Redbox Codes have been changing quite a bit lately, and I have received a lot of questions regarding them. So, I thought I would dedicate this update to sharing with you what I think is really going on, and what we can do about it.
Also, at the end of this entry, I will tell you how you can become “immune” to these changes, and how you can ensure that you can still get free movies from the Redbox even without using the Codes…
Read on…
REDBOX CODE THROTTLING
One thing that many of you have noticed is a new “error message” that Redbox is giving sometimes when you enter a code. Basically, it tells you that the Redbox is “not accepting codes at this time”.
This message does not mean that the code you entered is invalid, but you are seeing what I call “Redbox Code Throttling”. I believe Redbox is limiting the number of codes that can be used per hour at some of its machines, thus the message.
So, if you are seeing this, please don’t come here and report the code you tried as not working. Just pay $1 to rent your movie, and try again next time.
REDBOX CODE RESTRICTIONS
Another thing we are noticing is that Redbox is putting more restrictions on the codes they are releasing.
We are now finding codes that only work for new customers (such as the code “REDBOX”), and codes that only work on certain days of the week (such as the new Monday codes).
Also, there are even codes that only working in certain geographical areas, based on competition and new markets.
These restrictions make it more difficult to track codes, and to make sure our Codes page is updated with working codes. The way to do this is to make sure we are looking at the “Redbox Codes by State” section based on where we live, and to make sure we are correctly reporting codes…
For example, if you are not a new customer, and you try to use the code “REDBOX”, it is not going to work for you and will tell you it is for new customers only. So, PLEASE do not come here to the site and report that code as not working.
What I will be doing soon is giving more options to select when reporting a code, based on the message you are seeing at the Redbox. I will create a place for you just to report on these messages, so we can keep a list of what the Redbox might tell us.
TIME AND USE-LIMITED REDBOX CODES
While this cannot be confirmed yet, it does seem that Redbox may be limiting Codes to a certain number of uses and then disabling them. Or, they may just be causing codes to expire after a shorter amount of time than they used to.
In order to track all of this and make sure we can all get the most use out of the Codes, all you need to do is make sure to report your code usage on the Redbox Codes page. Each time you rent a movie with a code, or try a code that fails, just visit the Redbox Codes page and let us know…
FREE MOVIES WITHOUT REDBOX CODES
We realize that the main reason many of you visit us here is to get free movies from the Redbox. Even though Redbox Codes are changing, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get free rentals. In fact, we have a way for EVERYONE to get free Redbox rentals for an ENTIRE year…
What is this secret, covert method, you ask?
To find out, all you need to do is participate in this week’s Virtual Treasure Hunt. At the end of the hunt, I will send everyone who participated the info on this top-secret method to get free Redbox movies…
Not only will you find out how to get free movies without using codes, but you also can win cool prizes, gift cards, and more…
Our motto is “Free DVD Rentals for Life“, and we want to make sure you get just that!
So, enter the Hunt right now and we’ll let you in on our little secret…
jpierce said
June 5 2007 @ 11:58 am
I used a redbox at walmart for the first time-have been using McDonalds-(no problems)-my husband and i each rented one movie-different days-we were over charged three dollars-how to i get it fixed???
DCrotty22 said
May 8 2007 @ 6:28 am
^^Penrod,
I have had that happen with previous codes and if you call the customer service number on http://www.redbox.com and tell them what happened then they should refund your charge.
Michael said
May 7 2007 @ 9:24 pm
Penrod,
I agree with you on that. I am thinking I need to change the “Status” from simply Working or Failed, to represent all of the possible messages the system may give us.
In addition, I think I may need to add the ability to say what the code is for, like “Monday’s only” or “new customers”.
Hopefully changes like this will help.
Penrod said
May 7 2007 @ 8:05 pm
Michael - There needs to be a way to upload additional data about the codes - at the box this evening using the latest code ZE486PJ3 - the checkout screen showed the promo applied - but then asked me for my email address after swiping my card - when I get home the email receipt showed a $1+tx charge. So, does that mean the code is working? - I marked it as yes - although it still charged me.
Tom said
May 7 2007 @ 8:21 am
The site isn’t done, everyone is just not getting it. Have you not seen the codes recently??? They say what they are for but people ignore that and say they just aren’t working. If you try a code that says its for new customers only, and you aren’t a new customer, then what do you expect to happen?!?!!? I also saw a code that said At McDonalds only, and it didn’t work when i tried it a Smiths…
I also noticed that codes are getting posted, but then if they don’t work for certain people, they get pulled off the site. I think these codes work, just not for everyone.
The site isn’t dead, it is just behind, and needs to get smarter.
John said
May 7 2007 @ 12:13 am
I believe this site is done. There has not been a working code here for almost a month. Thank you for the previous codes.
Michael said
May 5 2007 @ 8:46 am
Moe,
Many people are getting the Monday codes, and they are always posted here in the Codes section.
Sometimes SMS messages don’t get through, depending on whay SMS gateway is being used and what cell phone provider you have.
