Redbox kiosk drops R titles after complaints
FEB. 5 | Union City, Ind., has succeeded in getting rid of the R-rated movie titles being rented out of its local McDonald’s Redbox kiosk.
The Redbox machine has not offered R-rated titles for the last couple of months, according to Bryan Conklin, Union City mayor and organizer of the films’ removal.
Rick Reichenbach, owner of the Union City McDonald’s and other nearby restaurants, agreed to take out the R titles after being threatened with a Union City public nuisance citation, Conklin said.
Conklin began pressuring Reichenbach to remove the R-rated Redbox selections in September, because community residents were complaining that it was too easy for young customers to rent titles appropriate only for people older than 17.
People must input their age into the Redbox machine before renting a title, later using a credit card as payment. But Conklin argued this wasn’t enough of a safeguard to prevent kids from taking out R-rated films as the Redbox kiosk is located at family friendly McDonald’s and doesn’t expect employees to do age checks.
Initially, Conklin aimed for Reichenbach to stock only G-rated titles or eliminate the kiosk altogether. But Union City has settled on Reichenbach’s decision to take out the R-rated titles, which Conklin said had represented 40% of the machine’s selection.
“We had gathered over 300 signatures from people asking for the R films to be pulled out completely,” said Conklin. “It’s the whole premise of why we no longer have cigarette vending machines. Some people might say that we are trying to be the moral majority, but you are catering to kids with the Happy Meals. That is your market.”
It is not against the law for any retailer to rent R-rated titles to kids under 17, as the film ratings are voluntarily guidelines and not laws. Most video stores, however, support and promote the voluntary film ratings system, with employees that personally check ages and/or obtain parental consent when renting titles to minors.
Reichenbach was not available for comment. The franchise owner had not received any customer complaints but decided to remove the titles “to respect the wishes of the greater community,” according to one McDonald’s source.
A spokesman for Redbox, which is co-owned by McDonald’s and Coinstar, did not respond to requests for comment at deadline.
After hearing about Union City’s goals, the Video Buyers Group began encouraging members to start similar campaigns to push local Redbox’s to stop offering R-rated movies.
“We had a lady that recently came in the store and wanted to see how we were doing it,” said Alan Denney, owner of Union City K and K Video. “We have [age restriction] stickers on the display boxes and on the DVD discs that we rent out as well. We are following the guidelines.”
Denney agrees that Redbox vending machines, without dedicated staff members on patrol, should not have R-rated content readily available.
“It’s like putting in a pop vending machine and offering some selection of beer but maybe adding a sign that says you need to be 21 years of age. It’s hard to trust kids not to go to the machine,” said Denney. McDonald’s “should follow the ratings guidelines.”
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| Submitted by: | Billy Still (billy.still@gmail.com) 3/10/2008 11:18:45 AM PT |
| Location: | Tampa |
| Occupation: | sales |
are you kidding me... she compared R movies to beer. The big difference is one is illeagle to have before 21 and the other is a GUIDELINE. Were are the parents? Parents monitor your kids!!!
| Submitted by: | Steve (whitesoxwc05@comcast.net) 2/12/2008 5:31:43 PM PT |
| Location: | Chicago |
| Occupation: | Construction Management |
Ridiculous! Hard cards of all sorts should be sold to people of 18 years of age or older. End of that story. Parents are at fault!! The thing that really bothers me is the fact that a whiny little video store business is clearly struggling to compete in a market where Redbox has begun operating in. BOO WOOOO---- And then also the McDonald's franchise owner Reidenbeich who owns other businesses in the town is scared of losing his voice in town. Local government needs to mind their affairs and quit involving themselves in matters outside of their jurisdiction. Comments or concerns are welcome.
| Submitted by: | David @ PostcardPerfect 2/9/2008 4:36:12 PM PT |
| Location: | Chicago |
| Occupation: | Business Owner / Blogger / Nice Guy |
@ Mike - Yep. That's exactly what it is. The local stores are screwed. It's not there fault, but business is changing. The comparison to cigs and alchohol in vending machines is ridiclious. Those items are illegal for underage customers and R-rated movies are not. Also, the whole "need a credit card" thing is probably as good of a check as you're going to get.
| Submitted by: | dan matthys 2/7/2008 8:56:13 AM PT |
| Location: | kansas city, mo. |
| Occupation: | ATC |
Most retail stores now sell debit cards & will put any value you are willing to pay on the card. Age is not a factor.
| Submitted by: | Jerry 2/7/2008 12:24:03 AM PT |
| Location: | Colorado |
In most states you must be 18 years old to have a debit or credit card. Under aged children are using the parents card so the parent should be responsible for the choice of movie rented.
| Submitted by: | Mike 2/6/2008 6:35:34 AM PT |
| Location: | Union City, In |
| Occupation: | Teacher |
Sounds like a feeble attempt by the local video store to maintain its market share. This entire petition was started by the local video store owner. Explain to me how my 7 year old son can get a hold of a debit card, then get to McDonalds to rent an R movie by himself, then watch it without me noticing. Redbox is a great value for consumers, the threat to local rental stores is great, and this is the store's last ditch effort to stave off reality.
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