DISQUS

Dear Ms. Dale,

Insideredbox.com isn't affiliated with Redbox. Their official site is www.redbox.com

As per their help page (http://www.redbox.com/Help/Faq.aspx):


What do I do if my DVD is unplayable or the wrong DVD is in the case?

Please contact our Customer Service Group at 1.866.REDBOX3. All Redbox customer service reps have personally been through our proprietary Rental Trauma Simulator and know what it's like to have a scratched disc ruin the last 20 minutes of a film or to open one case and find another movie instead. They will resolve your issue. Please note that Redbox cannot refund charges that are older than 90 days.

My local Redbox recently became a 2-box. I'm thinking it might be a strategy to reduce available space for competition to set up in and improve kiosk traffic flow during peak retail and return hours.

Blockbuster might complain, but I sure can't. Twice the new releases.

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6030/0806082...

Having seen dozens of people trying to rent movies before the street date (one labeling problem that Redbox has fixed), I can visualize the frustration one might have about the many potential problems of having a mass market self-service rental center.

But you know what? The businessman who points the finger is less likely to survive than the one who's too busy to point the finger. Squealing about your problems is a preliminary symptom of defeat. You can be frustrated all you want off the clock, but a prepared businessman can solve his own problems.

An unprepared businessman can find a new job.

It is clearly printed on the kiosk that you have to be 18 to use Redbox, and it's in the corporate FAQ:

Do I need to be 18 or older to rent DVD's from Redbox Automated DVD Rental?
That is affirmative.

http://www.redbox.com/Help/Faq.aspx
(3rd from bottom)

Anybody breaking this rule is making a fraudulent claim. Simple. How do you stop people from making fraudulent claims? Well, "they" want you to believe that you have to remove the temptation that causes it. Which would actually be access to payment, not Redbox. It's not "no R movie, no purchase", it's "no card, no purchase"...because by the rules kids can't rent ANY movie. Period.

Ted Engen is leading the fight because 100% of Redbox customers use credit cards, compared to only about 10% for his VBG group members.

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6329513....

So, yes, it IS a competition issue.

Okay, last time I interject tonight. :)

Just used JC10LK (JC-ten-LK). It worked in Georgia.

And this marked the first night I've seen an empty case for sale at the kiosk.

http://www.imgsync.com/data/img/864431001emptyc...

I was almost tempted to use the promo on it, lol :D

Reed,

Short answer, no. A movie purchased 10 PM Monday would still be due at 9 PM Tuesday.

If you wait until midnight, it's a new day, so you get it until the next.

Same with reserving online. If you reserve it at 10 PM Monday and pick it up at midnight Tuesday it's still credited from 10 PM so it's due Tuesday, not Wednesday.

*Also, generally, remember to return one DVD per return session, so if you have three DVDs you'll go through the return command three separate times.

Brian,

www.redbox.com is the official corporate kiosk site, and they have most of the tools you're asking for (search-by-movie, online purchase and hold, etc).

You can't use promo codes online though, so you're trading cost for convenience. Which, really, a dollar, wow, such a loss. :)

Your PS is interesting, though. I thought all kiosks were updated to the 9 PM next-day return (formerly 7 PM). So if you rented at 6 PM Monday you would return by 9 PM Tuesday for 1-day pricing.



Oh, and Kristi...the codes are (usually) for a free 1-night rental. If you don't return it after one night they start charging you the regular $1+tax-a-night up to 25 nights.

If you did return after one night with a valid (single-use) code and you were still charged, it would be best to forward redbox your rental receipt, which basically would say,

Subtotal: $1.00
Promo Discount: $1.00
Adjusted Subtotal: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
TOTAL CHARGE: $0.00

Rental Date: ...
Due Date: ...
Payment Card: ...
Customer Email: ...
Redbox Location: ...
Merchant ID: ...
Approval Code: No Charge b/c total was $0.00

I appreciate that Redbox is doing a general alert, but it would be helpful if they would disclose the locations and approximate dates.

They should also include a link to the alert in the kiosk menu if they haven't already. Best way to make it public.

The GROUNDHOG promo code should be operational by now.

The scroll-overs of the past few weeks have looked like:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/1848/dvdondn...

But this week it looks like:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2298/ghogrc6...

It's a little strange, because last week's emailing said there would be more details within the week.

But still nothing to worry about. If Michael had a dollar for each time one of us missed a deadline, that prize would be huge.

But there was really no deadline, and he's still within his timeframe. If there's not even so much as an update by mid-February, then you can put on your witch-hunting gear. :)

Robert,

If Redbox encourages you to pass codes along, then where do you draw the line? I've had people look over my shoulder as I entered a code. Is that illegal? No. A little tasteless (they can just ask me), but the codes are excellent marketing for Redbox. This site is basically additional marketing. Because even if a code fails the user is still likely to rent a DVD because it's so affordable.

Just think, for a dollar you can invent the Hip Hop Harry drinking game. :)
Example of encouraged sharing:
http://images.redbox.com/rbox_EMAIL_jan_0108_03...