Archive for brick and mortar
Blockbuster to take mail order returns at stores
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Effective today, customers of Blockbuster’s online DVD rental service?Blockbuster Online?will be able return movies to the company’s stores through a program called Blockbuster Total Access. Blockbuster Online customers who opt to drive their rented DVDs to a local Blockbuster for return will be rewarded with a coupon for a free in-store rental. Those rentals would then be subject to regular store rental terms and would have to be returned at the same store from which they were rented.
Blockbuster has grown to dominate the brick-and-mortar video rental business, but has lagged behind its chief competitor Netflix in the online mail-rental market. As of the end of September, Blockbuster Online had 1.5 million subscribers, having added 150,000 subscribers during the third quarter of 2006. Netflix boasts 5.6 million subscribers, including almost 500,000 new subscribers during the third quarter.
Blockbuster Online works exactly like Netflix’s service does. Customers create a wish list of titles online, and then the chain sends them DVDs. Depending on the tier chosen, customers can have one to three titles out at a time. Once customers are done with the movies, they return them via a postage-paid envelope.
Along with the free movie, using Blockbuster Total Access speeds up the shipping cycle for Blockbuster Online subscribers. Once the mail-order rental is checked in at the local store, another title from the customer’s DVD list is shipped. For serial DVD watchers, the combination of a free rental and faster mail rentals could allow for a couple of extra rentals per month.
With Blockbuster Total Access, Blockbuster offers a feature that Netflix can’t. The brick-and-mortar rental chain believes the new program will make a significant difference, enabling it to triple the number of subscribers added this quarter versus the third quarter. “Our research has shown that Blockbuster Total Access appeals strongly to online customers as well as to store-based customers who want to be able to rent movies both ways,” said Blockbuster Chairman CEO John Antioco. “As a result, we believe Total Access will help us achieve our goal of two million subscribers by year-end, position us to grow our subscriber base in the future and assist us in increasing our share of the overall rental market.”
With same-store rentals dropping, Blockbuster needs to pursue new strategies in order to keep renters from jumping ship in favor of Netflix or other online options. When we looked at the movie rental scene?online and brick-and-mortar?earlier this year, we noted that Blockbuster Online lagged Netflix in ease of use. Whether the option to return movies in-store for a free rental will help close the gap between the two services remains to be seen.
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Seven Ways To Save On Summer Getaways
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Escaping from the confines of a cubicle or a classroom and having a fun-filled vacation is something most people dream about. The good news is that you can enjoy your holiday without spending exorbitant amounts of money. Read on for tips on how to stretch your vacation budget.
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Do Your Research
Think about it: What would you really like to do? Hit the beach? Go shopping? Climb a mountain? Visit a museum?
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TwitterOnce you’ve narrowed the field, it’s time to dig into the details. Can you do these things locally? Do you know anyone who’s done them before–and on a similar budget as you’re planning? If you don’t know where to begin, talk to friends who travel on a similar budget, contact a travel agency for educated opinions, or scour the Internet for chat rooms and honest discussion on your vacation topic. A combination of these resources should give you a framework for your vacation itinerary and perhaps provide you with some tips on accommodations, places to dine and things to do.
Thorough research might also provide you with time-saving tips, help you avoid “tourist traps” and save you from miscellaneous hazards and hassles. Online travel sites have lots of information and often can help would-be travelers find reasonable fares on hotels, cruises, flights and hotels. Major brick-and-mortar travel agencies should be considered as well.
Look for Deals or Coupons
As a vacation-goer, you should peruse newspapers, magazines and websites for advertised deals (or coupons) on items like hotels, rental cars or other methods of transportation you’ll be using.
Major airlines offer some terrific money-saving packages. Also, many clubs or organizations offer discounts to certain demographics– being a veteran or a student might save you a few bucks. Finally, be sure to ask the travel agency, airline, cruise line, hotel or other vendor what discounts are available. That way you’ll know if you qualify. Even booking online vs. in person can save you up to 30% off the purchase price of some hotels and services.
Consider Multiple Sources for Pricing
Now you should know when, where and how you want to travel. The next step is to create a budget and price for it. Consider multiple sources in your price planning; don’t just call the hotel and airline directly to make reservations. Call them to inquire about the price, but also determine if any of the travel websites enable you to plan, price and book the trip online. Remember that many travel websites direct travelers in bulk to certain destinations so often that the website can generally afford to offer you cheaper rates than you might be able to fetch on your own.
And don’t forget to negotiate. Some travel organizations offer discounted rates to groups, when asked. If you don’t ask, you might not get the discount. The lesson here is that when traveling (particularly with a large group), don’t be afraid to ask for a deal. The same thing applies when dealing with a local vendor–negotiate! You’ve got nothing to lose by asking.
Pack a Lunch
Unless you are embarking on a cruise where meals are often included in the trip’s price, the odds are that you will be spending a great deal of your money on dining. Instead of eating at restaurants every day while on your trip, consider packing a cooler with your favorite lunch items, or a good old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich if that’s your thing. When on a longer trip, visit the local supermarket each day to shop for your meals. Both of these ideas have the potential to save you lots of money over the length of your trip.
