Lack of Blu-ray at Blockbuster Video

[cooper83]

In the past few months, I've become very frustrated with Blockbuster Video's selection of new release titles on Blu-ray. There have been a few major releases and/or critically-acclaimed films that are not available on BD on the release date, and in some cases are still not available weeks after. Some titles off the top of my head include (500) Days of Summer, Whip It, Moon, and The Box.

I've asked a few BBV staff why the BD is not available, and their response is always "we didn't get a shipment...just the DVD was sent to us". I haven't pushed it further, because I know there's nothing front-line store staff can do. I sent BBV an email yesterday and here is their response:

Thank you for contacting us at Blockbuster Canada. We appreciate you providing us with your feedback.

We will gladly forward your constructive comments along to the appropriate members of our Product Department. Currently, as Blu-Ray is still a very new format of DVD, our stores have a limited supply of these DVDs. The majority of our customers continue to prefer DVDs in regular format. However, as this format continues to grow popular we will continue to expand our Blu-Ray selection.

What do you guys think? Me, I'm not buying it for the following reasons:

• BD is not a "very new" product.

• The majority of titles are available on their release date along with the DVD, so why is it that a few titles are not given the same treatment?

• These are not direct-to-video, never-heard-of-it titles like some of the offerings at BBV. With the exception of a delay from the studio/distributor, there should be no reason why a major release like (500) Days of Summer should be delayed by weeks

• How is the format expected to "grow popular" if the title is unavailable on Blu-ray??

• The same titles that are not available to rent are available for purchase

I'd like to hear your opinion. I'd prefer this discussion not involve debate of rental outlets vs. alternatives (Zip.ca, Apple TV, downloading, etc.). I am not satisfied with the response I received from BBV and will follow up with the reasons listed above.

[mark]

I've noticed that my local Blockbuster only has one copy of "500 Days of Summer" on Blu-ray and it's been out every time I check. Was also dissapointed that "Moon" isn't available on Blu-ray at the location as well.

[oxford]

While it may not be the same case I used to manage a video store back when dvd was still very new. Back then the chances of getting more selection in for rental on dvd was linked to how high our mix of overall rental dvds to vhs. ie if we rented a larger percentage of dvds than some other stores we would get more selection than them moving forward.

Maybe the location you rent from doesn't have a high percentage of bluray rentals and therefore does not receive as much selection?

[cooper83]

Maybe the location you rent from doesn't have a high percentage of bluray rentals and therefore does not receive as much selection?

I wish that was the case, the situation was the same at the 3 closest locations to me. And mark mentioned above the lack of same titles at his local BBV.

[99semaj]

Blockbuster is on the ropes. Yesterday's WSJ reported that they are about to close 20% of all their locations globally. I would interpret that to mean they will close a much higher percentage internationally and a lesser number of stores in the USA.

[james99]

I can only assume that Blockbuster see Blu-ray as a niche product and most fans of the format would more likely buy then rent.

[cooper83]

Originally Posted by james99

I can only assume that Blockbuster see Blu-ray as a niche product and most fans of the format would more likely buy then rent.

I hope not, but it would appear from the CSR's response that that might be the case. On the other hand, the locations near me continue to expand their Blu-ray display area - both for rentals and previously-viewed sales. I wonder if my LOTR pre-order will arrive on time

[rfielder]

Is anyone seeing a similar trend at Rogers video stores?

If so, there may be something happening at the distributor level.

If not, then it is a Blockbuster policy, and can be addressed to them directly.

Personally - I never fix problems I don't know about, and I never change things that seem to be working well.

If nobody tells the management of Blockbuster that they want to rent Blu-Ray, then the management is right to restrict the rentals. Perhaps it is a matter of getting the message to the decision makers?

[cfraser]

I am not a BB rental customer, have only gone in there to buy. They had some great BD deals about a year ago. Then recently selling pre-viewed BDs of Gamer/District 9. They had at least 20 copies of each of those for sale by the time I got there, so they must do a fair BD rental business. Seem to have quite a decent BD selection, always many copies of the newest stuff when I used to go in (last year). I guess it varies by area, BD is quite big around here.

However, a fairly large area of this local BB is now leased by Wind mobile, I guess they needed the $$ and this provides more $$/sq. m than sales/rentals.

[cooper83]

Seem to have quite a decent BD selection, always many copies of the newest stuff when I used to go in

That's what confuses me. For a major release like Terminator Salvation, for example, they had dozens of copies at each location. Whip it: zero copies (but dozens on DVD). It's the inconsistency that irritates me. When I go on release date, I assume there will be a copy on the shelf.

To back up my claim that the same movies not available to rent are available to buy, The Box was displayed front & centre on the first shelf as I walked into the store this morning. Checked the rental shelf...nada.

there may be something happening at the distributor level.

Would there be a separate distributor or distribution agreement for sales vs. rentals?

[cfraser]

Has the rental BD situation changed in the last year or so? Just wondering because lots of the rental BDs from certain studios are now somewhat "crippled" compared to what you buy (about a year ago it was mainly a few Warner ones). Maybe that affects their pre-viewed sales, and thus their income model, if we consider that the BDs likely cost them more to start with (and maybe they are being charged proportionately a LOT more for BDs to rent compared to DVDs??). Just like late fees were apparently over 30% of their revenue at one point. They may be right on the revenue edge as a corporation so every bit helps, even though individual stores may be doing OK (though I guess not this one so much).

Just totally guessing there. While I was in the store, mostly talking to the Wind guy, the people I saw rented games and BDs (The Hurt Locker seemed popular).

[cooper83]

After Blockbuster's first email, I replied with further questions, but I didn't receive a reply. About two weeks ago I sent them another email, asking why I haven't received a response. Still nothing.

Last week I was in a BBV store and had the following conversation with a senior staff member:

Me: "Why do you have so few copies of popular new releases on Blu-ray, such as 'Brothers'?"
BB: "We have lots of copies of on DVD, I suggest you rent Brothers on DVD"
Me: "I prefer to watch movies on Blu-ray"
BB: "For a drama like 'Brothers', it's not going to be that much better than DVD, and your player is going to upconvert it anyways"
Me: "That's true, but I paid for a Blu-ray player & HDTV, I want to watch things in HD"
BB: "I don't understand you Blu-ray guys, so obsessed with watching everything in HD. For an action flick, yeah I could understand, but for everything else?"
Me: left store empty-handed

Part of me wanted to say "no wonder you guys are close to bankruptcy!" but that has nothing to do with front-line staff. Feeling rather frustrated with this whole situation!

[hugh]

Actually Blockbuster Canada is NOT close bankruptcy, that's the U.S.

For what its worth, the BBV in my neighbourhood has a good selection of Blu-ray and typically has quite a few new releases.

Some titles are out of stock in the first week but they have all the big new releases and for the most part I have been able to get whatever I want so I'm pleased.

[cooper83]

Actually Blockbuster Canada is NOT close bankruptcy, that's the U.S.

Good to know, thanks Hugh.

[mark]

Just to update, I was happy to discover my local Blockbuster finally got a copy of "Moon" for rental on Blu-ray a few weeks back. Rented and enjoyed it quite a bit.