Moe said
May 4 2007 @ 1:00 pm
??Suggestion: Mark codes valid for first-time customers only as being so
Has anyone received the text msgs for the redbox code? It’s been over two weeks & still nothing. I’d hate to think I gave them my cell phone # for god know what. I emailed redbox about this & I was emailed an invalid code. Pretty lame. Maybe I’ll contact my attorney general for false advertising.
steve said
May 1 2007 @ 5:49 pm
this is Steve from Massachusetts
all the codes I used tell me invalid or its only good for a new customer or not excepted at this location / except for the code dvdonme / I have tried every Massachusetts code on the site
if anyone has any good ideas that would be cool
Artie said
April 30 2007 @ 8:52 am
Money from Treasure Hunt Advertisers has taken the fun out of what you originally set-up this website for. REDBOX CODES. $MONEY$ is the source for negative changes and will bring your viewership down on this site. Tell the site visitors what they came to the site to receive FREE CODES.
What is the code for Mondays only use?
DCrotty22 said
April 27 2007 @ 10:20 am
My thinking is that the codes MCDMAD365 and SWSALAD416 are only valid at Redbox locations that are in McDonalds. Redbox is not in McDonalds in my area so i have not been able to test this. For anyone that has used these codes successfully, is this true?
Roger said
April 27 2007 @ 9:42 am
I have never seen the message that states codes are not valid at this time. The last 4 times I have tried codes I have received message saying code is not valid. It’s been a long time since I have successfully received a free rental. The treasure hunt takes more time than the dollar is worth. My visits to this site have decreased dramatically. Looks like the free ride is over to me.
Michael said
April 24 2007 @ 7:49 am
Josh,
No one has received the information yet. When the hunt is over and the winner is announced, all who participated will be notified.
Thanks!
Josh said
April 23 2007 @ 10:24 pm
I completed the hunt but haven’t seen the info on the top-secret method to get free Redbox movies…
Has anyone else received the top-secret method info??
snaf_xobder said
April 22 2007 @ 12:13 am
i totally love redbox for being $1 a movie. occassionally i’m looking for codes but i have no problem paying a dollar. i watch 2 to 3 movies a week depending on the release, so somewhere around $12 a month for 12 movies… the box is close enough to me and i rarely pay any fees…
having a code is nice, perhaps they do try to limit the code to be used a certain # of times or by region. but that’s no different from other coupons you find online like dell or buy.com - that they expire, have # of uses tracked, not-stackable, or can only use the coupon when you purchase $100+. that’s just a way to keep their business running.
i rather pay to have this convenience than not to have this cheap option at all.
just my 2 cents.
Michael said
April 20 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Jay,
That is actually on my list and is somewhat “in the works” right now.
Thanks for your input!
Jay said
April 20 2007 @ 11:34 am
The codes are limited right now, but if it does pick up, I would love to see a mobile website version of the code page.
This would allow me to check insideredbox.com from my cell phone while I’m at the store to check the latest code availability!
Perhaps make it m.insideredbox.com :)
John said
April 20 2007 @ 11:26 am
Free codes for life are simply achieved by logging on to redbox.com and signing up for “free monday” codes sent to your mobile phone. “For life?” I doubt it, but “For now” would work.
John
Michael said
April 20 2007 @ 8:56 am
Tammy,
It actually says the code is “Invalid”, or does it say that it cannot be accepted at this time?
If it really is saying it is “invalid”, that would be weird.
Let us know.
Tammy said
April 20 2007 @ 7:25 am
More than once i have tried a code and it will tell me that it is invalid but I tried it again right then and it would be accepted.
That is the way it has been with nearly all the codes I have used in the past two weeks. I have to enter them twice for them to work.
Vi said
April 18 2007 @ 1:54 pm
You know what, I’m with Ken and Diane, I liked having a place to get free codes, and the occasional free movie. But as far as haiving time for “treasure hunts” and long articles that promise but don’t deliver, uh - uh.
I just want a good deal and make it user friendly, OK
I’d rather pay the dollar than go through all this mumbo jumbo all the time. Sorry Micheal, I don’t know what you are getting out of this, but I’m afraid you are about to loose your site visitors. And that may not be your fault, just the way it goes sometimes when you choose to ride the wave of another company’s success. That wave eventually rides it’s self out.
Good Luck and hope the easy codes come back.
Steve said
April 17 2007 @ 9:51 pm
Yeah, i’m waiting for that secret ^_^.
-Steve
Michael said
April 17 2007 @ 8:35 pm
Chad,
Yes, you will soon have a place to check your points - it is just not ready yet. We are keeping tracking of what you have earned, so once it is ready, your points will be there waiting for you! :)
Diane,
I am not sure what you are referring to when you say you don’t want anymore spam. You certainly won’t get spam for taking part in the treasure hunt.
Chad said
April 17 2007 @ 7:44 pm
Along the lines of getting an email for confirmation that the hunt email has been received, or the correct answers and what not, where will we be able to look up the “points” we have earned? Eventually there will be a way to purchase things with the points so I am just wondering if I had missed something along the way.
Diane said
April 17 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Thumbs down on the treasure hunt. I don’t want anymore spam and I am afraid to click on sites to find answers to your treasure hunt questions.
I don’t need any codes anyway. As long as movies are just a buck, that’s fine with me. If it goes higher, I’ll rent elsewhere.