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  #1  
Unread December 21st, 2010, 10:28 PM
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How can Blockbuster make things better? [Discussion]

This is a thread for legitimate discussion about improving our workplace. Please try to only be constructive and keep the "fuck blockbuster" crap to a minimum. Let's articulate what we like, and what we do not like, and what we think would increase profits and morale the best.

Here is my idea.

I like Make the Day when it first started. What I think happened to it was DMs realized they couldn't terrorize employees with sales goals anymore so it really rustled their jimmies. Therefore it sort of evolved into pretty much what we were doing before, but even worse.

But here's the thing, I think they have a minor point. There will always be some stores that are under performing because they do not try. They don't care, they don't sell. They probably don't do the blockbuster way, and they probably don't talk to customers on the floor like they should. It puts BB in an awkward position because they need to discipline people that do not do their jobs, but it ends up bleeding over to all the GOOD stores that try to do their jobs. What ends up happening as a result is "I tried my hardest to sell and it wasn't good enough. Now I don't even feel like trying anymore."

So what do we do? The Make the Day, while an amazing idea, did not actually have a way to help under performing stores form relationships with their customers and DMs had to resort to old tactics to get sales again.

What it has transformed into is we have to sell something like 6 different things at a time. Some less than others, sure, but meeting your TNR goal is just one thing, it's not good enough with this system. So what I propose is this.

We keep "Make the Day", and our sales go by dollar amounts. That is, we only have ONE goal to track, day to day, week to week. That is dollar add on sales. It can be bundles, movie passes, gift cards, rewards, whatever. As long as you sold something to a customer extra that they were not already buying, it counts.

Let's say for a slow week day your goal is 60 dollars. You could sell three rewards at $15 each, two $5 bundles, and two $3 bundles, putting you at $61. Congrats, you hit your goal for the day. You increased your store's profits, you met every individual customer's needs, and at the same time it is easy for store managers to track under performers (Unlike the old system). And it's completely simple and easy to understand.

I'd like to see what BBstore482 thinks of this, and I would also challenge you all to share your great ideas here. We have threads where we complain and we have a thread dedicated to asking BBstore482 questions. This thread is for people to try to help their company improve, not comment on what's wrong with it now.
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  #2  
Unread December 21st, 2010, 10:41 PM
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Just a few things to improve the company...basis wise..

1.) More television box sets, we have tons of people who like to buy the television series..get them in for sell, maybe even some of the older things..lets compete with the bigger boxes with that, we are supposed to be the move conglomerate let us act like it.

2.) highlighting our presale games by not some random end cap that nobody pays attention to, but a while section dedicated to presale games...we have the room, so lets utilize it by showing we preorder...maybe even some extra copies of new retail games from time to time..lets hit the market a bit better.

3.) Make a better rewards program...that lets customer save when they buy things like soda..confection..ect..let points build up..keep the free rental system, but make the monthly coupon any rental in the store..lets make it fun..and that adds 15 dollars per person signing up..its okay to have digital..online..but lets offer something in store..

4.) special order on retail movies..since we have tons of people coming in wanting to buy movies.let them...why cant we have access to our website so we can order what they want to buy...most people would love that..

5.) Lets make employee morale better...make the uniform permanently jeans and the bb media tshirt...more promotional movie shirts..lets make it fun once again..Movie release night things...maybe when a movie comes out let us advertise it big...just make it fun again...
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  #3  
Unread December 21st, 2010, 10:54 PM
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well said D!
  #4  
Unread December 21st, 2010, 11:31 PM
chapter11buster chapter11buster is offline
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The game market is really in need of some improvement. I feel like they don't know what their doing when it comes to games. My store is a high volume game store, but last month I worked a shift in a low volume store, and they got a few of the 19.99 xbox headsets. My store didn't. Since then I've probably had at least 5 people ask me if we had them, but yet the store that got them still has yet to sell any.

