Well written article although I have to take exception to the idea that you think it's wrong for Blockbuster to lock down their laptops so you can only visit certain websites. I mean, what did you expect? It's a laptop in a Blockbuster store, surely it's up to them what sites they allow their customers to access?

And it's better than most - at least they're allowing you to compare their Total Access service where you are never short of something to watch to Netflix's service. Surely this is a good thing for the consumer?

I do notice that you are an investment strategist, therefore, you would know the importance of competition. Netflix has frivilously sued Blockbuster Incorporated numerous times. Netflix has also attempted to "wage war on Blockbuster". Do you really feel it is "dastardly" for Blockbuster to fight back and save its name? Netflix has always been spoken of as almost a giant killer, especially since even the great Wal-Mart could not compete financially with them. Blockbuster now has a superior business model offering a far greater option of more movies in half the time and Netflix has been forced to stop discussing its online program and move towards movie downloads. The only fault of Blockbuster is that they came into the market way too late and now they are fighting from behind. In this case, better late then never. With Blockbuster's stock price more then doubling in the last year, I can't say I see Blockbuster as dastardly. I see them as successfully competitive and thinking outside the box.

I appreciate your opinion, but you have not seen the war emerging between these two. I encourage you to track it and reconsider your automatic disdain for Blockbuster and pity for Netflix.

Finally, it is quite a liability for a company to put up laptops for public use. I feel it is quite a smart decision to program each computer to only specific websites. As an investment strategist, I would appreciate suggestions for a better option. The fact of the matter is, people forget to sign up when they get home, so, have them sign up in store. Please let me know when you have a greater alternative.

I agree with Bill, why should Blockbuster not be allowed to be competitive and does the mere presence of a laptop in a store limit one's ability to make free choice?
I'm really struggling with trying to understand your point because you were after all in a Blockbuster store by your own free will and accord and you were seeking to rent movies. If you sympathize with Netflix and perhaps actually subscribe to them, why didn't you use their service for your entertainment needs? Oh wait that's right they don't have stores and you wanted movies right now.
As a blockbuster subscriber I can tell you their business plan will work and netflix is scrambling.
Blockbuster has just announced that they will soon acquire Movielink which will give them the full trifecta; stores, home delivery and online VOD.
Short Netflix and save yourself the agony.

I'm astounded that you can be an investment stategist in the United States of America with such a loose grip on basic tenants of capitalism. What is so nefarious about a company making it easy for it’s customers to cancel a membership with it’s direct competitor? Are they forcing their customers at gun-point to cancel their Netflix membership? I have no doubt you can be none other than a “Democrat” (I put the title in quotations because of the fact that this title is a complete misnomer). Is this The People’s Republic of China? Blockbuster should be lauded for their acumen. I feel sorry for that poor store manager being bullied for having the audacity to try to turn a profit.

MrArbitrage

Why would only a democrat react in this way? That's pretty callow to say. I'm not a democrat, but I do think that anyone could react as Georges did. I think that competitors should be able coexist peacefully and that Blockbuster should be able to sustain itself without turning to malicious practices. Though I doubt that Blockbuster's "netflix cancellation link" coerced any customers into cancelling their netflix membership, I do think that it's pretty low of Blockbuster to make such an insinuation.

Practices aside, the consumer's intuition is going to guide them the best. Whether a consumer prefers red to blue, or if they like having an actual building to go to, they'll make up their mind. I myself am a netflix member, and the reason I choose to be is simply because they are the pioneer in the online rental business. It works for me, and I am satisfied.

Here Blockbuster is providing an in-store service for the exact three web pages I needed at home to switch from Netflix to Blockbuster, and some busybody has to bellyache about it. Indeed, they are providing a service for those who don’t have access or aptitude to use the Internet at home, which would include many elderly and disabled people who would otherwise be stuck going to the store to get their movies.

And I have to wonder, how does anyone survive (in the United States of America or 'People's' Republic of China) being so naïve about competitive business practices? And this coming from a chief investment strategist! As soon as I sobered up from my lost weekend in Florida, I’d see about saving my good name by getting this article permanently removed from the blog sites.