I don’t like the idea of going to a video store. There isn’t one really close to me.

I’ve had Netflix, on and off, for a couple years. My account is currently on hold.

I just don’t see a very large variety of movie rentals at Netflix. Their online video selection is even worse.

I think I’ll save my money for other things.

@Scott Beamer: I don’t get what you’re implying? From the looks of it you either think Netflix was founded more recently than that or you expect all lockergnome writers to have switched to it back when it was founded in 1997.

I doubt that the Netflix model has been the threat to Blockbuster that you suggest. Blockbuster has long had the same video by mail service, I have used it for years. The advantage they added was that rather than being restricted to the mailbox you could go into the store and drop the video off and pickup a new one right away – no waiting for the dvd to come in the mail. I think it is more likely services like Hulu and the abundant use of DVR’s and other devices have moved the emphasis away from DVD watching for a lot of people. DVD’s are now just one way they are entertained. They have a lot more options for stay at home entertainment than previously.

We still use Hollywood Video because we have high school kids at home and they have friends over they go to the video store sometimes to get some movies right on the spot instead of waiting for them to come in the mail in 1 or 2 days.

I think the demise of Blockbuster started years ago when competition was almost non-existent. Their late fee policy was a killer and if one didn’t like it … tough! It was practically the only game in town. Ah, and then along comes Netflix and the mail way of doing business! No expensive brick & mortar facilities to support and the rest is history. Blockbuster is realizing too late that their monopolistic way of doing business was their downfall.

In anycase Ron … GO RED SOX !!

Well “TJ”, unfortunately most companies don’t advertise their problems so as not to lose customers AND employees. Employees especially are almost ALWAYS the last to know. Most rumors start within the business community, where investors have much more information available. A good example would be CIRCUIT CITY, where problems began to surface long before the general public was made aware of them. Once vendors began shutting off the lines of credit, it became almost impossible for the company to function.

I just saw this story and wanted to chime in. I left Blockbuster probably about 4 or 5 years ago. The reason I left is because the store which I rented heavily from said that I did not turn in a video. That was not first time that had happened. Once we actually walked the floor and found the video they claimed I did not turn in. The manager even admitted that they had just fired an employee who was not checking in the rentals. The manager, who must not have gone to business school, insisted that a pay for a movie that I had turned in a month or two prior. I told him I would never shop at Blockbuster if he made me pay for their mistake. He said it was my problem and made me pay for it. He may have recouped his money for the video which they lost, but what he failed to realize is that he lost hundreds if not thousands of dollars from a vaulable customer. I have never been in a Blockbuster since. I will never shop at Blockbuster again. I don’t feel sorry if that chain goes under. Netflix is ten times better!