i haven't been in one in like...forever. i think they have outgrown their purpose. back in the day (like the 90's )...vhs was on top and for some reason, studios were charging like $100 if you wanted to buy a tape of new release. now dvd has come and turned everything on it's head. why rent for $5 when you can buy the damn thing for $13? plus services like netflix is killing blockbuster. hell, you can go to mcdonald's get a double cheeseburger, fries a soda and rent a dvd all for $4.

No. No porn section.

Rent DVDs at MacDonalds?????

it's all about netflix for me these days. i hardly even go to my local indie video store anymore.

Gold319 said:

McDonald's wades deeper into DVDs
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY
Blockbuster has a very big-footed rival about to stomp on its turf: Ronald McDonald. McDonald's (MCD) on Monday will announce plans to begin testing DVD rental kiosks at all 105 Denver stores.

A DVD rental kiosk at a McDonald's in suburban Denver.
McDonald's

Smaller tests around Washington and Las Vegas had a huge response.

If the summerlong Denver test is a hit, McDonald's hopes to become the first fast-food chain to rent top DVDs nationally.

DVDs will be rented at Redbox kiosks, situated inside and outside restaurants. Rental fee: $1 a day — and they can be returned to any McDonald's. At Blockbuster (BBI), DVDs cost $3.99 for three days and must be returned to the same store. The McDonald's kiosks will stock the same top 30 DVD titles as video stores. The top 30 account for about 80% of DVD rentals.

The move could shake up both the $25 billion DVD business and the $105 billion fast-food industry. Over time, it could further blur consumer distinction among the convenience store, the fast-food joint, the gas station and the DVD rental shop.

Convenience continues to be the dominant marketing strategy of many of the USA's biggest retailers. About 29 million dual-income families have little free time to make extra stops for food and entertainment.

It's tough to top Mickey D's for convenience. While there are upwards of 30,000 McDonald's restaurants globally, there are about 8,900 Blockbuster stores.

Blockbuster officials declined to comment.

McDonald's isn't trying to put Blockbuster out of business. But it is trying to be more contemporary — and to lure more business during slow dinner hours.

"We are doing everything we can to be more relevant with everyday consumers," says Mats Lederhausen, managing director of McDonald's Ventures.

It's a very crafty — if not sensory — move for McDonald's, says Valerie Folkes, chairman of the marketing department at the University of Southern California. "They just want people to get inside, where they're subjected to the smell of those french fries. It's going to sell more food."

That is all McDonald's wants. Lederhausen says he doesn't expect to make money from DVD rentals.

DVDPlay, which makes the machines, says it can supply a national rollout. The kiosks also are being tested in some Albertsons supermarkets in Salt Lake City, says Dee Cravens, marketing chief.

McDonald's has long declined to share real estate with other businesses. This forces it to learn a new business. "It could blur the brand image," Folkes says.

But it poses far more trouble for Blockbuster, whose parent, Viacom, has plans to spin it off.

How to compete with McDonald's — besides on DVD selection? "Well," Folkes says, "I don't think you'll see Blockbuster selling burgers anytime soon."

never have

In related news, Jack-in-the-Box is going to start a porn rental site. They figure that, with a name like theirs, it's a natural fit.

funny someone posted this - i just went to a local blockbuster and i had to dig dig dig for my card ... which ... of course ... they had to check cus it has been sooooolong since i rented

i rented the polar express and 40 yr old virgin .... polar express was for my kids ... but ... 40 yr old virgin was ok ....

I havent been to Blockbuster Video this decade.

I like Blockbuster, but I'll be trying Netflix after my Blockbuster movie pass expires.

Not loving the Blockbuster so much. I'm sure Netflix kicks ass and I should try it some time. I dig Hollywood although I recently got burned out and cancelled my VIP pass.

As for the McDonald's thing, it looks like it's fun for the novelty of it, altough a dollar a day isn't bad but they only carry big hit movies, so that is suck. I need selection, which at least Blockbuster sort of has. Their back library has always been questionable because they used to sell stuff off way to quickly and since they got rid of videos...ouch! I do dig their rent it and then buy it opinion for rare movies that you can get a discount on. While not rare, I was happy to get a copy of "Meet The Browns" for the reseaonable price of $7.99 after the rental (which was free with a coupon deal).
[Edited 12/19/05 11:31am]

I joined Hollywood Video back about 6 months ago. I have the VIP pass. I like Hollywood better then Blockbuster because Hollywood has a vastly larger catalogue of movies. There are some real gems out there that Blockbuster doesn't carry because they are not new or hyped. This just shows me blockbuster isn't intrested in my entertainment, they are only intrested in the bottom line.

I have given netflicts a thought, but most of the time I am "IN A MOOD" to watch a movie. I mean, i might be in the mood to watch purple rain one day. What's the sense in them sending me purple rain when what I wanted to watch that night was an action movie, comedy or drama?

i doubt either blockbuster or mcdonalds are going to have the artsy weirdo obscure movies i like. netflix seems to have everything, and it's not edited or censored.

Anxiety said:

yes, hollywood video is like that. They have movies I didn't even know existed. They have alot of independent stuff. For example: I love zombie movies. I have found several zombie movies there I didn't know existed. Most were not good, but hey that's zombie horror.

Blockbuster use to have a sundance section, but they stopped carring those type movies. I think that sucks.

I even rented some "black" type zombie horror stuff at hollywood. Zombies in the hood. What a hoot.

nope.

i rent at my local corner store. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays its 2for1...so i pay $3 for 2 rentals...and on Tuesdays the new releases come out. Blockbuster can't beat that deal.

across the road from my blockbuster store is a videobusters store, all movies AUS$2, all new release 2 nights or 5 nights. All weekly VHS are 2 weekly! I go there.

No... I go to Family Video... free kids movies

Anxiety said:

Co-Sign

Lizzy7701 said:

There is a Family Video in the town I used to live in (St, Clair Shores) and I used to see them around all the time....what are they like?

VinnyM27 said:

I used to go to Hollywood Video... then Family Video opened and was closer...

I like them better... it's 2.00 or 2.50 for a new release for one night.. and 2 for 1.00 on older movies..and kids movies are all free for 5 days

You should check them out.. here the first month was all half off...
[Edited 12/19/05 16:29pm]

No just go to the local one, whern I am home