Blockbuster Canada has been pushed into receivership by the Hollywood giants that provided it with new releases, after the studios called in $67-million (U.S.) in debt racked up by its U.S. parent company.
The surprise move comes weeks after its U.S. parent company was sold to satellite television provider Dish Network for $228-million, following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the United States that the company blamed on the changing viewership habits of its customers.
Some good news, for those who have existing giftcards.
Quote:
Important Notice for Blockbuster Customers
Effective April 30, 2011 all Blockbuster stores in Canada have suspended the sale of gift cards and Blockbuster Rewards programs. This suspension will remain in place until further notice.
All of the Blockbuster stores across Canada will continue to honour outstanding gift cards,
Blockbuster Rewards coupons, and other customer programs during this period.
Blockbuster customers will currently receive full value for all previously purchased gift cards and programs.
Aside from this change, Blockbuster stores in Canada are open for business and fully stocked with the latest games and new releases.
I can't believe that company is still around. Good on them, I guess. I would have thought Netflix and other online services would have crushed them by now.
1) why dont they have an auto check out? i hate standing in line and its something easy to scan and swipe. oh ya, so they can route you through their maze of merchandise on your way out.
2) why do they have the front desk people answer the phone? so i stand in line for 10 minutes and some one calls in and gets the clerks attention ahead of me? bad customer service, take care of the people with the cash in the line up first!
Who didn't see that coming? Apparently only the BB management, are they content to just let the company slip into oblivion? Oh well, end of an era for the B&M video rentals.
1) why dont they have an auto check out? i hate standing in line and its something easy to scan and swipe. oh ya, so they can route you through their maze of merchandise on your way out.
2) why do they have the front desk people answer the phone? so i stand in line for 10 minutes and some one calls in and gets the clerks attention ahead of me? bad customer service, take care of the people with the cash in the line up first!
Re: 1. That's the whole point. They don't really make money on rentals anymore. Getting rid of that maze would probably cost them more, than the business garnered from not getting rid of it.
It's kind of sad. I worked at Blockbuster for a few years when I was younger. I really enjoyed the job, the people I worked with, and the customers that came in. As a kid, I loved going to a movie rental store with the family to pick out a couple of flicks to watch over the weekend.
But, in the end, Blockbuster's lack of evolution and innovation will cost them everything. In the day and age where everything is accessible online, there is no real reason to go out anymore (despite the fact that was actually my favourite aspect of the whole thing).
I guess I'm one of those old-fashioned people that still really like going through manned checkouts, especially when it's a cute girl!
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They never did, my sense of humor has really fallen flat over the last few days.
I thanked it.
I think Rogers did, many many years ago. The CP collective can figure that out for us.
What was that elephant company that gave out free popcorn that looked like it was going to be a player for about 3 years? Jumbo something... I think they had porn.
I just remember they had the best selection of horror movies.
I think Rogers did, many many years ago. The CP collective can figure that out for us.
Rogers Video on Center Street NW carried porn at one point. I remember the black curtain covering the entrance to the dimly-lit room at the back of the store, and my older brother and I would peek in there at times when we were, I dunno, 11-ish.
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there really is no greater pleasure than being a 10 year old kid and hoping and praying that when your carefully planned "Hey mom, can we get a video game tonight?" (right after dad said ask mom...) turns out to be a big fat yes, and you could hook up ONE new game and play the #### out of it for an entire friday evening.
Good times.
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there really is no greater pleasure than being a 10 year old kid and hoping and praying that when your carefully planned "Hey mom, can we get a video game tonight?" (right after dad said ask mom...) turns out to be a big fat yes, and you could hook up ONE new game and play the #### out of it for an entire friday evening.
Good times.
I lived for that.
Mom, my homework is done, can I rent a game?
10 bucks from the neighbourhood store and FF2 was all yours.
I still go there for Blu-ray. Can't beat a good blu-ray on a 50" Pioneer Kuro with 5.1 surround(wish I had 7.1). On-line services can't match that unfortunately.
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Working at BBV when I was in my early 20's was some of the best times, we used to always end up at BP's after hours and I made a lot of lasting friendships from there.
Rogers Video on Center Street NW carried porn at one point. I remember the black curtain covering the entrance to the dimly-lit room at the back of the store, and my older brother and I would peek in there at times when we were, I dunno, 11-ish.
The roger's by my place in Vancouver had porn. But no curtain. It was upstairs and they had a room and whenever the door was opened a doorbell would ring so everyone would know someone entered the porn room.
I still go there for Blu-ray. Can't beat a good blu-ray on a 50" Pioneer Kuro with 5.1 surround(wish I had 7.1). On-line services can't match that unfortunately.
there really is no greater pleasure than being a 10 year old kid and hoping and praying that when your carefully planned "Hey mom, can we get a video game tonight?" (right after dad said ask mom...) turns out to be a big fat yes, and you could hook up ONE new game and play the #### out of it for an entire friday evening.
Good times.
Those were the best days ever. Picking a game based on the cover art and not because of a review or preview. Back then you got info from word of mouth or maybe nintendo power.
Now days the carful process of picking a game (which could be great or terrible) is gone