Now I understand that the company is in trouble, but at least send us some controllers, or some WII nunchucks around the holidays. They sell like crazy, especially since were one of the only stores open on Christmas. One year I sold 4 xbox controllers, all to different people one Christmas morning. Some people don't realize the extra game accessories that they need until their kids open it up on Christmas. Then guess what? Blockbuster is the only place open.

Last but not least, retail games. Once again I understand they can't afford to get retail copies of every game that comes out, but at least some extra Call of Duty Black Ops would be nice. Only the big titles that they know are going to sell. The day Black Ops came out, had at least 15 people call throughout the day asking if we had it, and we didn't.

One more thing. What good is the Call of Duty Black Ops strategy guide, if we didn't get it until a week after the game come out. Did anyone else get them that late? At our midnight event a few people asked about it and we didn't even have it.
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  #5  
Unread December 21st, 2010, 11:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidNewlySL View Post
Just a few things to improve the company...basis wise..

1.) More television box sets, we have tons of people who like to buy the television series..get them in for sell, maybe even some of the older things..lets compete with the bigger boxes with that, we are supposed to be the move conglomerate let us act like it.

2.) highlighting our presale games by not some random end cap that nobody pays attention to, but a while section dedicated to presale games...we have the room, so lets utilize it by showing we preorder...maybe even some extra copies of new retail games from time to time..lets hit the market a bit better.

3.) Make a better rewards program...that lets customer save when they buy things like soda..confection..ect..let points build up..keep the free rental system, but make the monthly coupon any rental in the store..lets make it fun..and that adds 15 dollars per person signing up..its okay to have digital..online..but lets offer something in store..

4.) special order on retail movies..since we have tons of people coming in wanting to buy movies.let them...why cant we have access to our website so we can order what they want to buy...most people would love that..

5.) Lets make employee morale better...make the uniform permanently jeans and the bb media tshirt...more promotional movie shirts..lets make it fun once again..Movie release night things...maybe when a movie comes out let us advertise it big...just make it fun again...
i understand the sentiment here but i don't quite agree with all of these.

2. game pre-sales and blockbuster don't mix in every atmosphere. every blockbuster store in my district is either in the same plaza as a GameStop or less than a mile away from it. Blockbuster just doesn't present the gaming image to its customers when (1) the company often fails to deliver games on time, (2) there is a complete lack of accessory stock, (3) there is a VERY very limited retail game selection and (4) Blockbuster almost never provides special editions and/or preorder prizes. all of these components are essential in the makings of creating a consistent retail gaming image that customers can rely on. basically, Blockbuster should just stick with game rentals (and perhaps create procedures to control X360 defectives).

3. yes, i agree, the current rewards program does not provide customers with much initial incentive, but there was nothing necessarily wrong with the Rewards program until recently with the new terms change. customers nowadays are no longer interested in the free older rentals due to the 3 day rental window. it's no longer good enough. so i think that there should be a slight remodeling such as:

Blue Rewards: FREE. every 10 rentals, get 1 free (including games). no monthly resets (if there has to be a limit, make it at least 4). every 50 rentals, get a Blockbuster Night coupon (2 movies, 2 sodas, 1 popcorn, 2 candies).

Gold/Ultimate Rewards: $20 upgrade and renewal. every 5 rentals, get 1 free. no monthly resets and no limits. every 25 rentals, get a Blockbuster Night coupon.

those Blockbuster Night coupons... i have a customer who brings them in all the time and according to her calculations, each coupon is worth almost $95 in Coke products.

customers can spend on average $150 on just rentals alone and get the same value.

if that's not good enough for you Blockbuster, then you have some SEVERE issues.
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  #6  
Unread December 22nd, 2010, 02:52 AM
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Ok, I'm not sure if I've shared my ideas on here but I have w/co-workers and they tend to agree. I hadn't thought about the rewards aspect but what everyone has stated the ideas are pretty good, it sort of reminds me of Speedway (gas station) rewards. So, here are mine.

1. Fire everyone who's ever made decisions in the past. It's evident that their ideas don't work (look where it's gotten us). Bring in some new, younger people w/ideas that understand the market.

