Blockbuster’s Not So Total Access

Blockbuster Online is changing their pricing structure. The most significant feature of this new structure is placing strict limits on free in-store exchanges for online subscribers.

Under the new plan, regular Total Access subscribers will be limited to five free in-store exchanges per month. Once the subscriber reaches the allowance for the month, the subscriber can then pay a discounted price for each additional in-store exchange. (This is unconfirmed, but it appears additional in-store exchanges will cost approximately $1.99 per DVD.)

Those Blockbuster customers wishing to have unlimited free in-store exchanges will need to subscribe to Total Access Premium. The Premium plan is an additional $7 per month.

What do you think about this new Blockbuster pricing structure? How does the new structure affect you? If you are an existing Blockbuster Online subscriber, did Blockbuster automatically grandfather you into Total Access Premium, or did you get downgraded to a lesser plan like Total Access?

Blockbuster Online Throttling

For those new to the world of DVD-by-mail, throttling is a practice where DVD-by-mail companies intentionally limit the flow of DVDs to subscribers who are on flat-rate subscription plans. That insidious, red industry leader invented the practice, but other companies have been accused of copying the greedy and sleazy tactic to maximize profits.

Are you a high-volume DVD renter and being throttled by Blockbuster Online? If so, please post the specifics here by clicking on Comments.

Make sure to include details about your subscription plan, past and current turnaround times, quantity of online DVDs per month, and any other details that show evidence of an intentional throttling pattern at Blockbuster Online.

Please note that slow service alone does not necessarily indicate throttling. Also, if you were not consistently receiving at least four online DVDs per week at some point, you have never been a high-volume renter and probably have not used your account enough to witness a substantial throttling trend.

Blockbuster Total Access Experiences

Are you using Blockbuster Total Access? If so, please post the positives and negatives of your experience.

Exchange Netflix Mailers for Free Blockbuster DVD Rentals

Normally, Netflix is not mentioned on this site, but a current event demands that both companies be mentioned.

Until December 21, Blockbuster is giving a free in-store rental for each Netflix address flap you bring to a Blockbuster store. The part of the Netflix mailer that you normally throw away can now be used as a coupon for a free rental.

To take advantage of this offer, you will need to have or sign up for a free Blockbuster store membership. The free rentals are subject to normal rental terms.

Click here to learn the details.

Blockbuster Total Access Gives Subscribers More Options

Blockbuster Total Access is now in effect. Under the program, you as a Blockbuster Online subscriber have the choice of returning your online DVD rentals through the mail or directly to participating Blockbuster stores.

When you return your online rental DVD to a store, the store will give you a free in-store rental and open a new slot in your queue, allowing a new online rental DVD to be shipped the next business day.

The obvious advantage of the Total Access program is consumer choice. You now have options for obtaining and returning DVDs. You can now use whatever method best fits your viewing plans.

Click here to learn more about the program.