Web Reservations Coming Soon To A Redbox Near You
TNR Entertainment may have been the first one to make use of online reservations for DVD kiosks, but Redbox has just announced that they will also be offering online reservations beginning on September 25th, 2006. In an era of broadband connectivity and advanced inventory management systems, this is a development that was a long time in coming. While most DVD rental kiosk purchases are still largely an impulse decision, as we see more and more consumers adopt the DVD kiosk as their primary rental method, online scheduling will make it infinetely more conveinent for consumers to ensure that they get the film that they are looking for.
Now instead of arriving at the Redbox location, only to see the last copy of Pirates of the Carribbean sold out, consumers will instead be able to reserve a copy of their movie, pay and arrange for pick up all just a few clicks away.
Redbox’s announcement follows a similar announcement by DVDXPress last month, who started offering their own web reservations on the first of September. With technology starting to come together and with burn-on-demand kiosks beginning to appear on the horizon, it’s a very exciting time for the DVD kiosk industry. With Redbox and TNR both preparing to quadruple their locations next year, 2007 should turn out to be an important year for the DVD kiosk industry.
Update – I contacted Redbox’s PR department and they confirmed that the webervations system was in fact launching on 9/25. They also pointed me to a press release on the announcement. I couldn’t find a copy of the press release online yet, so here is a copy of what they sent me.
“REDBOXT LAUNCHES ONLINE MOVIE RENTALS
No Mailman or Membership Required, Fully Automated DVD Rental More
Convenient Than Ever
For Immediate Release: September 20, 2006
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. – RedboxTM, the fully automated DVD rental system
featuring new release DVDs for only $1 per night, is taking the guesswork
out of renting with the launch of online rentals. Redbox online rentals
offer immediate access to new releases, allowing customers to choose their
favorite title online and pick it up immediately at the redbox location of
their choice. Unlike Netflix, Blockbuster OnlineR or traditional
brick-and-mortar retailers, no mailman or membership are required.
Beginning September 25, consumers can visit www.redbox.com to guarantee
movies will be in stock and ready to rent. Consumers simply select their
favorite movie or movies from 60-80 available titles on redbox.com, choose
any redbox location nationwide for pick-up and provide valid credit or debit
card information to guarantee the title’s availability. Once payment is
confirmed, the selected DVDs are guaranteed to be available at the chosen
location. Leveraging real-time inventory data, www.redbox.com will provide
an alternative location if the selected kiosk does not have the title in
stock. For added convenience, customers can keep the DVD for as long as
they’d like for only $1 per night plus tax, and return their DVD to any
redbox kiosk nationwide.
“Other rental companies leave you guessing what movie will arrive and more
importantly when,” said Greg Waring, vice president, marketing, redbox.
“Redbox believes in customer convenience and applies real-time inventory
technology to make renting the hottest new releases for only $1 a night,
fun, convenient and most importantly, guess-free.”
With the launch of online rentals, redbox is providing a convenience that
traditional brick-and-mortar stores and online rental companies such as
Netflix cannot – guaranteed and immediate access to the most popular new
release titles. Redbox is changing the face of online movie rentals.
Featuring an unbeatable price point and convenient rent and return anywhere
policy, redbox has expanded service from 12 locations in 2003 to more than
1,400 locations nationwide today, including select McDonald’sR restaurants,
major supermarket chains and prestigious office buildings. Redbox has
rented more than 19 million DVDs to date.
About Redbox
Redbox Automated Retail, LLC is a leading renter of DVDs through automated
kiosks. Redbox continues to revolutionize the DVD rental industry as it
expands its footprint inside grocery stores, McDonald’s restaurants and
other locations. More information about redbox can be found at
www.redbox.com.”
Posted on September 19th, 2006 by Davis
Filed under: Kiosks, Movies
[...] In comparing both Redbox and TNR Entertainment, Redbox has the leg up if customers are bad about returning their DVDs. Redbox caps the maximum price for a DVD at $25 after 25 days, compared to TNR’s $35 DVD purchase price if you keep your movie over 14 days. Redbox also offers online reservations that allow consumers to pre-order movies before going to the store, while TNR is still implementing their own webervation system. Of course with both companies charging the same price, the biggest differential will end up being the convenience factor and with TNR’s Kroger expansion, it will mean that TNR will now have approximately five times as many locations in the Atlanta area. [...]