[Kodaz]

Originally Posted by Bluray

Bit harsh. Isn't "good riddance" used when you're happy to see the back of something?
Had Blockbuster hurt or harmed you in any way?

As myself and the guy I was replying to (*) commented in response to this story, Blockbuster UK was part of a large American corporation that started in the late 80s.

I don't know if you're old enough to remember, but during the 1980s and early-1990s, the video rental market was made up of numerous independent stores and small chains. When Blockbuster came along (see (*) again), it ruthlessly exploited its parent's size and connections in a very predatory manner and killed off those stores almost completely, replacing it with a monoculture.

Then they sat on their fat, profit-bloated corporate arses, not responding to coming threats until they started damaging the bottom line (by which time the competition were established and it was too late for them). Even the order-by-Internet-ship-by-mail rental services that cut into them are being rendered obsolete by downloads, and going to a shop to rent a VHS, er... DVD seems hopelessly old-fashioned at this point. (There's also the fact that DVDs are much cheaper to buy than VHS was in its heyday, and often not worth renting).

I'm genuinely sorry for the people losing their jobs, but I just couldn't give a monkeys about the loss of the chain itself.

(*) I can't link directly to madiain28's comment there, so here it is again:-
"With the launch of Netflix and Lovefilm it was inevitable. As the market leader in the rental market they did not invest in online streaming or offer comparable deals in store as even their own online packages for post rental were far cheaper. Although I sympathise with all the staff as a company they deserve to go. This was a company owned by Viacom that is also parent company of most of the big distribution rental market. They showed no mercy in the late eighties and nineties closing thousands of independent rental shops by opening next door to them. Whilst independent shops had to pay between £30-60 per copy of film blockbuster could bulk receive from distributors virtually costing nothing just rejigging figures. They would strike a deal taking thousands of copies at a cost of about £5 then mass rent for a few weeks and sell off for more than the initial cost. Whilst the small independents struggled to buy a few copies and make any profit. I worked part time for them when I was at college in the early nineties and there underlying ethos was to ensure they shut down any competition in the area by undercutting then as soon as they got rid of the competitor they whacked the prices up. 20 years ago they were charging £3.50 to £4 per night rental in Aberdeen once they closed Global video down."

[Orangemaid]

im gutted I love Blockbuster for renting horrors

[Syntax Error]

Even now, Blockbuster don't get it.

I've just been into the West Didsbury branch & they're selling Pre-owned DVDs for £4!

I'm not even talking about the very latest films, but films from 2010 for example!

You can get brand new DVDs from the supermarkets for that price or less.

With a sales strategy like this, it's no wonder they're in administration.