Ok, here's a good one: So I go to Blockbuster last night to rent a dvd. I pick one out, go up to the counter and tell the guy that i need to hacerme socio because i dont have a Blockbuster Card. He asks to see my DNI to which I tell him that I dont have a DNI because Im extranjera, but I offer to show him my passport and visa. He says, oh, youre extranjera, eh? Well then you can not open an account with us. We dont rent to extranjeras. I tell him that Im completely legal, I show him my visa, etc. but to no avail. Blockbuster does not rent to people who do not have a Spanish DNI. So, i left with no movie....Does anyone know of of any other video/dvd rental places in Madrid where i could rent a movie with out being made to feel like a total loser? Perhaps something not so big and commercial wouldnt have such policies in place? Thanks! Michelita
"I have climbed the highest mountain, I have run through the fields...And I still haven't found what I'm looking for..."
Posts: 82 | Location: MADRID!!! | Registered: 08 January 2003
Maybe it was too much work for him... Have you thought about complaining? I say this because I am completely sure that Blockbuster rents videos and dvds to foreigners: I saw an American girl (not very fluent in Spanish) being told what she had to do to get videos at the Blockbuster stand at the Opencor in Narv�ez street: just filling an application form, bringing her ID (i.e. passport), and something that proved she was living where she said she was living (letter from the bank, the university, etc.),... just like I was asked several years ago when I got my Blockbuster card.
Posts: 399 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 05 July 2001
Michelita, I agree with Max, the unless Blockbuster Video has changed their policy on membership, you can rent as a non-resident.
I have been a member for years and joined before I had my DNI.
I think the employee was being lazy as Max said, either that or he just wanted to be a pain in the ass. Remember, customer service here BITES!!!
Go back and demand to speak to the manager!!! Also, ask to see in writing where it says that they do not rent to anyone without a DNI. They will most likely say that it is not in writing and is simply "understood" store policy but that is crap!!!
I agree that the guy was probably just being lazy or a pain in the ass. If you go to the Blockbuster Spain Store Location page and put "Madrid" into the "Ciudad" and "Provincia" fields, you will get a listing of the Blockbusters in Madrid. That way you can call the store, ask for the manager, and find out the real situation. Or, find another one to give your business to.
"An honest man is always a child" - Socrates ...no wonder I'm so immature!
I rented from Blockbuster all the time. What you have to show them is proof that you live in Madrid, like a utility bill or your lease contract. And also your passport. Just go back and go to a different person or talk to the manager.
Believe me, they do rent to extranjeros. BUT, the one you get your membership card from is the one you have to rent from. It's not like the US where you can rent at all Blockbusters. So make sure you go to the one that you want to rent from.
Posts: 331 | Location: San Diego | Registered: 14 December 2002
Sedusa is right, a utility bill (specially if it has your name on it) or any kind of official correspondence that has your address as being in the neighborhood will be enough with your passport. If they still refuse to give you membership then man the torpedoes and ask for a written copy the regulations that state that foreigners are not allowed, and if they can't produce it ask for the "hoja de reclamaci�n". That usually sets them straight. If anything else it makes you look like you really know what your rights are. And all public places in Spain have an obligation to have them and also have an obligation to give them to any customer that requests it. They can get in serious trouble, as in getting their license revoked or stuff like that if they don't comply. Do not give up on finding a smaller dvd / video rental place in your area, sometimes they're nicer and cheaper, ask your neighbors. I currently have a membership card at Blockbuster, but I also have another in a little whole in the wall near my place that has all these wonderful, classic movies. Lena
Another note on the asking for the official written rules of membership.
When I was looking to open a bank account in $$$ here in Madrid, I went into a bank that I thought was Citibank (it had recently changed hands and was no longer a Citi).
I asked about the $$$ account and wass told bruskly that I needed a $5,000 min. to open a $$$ account.
I was shocked and asked to see that in writing, only to be told it was not in writing but was the bank "unwritten policy".
I then realized I was not in a Citibank and I left without asking for the "hoja de reclamaci�n" as I did not want to bother.
Moral: They will say what they have to in order to get rid of you, don't let them!!!
Hey-- Just wondering if there are any other decent video/DVD stores in the centro. I have a longstanding personal vendetta against Blockbuster, so that's out...
Also, are there any DVD by mail services here (like Netflix in the US)?
Posts: 1081 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 10 December 2002
hey mariposita, you may want to bury the hatchet with blockbuster.
just tell yourself it is a different blockbuster since you are in a different country (it's actually true since blockbuster here is a diff. entity from that of u.s.a.) and that will do it.
i say this because i am not sure you will find any decent smaller dvd rental shops with selection.
last i went into one near my apt., the owner said she was not going to invest in dvd-s as it was a passing fad
as for Netflix, i have been out of u.s.a. long enough not to know what that is but i can imagine.
i found www.digitae.com, looks very interesting!!! anyone have personal experience with this system? 19.95�/month for all the dvd rentals you can handle. you should have a look mariposita, looks like it would be well worth it, especially with oscarc�n
also found another system that works the same way at www.mxp.tv .
originally posted by jer: [qb] just tell yourself it is a different blockbuster since you are in a different country (it's actually true since blockbuster here is a diff. entity from that of u.s.a.) and that will do it. [/qb]
Not only are they a different blockbuster from US, but they are a different blockbuster as in each single store. Haven't you noticed, that you can't with the same card rent at different locations. They are without a doubt the worst american franchise I have yet gone into in spain, that is the only thing they share between the different stores....
If you live near alonso martinez, you are lucky enough to have a great dvd store called "El Septimo Arte"
I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.
Posts: 652 | Location: Mostly from Miami, FL. - Born in San Remo, Italy | Registered: 30 April 2004
Thanks. I'll check out that place in Alonso Martinez. It's on my metro line, so I could deal with that.
Just tonight, I saw a place a couple of blocks from Plaza Mayor. It's probably the place that dissed DVDs last year. If so, they must have reconsidered, because they have a pretty decent selection of new and newish DVDs. It's called Roldan Video Club. It's at Cuchilleros, 12. Only costs 1.80 Euros to sign up. 2.40 Euros to rent one video/DVD for 24 hours.
Digitae.com looks like it works exactly like Netflix. I loved Netflix in the states, so I'll definitely sign up and see how well it works.
In the US, Blockbuster censors movies! In Y Tu Mama Tambien, they cut out the scene at the end where they guys close the deal. Unforgivable!
Posts: 1081 | Location: Madrid | Registered: 10 December 2002
I have always settled for small video stores, in Holland, the UK and now in Madrid I have found my favourite. The store I go to now is in the c/Padilla, (opposite Don Cocido)it is a small family run place (Dad&Mum&Son) and they are exceptional people. they get in a bunch of new dvds in every month and always have some good advice ready.
I can recommend them to anyone who lives in the Diego de leon end of the Salamanca area.
A ticket for 10 rentals(old or new, video or dvd) is 25Euro. And they are so nice to us that they often don�t make a fuss of not making us pay a late return fee every now and then.
Posts: 114 | Location: madrid, spain. Born in Westeremden, Netherlands | Registered: 02 March 2004
hi, hilko i lived in diego de leon too but i don�t know that videoclub the only one is videobank is cheaper you know but i will go, do you like the neighbor hodd where do you live exactly? i live near martinez iquierdo and avenid a de los toreros and i love the zone it is very quiet and there are good places to go see you in diego de le on nuria
Posts: 36 | Location: MADRID (SPAIN) | Registered: 27 July 2004
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