2. Let the SM dictate how the store should look. Granted, if it looks shitty the DM has to step in, but who knows the best about what works in their store (as far as displays and promotions)? The SM.

3. Do a massive reprice on ALL new DVD and Blu-Rays. Comparison price w/Wal-Mart and Best Buy as they usually have the lowest prices. Take their price and lower it by a dollar. Obviously, you don't do this w/items on sale but their normal price. Hey, this should be easy, you can look them up on the internet, you don't even have to go to the store. Personally, if I knew I could get the same movie for less at BB than Best Buy or Wal-Mart I'd get it there.

4. Ok, in the last couple of months we've actually created room in our store by taking some A frames out and they actually made the game section smaller. My idea to use that space, create a porn section. Now, here me out before you go lambasting the idea. If you were to charge $7 for 3 nights you bring in more revenue. Some people say, we're a "family store". Who says that? I think that's been a common misconception about this company for years. I don't remember them ever advertising that phrase, the word "family" is not in the name of the company (like Family Video, which, ironically, carries porn). We actually carry movies that are one second of editing away from falling into this category (Pirates, Pirates II, Body Language, Zane's Sex Chronicles, Femalien) so saying we are a "Family Store" is dumb and untrue (lets also not forget the "sex comedies" we carry like Sex Pot and Milf). Others have said, you can get porn free online. True, however, if you look in the right spot you can get all the movies we carry in our store now free online so that argument doesn't hold.

5. Products--Stop w/the "As seen on tv" stuff. I understand we don't pay for anything up front and so it doesn't cost anything to carry. However, it makes the stores look trashy and we look like a truck stop. Seriously, there is a store in our local mall that carries nothing but this. Let them have that market. I don't have a problem w/products in the store. In fact, I would encourage it. However, make it movie/tv show related. As much as I dislike Twilight the crap we carried for that was good because it was movie related. We need more of this. In fact you could create a whole section in the store for these items. Where would I do this, I'll get to that next.

6. Cut down on the over-abundance of copies. We don't need 20 copies of Book of Eli. It doesn't rent anymore. Even the titles that just come out that don't rent we hold on to for far too long thus taking up more room on the walls. If we were to cut down on some of the inventory. Hell, we have some new releases that take up an entire bay and only enough copies for two shelves. What's the point? To make it look like there's more available, they're just not in? Stupid.

7. Which brings me to my next point. By the time a movie gets to PRP we've already made our money on the copy, right? So, if we sell it PRP that's just extra money. Well, that doesn't do us any good if they sit on the shelves and literally collect dust. It's apparent no one wants those titles, at least not for the inflated prices we're selling them for. Why spend $9.99 for a PRP when I can get the Blu-Ray brand new for $4-5 more at another store. The prices don't make sense. Sell those things $4.99 or 5 for $20. Everything. No double tier ($4.99/$9.99) just $4.99. Blow these things out of the stores.

8. Outlet stores. Sure, we're closing stores but if you open an outlet store, one in every major city, you don't oversaturate the market like you did by putting 5 stores within 30 miles of each other.

9. Quit changing the prices every 6 months. We've done it twice this year. Find something that is comparable to the competition and stick w/it. People don't like change and they "can't keep up w/it" (I've actually heard that by a customer).
  #7  
Unread December 22nd, 2010, 04:33 AM
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Ok a better Blockbuster.....

To start layoff 50% of the district managers who are the under performers and add those stores to the existing DM's giving them an average of 40 stores. Also, layoff Roger Dunlap because he is just a dumb ass. Use that money saved and give store level associates a well deserved raise.

Change the rewards program by making it a 3 tiered system. The first level blue is free to all customers where you rent 10 get 1 free and every wednesday you rent get a free BSI. The Gold level would be what the existing rewards program is with a 10 dollar charge yearly. The platinum level would be 20 dollars yearly and offer rent one get a free BSI and day of the week. Rent 5 get 1 free. With a cap of 5 a month. This would only be offered to customer who rent on a frequent basis.

