Dear Blockbuster,
Our time together was amazing. You provided everything that I wanted — you gave me movies, great movies, made them cheap for me, and even let me extend my rental period when I wanted to. Your prices were cheap, and you had everything that I could want. You even had candy and soda, sitting there for me to impulsively grab. Oh, Blockbuster, you were great. But, sadly, as with all good things, our relationship must come to an end.
It isn't me; it's you. You've changed... just way too much.
You see, I loved you because you were so useful, because you were so friendly, because you helped me find everything that I wanted. Blockbuster, you saved me a lot of money, and helped me get the movies I wanted. I liked being able to find the movies I wanted - any movies that I wanted - and get them right when I wanted them.
But you changed; your ways have become different. I signed up with you because I wanted movies on demand and a large selection of them. While you still give them to me at the moment I want them, you don't have much of a selection anymore. Only a quarter of your store caters to what I want — that is, only a quarter provide me standard DVDs. The rest of your store holds Blu-ray movies and games. These, I do not want, and cannot use. Plus, even if I had a Blu-ray player, you still have the exact same selection, just in different formats.
But what about the other half? Remember, I rented from you because I wanted movies, and a large selection of them. But then you had to go and add games to your collection. You are Blockbuster Movies, not Blockbuster Movies and Games. So why, oh why, did you have to add games to your selections? You made it so that I had a limited selection, which is the opposite of what I wanted.
Article comments
1 - Robert Barga
Wow, I just realized how often I used the word "want"
2 - Brandon Valentine
Robert,
I also just dumped Blockbuster for Netflix. Netflix has more to offer, is a bargain, and is outright sexier. It's all about selection, and Netflix has got it going on.
P.S. Love the love letter format.
3 - Robert Barga
Thank you, I was pondering about sending it to both parties involved, what do you think of that?
4 - Christopher Rose
Robert, the link back to your site that you have entered in the wee box above where you type in your comments is incomplete. Please add the missing http:// - that way it will work properly rather than sending people to an error page.
Thanks.
Christopher Rose
Blogcritics Comments Editor.
5 - Robert Barga
html, blahblahblah
thanks man, added
6 - Brandon Valentine
From a business aspect, I think both parties would enjoy the read. Netflix might publish it as advertising, while Blockbuster might take it as advice to steer clear of continually heading in the wrong direction.
7 - Robert Barga
thanks for that input, I think I might send it out to them
8 - tink
We used Netflix early on and added Blockbuster once they began to offer mail service. Netflix's prices jumped too high too fast especially once BB added in the return-to-store-for-more-movies-at-no-charge deal. Less money, more films works for us.
OH...wait, that wasn't my point. As with other chain retailers, Blockbuster skews their product to what research shows is their average customer. So what you get at one BB is not the same as one a few miles away.
The one closest to our house (less than a mile) is approximately 98% Standard DVD, 1% Blu-ray and 1% games. Go to one in the higher income areas, and the percentages change to about 70/10/20.
Oddly enough, the Hollywood Videos across from "our" Blockbuster sees their user base differently. They seem to run at approximately 60% Standard, 15% BD and 20% games.
Having said all that...great piece! Well written and I also like the love letter format.
9 - Robert Barga
I am near a campus area, and all the stores near me have roughly the same exact layout. That said, the FV near us has many more movies than games.
Thank you so very much
10 - Jordan Richardson
I use Zip (Canadian version of Netflix) for movies and haven't actually rented a film from Blockbuster in years. I do rent games from there quite a bit, though, and I love having a large selection to choose from. Although, the game rentals are expensive in comparison to most other rental outlets in my area.
The reason I don't go to Blockbuster is that I can't find all of the movies I'm looking for. Hell, I can't even find 3/4 of the movies I'm looking for. They have very little indie, foreign, or older movies. Their selection is mostly focused on new releases, from what I recall, which is fine for those that are looking for that type of thing. I'm not, however.
