Blockbuster Return Policy

Blockbuster, the video rental store doesnt allow you to return DVDs to a different store from the one that you rented it from.

There are a bunch of people driving around the US on long trips and with the proliferation of in-car DVD systems, it would be great if they would change the policy and allow people to return their DVDs anywhere they wanted.

For example, lets say a samily leaves on a road trip from New York to Orlando, Florida. They start with two DVDs. When they finish watching it, they can quickly take an exit in North Carolina and return them. They can then pick up some more DVD's, watch them and return it in Florida ....

Maybe, if this catches up, there will a Blockbuster every few exits like McDonalds !

Comments

Anonymous said…
I think the practical difficulty in this kind of implementation would be caused by the fact that just like major fast food restaurants, Blockbuster stores are actually franchises. In order to facilitate intra-network returns and exchanges, you'll need to get a third party or directly Blockbuster involved.

I am sure their systems allow tracking a particular media to the granularity of the store it was returned at, but do not provide logistics to actually move it around physically.
Ideamani said…
Hey gargs,
The same situation exists in the rental car industry - Each city's office is operated by a private party, but cars rented at one location can be returned anywhere
Ideamani said…
The assumption is that the DVD does not have to be moved back to the parent store - For example, if a Raleigh DVD is returned in Orlando, there is an inherent assumption that another DVD is rented in Orlando and returned at Raleigh - Similar to U-Haul as well ...
Anonymous said…
I thought you had to pay a lot more to be able to return the car at a different location. I might be wrong though :)
Ideamani said…
Depends on which rental agency you use ... The cheaper ones do charge you for returning to a different location
Anonymous said…
I completely agree. Blockbusters have no flexibilty with their loan policy. I happen to be on a business trip to Montengro next week regarding cheese sales. Anyway, I was really looking forward to an entertaining session of Forest Gump on the long journey. Derek informs me it is not possible to return FG to their Montenegro store. What is one to do in this disturbing situation?

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