RENT VIDEO GAMES? ONLINE RENTALS VS STOREFRONT RENTALS
Storefront rentals had been to be the only dominating market for
12+ years now when you wanted to rent video games, ever since
the conception of the VCR. Many businesses have taken their
company online due to the fact that startup costs are remarkably
lower compared to storefront costs and they can virtually expand
their business to an entire nation or worldwide within a few
short months. Why not expand the same concept for movies and
game rentals? It was only a matter of time. Depending on where
you live and the geographics of that area, I can definately say
that this will cause a great influence on where you choose to
rent video games. Many rental companies can be found within a
few miles of your home, but others are found at distances that
you may not want to particularly travel everytime you need to
return a game.
Fast and reliable service is a huge factor for most people
living in the information age. Everything has to be now and fast
these days. So lets look at a few factors that will help you
make your decision a little easier. Convienance, games in stock,
game formats, availability , pricing, and customer service are
the general factors we take into consideration for any movie or
game rental company. Lets look at each one: CONVIENANCE- If you
live in a rural location, then, online game rentals is without a
doubt your best bet. To travel anymore than 8 miles out of your
way to rent anything is more than most people have time for.
Being able to recieve your rentals at your doorstep, in the
country, is a huge benefit to online game rentals.
If you live in more a a urban or suburban neighborhood, then
locations of your nearest branch will determine this for you,
but you can never truly beat games delivered to your front door
everyday, even if you have one mile to travel. Being able to
pickup your game in your pajamas or bath robe without getting
dressed to go to your local store is laziness and convienance at
its best. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
GAMES IN STOCK - This can vary from store to store, but for the
most part they are all about the same. Most larger stores
(Hollywood Video and Blockbuster) can carry a stock of 50-100
games at a time. This number doesnt even come close to the stock
of games that are carried by online rental clubs. We are looking
at 2000 games at the very lowest on up to 3500 + games at the
high end of the table. You are also more likely to find more
older and newer games available to rent at anytime. WINNER:
ONLINE RENTALS!
AVAILABILITY- I've never really felt like i've had too much of a
choice when it comes to renting at stores. It was more of a
deduction of what was left to choose from at the time you made
it there. When it comes to online rentals, you can practically
play any game that you ever wanted to play at anytime. There, of
coarse are a few games from time to time that you may have a
short wait attached, but during those times, you will easily be
able to choose another game from the thousands listed. Once that
particular sought after game is available, you will know about
it whenever you log into your account, instantly. WINNER: ONLINE
RENTALS!
GAMES FORMATS- Even though I have always thought that having
PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube games available was quite a selection at
the local rental stores, I didnt even know how good it could get
until online rentals introduced their selection. Not only does
online rentals contain the 3 major consoles, but they also have
such portable game rentals as Gameboy Advance, PSP, and Nintendo
DS. Many of the larger online stores are offering XBOX 360 and
PS3 games as well for the next generation as soon as the
consoles come out. WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
PRICING- Renting games has always been somewhat cheap ($5-$8),
but it can definately add up depending on your rental frequency.
If you are renting more than 5-6 a month, on top of late fees,
which is bound to happen from time to time, then you may be
out-of-pocket sooner than expected. Online rentals make it easy
for you. Rent X amount of games and keep them as long as you
want for only X amount. Game prices fluctuate from game plan to
plan, but these prices are still far more lower than you'll ever
find at your local store. Check out the pricing here. WINNER:
ONLINE RENTALS!
CUSTOMER SERVICE- Waiting in lines and dealing with crowds and
irritable employees to rent video games is enough to drive
anyone mad. This in itself can make you not want to deal with
your local rental store at any cost. On the other hand, online
rentals do not have lines, crowded stores, or irritable
employees to deal with, so that experience is elminated
altogether! Just select a movie from your browser and wait 1-3
business days for delivery and thats it. If you ever have
troubles or problems with recieving or returning games, email
customer service and your inquiry will be returned within 24
hours. Some of these online rental companies even have phone
support! WINNER: ONLINE RENTALS!
For Expert Reviews on Video Game Rental Clubs located all over
the US, visit us at http://www.GameRentalGuide.com/reviews.htm