WARNING!!! walmart.com DVD rentals

[lordsmurf]

I have not been this disgusted with a store in many years. I signed up with Walmart for the unlimited online rentals plan. I did it for one reason: they had some DVDs that were unavailable at netflix, blockbuster, and are even somewhat rare (older DVDs), and therefore even impossible to buy even at Amazon.com. I had about 45 DVDs in there, planned to keep them 1-3 months so I could rent and watch them all.

I logged on today to see the queue was almost empty !!!!

Everything I had was removed and it no longer even shows up in the search results.

BE VERY AWARE THAT IF YOU JOIN, THEIR INVENTORY MAY CHANGE AT ANY MOMENT !!!! This is horrible service. I'm normally a very understanding person when it comes to business and how they operate, but this is the most blatantly irresponsible inventory management I have ever seen.

I paid the extra $7 for the first month (first 30 days is a trial) so I could get 4-at-a-time. I'm going to be taking this up with my credit card company, without a doubt. What few things are left have VERY LONG WAIT on them, so I'll likely never even get them this month.

So, for all the Netflix-haters out there, Walmart is far worse. Blockbuster is no better. I'd rather have some "forced delay tactics" from Netflix (which, by the way, I don't believe) than to outright have my queue emptied and inventory changed !!!

[SLICK RICK]

Yea, that is pretty f'ed up. Sorry to hear that lordsmurf. I really don't do any online rentals, I don't do any rentals period.

[jimmalenko]

DB glitch, perhaps ???

[glockjs]

sucky...ya wonder why these business are growing so fast even though they're f'n up left and right.

[samijubal]

Wal Mart grows so fast from selling cheap junk that people suck up like vacuums for some unknown reason. The little bit of decent quality stuff they did sell is being replaced by cheaper junk constantly. Got to be real careful what you buy there. They probably just found a video list somewhere and posted it to make it look like they had more DVDs than they actually do.

[Capmaster]

Thanks for the heads-up Smurfie.

My wife and I belong to Netflix and overall we're quite satisfied. On occasion we threaten to dump the service when we get a disc that is so scratched up we can't watch it. But that's from renters handling, and Netflix can't catch every disc that comes through there. Plus ...the previous renter is supposed to return it with the "damaged" box checked, or report it online so they can replace it. I'll bet almost nobody actually does this provided it played OK for them.

It doesn't surprise me that Walmart has seen a cash cow and jumped in, hoping to capitalize on this growing market. As usual, they jumped before they looked, and now they seem to be busily slapping bandages on the broken spots. But then again, that's how they usually operate. They have the worst shelf-restocking practice I've ever seen ......I'm amazed they have done as well as they have.

I'll keep Netflix, thank you very much

[kphan78]

Holly cow...
yeah...i'm one of the victim of walmart online dvd rental too...They're suck...within a month I can only rent 6 movie...which is worst ....and if your dvd got lost and stuff you can't do anything until like 7 days from the days they shipp the movie...till then..you can report the problem...oh..wells...DO NOT JOIN THEM...THEY"RE SUCk..

[winifreid]

What were some of the titles? I used walmart for a little while, but I think I only found 2 films the they had that Netflix didn't. There were countless the other way. BB has about the same selection as Walmart and is just as slow.

[westlaw]

So, for all the Netflix-haters out there, Walmart is far worse. Blockbuster is no better. I'd rather have some "forced delay tactics" from Netflix (which, by the way, I don't believe) than to outright have my queue emptied and inventory changed !!!

Are you knocking WM and BB in some attempt to defend Netflix's delay shipping tactics?

Let's search the net and see if we can find if any other Wal-Mart DVD rental customer with complaints similar to your experience.

I know that if you search the net for Netflix customer complaining about intentional shipping delay, you'll find quite a few complaints.

[lordsmurf]

Are you knocking WM and BB in some attempt to defend Netflix's delay shipping tactics? Let's search the net and see if we can find if any other Wal-Mart DVD rental customer with complaints similar to your experience. I know that if you search the net for Netflix customer complaining about intentional shipping delay, you'll find quite a few complaints.

Absolutely not. Such accusations will elicit nothing more than choice words as a response. Walmart fucked me, clear as that.

