99 one for free....

OR

2. If I rent ONE $2.99 movie, I can get free movies until July 4th.

Option #1 obviously makes more sense... but the way it's worded, it sure sounds to me like #2. The manager had no idea (and proceeded to tell me that she doesn't watch movies and the company doesn't care about their employees or their customers, which is a completely different thread entirely). She didn't even bother to try to figure it out and had obviously not heard about this promotion. And I know it's legit, because in addition to getting the email, the same info is posted on their website.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I am reading it as you can borrow as many $1.99 movies you want when you rent one 2.99 movie that same day.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Number one makes more sense to me. It states you have to rent a 2.99 movie in order to get the free rental.

And it can't be as many movies as you want since it is stated clearly, (1 day rentals 1 at a time).

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Number one makes more sense to me. It states you have to rent a 2.99 movie in order to get the free rental.

And it can't be as many movies as you want since it is stated clearly, (1 day rentals 1 at a time).

But it says "just rent one of our new releases and then"... it doesn't say "every time you rent a new release". That's why I'm inclined to think otherwise.

 

[msmayor]

But it says "just rent one of our new releases and then"... it doesn't say "every time you rent a new release". That's why I'm inclined to think otherwise.

Right. Rent ONE at $2.99 and then get as many as you want of the other movies at the same time.

There is no way they are going to keep a list of who rented a $2.99 movie on the first day of the promotion and then give them $1.99 movies anytime they want for over a month.

 

[lizabu]

I think it's #1 too. I think it's both hilarious and tragic that the manager of a movie rental store doesn't watch movies. What ever made her want to work there? Weird

 

[undertheradar]

Right. Rent ONE at $2.99 and then get as many as you want of the other movies at the same time.

There is no way they are going to keep a list of who rented a $2.99 movie on the first day of the promotion and then give them $1.99 movies anytime they want for over a month.

Exactly, rent one $2.99 movie and then continue to get for free $1.99 or less movies- one at a time- for 38 or 39 days. Doesn't make sense.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Right. Rent ONE at $2.99 and then get as many as you want of the other movies at the same time.

There is no way they are going to keep a list of who rented a $2.99 movie on the first day of the promotion and then give them $1.99 movies anytime they want for over a month.

They should be able to see in the computer that you have rented a 2.99 movie within the promotion period. I think the ad is saying that once you rent a 2.99 new release you may then get one 1.99 movie for free every day for the rest of the promotion period. They are hoping that while you are in the store picking that movie up you will either see another new release you also want to watch (and pay for ) or even another 1.99 movie that you will have to pay for. Or that you will pick up something they have for sale like new or used movies or some snacks and drinks. And they really doubt that you will be coming in every day for the next month to get a movie each day. It doesn't cost them anything for you to take a movie out for free so to them the benefits outweigh the risks. They want you IN THE STORE-- not standing in front of the Redbox , downloading from Netflix or ordering from PPV from your cable or satellite provider.

I think it's #1 too. I think it's both hilarious and tragic that the manager of a movie rental store doesn't watch movies. What ever made her want to work there? Weird

I actually worked at 2 video rental stores back when they were big (first one I worked for rented VHS and Beta!) and I HATE movies! Very rarely watch them. Didn't watch them then, don't watch them now. Didn't affect how I did my job one bit except that I didn't take advantage of the "employees rent for free" and I wasn't spending my time watching what was being shown on the in store TV's instead of working!

 

[YodaGirl]

They should be able to see in the computer that you have rented a 2.99 movie within the promotion period. I think the ad is saying that once you rent a 2.99 new release you may then get one 1.99 movie for free every day for the rest of the promotion period. They are hoping that while you are in the store picking that movie up you will either see another new release you also want to watch (and pay for ) or even another 1.99 movie that you will have to pay for. Or that you will pick up something they have for sale like new or used movies or some snacks and drinks. And they really doubt that you will be coming in every day for the next month to get a movie each day. It doesn't cost them anything for you to take a movie out for free so to them the benefits outweigh the risks. They want you IN THE STORE-- not standing in front of the Redbox , downloading from Netflix or ordering from PPV from your cable or satellite provider.

I agree. I think that once you rent one movie for $2.99, you get the $1.99 or less movies for free until July 4th.

I think that it's their way or drumming up more business.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Exactly, rent one $2.99 movie and then continue to get for free $1.99 or less movies- one at a time- for 38 or 39 days. Doesn't make sense.

Actually, it makes complete sense (although I'd be interested to know what the asterisk denotes) because the e-mail states '1-day rentals, 1 at a time'. As someone said above, the OP's rental history would show in the computer that she rented one $2.99 movie to initiate the promo.

Oh, and she could always rent a movie on a Friday night, return it late Saturday morning and rent another one, return it later in the day and get another one for overnight, repeat Sunday... unless that pesky * prohibits this, to get even a better value.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Take as many as you can, and hope they close the store.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

OK, I was just kidding.

 

[bicker]

There's an asterisk there.... this might help:

*Valid 5/27-7/4/11. Receive unlimited free 1-day rentals of movies priced $1.99 or less (one free rental out at a time) with the rental of any $2.99 new release movie. Limit one offer per membership account. Rentals subject to store terms, charges that may apply to rentals kept beyond due date, and taxes. Not valid on games, defensive driving courses or with any other offers or discounts. Free rentals do not count towards reward or loyalty benefits. If you rent more than one movie priced $1.99 or less when redeeming this offer, offer applies to the lowest priced rental. Available at participating BLOCKBUSTER stores. Membership rules apply. See store for full terms.

The bolded portion makes clear (to me) that the bonus is only offered "with" (accompanied by) the $2.99 new release rental.

Note also that the terms and conditions can vary by store, and the store could just opt-out entirely if they wish. In other words, they can do whatever they want, as long as they do it consistently.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Curious.... because even the way the asterisk is worded, it still seems to me like I only need to rent one $2.99 movie and then get free movies until July. I was thinking the same way some other posters were... that they want you in the store. Rent one-get one free offers that you can only keep overnight don't do a whole lot of good, as far as I'm concerned. If that's what they're offering, it could be worded a whole lot better!

Of course, the "see store for details" portion completely takes care of everything. Here's a coupon, but you can't use it because the manager knows nothing about it

 

[kaytieeldr]

*Valid 5/27-7/4/11. Receive unlimited free 1-day rentals of movies priced $1.99 or less (one free rental out at a time) with the rental of any $2.99 new release movie

Thanks, bicker. There's your key word, OP - 'any'. Not 'each'. That's a valid case for renting one new-release movie and getting unlimited $1.99-or-less movies free through July 4. One at a time, of course.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Thanks, bicker. There's your key word, OP - 'any'. Not 'each'. That's a valid case for renting one new-release movie and getting unlimited $1.99-or-less movies free through July 4. One at a time, of course.

Thank you! I knew there had to be something that would convince me and that's it. Now, let's just hope the good folks at Blockbuster have received some additional training information since Friday. LOL.

 

[leight]

I agree that once you rent a movie for $2.99 (which I would assume are the hot new releases) that you can get an unlimited # of $1.99 rentals (one at a time) thru 7/4. I would imagine that the hope is that you would go in for one free $1.99 movie and also get the urge to rent a new release that is not $1.99 so would get two movies. I know that I hate taking the kids to redbox to get 'just one' movie for a buck- I almost always get 2 or 3 since they are so cheap and my kids ask so nicely.