Forbes.com, Wired, and Fool.com announced that the Blockbuster Online service is now live.
Blockbuster and Netflix are both claiming 25,000 available movies, but Blockbuster's pricing is lower for unlimited rentals per month:
Blockbuster also gives you 2 free in-store rental coupons with the online subscription.
Netflix does have a lower-priced offering that gives you 4 movies per month, 2 at a time, for $14.99.
Interesting tidbit from the Forbes story that hints about Blockbuster combining the in-store and online subscriptions:
Blockbuster stores are stocked from a warehouse in McKinney, Tex. but the company built 10 regional centers to fill online orders and hopes to also tap store stock by next year.
This would give Blockbuster the advantage when you suddenly have the urge to rent a specific movie and don't want to wait the 1 - 2 days for the movie to arrive by mail.
Forbes also included forecasts for the DVD by mail market:
Online subscriptions accounted for $289 million last year, just a sliver of the $8.2 billion U.S. movie rental industry, according to Kagan Research LLC.
However, Kagan and other research firms expect online rentals to grow quickly. Kagan estimates growth to $605 million this year and $1.9 billion in 2008.
Netflix does have the advantage with 27 regional distribution centers (vs. 10 for Blockbuster), so most people will get their movies faster, but I expect Blockbuster to expand quickly.
I'm currently signed up for both, but will probably stick with Netflix (HackingBlockbuster.com? Nah).
Thanks to Tom & Joe for sending this in.
So does anyone know where the Blockbuster distribution centers are located?
Posted by: mogloo | August 12, 2004 at 01:10 PM
I know 6 of the 10 Blockbuster distribution centers, they are:
Minneapolis, MN
Denver, CO
Dallas, TX
Seattle, WA
Sacramento, CA
Flushing, NY
Posted by: aviationwiz | August 12, 2004 at 02:29 PM
I know 6 of the 10 Blockbuster distribution centers, they are:
Minneapolis, MN
Denver, CO
Dallas, TX
Seattle, WA
Sacramento, CA
Flushing, NY
Posted by: aviationwiz | August 12, 2004 at 02:29 PM
OK, here's the full list:
Charlotte, NC
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Lansing, MI
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Flushing, NY
Sacramento, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Seattle, WA
Posted by: mogloo | August 12, 2004 at 07:34 PM
Hmm, I live in Atlanta, GA. Even though NetFlix has a warehouse here, it still takes 4 days to turn a DVD around. I wonder if Blockbuster will be any worse coming from Charlotte, NC.
Posted by: db | August 23, 2004 at 04:56 PM
Just because you live in one of the states that the distribution center is located in does not guarantee a speedy turn around. The turn around would depend on the availability of the dvd(s) you've requested -- if they're not available in your states distribution center they're going to come from another one. Luck of the draw.
Posted by: | September 13, 2004 at 09:36 PM
I live in Bristol, CT and my distribution center is in Hartford. Which is 15-20 minutes away from me. If I drop the disc off the mailbox before pickup time the movie usually receive by Netflix in the morning and the movie got sent out the same day by them. So it takes about two to three days for me. Sometimes the movie will ship from a different distribution and that could add extra day. So far I'm very happy with Netflix service. I wll give Blockbuster a try if they have a distribution center in my state.
Posted by: Nick | October 22, 2004 at 01:49 AM
I just wanted to comment about Netflix in Atlanta (Duluth) when I lived there last year I would send the movie in and then get it back like 2 days later....I never had to wait because I would watch one send it back then the next day watch one so on so forth. I did not like the fact that Netflix always had a long wait for good movies so I am trying Blockbuster and I now live in Chattanooga. I will keep you all posted!
Posted by: Tammy | December 12, 2004 at 06:52 PM
What I don't like about Netflix is that I can't sort a list of movies by DVD release date. I can on Blockbuster. I'm moving to Blockbuster since it looks like they also have a distribution center in Sacramento.
Posted by: Don VanVelzer | December 15, 2004 at 07:54 PM
The hub isn't out of Charlotte, it's out of Greensboro, NC.
Posted by: Sav | December 28, 2004 at 06:02 PM
After doing a search on new job listing and assemblying the previous 10 known sites, here is the complete 23 locations for the distribution centers.
