How to Rent Movies

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By sneedc
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (11 Ratings)

Old School

For those of us who are technologically challenged, meaning we prefer to take the "old-school," tried-and-true method over the fancy, new-fangle-dangle way of doing things, renting movies means going to a stand alone store, specializing in movie rentals. Though you've had to upgrade your VHS player to a DVD player since these stores no longer carry VHS tapes, you might be leary of taking the next step in movie rentals. This article gives those "old school" DVD renters an option. Believe me, I am as "old school" as one can possibly get, but I have really enjoyed my Blockbuster Online service tremendously.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Blockbuster membership
or Netflix membership
or no membership, just $1 and a visit to the BIG RED BOX dispensing machine
Mailbox

Step 1

on-line rentals shipped to your mailbox

Your local Blockbuster store has several options when it comes to renting movies. By signing up for their on-line program, you are billed monthly, based on how many movies you want shipped to you throughout the month. I am on the plan that sends one at a time and gives me one, free, in-store movie monthly for $13. The sooner you send movies back, the faster you get replacement movies so you can really rack up a lot of rentals in a month for this fee. Also, if you return the videos to the local blockbuster, you can pick out a "free" DVD! As soon as the clerk logs your return into the system, your next selection is already queued to ship! You can't lose with this program! I might get 10 movies a month with this program! That adds up to big savings in rentals! Your monthly, free coupon enables you to either rent a video game or a movie, which is a nice option as well.
Step 2

Blockbuster Rewards

Blockbuster also has two other programs known as Total Access and Total Rewards. Check with your local store which program might work for you. One had a monthly fee, and the other has an annual fee and unlimited rentals. These are great options, depending on your frequency of movie rentals. There is a program suitable for your family's needs and should be seriously considered when you are working up an entertainment budget.
Step 3

Netflix = mail only service

Netflix is Blockbuster online's biggest competitor. Netflix is a mail-order only business, offering similar programs as Blockbuster does. You do not, however, have the option of returning videos to a store and getting replacement movies for free; rather, all transactions via the mail. With a little research, you can easily decide which program is most convenient for your lifestyle and budget.
Step 4

the big red box

Maybe you've noticed a BIG RED BOX next to your Coinstar at your local grocer's? This is a movie-rental center. All automated, only $1, with a myriad of movies for your viewing pleasure. You can just approach the machine and carry your rental out within moments. I would advise that you keep your receipt safe, however, because I know of at least one instance where when my friend returned a movie and went to rent another, the new movie was not dispensed because the big red box did not recognize the other movie had been returned. Keep documentation for such instances so you can prove to customer service representatives that you did, in fact, return your movies if there is any discrepancy. Otherwise, this is yet another option for your movie-viewing enjoyment; with plenty of titles from which to rent!