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By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide to Frugal Living

Have You RedBoxed?

Monday October 6, 2008

Like to rent DVDs, but hate to fork over $4 for each one? Then, give RedBoxing a try. DVDs rent for $1 a piece, and you don't have to make a special trip to the video store to get them. I think I'll try it this weekend.

Check out Donna Montaldo's explanation of RedBox, and you may decide to try it too:

Poll:

Comments
October 6, 2008 at 9:56 am
(1) Shevonne says:

One thing to remember is that it’s $1/day, so you have to return it the next day for it to stay a buck. It can get pretty hefty if you are like me. =)

October 6, 2008 at 11:28 am
(2) Kevin says:

Also, try your local library district. Most library systems have DVDs for checkout and ways to reserve/request movies online and usually can send them to a specific branch. Sometimes you have to wait a while, but it’s totally free.

October 6, 2008 at 7:31 pm
(3) frugalliving says:

Yep, I agree; the library is a great source for free movies. Unfortunately, someone has taken to stealing from the collection at my local library. Grrr.

October 6, 2008 at 9:10 pm
(4) choiceweb says:

Redbox shines at new releases and you can sign up to get free weekly dvd codes by text message. I primarily use netflix in place of cable television and because many of the movies and tv shows I watch aren’t usually at Blockbuster or Hollywood videos etc, plus I hated paying 4 for each rental. Just watch a few videos a month and it’s much cheaper, but netflix can be annoying if you want to watch a new release that is popular. Iron Man would be be my most recent example. As others have mentioned, the library isn’t bad either and is possible at some to request DVDs to be on reserve when they are returned. Another problem I have sometimes is that library DVDs are treated poorly so are often scratched, if not dirty. I typically use the library to randomly pick up dvds, especially during the summer.

October 7, 2008 at 1:10 pm
(5) Lucy says:

I rent from the library all the time. May not have every video, but it doesn’t cost a thing.

October 7, 2008 at 2:25 pm
(6) Plain Ol' Food says:

We’ve used Redbox for quite awhile now and like it. For over a year Redbox and Netflix were our only sources of tv/movies. They’re both great. :)

October 7, 2008 at 5:17 pm
(7) Joshsmama says:

Just be careful with Redbox. Like someone mentioned about library movies…they tend to be treated poorly because there isn’t someone opening the case to make sure the disc isn’t scratched up. Not very easy at all to get a refund when the movie you rented won’t play.

October 7, 2008 at 5:19 pm
(8) JacerG says:

Hi,

I’ve used RedBox several times and really enjoy it.

Movies in my neck-of-the-woods cost about $2.50 to rent, so the $1 from RedBox is a great way to save money.

There are a few negatives tho.

First, depending on the location, you may have to go inside to drop a movie off. In the two stores that have RedBox in my town, you must park your car and go inside. That is a real bummer. It’s too bad the kiosks were not always outside, especially during bad weather.

Secondly, if a movie does not work for some reason, you have to call the 800 number.

Third, the slot to rent and the slot to return is the same. If people are standing in line to pick up a movie, you have to wait until everyone is gone. They really need two different slots.

There are coupon codes you can use as well, but they do not work if you reserve online.

All-in-all, you can not beat the price!

October 8, 2008 at 9:44 am
(9) JP says:

Go to the library. Even a dollar is too much if you can get it for free.

October 8, 2008 at 3:14 pm
(10) Cynthia says:

My husband and I love to watch movies. For awhile we were buying movies, new or used, and spending at least $50 a month. Now we have a netflix subscription ($15ish) and a couple times a month we redbox a new release. We are saving over $30 each month and aren’t filling up our home with movies.

October 9, 2008 at 5:44 pm
(11) Emerald says:

We have rented at least 10 videos from RedBox and everyone of them skipped, or just refused to play in the middle of the movie, forcing the DVD player to stop, and the movie starting again from the beginning. Where they redeem themselves, is every time I call, and tell them what is going on with their DVDs, they immediately give me a code for a free movie.

October 9, 2008 at 11:40 pm
(12) nubbinness says:

red box has already…and gone…from our local store. it was fabulous. i am not sure why it disappeared!

October 15, 2008 at 1:09 pm
(13) John Thompson says:

Here, at the outdoor Red Box, people ride up on their bikes, avoiding the parking issue.

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