Started in 2002 redbox is automated video rental service that was initially funded by McDonald’s Ventures, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of McDonald’s Corp. Redbox has 8,000 locations in McDonald’s, Wal-Mart’s, airports, grocery stores as well as a few free standing units (open air kiosks).

For some reason I just never rented from redbox until about a month ago. I’ve seen the redbox and even touched it’s niffty touch screen, but never thought, “hmm I want to rent from this”. Heck, I’ve even given away my free rental tickets that where sold on McD’s items around the holidays and on other items at other times. Either way I was just never compelled to rent from this unit. I don’t really rent movies that often. If it’s not on cable then I just wait. When iTune’s started it’s online rental service, I started renting a couple movies here and there. I guess it hit me one day that $1.00 redbox rentals, make more sense then $.99 to $4.99 on iTunes. So I ventured out and rented. So far I have been pretty happy with my experience.
I did find one issue that bothered me a bit when I rented Die Hard last weekend. The disc that I got was the “formatted screen version” instead of wide screen. Not sure if it’s just hit or miss on what version you get or if someone traded discs, but it seems there should be some sort of explination as you rent as to what you are getting “wide screen” or ‘formatted screen”.
Another thing is that the discs and the disc carriers are always pretty dirty. Lot’s of greasy, dirty hand prints all over the place. I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so this is just something that I tend to notice.
Beyond those two issues I’ve got to say so far so good. McD’s has a coupon deal going on right now for a free rental if you buy a large drink for $1.00 or up-size to large when buying a meal.
Go for it!

Tags:
david poe,
germaphobe,
itunes,
mcdonalds,
movie rentals,
redbox,
the david poe show