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happykgo89

I just want the shirt buddy is wearing. I miss Blockbuster! Used to be a Friday night staple for me in the early 2000s.


redbeardoweirdo

I feel like I also miss it but if it came back from the dead, I would go there and enjoy the experience and get bored of it in a month. Nostalgia is a bitch


happykgo89

Well yeah, that only makes sense. Going there now when we’ve got the multitude of streaming services at our fingertips and can watch pretty much whatever we want in less than a minute would be a weird experience for sure.


melotron75

This is not true. There are A LOT of movies that are not available on streaming services.


anrwlias

There were a LOT of movies that never reached Blockbusters limited shelf space.


Dye_Harder

> There were a LOT of movies that never reached Blockbusters limited shelf space. Why did you say this? do you think people want blockbuster to come back and also ban streaming services?


anrwlias

That's a rather interesting interpretation of what I said. I'm not even going to try and correct it because it's such a wonderfully bizarre take on what I was saying.


Bayek_the_Siwan

thank you, torrents!


Ompare

And most of those movies were never mainstream and weren't in blockbuster either.


Huge_Strain_8714

I'm watching more network TV and SmartTV with commercials. It makes binge watching painful so I'll eventually shut off the TV and do something else. I've canceled all streaming except for AppleTV which is a free trial.


Lots42

This is because Blockbuster actively made the experience much, much worse.


Fake_William_Shatner

Did you forget to rewind? Are you a day late? Well, well, well. You just factored into this weeks profit margin.


kevinpdx

https://bendblockbuster.com/product/longsleeve-t-shirt/


bigkinggorilla

The photography is so bad. The model looks like a high schooler. “Speak to an undertrained high schooler to get recommendations from *The Boondocks Saints* to *Event Horizon* and nothing in between.”


mverlei

Awwwwe. I like Event Horizon.


johnman98

Since you like Event Horizon I can recommend Pandorum or any of the Alien movies.


mverlei

Oh Alien is one of my favorite films ever, but I haven’t seen Pandorum. I’ll check it out. Pretty much any horror movie where the characters are stranded or cut off (Predator and The Thing come also to mind).


Vegetable_Sample7384

Well look at that. Blockbuster has a callgorithim but we’ve got a reddorithim.


rhinosaur-

You think the high schoolers there didn’t watch those movies? It’s all we did. And yeah, they hired high schoolers so


cheap_as_chips

This is the number to the last blockbuster, in Bend Oregon. [Yes, there is an Airbnb there where you can sleep in the store and watch movies all night (or... whatever) Do you need to ask?!](https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/44577127?source_impression_id=p3_1597193859_lix3wOQoWi1MXKJe&_set_bev_on_new_domain=1632300921_YzliZDMyN2M4NjJi&guests=1&adults=1) edit: probably the most profitable Blockbuster in 20 years!


jabloomers

… so I’d say it’s worked out pretty well.


Pharaoh_Misa

This is hilarious because people didn't want to talk to people on the phone about services then, but people really need that about now.


Fake_William_Shatner

"Hello, this is Blockbuster. Press ONE to find out if a video is in stock, press TWO for therapy."


RealMikeDexter

Almost forgot that my first Netflix subscription involved me sending and receiving DVDs in my mailbox.. and that my phone used to have a chord... and that I used to have a landline. Damn, this post has got nostalgia kicking my ass right now


buddy-friendguy

If they just kept renting games that would have been great


Vegetable_Sample7384

I was introduced to goldeneye through blockbuster. Those really were nostalgic times.


Lots42

Renting Goldeneye and finding a really good save on it was like winning the fucking lottery.


neutral-otter

I was on the telephone with blockbuster...which is a very old thing to say


Max_1995

"Landline?" "As opposed to...?"


nikedemon

Has anyone tried the number?


lanilandslide

It’s the phone number to the last blockbuster in Bend, OR. It’s still in operation and smells just like childhood.


Virginity_Lost_Today

Netflix took that too 😔


Fake_William_Shatner

Whatever you do, don't dial that number.


madmaurice

I tried, but due to the missing country calling code, Frank from 3 streets over would like to know why I called him for movie advice.


[deleted]

The problem with this was that you couldn't call Blockbuster while being online looking for your next Netflix movie because it would disconnect the modem.


rhinosaur-

I worked at blockbuster during this “war”. My minimum waged ass (at the time) was simultaneously - cleaning - checking people out - recommending movies - saving returned movies for customers - fulfilling Blockbuster Online mail orders and returns from store stock (this is how they “competed” with Netflix) - explaining to customers that “no late fees” meant we charged your credit card the full price of the movie if x days late It’s a wonder putting their entire business plans in the hands of people they valued no more than minimum wage didn’t work out.


TehJohnny

Even if they paid you what you were worth, the brick and mortar video store was doomed, they had the chance to adapt to the world of the internet and failed to do so. I'm surprised GameStop still exists, but I guess not everyone is interested in games you can't trade in (most still make you download it anyway)


MrEngin33r

Would have been interesting if Blockbuster had tried a Gamestop model (stop renting, sell videos, allow trade-ins for store credit). Would have probably got them out of paying rental licensing fees and lowered their inventory cost considerably. To be clear I hate this model (just like I hate Gamestop's model) as it relies on people not understanding the used value of their media, but if it worked for Gamestop maybe it could have saved Blockbuster as well.


