Fun at Blockbuster Video
- Posted by Badi Jones on April 3rd, 2007 - Comment on this Post »
So last week, my wife and I were in Blockbuster video, renting a dvd so I could give my brain a break for 2 hours. We were at the counter when the clerk asked the usual, “Do you want to sign up for the Total Access plan?”.
Any other day, I would have just said no and paid, but this time, I was feeling a little curious, so I asked the clerk if she gets paid to sell those, to which she replied with a polite “no”. So I proceeded to attempt to explain to her that I was already well aware of the Total Access plan, because I, and anyone else who wants to, can sign up as an affiliate and be paid $30 to $50 for each person I can get to sign up. As I attempted to explain further, but I could tell by the vexed look on her face, that I had completely lost her.
I had a similar experience when I attempted to explain search arbitrage to some friends (a couple in their mid to late 20s) over dinner. That was a huge mistake. I spent almost an hour trying to explain the concept, with very limited success.
As a web developer, I (and probably many of you as well) tend to forget just how much of the population is completely oblivious to the whole world of online marketing.
Since I’ve delved into the world of SEO and SEM, especially affiliate marketing, I see all kinds of advertising in a totally different light. Things like junk email, banner ads, junk snail mail, infomercials on tv, and even conventional tv commercials, have all taken on a different appearance to me. Offers to consolidate my student loans, get a new credit card, or sign up for Vonage, now make me think, “Yeah, I know this game. It’s the affiliate marketing game.”.
So anyway, today, I got a call that was labeled as “Unidentified” on my caller ID. I was hesitant to answer, but did anyway. It was a recorded message from blockbuster, reminding me that the copy of “Rocky Balboa” that I rented last week was officially over 1 week late. (why is it always the bad ones you forget to return?) Maybe I should have gotten that Total Access plan after all. 
If you’re interested in getting into affiliate marketing, check out Azoogle or CPAempire.
Both allow you to make money selling and promoting select products and services.
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April 3rd, 2007 at 7:16 pm
We gave up blockbuster a long time ago. Used to be members of every promo they had and really great customers. Then we went on Vacation, came back and had a bill for a movie (some chick flick) that we forgot to take back before traveling. The cost of that stupid movie? $50.
But thank goodness the no late fees had just started! oh wait… our blockbuster wasn’t a “participating store”
That was the last time I was in a blockbuster. Went to netflix and love it. we spend under 30 a month and watch all the movies we can stand and don’t have to put up with Blockbuster clerks either.
Plus, I can’t remember the last time I went in a store and they had the movie I wanted… not a problem now.
I don’t think we’ve even watched that $50 dollar movie since we “bought” it 3 years ago.
Zeb
April 5th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I hear ya on the lack of online marketing savy - it’s like a completely different world. As for the Blockbuster Total Access plan, I started it just to get a free movie rental with the intention of canceling it. I forgot to cancel it 4/1 so I just paid $17 for the month and although I thought I wasn’t going to use it we’ve already had 6-7 movies cycle through our queue. In comparison with NetFlix, I like the fact that I have the option of going to the store to drop it off.
This obliviousness (is that a word?) goes in to about every circle - with our new automated statistical trending tool (http://www.ranktrend.com), I tried to explain it to my accountant - he was doing my taxes (ug, don’t get me started!!) and he asked what it was - I foolishly thought he was interested… As I proceeded to excitedly explain Google PageRank and the value of ranking higher in the SERPs then being able to trend your Google AdSense against your Google Rank and visits… well you know that glassy eyed look people get when they don’t understand a word you are talking about? Yeah, that was it… So I changed the subject - and here’s the funny part, he asked me for some more documentation and I asked if I could email it to him… he said he doesn’t have email!! I should have known - his office is in an old building and he lives in the apartment above - it sure keeps his overhead down. Your typical bean counter. But I’ll tell you what - he’s got something figured out because he works hard for the first 3 1/2 months of the year then he goes up to his cabin on a lake in Northern Wisconsin… Man I should have stuck with accounting…
Cheers
Joe
April 5th, 2007 at 10:21 am
So that’s one for Blockbuster, and one against.
>In comparison with NetFlix, I like the fact that I have the option of going to the store to drop it off.
I think I would lean more toward that feature of not having to go the mail route. I do like to have excuses to get out of the house sometimes…
As for explaining web development to people though, it’s really surprising how little most people know about the internet. I’m can’t believe your accountant doesn’t have email though. Lucky guy..
April 14th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Blockbuster employees don’t get paid a comission per se to sell the plan, but their store has to sell a certain number - and then they all get a bonus (albeit small..) Also some managers will give more hours to those who sell more plans.
October 14th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
If I worked at blockbuster I would have some cheap biz card printed up and hand them out. They would have a website address and the words sign up for the Blockbuster total access plan and get $10.00.
I might even drop one in every bag. I would probably get fired but I bet you could make some good coin before Mr. Manager caught on.
Hmmm maybe I could stand outside the store and hand them out?? or put them on everyone’s windshield. Got to go fire up my printer….
October 14th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
>>Hmmm maybe I could stand outside the store and hand them out?? or put them on everyone’s windshield. Got to go fire up my printer….
There you go. Take search marketing to the streets!