So I had a small stack of Blockbuster GCs and walked into the store expecting to spend it all on some DVDs. That was until I noticed that most of the "new" DVDs had been opened and then re-shrink-wrapped. You could see that the sticker on the top had been sliced in half to open the case.

I asked the girl at the counter if the disc I pick up from the shelf is the disc I take home. She said yes. I asked her why they open their new DVDs. She said they open some depending on the promotions they're running. I don't know. She doesn't make the rules, I tell myself. She just works there.

Anyway, instead of spending the GCs, I just walked out with my free popcorn (thanks to a nice print-out coupon). I'll be checking another Blockbuster in town, which doesn't open its DVDs the last time I checked. Hopefully they haven't started.

Dave.

Possibly for anti-theft reasons -- i dont think the DVD is even inside the case. The last one I bought, they had to goto the back office to get the actual DVD.

Its pretty obvious if you are buying a new or used DVD anyways --- just look for the scratches !

That's odd....
I noticed the same thing too but didnt ask.

Originally posted by Chuck Its pretty obvious if you are buying a new or used DVD anyways --- just look for the scratches !

Actually, in this case, I don't care about the condition of the discs, because if they're selling opened DVDs at new DVD prices then I ain't buying them. Once it's been opened, it ain't new to me.

Picky Dave.

Originally posted by Chuck Possibly for anti-theft reasons -- i dont think the DVD is even inside the case. The last one I bought, they had to goto the back office to get the actual DVD.

I was just going to say that it was probably for security reasons.......sometimes they open them to hide those alarm sticker ring-a-dingers

....but yah, you're picky Dave

Most companies will do that, including Future Shop. Its the only way they can get their anti-theft sticker things inside the dvd case.

Originally posted by actyper Most companies will do that, including Future Shop. Its the only way they can get their anti-theft sticker things inside the dvd case.

I believe the manufacturers put those tags in there themselves now. at least for DVDs.

I believe you are correct. I recall seing a price list at one time that had different prices for DVD's with the security thing versus DVD's without.

Like i mentioned above, I am almost sure that the DVD I bought was not even in the case -- the clerk when to a back room to grab the actually DVD.

I haven't rented DVD's in a while from BB, however does anyone know if the rented DVD's are in the cases or do they still pull them out of a drawer and put them in the case at time of rental ?

Same thing with me. I bought the new Springsteen DVD "Live In New York City" there, and it had been opened, and then rewrapped. I was assured that it was new though. If it is for security reasons then I am ok with it, but if they are renting them and passing them off as new, then I am going to be very steamed

Originally posted by movieking Same thing with me. I bought the new Springsteen DVD "Live In New York City" there, and it had been opened, and then rewrapped. I was assured that it was new though. If it is for security reasons then I am ok with it, but if they are renting them and passing them off as new, then I am going to be very steamed

I wouldn't be surprised in they are not unused. I remember going to a local video game store and they had a try before you buy gimmick and their policy was if it doesn't leave the store it's new. I wasn't going to pay full price for merchandise that has been opened and used.

Last time I bought a new DVD from them, they put the display one back on the shelf and then someone got a new one from the back.

I don't think that they would rent & then sell them as new, because I noticed that all the DVD's I rent from (or buy used) them have the Blockbuster sticker in the middle.

Originally posted by RedHead Last time I bought a new DVD from them, they put the display one back on the shelf and then someone got a new one from the back. I don't think that they would rent & then sell them as new, because I noticed that all the DVD's I rent from (or buy used) them have the Blockbuster sticker in the middle.

ahh! Good point!
I had forgotten about those.....the previously-played games we have from BB still have the sticker as well!

Originally posted by actyper Most companies will do that, including Future Shop. Its the only way they can get their anti-theft sticker things inside the dvd case.

Most companies do not do that, including Future Shop.

What I thought the store was doing was keeping an empty display case on the shelf for each DVD title. When a customer wanted to buy one, they would go to the back room and grab a new, never before opened copy of the DVD and give you that to take home. This type of security would be fine with me since the DVD I take home would never have been opened by those damn monkeys with their grubby, oily fingers.

Dave.

Maybe your are correct -- one empty case on display, however if that happens to be the only copy they have, then they would stick the new, un-used DVD back into it.

Originally posted by Chuck I haven't rented DVD's in a while from BB, however does anyone know if the rented DVD's are in the cases or do they still pull them out of a drawer and put them in the case at time of rental ?

Yes they do. I have picked boxes off the shelve planning on renting a movie and they can't find it in the drawer it isn't very efficient way to do it IMO.

Actually, in this case, I don't care about the condition of the discs, because if they're selling opened DVDs at new DVD prices then I ain't buying them. Once it's been opened, it ain't new to me.

I agree I don't want a disc that has been opened if I am paying full price for it (I also won't buy a magazine if it looks like someone has already looked through it

I don't think they have any reason to open it to add a security sticker most dvd's come with them in it. And if they are that concerned about theft they should keep an empty one on th shelf and the rest behind the counter!