Blockbuster Computers Link to Netflix Cancel Page

BloggingStocks reports that Blockbuster store computers have a link to the Netflix cancel your membership page, Blockbuster's dirty trick against Netflix.

In the left-hand margin where you list your favorite websites, this Blockbuster store had three "favorites" affixed-in; Blockbuster's home page, Blockbuster's sign-up for the online, mail at home service, and ... the Netflix Inc. membership cancellation page!

I couldn't believe it! The laptop was configured in a way that the customer has no ability to visit any other websites, just these three. I clicked on the Netflix cancellation tab and sure enough, right to the cancel the membership page. I asked the manager if he was doing this alone in his store. He said, "No, all the stores have this laptop with the same three tabs. Its our way of marketing our online service." I asked him if he had heard any customer objections to such dastardly tactics? He got a little red-faced and asked me if I worked for Netflix. I said no, but I thought Netflix was kicking Blockbuster's butt in the online business and had the eventual better business model.

All of my local Blockbuster stores are franchises. Can someone verify this?

via Digg.

Comments

[GEoff]

I really don't have a problem with this, If I was going to switch from Netflix to Blockbuster canceling Netflix would be part of the deal. Its not like I can accidentally cancel my account by using their computer... a few years ago I switched from Verizon to Cingular, the Cingular rep called Verizon to cancel my account for me, I didn't find this dastardly, I thought it was decent service.

[Iceman]

Agree with GEoff. Seems like a good idea on BB's side if you ask me, nothing inappropriate at all. Also, I'm not sure I understand the comment in the Digg post: "I thought Netflix was kicking Blockbuster's butt in the online business and had the eventual better business model". Which is better, Netflix or BB, is a rather subjective opinion. However, saying that Netflix has a better business model makes no sense. BB and Netflix has the exact same business model with the exception of the enhancement BB offer through Total Access. Granted, that might not be enough switch someone from Netflix's superior website and established customer loyalty. I'll agree that Netflix might still win this battle because they were first to market and has a far superior online interface, but Netflix is definitely not a winner in this space because of a better business model.

[machinegunn]

@iceman
You say Netflix and BB have the same business model "with the exception of the enhancement" of BB stores. That is a substantial difference in their business models and one that many people don't see as an enhancement, but rather a liability.

Back on point though, BB linking to Netflix's cancellation page is crafty, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

[Ricklogic]

The original blog entry was on BloggingStocks. The woman who wrote the article was actually on vacation at the time she submitted the article but this just had to be reported right away due to the massive potential for death and destruction. Or was it because, on a co-op blog site, each writer gets their share of advertising revenue based on the number of words that they post each week? It is such an idiot point that it is completely beyond belief than someone would issue an article on the point. While on vacation with her children, no less.

[rambaldi47]

I think that if I saw that link that I would find it funny. I see nothing wrong about doing that at all.

[type-cast]

Just goes to show how low the BB haters will stoop for a story. They're probably mad that Netflix didn't think of it first. Of course, Big Red would never do anything like this to put their competition out of business.

[jimofoz]

Like the others, I don't see the big deal here. It's Blockbuster's computer so they can do whatever they want with it. It only makes sense to keep people from visiting any other sites besides those helpful to Blockbuster. If it wasn't limited they'd have kids surfing in there tying up the computer forever.

[Hunter McDaniel]

Yeah, no big deal. This is on the computers in THEIR store - it's not some sneaky mod that affects YOUR computer. And I'm sure the Netflix cancellation page include some kind of AreYouSure dialog.

Slow news day here at hackingnetflix.com

[Becky]

All's fair in love and war.

[Old Timer Too]

Dirty trick? or Service?

1. It is a company resource and opening access beyond its intended purpose is like leaving the door unlocked when the last person leaves.

2. There are laws governing certain sales techniques and one is called "twisting" in which the (insurance, in this case) "twists" a customer into dropping their insurance with another carrier. Most states have laws against such practice.

Likewise, phone companies cannot automatically cancel your long distance service with another carrier - I'm not sure if that is a state law or federal one. This used to be a big problem about ten years ago.

All BB is providing is a link to the NF cancellation page. I suspect that the user must log into the service (since their ID cookie will NOT be on that store computer) with their ID and password before they can actually cancel the account. NF would be wise to have a confirmation e-mail sent to the user with an option to "no-penalty" resign for the service.

Now, if this thing automatically cancelled your NF account, then it would be more than a dirty trick - it might border on illegal in a number of states. But, since it is only a link, and a person signing up for BB may actually WANT to cancel their NF account at the same time, then it is a service.

That's the way I read this thing.

As to the article itself, well, just mark it up as a bit on the FUD side. Not as bad as SCO's FUD or MS's FUD, but it is still FUD since it implies that something is wrong with the idea.

[Aron]

Seems perfectly fair to me. The category of customer who's a Netflix member AND still coming into a Blockbuster store has to be the easiest, most logical target for BB.

[md300m]

I don't see the problem with it either. How is it a trick, did it say "free candy" and then when you click on it you electronically agree to cancel your netlfix subscription? Lame non-story.

[MikeK]

Heheh. I'm just reporting the news, but I wondered how people would react to this one.

I think it's about time Blockbuster really went to war, and Total Access and stories like this show that they are serious. This will only cause Netflix and BB to innovate further, and the big beneficiary of this will be customers.

- Mike K
HackingNetflix

[type-cast]

The only way this would be wrong is if they put a gun to your head and said "cancel your Netflix account or we blow your brains out." There seems to be total agreement that there is nothing wrong with what they did here. I don't think anyone would even report if NFLX added a link to "cancel BBO" to one of their pages. They aren't twisting anyone's arm.

[hrsd]

Few years ago when walmart went bankrupt, it was diverting all its future customers to the netflix website. No one ever had a problem with that.

[hrsd]

I mean to say that when walmart online dvd closed shop, they had a link ony to netflix and not to BB. Everythings far.

[type-cast]

It's refreshing to see that nobody is trying to attack Blockbuster, for once. They can do what they want with their computers. Netflix could add a link to cancel BBO to their site and give it right back to them. I remember a while back, didn't Blockbuster give people a special price if they sent in a cancellation email from Netflix? Stuff like that helps to steal some thunder from the competition. I'm hoping BB continues to compete with NFLX and keep them honest. It's better for customers.

[hawk5391]

I think the real question here is: who still says "dastardly?" Who is this guy? Dudley Do-Right?

[shelbie]

help me cancel my netflix servic