Friday, March 21, 2008

NEVER pay for a RedBox DVD rental again

Why go to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video? Why pay between $4-$5 for a DVD movie rental? Why pay anything for a DVD rental ever again? For the last month, I haven't paid for one new release movie at RedBox, and sometimes I've rented two or three in one day. It's legit, it's easy and if you ever pay even one cent for a DVD rental again, well, you're paying too much.

I have to thank Peter for first bringing my attention to this back in January, when I posted a free coupon for Hollywood Video. What a fool I was, in hindsight. I was looking for these free rental coupons, scouring the web and clipping magazines and newspapers. All I had to do was pop along to the RedBox which is on my way home from work, punch in a code and grab my free rental.

Code sharing for RedBox

This is not like illegal downloading (which I hate - cheap, not frugal) or borrowing a copy from a friend. RedBox actually distributes these codes weekly if you sign up for SMS or email messaging, here . You get a free rental code each Monday which you can use for one night's free rental.

But this is 2008, and the Internet creates a vast number of people all getting codes. Enter the code sharing websites. I've listed a few of my favorites below, but what they basically create is a community of people sharing codes for the RedBox rentals.

Each code is good for one use per credit/debit card (you need to swipe it, you will be charged for each additional day you may have the movie out). If you have more than one card, you get more than one free rental off that code. I have swiped three cards, entered that same code each time, and got three brand new releases for a whole day of movie heaven. OK, so I'm a movie addict.

All you need to do is visit these sites and print out the latest list of codes before your trip to the local RedBox. I like insideredbox the best, it gives a percentage rating for the codes, much like retailmenot.com. Anyway, choose your movie, punch in a code (hit the Add Promo Code button), swipe your card and take home your free rental. As long as you return it before 9pm the following day, you never pay for that movie. I do believe they put a $1 hold on your card for each rental, but that is of course returned to you very quickly.

So, there you have it. I can't really believe Blockbuster and Hollywood Video can compete with completely free rentals. And to be honest, with the late fees I've paid in the past, I'm no fan of either.

[Update - the Monday email I received from RedBox today with my code was followed with the phrase - Forward To Friends. I think that settles the ongoing debate about whether RedBox approves of code sharing]

Here are sites you can try for codes, which are constantly updated. At the time of writing this article, both DVDONME and BREAKROOM are working codes that will get you a free rental.

INSIDE RED BOX
http://www.insideredbox.com/index.php/codes

REDBOX SITE - CODE SIGNUP
http://www.redbox.com/Help/Signup.aspx

RED BOX CODES
http://www.redboxcodes.com/

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