[glockjs]

lordsmurfy isnt defending anything, just stating what happend to him. the reality is they ALL suck

[samijubal]

Agreed, if you get a disc that doesn't look like it's been in the blender you're lucky. The only advantage over renting local is the selection.

[RickTheRed]

Wal Mart grows so fast from selling cheap junk that people suck up like vacuums for some unknown reason

Not even able to go on Saturday or Sunday anymore. There is a 45 minutes waiting line at all cash.
You gotta kidding me. I ain't gonna wait 45 min for BS stuff.

Walmart fucked me, clear as that

They're all there for the money... Except Walmart is there to **** you and take your money while giving extremely bad service with totally uncompetent staff. And people like it. This piss me off.

[kupton]

On the other hand

I use Walmart DVD rentals and I'm very happy with it. For 16 bucks a month I usually get 6 movies and I've received 8 movies in a month before. I've found even if a movie says "long wait" in my queue I still get it before too long. I'm more than happy with the service and would recommend it.

[FulciLives]

And people like it. This piss me off.

EXACTLY !!!

I can never understand just WHY people get so ******* happy about going to WALMART!

Like ...



I mean c'mon now ... WALMART is the type of store where you go to buy crap you don't want but need like toilet paper or paper towels, glass cleaner, garbage bags, light bulbs, etc.

THAT ain't nothing to get all giddy about!

... and yet ... people do !!!

Go figure *shrug*

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Epicurus8a]

Everytime i step into W**m**t a piece of me dies. I know they are a huge employer, and pay big $$$ in taxes. But the owner(s) are among the richest people in the world - at the expense of their employees who only earn minimum wage (or slightly better). I guess the old saying is true, "The next best thing to slave labor is minimum wage." W**m**t = Gehanna.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

I can go to the local Wal-Mart and buy a shotgun with my groceries. You gotta respect that.

[samijubal]

Almost all of those employees are part time too so they don't have to offer benefits.

[jimmalenko]

I don't know how you got

Are you knocking WM and BB in some attempt to defend Netflix's delay shipping tactics?

Let's search the net and see if we can find if any other Wal-Mart DVD rental customer with complaints similar to your experience.

I know that if you search the net for Netflix customer complaining about intentional shipping delay, you'll find quite a few complaints.

out of

So, for all the Netflix-haters out there, Walmart is far worse. Blockbuster is no better. I'd rather have some "forced delay tactics" from Netflix (which, by the way, I don't believe) than to outright have my queue emptied and inventory changed !!!

All he said was that HE doesn't believe that there are intentional delay tactics, that's all. He's entitled to an opinion, just like anyone else.

Make sure to read the whole post next time, then when you feel like responding, read it again, just to make sure you read what you think you read

[FulciLives]

Make sure to read the whole post next time, then when you feel like responding, read it again, just to make sure you read what you think you read

I love it !!!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Shocker Milwaukee]

@Lordsmurf

I apologize if I've missed it somewhere, but I was curious if and when you've subscribed to Netflix.

[lordsmurf]

@Lordsmurf
I apologize if I've missed it somewhere, but I was curious if and when you've subscribed to Netflix.

I dumped DirecTV for Netflix early 2004. One of my friends had been doing it since summer 2003. I figured I could spend $40 (later $50) on 8 DVDs at a time, instead of $60+ for two receivers with hundreds of channels that, much like regular tv, often left me thinking "there's nothing on tv". With Netflix DVDs, especially all those tv series, I've always had plenty to watch when I wanted to see some tv entertainment. I actually know about a dozen people that use them, and we're all happy so far.

[samijubal]

Did that DirecTV have a better picture than Dish Network? I had that for a year and wasn't impressed at all with the picture quality. Nowhere near the quality of my big dish.

[lordsmurf]

Did that DirecTV have a better picture than Dish Network? I had that for a year and wasn't impressed at all with the picture quality. Nowhere near the quality of my big dish.