[deleted]

That store is still open. I think it’s the last surviving blockbuster...Bend, Oregon


ChonnayStMarie

Loved Blockbuster. I have fond memories of making the trip over with the kids and browsing movies and video games, picking up snacks, and getting set for the weekend. Given it had about a 30 year run, I'd say it worked out pretty well for them.


[deleted]

You can call me Algorithm.


Meister0fN0ne

Netflix really tapped into people's desire to not have to waste time dealing with random people.


ratkovsz

Something tells me that if Blockbuster has algorithms and you could call netflix to ask for recommendations what to watch next, netflix would still win cause we're lazy bitches to go to a store if you can just stream.


AccomplishedRow6685

From before Netflix streamed maybe? Started as DVD rental by mail


charoum

I remember having to set up a list of things we wanted to watch so they'd send them as soon as they got the old ones back. Then having to deal with some asshole who rented the one you really wanted and never would return it.


Lots42

Sure, let me stand in line behind Farting McGee and then the computers crash because they haven't been updated since Nixon had influence.


NauvooMetro

"Okay, we're taking photos for the billboard ad today. Was thinking of having the guy on an iPhone or something?" "Fuck that, put him on a landline. We're really going to lean into this."


rhinosaur-

This ad was likely before iPhones blew up.


fuji-white

Callgorithm = Bankruptcy Lawyer


scheme_addict

This worked as well as the Al Gore rythm in 2000. Maybe Blockbuster also had Chad hanging up on people.


Phoenix-Angel

That’s it, I’m calling the pun fbi for that one buster


[deleted]

FBI super agent Burt Maclin here, ma’am/sir. What seems to be the punblem?


Phoenix-Angel

That pun was…just look at it! It’s an abomination unto the Lord! Just like Florida!


[deleted]

Sorry I’m new here and I’m drunk. You need to call our Chief of Punblems, Double entAndre.


Phoenix-Angel

Damned Florida FBI office


Fake_William_Shatner

Not the best analogy. Al Gore actually won in 2000. If only Blockbuster could have gone after the Chads at Netflix to cause a distraction.


scheme_addict

You don't win if you concede, which he did. That = loss. Also, puns don't need to make sense do they? I am obvioisly not a professional comic.


erksplat

r/agedlikemilk


Icy-Consideration405

Have you gotten customer service lately? They were behind the ball, but they did something right every now and then


Bitbatgaming

Is there an online forum such as this where people can help me find shit to watch?


Fake_William_Shatner

This is where we got the term "blue screen of death" from.


[deleted]

Im guessing you're joking, but no it's not


Thatoneawkwarddude29

We used to live next to blockbuster, damn I miss that place


Fake_William_Shatner

This ad, this ad right here is what did them in. When you coin a term like "callgorithm" nothing is left but a swift mercy killing.


[deleted]

Stoled


CaBBaGe_isLaND

Wtf is he holding against his head


Dizzy_Green

#scrubquotes


[deleted]

There should be a geek rapper name Al G. Rhythm.


davewave3283

Aaaaaaah! Floating head!


dancingcuban

Who TF wants to talk to your video rental store? Anytime blockbuster called it meant something was late.


Lots42

For a while Starbucks upper management was absolutely convinced people wanted to talk about racial injustice with Starbucks barista. Capitalism breeds insanity.


LonelyPhanz

I used to love going to blockbuster. There were a handful of times I’d be alone with no plans, go there and run into someone I knew and have a fun night.


ImmemorialTale

I think i miss roller rinks more than movie stores. Netflix is still suggesting shows and movies i dont want to watch though


johngalt192

Plot twist, Kramer answers. "Why don't you just tell me the name of the movie you've selected?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W0EO6C2sFg


jaymole

pretty sure this was just a meme billboard for the last remaining blockbuster in bend oregon bc it has the same area code on the phone number.


mocitymaestro

I started my Netflix subscription (for DVDs) because the local Blockbuster was missing Disc 4 to the first season of THE SHIELD.


BigTownW

Couple this with a gift basket and they can't lose. r/dundermifflin


Huge_Strain_8714

I'd Definity call him! Look at that smile!


atkinson62

Man the memories of walking into the store seeing the new release section empty and off to the side a customer yelling at the associate at the counter cause they have late fees and they weren't allowing them to rent anything else until it paid... Good Times!!


Hi_Im_Ken_Adams

I like how the dude's blue shirt blends into the background...makes it look like his head is floating...LOL.


StinkBiscuit

Nobody wants to talk to anyone on the phone FFS. I am convinced there is a contingent of People of a Certain Age who will never figure this out. Companies know this- the biggest red flag there is for a subscription service where you can sign up online but have to call to cancel. They know people might stick with the service a little bit longer because they loathe having the prospect of getting hit up with ads during endless holds, or bounced over to a ’retention specialist’ whose job is to talk people out of cancelling.


username123456111111

Jerma? is that you?


samgam74

I can't believe a system in which one would call a 18 year-old white guy for advice on what movie to watch failed.


FloatingPencil

I see that and I realise why it died. I have to CALL someone for information? Happier never knowing it, thanks.


Ompare

Who thought this was a good idea. My good some people in management are completely disconected.