Blockbuster Takes Away Key Package Features in Total Access Plan
I just got the following email from Blockbuster stating that their 3-at-a-time package has changed once again. This is the third such email I have received from the company since joining the program the first fews months into its launch.
BLOCKBUSTER Total Access - Due to changes in our subscription plan pricing, your current BLOCKBUSTER Total Access plan, Unlimited Online DVDs up to 3 at a time plus unlimited in-store exchanges each month for $17.99, will no longer be available at the current price.
You will be moved to our new plan that includes Unlimited Online DVDs 3 at-a-time plus up to 5 free* in-store exchanges for $17.99. This plan will not include an e-coupon for in-store DVD and/or game rentals. The new subscription plan and pricing will go into effect on your regular monthly billing date following August 31, 2007.
In addition, exclusively for BLOCKBUSTER Total Access customers, we have introduced in-store movie rentals for $1.99* per movie should you need more than the in-store exchanges included in your plan.
What’s different?
I used to get 3 movies out a time with unlimited in-store, trade-in rentals + 2 monthly coupons for in-store games or movies rentals all for $17.99 (originally $14.99). Now, I’m just getting the above.
It might be time to jump to Netflix once again, especially since they’ve now started letting subscribers stream movies on-demand from their library (requires a Microsoft Silverlight browser plugin). In fact, here’s what Netflix says:
On our most popular plan, the 3 at-a-time unlimited plan for $16.99 a month, you will also be able to watch 17 hours of movies and TV episodes instantly on your PC - all in addition to your regular “by mail” selections!
And the cool part, since the service tracks minutes spent, is that you can skim through various movies until you find something you like or quit mid-way if you get board and starting viewing another. Not a bad deal.
FYI, Blockbuster recently acquired Movielink so we should be seeing a similar offering from them in the near future.
UPDATE: Blockbuster has given subscribers (3 at-a-time $17.99 plan) their monthly two free movie or game rental coupons back! So now one can get 5 in-store trades + 2 additional movies with the coupons for a total of 7 extra movies a month.
UPDATE 12/19/07: I just got a new email from Blockbuster. The rate will jump to $19.99 with the same benefits starting January 2008. BTW, Blockbuster took away the two free monthly coupons about three months ago. So, now it’s 3 at-a-time + 5 in-store trades only.
To continue to bring you the unmatched convenience of both online and in-store DVD rentals, your monthly subscription fee will change from $17.99 to $19.99. This adjustment†will go into effect on your next billing cycle on or after December 27, 2007. The benefits of your subscription plan will remain the same.
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About
Alexander Grundner is a San Francisco Peninsula based web publisher who spends most of his time tracking down news stories for eHomeUprade, attending technology events, or working on his next big project.
For fun he likes to stay active outdoors, take photographs, shoot video, hack together PHP/Python code, play with Linux, and test new technologies.
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