Because of the economy and the change in technology, we no longer have any sort of movie rental places around here. Our options include the expensive movie theater around the corner or the plethora of Redbox or Blockbuster Express boxes that offer rentals cheap and fast. We aren't typically all that fond of movies out today, so we usually end up renting at the box, going with the movies that come with high recommendations from friends and co-workers. Heck, if I'm spending $2 on a movie--it had better be good, right?
We rented "Drive" (with the ever-adorable Ryan Gosling) Saturday night from the Blockbuster box. We've found that their prices are a tad higher, but we are able to get more current movies because nobody wants to spend the extra buck at those boxes. Personally, I think it's worth the extra buck or two to actually get a movie that you might want to see.
So, there we sat, Joe and I, enjoying our Ryan Gosling movie for the evening.
And then.......
the DVD locked up and we missed the entire last quarter of the movie. Seriously. I was MIFFED.
We pulled out the DVD and saw that it had chunks out of it. Chunks. There was no cleaning or rubbing to make the end of that movie work. And we were left disappointed, angry, and frustrated. We sat for an entire movie only be be cheated out of the ending. aarrrggghhhhh!
While Joe grumbled and rubbed that DVD like a genie bottle trying to will it to work, I turned to my friend and problem-solver......the internet. And sure enough, there was a way to get Blockbuster Express customer service at 11:00 p.m. CST on a Saturday night.
Oh, they were all apologetic and such, but they actually thanked me for calling and reporting the DVD. You see, they can identify your returned DVD by your name and the last four digits of your credit card. When you load that damaged DVD back into the machine, it sorts it into a "damaged" pile, rendering it unusable for any other poor sap. Then they went ahead and gave me a $3 credit to use at another time as an apology.
Who knew?!
So, while I was happy to have a refund (plus a credit), I was glad to know that nobody else would be left in a lurch like we were. Problem is......we still didn't know what happens at the end of the movie. Frustrating beyond belief.
Now we turn to Redbox. We went online and found that you can reserve movies in your name at your local Redbox--I had no idea that you can do this. You go online, search a movie and it tells you where it is at Redboxes around your house. You then reserve it with your name and credit card--and it is ready for you when you get to that box. Joe went Sunday afternoon to rent another "Drive" DVD and we finished the movie.
Hooray!
I was so surprised at what I learned from all of this, that I didn't even have time to get mad--which is like a miracle for me.
18 comments:
We have Netflix internet service.... the cheap one. Each month they have new movies, some you pay for, some are included in your monthly Netflix fee. There's always something to watch. I don't think we have used our DVD player in over a year.... but it's there if we should ever choose to. Glad they gave you a credit!
How was the Ryan Gosling movie... as much as you were able to watch of it?
We don't watch enough movies to pay for NetFlix, but when I do watch, I'd love to see the ending! Hahaha! I've been on a Ryan Gosling kick (DANG, he's lovely!) and I loved "Ides of March". "Drive" was good too, but had graphic violence. We rented it from another box and got to see the ending. :)
We had the whole Netflix package, DVD's in the mail and streaming but we got so frustrated with the damaged DVD's and the new higher price that we cancelled the DVD service and for $7.99 a month just use the streaming. That said we rarely watch movies....for months we have been watching British television shows - ever so much better than US shows - some were PBS Mystery shows, others British shows that never saw light of day here. If you have Netflix streaming and like dark police shows do try "Wire in the Blood"...
...and as a lovely bonus, you had eighteen hours of anticipation while awaiting the ending of the show!
Just think what a learning experience it all was. Now you know all about what to do with a damaged DVD rental, and how to find rentals etc. Hope you get to see the rest of that movie some day.
I need to watch me a movie. Can I come blob on your couch with you next time you watch one?
You know you can download 'em from Amazon one at a time. The Help was there for two bucks last month.
Yes...we actually did know about the reserve red box thingie- we find that very helpful! Glad you were able to work through that and see the end of the movie after all!
I forgot to say - Lovey the pic of Hobbes!
I have never tried those Redbox things, but I like all these fancy shortcuts you're sharing!
We rented Moneyball from Redbox Saturday night and it was pretty good. I would have been ticked to miss out on seeing Brad Pitt for a quarter of the movie! :) Love the photo of Hobbes enjoying a sunpuddle!
I've never used one of those Redbox things. We have FrogDVD in our store (same thing as Redbox) and the movies are cheap but I've never gotten any. I can't even remember the last time I rented one
Grace--I found a British show about a regular family that I found hilarious. I haven't seen it since. :( We don't typically watch movies either--I think it's just the winter doldrums forcing us to rent these days.
Vanilla--No kidding! Oooh boy, we were as MAD as wet hens!
Marg--We saw it on Sunday, thank goodness, I was DYING to know how it ended!
Betty--Yep. And there ain't no cure for anything that ails ya like a Ryan Gosling movie. :) C'mon over for a RG fest!
Pricilla--I did not know that!! See the stuff I'm learning today? Thanks!
Nancy--Redbox is tough because EVERYONE goes to them on the weekend and nothing is left by the time we get there. We end up driving from box to box. No more of that!
Grace--Isn't he cute? I like his nose.
Liz--I like Redbox--the price is right, but it is sort of a hit or miss. Now that I know I can reserve it, I'll be doing that instead of driving to all the boxes in town.
Beaded Tail--It's weird, but I do not like Brad Pitt for some reason. He always looks dirty to me, like he needs a shower. I think of Madonna that way too. Isn't that weird? It must be the mom in me. ;)
Ann--Well,that is a good thing because if you do rent a movie, you have lots to choose from! Joe and I are like that--we haven't seen anything!
No one rents a movie over here!! You won't find any rental shops either!! Quality bootleg DVD copies are sold everywhere for less than 2USD per copy!
Veronice Lee--Wow! What is with that??! Seen any good movies lately that you can recommend?
Have you seen Warhorse? I loved it!!
We use the cheap Netflix subscription but I've rented DVDs (and VHS tapes...) that would skip or just stop. Talk about frustrating! Good to know that the Blockbuster people refunded your money and helped you out. And super glad you found out how the movie ended!
Cheers,
Jen
Veronica Lee--NNOOOOOOO! That movie depressed the hell outta me! You liked it?
Jen--DVD's are the WORST! They always skip. Colin has the Netflix, but I was not impressed with our movie choices on that. What to do???
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