There’s a good chance that you’ve heard of Redbox. Basically, it’s a DVD, Blu-ray and game rental business that allows consumers to rent via kiosks. Redbox was founded in 2002 by McDonald’s Ventures, and its initial purpose was to drive more traffic to the McDonald’s food chain. The first two concepts of Redbox were tested in Washington, D.C. area, and they went under the names of Tik Tok Easy Shop and Tik Tok DVD Shop. By the time 2003 rolled around, there were more than 35 kiosks located in both Washington and Las Vegas, and this is when the name switched over to Redbox.
In 2004, Redbox became more popular. During 2005, there were Redbox kiosks located in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Baltimore, St. Louis and Houston. It was also in 2005 that Coinstar, Inc. bought into Redbox and began placing the kiosks at locations other than McDonalds. By 2009, there were 7,000 additional kiosks that began operating. The company’s 500 millionth disc was rented this year, and Redbox became the fifth largest movie rental company in the United States. As of 2012, there were more than 31,5000 Redbox kiosks, and the company had rented more than two billion discs.
The number of movies and TV shows that Redbox offers tends to change on a weekly basis. Each kiosk can usually hold up to 600 discs or more. When you rent a DVD or game from a kiosk, you don’t have to return it to the same kiosk. Because of this, the movies and games that are available for you to rent will be based on the kiosk that you go to. Many times, if you can’t find a particular disc at a certain kiosk, you can drive to another kiosk and find what you are looking for.
When renting from Redbox, you will need either a debit or credit card. The first amount charged to your card is not necessarily what you will be charged with upon return of the rental. For example, if you rent one DVD at $1.20/day, you will initially be charged $1.20 plus tax; however, what is actually charged to your card will be processed when you return the DVD. If you return the DVD by its due date, you will only be charged what was initially charged to your card. If you keep the DVD for additional days, you will be charged $1.20/day plus tax. So, if you keep it three days, your card will be charged $3.60 plus tax when you return the DVD. If you fail to return your rental after so many days, usually somewhere around 25 days, you will be charged a flat rate and you get to keep the rental.
Redbox Instant allows you to stream rentals via a wide range of platforms. Such platforms include Computers, iPhones, iPods, iPod Touch, Android phones and tablets, Windows Phone 8. Currently the United States offers Redbox rentals. In addition, there are several hundred kiosks located in Canada.
The most of Redbox’s marketing comes via SMS text messaging and email promotions. To receive such promotions, Redbox users have to provide their own email addresses, and if preferred, their mobile phone numbers. Renting DVDs, Blu-rays and/or games from Redbox is very advantageous and affordable. You don’t have to return your rentals to the same kiosk in which they were rented from, making Redbox very convenient.
Overall Ranking: 8.0/10
Homepage: www.redbox.com