Original 10
---------------
Charlotte, NC
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Lansing, MI
Miami, FL
Minneapolis, MN
Flushing, NY
Sacramento, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Seattle, WA
13 New locations
-----------------
TX, Houston
MA, Worcester
MD, Gaithersburg
PA, Philadelphia
GA, Atlanta
NJ, Edison
IL, Chicago
MO, St. Louis
CT, Stamford
CA, San Jose
FL, Tampa
OH, Cleveland
AZ, Phoenix
Good luck on your turn around times...
Posted by: JasonL | January 06, 2005 at 10:29 AM
I just joined Blockbuster and am not please at all with them. It is taking on average 7 days to turn a DVD shipped day 1 get day 3 send back same day they take 3-5 days to get back to them. The 1st DVD I got was shipped 1-3-2005 and I sent it back 1-4-2005 the got it 1-13-2005 so that makes turn around from one ship to the next of 11-12 days.
I am being shipped DVDs from Atlanta, GA and I live in Virginia. Don't know why they are not shipping for the Charlotte, NC or MD, Gaithersburg distribution center. Both are a lot closer.
Posted by: Fred | January 15, 2005 at 12:09 AM
I am also receiving Blockbuster DVDs in Virginia. But I have experienced slightly faster shipping, usually a 6 day turnaround. But I have received all my DVDs from Charlotte, NC and Cleveland, OH if that makes any sense. Maybe you're selecting some older DVDs or something? But Netflix has distribution centers in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA if you think it's worth the extra $3. For some reason I still experienced a 5 day turnaround from them so I stayed with BB. Maybe BB will ship quicker to VA when they start shipping from the 4500 stores???
Posted by: Chris | January 17, 2005 at 12:19 AM
Blockbuster also now has a distribution center in Kansas City, MO.
Posted by: Scott | February 08, 2005 at 12:22 PM
I was a blockbuster customer for four months but just quit and went back to Netflix. The service was getting worse and worse. It would take around 24 hours to ship the next movie and even though Dallas is much closer they started sending my movies from Houston which added a day each way. I asked them about it but they would not respond.
Posted by: Craig | February 12, 2005 at 10:32 AM
i give blockbuster 6-12 months before they are up to par w/ netflix...i like them but when the closest warehouse is 4-7 hrs away takes a while to ship but when netflix is only 30 minutes away takes about 2 totals days to get there and back..so thats my opinion
Posted by: brandon | February 28, 2005 at 11:01 PM
I'm very disappointed with blockbuster online.
Extremely slow. Sometimes a week or more before They claim they just received a return! Then 4 days or more receive the next movie. I don't know what's up with them but I find it hard to have 3 out at a time no matter how hard I try. If you send 2 back at the same, one always seems to get lost for a few days.
I sent a few e-mails trying to talk with a supervisor or get a phone number to call so I can make a complaint. Never heard from anyone.
I'm ready to try Netflix.
Posted by: mike | March 03, 2005 at 11:36 AM
re Netflix turnaround times: try returning the DVDs from a different mailing location. I live near a distribution center, but the turnaround takes 3 or four days when I mail it from home. After testing several, I found one post office and several street mailboxes which take only two days.
Posted by: JLR | March 04, 2005 at 03:37 PM
Does anyone know a phone # for blockbuster online?
Please post it here.
Posted by: mike | March 07, 2005 at 11:45 AM
Signed up on 3-7, received my movies on 3-8. I live in Charlotte, the return postage address is Charlotte, there is a hub in Charlotte. So far, so good service.
Posted by: Eddie | March 09, 2005 at 03:37 AM
If you're curious about the reason for poor turnaround time, consider this... Blockbuster distribution centers only employ temporary workers from staffing agencies. A center has one manager and two team leads, but the rest of the staff is temporary. They refuse to hire because they don't want to pay for benefits, etc. Do you know how hard it is to motivate temp workers to reach numbers?
Consumers and the media need to put pressure on Blockbuster to change its employee relations policies. The temp workers have no reason to do a good job, since there is no chance of perm hire and the few mgrs who work hard to reach numbers are so miserable from working insane hours to make up for all the temps calling off, that they burn out in less than a year. The general distribution climate leads to poor service. I don't know how Netflix runs its distribution centers.
Anyone??
Posted by: Dinah | March 17, 2005 at 01:18 PM
Been a Blockbuster Online member since Jan 2005.