Yes. I had DirecTV in 3 locations, and knew people in quite a few other locations. I also knew of a handul of DISH users. In general, the receivers for DirecTV are far superior to the ones used by DISH. This equates to a cleaner, more vibrant image quality in most cases. For DirecTV, use an RCA receiver! Though both providers have changed resolutions several times in the past, they're still DVB variants (similar to DVD-VR resolution, mostly all 480x480 to 640x480 sizes). DISH tends to have disporportionate bitrates on different channels (for example, Cartoon Network and Toon Disney, which do not need much bitrate, have a much greater bitrate than say SciFi or Comedy Central, two stations where quality is surely lacking and bitrate could be used more). You see a higher IPB degeneration on DISH streams too, something I've never been happy about, and direct result of inadequate bitrate. DirecTV was experimenting a lot in 2003 with transponders (mostly because of FFC requirements to include more spot beam markets, and other expansion), so many times you'd get macroblocks here and there, but that had pretty much disappeared by the time I dropped them. The DISH setup was also a bit most unfavorable than a DirecTV setup, mostly because of satellite positioning. Add the fact that DISH has less channels, and there's really no reason to get it.

And in case this topic has strayed too much... let me give a gentle reminder: WALMART DVD RENTALS IS A HORRIBLE SERVICE AND EVERYBODY SHOULD AVOID IT UNLESS YOU LIKE GETTING SCREWED.

[budz]

sorry to hear you got screwed. thanks for that wally world tip because i had considered the wally world dvd rental but was hesitant because i didn't hear much about it. a few of my relatives got the blockbusta movie pass for $14.99 for the first month then $24.99 there after. they were able to rent quite a few older movies on dvd.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, my only complaint against Blockbuster online is the selection. The stores have less selection, and with those "extended passes" few things are in stock. You pretty much only have to want "big name" movies (of today or yesterday) to want Blockbuster. If you want anything else (documentaries, tv series, etc), then BB is ruled out.

[TheMadHatter]

At the moment, I use both NetFlix and BB. I've been using 'Flix for over a year now, and don't really have any complaints (except for a few damaged DVDs I've been sent). The only reason I started (and will probably drop afterwards, because I don't dig their que setup) BB, is because I wanted to check out the new releases of Star Trek - The Original Series (which 'Flix doesn't carry). Plus I got a free copy of Shrek 2 for joining (didn't want to buy it, so free is good).

[tmaxwell2435]

A friend of mine just got this email from BB:

Introducing faster shipping and more copies of the movies you want to see.

Because of loyal members like you, BLOCKBUSTER Online™ has surpassed
our growth expectations. While we're thrilled so many movie fans have
turned to BLOCKBUSTER Online, The Movie Store At Your Door™, we know
our rapid growth may have impacted our service to you.

We recognize the need to continuously improve and we are taking the
following steps to do just that:

FASTER SHIPPING

The U.S. Postal Service will now notify us when the envelope
containing the DVD you are returning has been scanned in. This means
we will send you your next movie before we actually receive the
returned one. This means quicker turnaround times for you.


We are adding 10 new shipping locations in the coming months to speed
more movies to your door.

MORE COPIES

We are buying more copies of both new releases and old favorites. This
should reduce the time you wait for your favorite titles to ship.

PLUS, 2 BONUS E-COUPONS

We appreciate you using our service while we work to make
improvements. We have added TWO E-Coupons to your account. These
coupons are in addition to the coupons you receive every month, and
they can be redeemed for FREE in-store game and movie rentals at
participating BLOCKBUSTER® stores.


Get your E-Coupons now and treat yourself to a DVD, VHS or game today.
Again, thank you for supporting BLOCKBUSTER Online as we continue to
improve our service. Sincerely,

Shane Evangelist
Senior Vice President and General Manager,
BLOCKBUSTER Online

[tnamrog]

But what were some of the titles that Walmart was "suppose to" carry that Netflix didn't?

[westlaw]

Just checking back in...

Thus far, I've been UNABLE to find any customer complaints regarding Wal-mart, like what LordSmurf claims to have experienced.

Has anyone had any success in locating reports or complaints on the internet like that LordSmurf has charged?

Please inform and advise

Personally, I'm very happy with BB retail. I'm able to rent about 6 DVDs a day. A good 90% of the titles I'm looking for, they have in stock. I had Netflix, but being a high volume user, they started treating me like a stepchild and delayed my shipment.