One nitpick, Blockbuster isn't "Blockbuster Movies." Indeed it is Blockbuster Inc. The closest it ever was to "Blockbuster Movies" was when it was Blockbuster Video. So they really have no obligation by name to stock more movies than games or more DVDs than Blu-Rays or whatever else.
11 - Robert Barga
Jordan, thanks for that comment. I remember the "blockbuster video" days and that is what is on their signs. That is what I was aiming at. I mean, I do like the idea of borrowing games, as that is a cool business idea, but that is not why I wanted Blockbuster.
That said, I was looking for "Green Street Hooligans" (great movie) when I finally got fed up with having absolutely no real choice at the store.
12 - Charles
This story rocks
13 - Arlo J. Wiley
The biggest reason I don't use Blockbuster very often--and there are several--is that they simply don't have a very good selection. If you want something new, or something relatively mainstream made within the past five-to-ten years, you can usually find what you're looking for...but beyond that, you're pretty much left out in the cold.
Netflix is infinitely better. The two don't even compare.
14 - tom
I finally switched to Netflix as well. blockbutser had no real selection
15 - Christopher
I am also in the campus area (due to your bio, I notice the same one), and I agree that there is little movie selection at block buster. I do like the games though
16 - Randy Bewer
Every time I use netflix the stupid movies have scratches and smudges on them. seriously, how bloody hard is it to look at the back of the dvds?
17 - Carmen
Interesting article. The problem with netflix is how they sort their movies, if they are out of the next one in your list, they do not just skip it and move on, they wait for it. That is just stupid
18 - Comment Guy
I love waiting several hours to watch a downloaded movies from Blockbuster as much as I need a hole in my head. Download video sucks ass. I'd never buy a download set top box.
I want an instant streaming set top box from a service provider where I can get high definition 1080p blu-ray quality video on demand and live tv from one place over a low bandwidth connection (3Mbps or less) on both PC Player for PC and set top box for TV.
Oh wait, it already exists, it's called MyTVPAL! and Netflix!
Blockbuster is just trying to keep it's stock up until it dies! It has no flare innovation. Those who do not innovate do not survive.
On demand means instant playing. So we should call it "wait several hours then never use the darn box again because your fed up of download boxes, just like AKIMBO". That's right! Just like Akimbo.
Congratulations Blockbuster on once again missing the mark and sailing below our expectations.
Long live 1080p blu-ray instant streaming on MTP and NF!
Comment Guy
19 - Robert M. Barga
While I agree that blockbuster is behind the times, and that streaming video is the next wave, I am not sure of the legality of that TV streaming site you mentioned. That said, thanks for the responce
20 - Ronald
Where I am there is no problem with the blockbust selection/ there are no games here
21 - James Micke
lol
tru dat
22 - Chrissy
Hey there:
Great blog piece! Your sentiments were pretty much what I was feeling when I went to Blockbuster just a short while ago, looking for GrindHouse Presents: Death Proof and Planet Terror (separate titles), but couldn't find them. I asked the girl behind the counter, she checked her computer and turns out that the only copies were checked out a while back ago and the renter never returned them.
I remember several years back, Blockbuster used to have a pretty decent selection. Now it's mostly just New Releases (I'm into older, rarer stuff), games and Blu-Ray. Much less of the older favorites. New Releases are ok, providing there is a title that you've been wanting to see, but when you're in the mood for an older favorite (like I am) and it's not there anymore, it's a bummer. I can almost predict that one day the "Favorites" just won't be there anymore. As far as Blu-Ray is concerned, it won't be long before the older DVD's are phased out and you're forced to ditch your old "working" DVD player and spend an arm and a leg for a Blu-Ray one. :-/
Nowadays, I just buy movies but at a Movie Stop closest to me, which is in Marietta (I live in Atlanta). Definitely worth the trip. :) They have great selection (even of older stuff!); I bought Starsky & Hutch Season 1 on DVD (used) at a great price of only $15! I'm into the older favorites that I grew up with. :)
23 - barga
With the price of BD players dropping, we can assume that they will be affordable soon