Jan. DVD availability not bad, most top 20 picks available.
Today, Mar 18th 16 of 78 queued items are available. Most of my picks are 3-1/2 or higher member ratings. Priority item 32 shows be first available. The available items are movies from 40,50,60,70s.
Blockbuster is behind in their business curve, with a way to go to keep up with demand from distribution to DVD inventory.
I live in the Dallas area, Blockbuster Distribution registers receipt of a USPS mailed DVD in one day from my home mailbox and it takes two days to receive a DVD after I receive an email notification.
Another observation Blockbuster has not sent 3 DVD on the same day yet, 2 maximum and the 3rd DVD next day or later. Even when all 3 checked out DVD's are returned in the same mailing envelope.
With Netflix all three DVDs returned via mail on Monday and next 3 available DVD where received by Thursday.
The Blockbuster ecoupons is the only saving grace for Blockbuster right now, but this is becoming a weak reason for not going back to Netflix. Thin Ice.
Now I notice complaints registered via the Blockbuster contact us, is now responded with auto message return.
Posted by: Dean | March 19, 2005 at 01:17 AM
I hate blockbuster.com! I have been doing both and have been extremely dissatisfied with bb. Netflix, on the other hand, just keeps getting better. I've got a lot of "friends" that I can share with on netflix and their multiple queue option is great for my wife and me. If I ship DVDs back on the same day, I average getting netflix 2-3 days earlier. Even though blockbuster has negotiated a deal with the USPS (when you return a DVD, the USPS scans it to let blockbuster know that they have possession of it, and as soon as it is scanned blockbuster sends out your next DVD, before they actually receive the returned disc). However, becuase they have such a problem with availability, it never does me any good. They might scan it in and plan to ship my next disc, but there is always a "short wait" or "long wait". I just cancelled my blockbuster.com subscription and I am signing up for their in-store unlimited rentals (same price $14.99) This way I can go whenever I like and they have much better availability. I will however, also keep my netflix account (I'm addicted).
Posted by: Addict | March 19, 2005 at 02:14 PM
Netflix SUX for me. If I return a disc on the same day I receive it, it takes 7-8 days for a full turnaround.
If they ship on Monday, I get it Wed or Thurs and send it back same day. Because they don't work on the weekends or do USPS scanning, they don't get it until Monday or Tues. Then there is too many "shipping tomorrows" showing up as well.
Give me Blockbuster where I can get 5-6 a week on the 3-out plan and keep Netsux that does good to get me 5-6 every TWO WEEKS!!!
Posted by: Louie | March 19, 2005 at 02:31 PM
has anyone tried to use the blockbuster in store coupons more than once (since you can print out multiple times)? How good is their ability to track?
Posted by: rick | March 19, 2005 at 04:05 PM
I once tricked them into accepting a "Malboro Mile" as a coupon...
Don't they have codes on them that tie them to your personal BB account? I've never used one or even printed one out, but if I they were transferrable to another person I would sell mine on ebay.
Posted by: REN | March 19, 2005 at 04:15 PM
BB coupons are entered and cannot be used more than once. I tried when I forgot which one I had printed out and tried to submit the same one again. The clerk said it had already been used. I use mine for games.
Posted by: | March 19, 2005 at 06:17 PM
At no time since I've joined BBO and have started tracking, have I had more than 50% of my queue in 'Available' status. They recently sent me a disk that was number 35 in my queue, and was Disk 3 of an anime series.
Once they ship stuff, I get it quickly, it just takes them a while to ship them because of the crappy inventory levels.
Posted by: Tony | March 28, 2005 at 10:29 AM
I am in northern Oklahoma (5 1/2 hours from Dallas) and the turnaround time is very good. I send out a DVD on Monday at 4:00pm this week and got the next on Thursday morning at 9:30am. No, I couldn't quite watch one DVD per day, but I really don't have the time to watch that many anyways.
I don't see how the service is bad, but I can't say that I have ever tried Netflix. If they could get me a movie by Wednesday after shipping it on Monday I might switch, but I don't see that happening.