Eliminate the pass programs. I understand that it brings people in. But, these people do not spend any additional money in the store regardless of what corporate believes. They come in change their movies and leave not wanting candy popcorn soda or other promotions. Eliminating this and making them pay for movies would increase rental revenue.

Stop with the tracking of promotions and just let us sell. A store could sell 100 popcorn tubs on a friday night bringing in 400 dollars extra revenue at 2 for 4 but you still would get your ass kicked for not meeting a confection goal if that was not being tracked. What should be and only be tracked is your actual sales comps and if your are growing business. In the end it is what matters is what sales comps and business growth are not how many candy bundles you sell.

Revisit the new dvd pricing and sell them at 4 prices. 21.99 new release, 14.99 older release (6 month to a year),
9.99 a year and older, and 5.99 promotioal sale items (end cap specials). Also, offer price matching for competitors pricing such as walmart, costco, and target. Create a credit option "price match" to do this function. Price matching must be done with advertisement or verified before completing credit. By making prices 4 levels eliminates the need for a the company to order a ton of stickers and stores would save payroll by doing less price changes.'

Start offering special orders for customers in store. Charge them the movie price and a special order fee. If they really want the move they will pay the fee.


I have other ideas I will save for later...

thank you
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Unread December 22nd, 2010, 08:33 AM
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  #9  
Unread December 22nd, 2010, 10:54 PM
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getting rid of the pass, IMO, is a terrible idea. while these customers generally don't spend as much in store, they don't keep movies out long, not hurting the rental potential of titles with limited copies. it's a perfect match for many customers and families as they typically have a routine. you just can't alienate that customer base who have structured lifestyles or customers who just despise due dates in general.

price matching would open a can of worms that Blockbuster sure as hell isn't prepared to eat. besides, unlike walmart, blockbuster is not in charge of its supply chains. blockbuster listens to what the studios demand, while Walmart can pretty much do whatever they want and suppliers will have to comply if they want their shit to get sold.

i agree on the consistent price levels for new retail. i've always been an advocate of the idea. but one thing you must remember that BBV is a complete bitch to the studios/suppliers. unless there is a special promotion on a series of titles, blockbuster sells at prices mandated by the studios.

but going off that, one thing Blockbuster should implement in the stores is organizing retail bays by price.

bay 1: 7.99 and less (in alphabetic order)
bay 2: 12.99 and less (in abc order)
bay 3: 19.99 and less (in abc order)
bay 4: box sets and movies $20+
bay 5: kids and disney (in abc order)
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Last edited by BUYMECAR; December 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 PM.
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Unread December 23rd, 2010, 12:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidNewlySL;336833
2. highlighting our presale games by not some random end cap that nobody pays attention to, but a while section dedicated to presale games...we have the room, so lets utilize it by showing we preorder...maybe even some extra copies of new retail games from time to time..lets hit the market a bit better.
I'm glad you touched on that David, cause I wanted to add something.

It is no secret that the video game industry is HUGE, and i mean it's boggles the mind to think of all the billions that goes in it. But why can't blockbuster have a bigger chunk of that.

I love the idea of a preorder section, for instance, my store you walk in and the first shelves you see are the games. Why not something like a huge "PREORDER THESE TITLES TODAY!" kind of sign, with the "hot games" for preorder, like in January, Dead Space 2, and just have it for display so everybody can see. I mean, the company spends millions on POP that we end of throwing away, why not something that sticks. I mean I STILL get alot of gamers who didn't even know we can preorder, it really wouldn't take much to take a huge chunk of Gamestop's business away and help ours.

Or how about this, we have a huge "FREE MEMBERSHIP" sign on the front door, why not a " PREORDER YOUR GAMES HERE, JUST 5 BUCKS DOWN!" or something like that. The company could even make it a thing, sending us new window decals with updated games to preorder.

I know that's wishful thinking since the company is in the state they are in now, but if the company wants us to have so many preorders, why not give us the actual tools and displays to do it.

Plus, the standees are badass.
 

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