• @popemichael
    link
    612 years ago

    Back when I managed a Blockbuster Video, most stores ran at a loss thanks to theft.

    The real reason most stores failed wasn’t because DVDs were going out. It was because we couldn’t stem the flow of money out the door thanks to thieves.

    • @gan0n
      link
      182 years ago

      Did they have the actual disc on the shelves? Where I’m from the rental places only displayed the cover, then you picked up the disc at the counter. Not sure how theft would’ve been a big problem then?

      • @ji88aja88a
        link
        182 years ago

        I suspect it was not returning the DVDs. I’m not from the USA but recall hearing blockbuster wiped all their late fees…

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          72 years ago

          They moved to a system where it would just auto-sale you the title if you kept it too long after the due date, which people were furious about when they showed up with a title that was due back a month ago. Netflix really ate their lunch though, Blockbuster online was too little too late.

        • @van2z
          link
          12 years ago

          Did you not have to pay a deposit for renting something?

    • @dudebro
      link
      -32 years ago

      Isn’t there insurance for theft?

      I call bullshit. Blockbuster died because it failed to adapt to the market.