Posted by: Dan | March 31, 2005 at 11:11 PM
It used to be that each store kept track of every membership individually. Only when a customer had never been there did they access the main blockbuster server to get membership info. Because of this fees did not transfer between stores. Also one-time coupons could be used at multiple stores. Has anyone tried to use the blockbuster in-store coupons more than once at different stores? It has been awhile since I have used blockbuster so I don't know if they changed their policy. If it hasn't then you should be able to use the in-store coupons at multiple times in different stores.
Posted by: Seth | April 01, 2005 at 03:19 PM
I'm sorely un-happy with Blockbuster....I thought it would be a great idea to get with the online service..and drop HBO...Stars ...and Encore...on satellite...and I still think it was good to drop the re-run movie channels...but the quality of BB is very, very poor...The first time I recieved movies..on the trial basis..they were all open...and a disk was so badly scratched it was un-playable...The next time..another disk was severely scratched and un-playable...The third time I recieved disks...a disk was opened and cracked in half...the service would be nice..if the disks were in good condition...clean..but they come to me looking like someone wiped their butt on them ....and they don't play...that service sucks...I'm trying Netflix...just joined this evening..I wrote BB..several complaints but no responses...what good is it to get the disks fast...if they are so nasty...and scratched you can't play them...and no one ever responds to you...
Posted by: Tammy | April 19, 2005 at 12:44 AM
We are also UNHAPPY Blockbuster On-line customers! We were on the program for approx. 2-3 months and the turnaround time sucked. I understand that because we live in Hawaii, length of mailing times would be longer, however, there was more than one occasion (3,4 and 5 times in 2 months!!!) where they would say it shipped a movie and we would never get it, ever!!!! At first, we thought, oh no, the post office is stealing our movies....but get real....it's the Blockbuster guys. They need to hire competent people. At the very least, dont tell us what date to expect the movies, if we wont even get them. We spend more time waiting for movies to come, than watching them. We are very very disastisfied customers, and I will be sure to tell all of my friends NOT to subscribe to the online program. We will be switching to their instore promotion, where at least we'll be able to get the movies when we want. Draw back is its only 1 movie at a time for the cheapest rate, but hey, better than never getting any movies at all (and paying for it)
Posted by: B&I | May 03, 2005 at 03:22 AM
Tried using the blockbuster coupons as suggested at another store...but...it didnt work...they knew the coupons were used before. They also knew where they were used...oh wellllll hehe. Ive had both netflix and blockbuster and walmart,this one wins by far.... Love blockbuster, Super fast here in Cape coral FL. 3 out at a time for 14.99 and 2 free coupons, fast shipping, you cant go wrong!
Posted by: Michelle | May 10, 2005 at 09:01 PM
I wanna know what is bloskbusters email address and if you can tell me that will be great.
Posted by: kendall | June 08, 2005 at 01:38 PM
blockbuster@custhelp.com
investor.relations@blockbuster.com
franchise.development@blockbuster.com
Posted by: | June 08, 2005 at 04:05 PM
whenever i am wanting quick turnaround time with bb.com i report a shipping issue stating that the dvd was returned and hasn't cleared my queue, and i will receive movies right when i am ready to return the ones i have..
Posted by: kim | June 13, 2005 at 09:11 PM
I live in miami florida , when i sent a movie back to them , blockbuster receive it the next business day , now when they have to send it , it takes like 2 or 3 day to arrive to my home , did i mentioned , miami have a distribution centers in the same city !!!!!
Posted by: jorge | June 18, 2005 at 06:40 AM
Made my last post here on March 19, 2005 01:17 AM stating my position on Blockbuster online.
Well, since mid-May Blockbuster online DVD processing from receiving to shipping has greatly improved. They are now meeting my target, I send the DVD back on Monday and receive new ones by Thursday, and to my surprise I have received DVDs on Wednesday too.
To my benefit I live 25 miles from their Dallas distribution center. One day point-to-point USPS mailing.
Two months ago I would not recommend Blockbuster online, but coupled with the monthly 2 e-coupons free store rental, they are winning me over to recommend them to others.
For Netflix to win me back they will have to cut their price. Sorry.
Posted by: Dean | June 23, 2005 at 02:00 PM
BlockBuster Online Phone: (866) 692-2789
This Toll Free ,if anyone needs it
Posted by: shadow | September 02, 2005 at 01:31 PM
Blockbuster Phone Support:
866-692-2789
Posted by: Jeremy | November 09, 2005 at 08:51 PM