Last month I reported that Blockbuster Online was testing out a new in-store return policy for its DVD-by-mail service. Must've been popular, because the company announced today that it will now begin accepting DVD returns either through the mail or in its stores. Check here for participating stores near you.
With the new Total Access plan, you can return any movie rented through Blockbuster Online to an actual Blockbuster location and exchange it for a free in-store rental. (According to Blockbuster: "Each return envelope containing a Blockbuster Online DVD is good for one free in-store movie rental. There is no limit to the number of DVDs from Blockbuster Online that you may redeem for free in-store rentals.") In the meantime, Blockbuster will still ship the next movie in your queue, and you should even receive it one day sooner than you would have had you sent it back through the mail. Prices for Total Access range from $10 to $18 a month.
Seems like this should, at least in theory, allow for faster turn-around times on getting a new DVD in the mail. But, in all fairness, NetFlix is able to do this - through the mail - in an incredibly short amount of time. This is noteworthy, when you consider that their business relys on the USPS. Why my other mail isn't as dependable or speedy as NetFlix I may never understand.