flansered

Redbox owns the machines and leases space from the tenants where the box sits. And based on what was said earlier in this thread their contract with CVS is over and they can't get Redbox to remove the machines. So at this point the machines are like abandoned vending machines.

Personally if it was me and I was in charge of CVS, and Redbox was violating their contract with my company I'd have all the stores cut the power to the kiosks. If they aren't paying to be there and won't remove the boxes from the property like the contract said, why would they be able to leech off my power?

TheBang

They don't want to be liable for any damage to the vending machines, since Redbox retains all ownership interests, in accordance with the contract. It explicitly states that CVS employees have no rights to do anything to/with the machines other than the way the general public can (i.e. renting movies from it), so cutting the power, moving the machine, etc., would not be allowed.

That's why they're suing to force Redbox to perform under the contract (removal within 30 days of the end of the contract). They want the court to compel Redbox to perform or else give CVS permission to remove/dispose of the machines as abandoned, and bill Redbox for the removal costs.

etching

Is there a Redbox Death pool here?

Some data points...Redbox unpaid commissions to CVS since the third quarter of 2022:

Q4 2022 $112,318.22
Q1 2023 $91,307.57
Q2 2023 $94,693.57
Q3 2023 $75,385.59
Q4 2023 $50,371.31

rduncan

I'm curious, at one time folks serviced the machines. If nothing else they swapped out movies and stuff. So, were those folks employees of Redbox or some sort of contractor like an Uber driver or something? Yes, I think it would be neat to have one of the machines at my house. Not sure why but at least a conversation starter.

TheBang

Did some reading here, and it sounds like the technicians are employees, not contractors or gig workers. Even their SUVs were provided by Redbox.

Some of those technicians have been posting on Reddit, saying things like they haven't been dispatched for servicing any kiosks for 8 weeks or more.

Josh-da-man

If the employees unplug the machines, then people who have outstanding rentals will have no way to return the discs and rack up daily charges until they can find a working machine.

So that doesn't seem like a good option for the consumer.

Alan Smithee

Saw a picture on Reddit of a Redbox machine on its side by the store trash, waiting to be hauled off. Lots of posts from people wondering how it could be used at home.

Video rental stores were still around when Redbox started and it was one thing that helped put those out of business, now it’s gone.