Redbox machines, originally developed in 2002, have revolutionized movie rental in recent years. Redbox kiosks basically function as movie vending machines. At the kiosk, you choose the movie you want, watch it, and return it when you're done. Redbox machines are cheap, easy to use, and available in many places, so visit one today for the latest movies!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use a Redbox Machine
Step 1. Find a nearby Redbox machine online
In the United States, there are over 36,000 Redbox points, so chances are you have one nearby even if you live in a moderately-sized town. To find a Redbox point near you, use the kiosk locator on the official Redbox website: Redbox.com.
- At the top of the home page, click "browse a location". In the "Search Locations" menu that pops up, enter a zip code or address to get a list of nearby Redbox locations.
- Large metropolitan areas almost always have multiple locations to choose from. For example, there are 50 Redbox points in San Francisco alone!
Step 2. Visit a nearby Redbox point
Once you've found a Redbox near you, stop by to rent videos. On the Redbox, choose between the three on-screen options: "Rent a DVD" (rent a DVD), "Online Rental Pick up" and "Return a DVD". To rent a DVD, press "Rent a DVD".
To learn how to reserve a DVD online and pick it up in person, review the appropriate section below. Keep reading that section to learn how to return a DVD
Step 3. Check out the movies at the kiosk
After pressing the "Rent a DVD" button, you will come to a screen that shows some of the videos available at the kiosk. The titles you see on the screen are not necessarily the only ones on the machine. Press "More Titles" to see more.
Step 4. Select the movie you want to rent
When you see the DVD you want to rent, press it on the screen. This will take you to another screen with information about the movie. Press "Add to Cart" to add it to the list of movies that you are going to rent this time.
At this point, if you are going to rent more than one movie, you should go back to the movie list to keep searching. If you're only going to rent a movie, keep reading
Step 5. Go to the checkout when you are ready
When you have added the final movie to the cart, press "Check Out" (complete purchase). You will be asked to swipe a credit card through the card compartment next to the screen to pay for the purchase.
Step 6. Enter your personal information as necessary
You will be asked to enter a zip code and an email address. If you are using Redbox for the first time, the fields for this information will be blank. However, if you have already rented a DVD, the machine will remember the information.
The email address you provide will be used to send you the receipt. You will not get a paper receipt, unless of course you print the mail
Step 7. When done, press Enter
The DVDs you rented will come out of the slot next to the Redbox. At this point, you are good to go with the movies, go home, and watch them!
The DVDs will come out in little red plastic boxes. Don't lose them, as it costs a small fee to replace them
Step 8. Return the DVDs before 9 p.m
the next day. Redbox rental periods are one day. To avoid late fees, you must return DVDs before 9 p.m. the day after the rental. To return the DVDs, go to "any Redbox machine" (the one you use does not have to be the same one you rented from), press "Return a DVD" and put the DVDs in the same slot they came from:
- Keep in mind that returning a movie after 9 p.m. the day after the rental will cause you to be charged an additional rental day. If you do not return the rented items within the maximum rental period (21 days for DVDs), you will be charged the maximum rental rate plus taxes and you can keep the DVD.
- The maximum rental rate for Redbox products is $ 25, 20 + tax for DVDs, $ 34, 50 + tax for Blu-ray, and $ 70 + tax for video games.
Method 2 of 3: Use Redbox Online Services
Step 1. Visit the Redbox home page
You don't have to visit a Redbox kiosk to rent movies. With Redbox's online services, you can watch movies available for rental, reserve them for pickup in person, and even stream movies instantly! To get started, visit the Redbox home page: Redbox.com
Step 2. To view available movies, click on "Movies"
At the top of the Redbox home page, click on the "Movies" tab to get to the current library of titles available at Redbox newsstands. The movies you see on the first page are the latest and most searched titles. You can find more by using the search bar at the top or by browsing by genres, by DVD or Blu-ray and by rating at the top of the screen.
Step 3. To reserve videos and pick them up, click "Hold for pickup"
At the top right of a movie page, you'll see large buttons that say "Hold for Pickup DVD," "Hold for Pickup Blu-ray," and both. Click the appropriate button depending on the video format you want. You will be asked to provide your location information. Based on this information, Redbox will display a list of nearby Redbox points that have the title you selected available. Click "Hold for Pickup" next to the most convenient location.
- If you're done searching for videos, click "Continue" on the next screen. If you don't have an account, you will be asked to create one and provide payment information. If you have it, keep reserving movies as described above.
- Keep in mind that regular rental rules apply for online reservations. If you haven't seen the movie before 9 p.m. the day after the reservation, you will be charged as a normal rent.
Step 4. To stream movies instantly, visit the Redbox home page
For many movies, you don't even need to be home to start watching. Redbox's streaming service, Redbox Instant, allows registered users to watch movies on a computer whenever they want. To get started, visit Redboxinstant.com. Use the search bar to find a movie you want to watch, click on it and hit "Watch now." You will be asked to enter an email address. If you don't have a Redbox account yet, you will go through a series of screens where you can register one. Once you've signed up (and set up your membership payment), you can start watching movies.
Redbox Instant offers three payment tiers: $ 6, $ 8, and $ 9 per month. By paying $ 6 a month, you are granted unlimited streaming of the Redbox library. By paying $ 8, you are allowed to use streaming, in addition to renting 4 DVDs per month for free. By paying $ 9, you are allowed to rent 4 Blu-rays for free, in addition to the benefits of the previous levels
Method 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. If you lose a box, buy a replacement on the machine
If you can't find the box the Redbox movie came in, fear not, you can still return it. Handle the disc with care and take it to a Redbox kiosk. Browse the DVD list and select "replacement case" at the bottom. You will be asked to provide payment information. After paying, an empty box will be dispensed from the machine and you can return the disc as normal.
Replacement boxes are usually pretty cheap - as little as $ 1.20
Step 2. If the disc won't play, try cleaning it
In the rare event that a rented disc doesn't play properly, first try gently wiping it with a soft cloth and, if desired, with water or rubbing alcohol. Rub in a straight line from the center to the edges of the puck. Never use abrasive or aggressive solvents, as they can damage the disc.
If it still doesn't work, the damage may be serious. Report damaged drives through the Redbox website. You may be eligible for a refund
Step 3. Understand that online reservations cannot be undone
Unfortunately, once you have reserved a title through the online reservation service, the order cannot be canceled. This means that if you can't pick up the disc before 9 p.m. the day after the reservation, you will be automatically charged the rate of one rental day.
This is necessary because the disk becomes unavailable to other clients while it is reserved. Since others cannot rent it, Redbox loses the money it could have made from the rent
Step 4. If the Redbox machine does not work, call customer service
If for some reason the Redbox machine you visit does not allow you to rent movies, fear not, there is help available. Call Redbox customer support at 1.866. REDBOX3 (1.866.733.2693) to speak with a customer service representative. The helpline is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. at 3 a.m. CT.