Initially developed in 2002, Redbox vending machines have revolutionized the way movies are rented in recent years. Basically, Redbox machines work like automatic film cutters - choose your favorite movie, extract it and return it when you're done watching it. Redbox distributors are affordable, easy to use, and widely used, so drop by today to get your hands on the latest movies!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a Redbox Distributor
Step 1. Search online for where the nearest Redbox is
In the United States, there are more than 36,000 Redbox locations, so if you live near a small town or city, there is likely to be one nearby. To find a Redbox, use the distributor locator on the official Redbox website, Redbox.com.
- On the home page, at the top, click on "Browse a Location". In the "Search Locations" drop-down menu, enter your postcode or address to see a list of Redbox distributors in your area.
- Large metropolitan areas will almost always have several locations to choose from. For example, there are about 50 of them in San Francisco alone!
Step 2. Go to the nearest Redbox
Once you've found one nearby, reach out to rent your videos. When you arrive at the Redbox, choose one of the three options on the screen: "Rent a DVD", "Online Rental Pick Up" and "Return a DVD"). To rent a DVD, press "Rent a DVD".
To find out how to book a DVD online and collect it in person, see the appropriate section below. To learn how to return a DVD, continue reading this section
Step 3. Scroll through the films in the dispenser
After selecting "Rent a DVD", a screen will appear showing some of the available videos. The titles you see on this screen aren't necessarily the only ones present - press "More Titles" to see more.
Step 4. Select the movie you wish to rent
When you see the DVD you want, click it on the screen. This will take you to another screen, which contains information about the movie. Press "Add to Cart" to add it to the list of movies you are renting during this visit.
At this point, if you're renting more than one movie, you may want to go back to the movie list to scroll through more. If, on the other hand, you are only renting one, read on
Step 5. When you are ready, check out
After adding the last movie you want to your cart, press "Check Out". You will be asked to swipe your credit card on the card reader next to the screen in order to pay for your purchase.
Step 6. Enter the necessary personal information
You will be asked to enter your postcode and email address. If this is your first time using Redbox, the fields where you enter this information will be empty. However, if you rent a DVD again, the machine will remember the information about you.
The email address you provide will be the one where the receipt will be sent to you. You will not have a paper receipt (unless, of course, you print the email in question)
Step 7. When done, hit enter
The DVDs you have rented will come out of the opening on the side of the Redbox. At this point, you are free to leave with your movies, go home and watch them!
The DVDs will be contained in small red plastic boxes. Don't lose them - there is a small replacement fee
Step 8. Return the DVDs by 9:00 pm the next day
The rental period at Redbox is one day - to avoid overcharges due to delay, you must return the DVDs by 9:00 pm the day after the rental. To return them, go to any Redbox distributor (which does not necessarily have to be the same one you used for the rental), press "Return to DVD" and reinsert the DVDs into the same opening they came from.
- Returning a movie after 9pm the day after the rental will cost you the fee for another rental day. If you do not return it within the maximum rental period (21 days for DVDs), you will be charged the maximum fee plus tax and you will be able to keep the DVD.
- The maximum rental rates for Redbox products are $ 25, $ 20 plus tax for DVDs, $ 34.50 plus tax for Blu-ray ™, and $ 70 plus tax for video games.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Redbox Online Service
Step 1. Go to the Redbox home page
To rent movies, you don't need to go to a Redbox distributor. Using the online service, you can see what movies are available, book them to pick them up in person, and even download streaming movies for immediate viewing! To get started, visit the Redbox home page, Redbox.com.
Step 2. To see which movies are available, click on "Movies"
On the home page, at the top, click on the "Movies" button to view the list of titles that are currently available at Redbox distributors. The movies you see on the first screen are the most recent and most requested titles - you can find more using the search bar at the top, or by scrolling by genre, DVD / Blu-Ray and storage options at the top of the screen.
Step 3. To book videos for pickup, click on "Hold for Pickup"
On the movie screen, you should see large buttons at the top right that say "Hold for DVD Pickup", "Hold for Blu-Ray Pickup", or both. Click on the button corresponding to the video format you want. You will be asked to provide your location information. Based on this information, Redbox will show you a list of distributors in your vicinity that have the title you have selected. Click on "Hold for Pickup" next to the most convenient distributor.
- If you are done with searching for videos, click "Continue" on the next screen. If you don't already have an account, you'll be asked to create one and provide your payment information. Otherwise, keep booking movies in the manner described above.
- The same rules for rentals apply to both those made online and those made in person. If you do not catch the film by 9:00 pm the day after booking, you will still be charged the cost of a normal rental.
Step 4. To watch streaming movies, visit the Redbox Instant home page
For many movies, you don't even need to be home to start watching them. Redbox Instant, Redbox's streaming service, allows registered users to view movies on demand on their computer. To get started, visit Redboxinstant.com. Use the search bar to search for the movie you want to see, then click on it and press "Watch Now". You will be prompted to type in your email address. If you don't already have a Redbox account, you'll be taken to a series of screens where you can create one. Once you've signed up (and paid for), you can start watching movies.
Redbox Instant offers three rates: $ 6, $ 8, and $ 9 per month. For $ 6 a month, you are allowed unlimited streaming of what the Redbox catalog offers. For $ 8, you can stream and rent four DVDs a month. For 9, on the other hand, in addition to what you are offered with the previous rates, you can rent four Blu-Ray
Method 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. If you lose the case, buy another replacement at the vending machine
If you can't find the case that the movie you took from Redbox was in, don't worry - you can still return the movie. Handling the disc with care, return it to any Redbox distributor. Scroll through the DVD list and select "Replacement Case" at the end. You will be asked to provide your payment information. After paying, the distributor will dispense an empty case so you can return the disc as normal.
Replacement cases are usually quite inexpensive - typically costing around $ 1.20
Step 2. If the disk doesn't work, try cleaning it
In the rare event that the disc you rented does not work properly, first try to gently clean it with a soft cloth and, if you like, wipe it with water and alcohol. Pass it in a straight line from the center of the CD to the edge. Never use abrasive or aggressive solvents - they could damage the disc.
If it still doesn't work, it could be seriously damaged. Report the problem via the Redbox website. You may be entitled to compensation
Step 3. Online reservations cannot be canceled
Unfortunately, after you have booked a title through the online service, your order can no longer be canceled. This means that if you cannot collect the disc by 9:00 pm the next day, you will automatically be charged the one-day rental fee.
This is necessary because the disc, during the period in which it is booked by you, is not available for other customers. Since no one else can rent it, Redbox loses the income it could have made by renting it to someone else
Step 4. If the Redbox distributor is not working, call customer service
If, for whatever reason, the Redbox machine you're using doesn't allow you to rent movies, don't worry - support is available. Call telephone support at 1.866. REDBOX3 (1.866.733.2693) to speak to a customer service agent. The line runs seven days a week from 6:00 am to 3:00 am local time.
