It’s been a few years since I started this site, and its been a lot of fun. On occasion, I have expressed my reasons for doing so and my connections (or lack therof) to Redbox, but I wanted to clarify my purposes and any potential conflicts that may exist.
First off, let me just say that this website is not in any way affiliated with Redbox, McDonald’s or Coinstar. A more detailed explanation can be found below.
As it says on the About Us page, this website is designed to share and discuss the latest information on Redbox and other similar companies in the DVD rental industry. When I started this site, Redbox was fairly new, and this site was the first dedicated to providing news and info about Redbox, as well a place to share Redbox promo codes.
I chose the name Inside Redbox as somewhat of a play on words, as “inside” the Redbox kiosk was the place to get great movies for a buck. Also, the “inner workings” of the Redbox kiosk is something most Redbox users never see, and I wanted this website to be a place we could all share anything we want to about Redbox.
Over the past few years I have been asked what my relationship is with Redbox, and some have even accused me of working for Redbox and trying to deceive you. I want to clarify all of that with the following disclosures:
- I am not (and have never been) an employee or consultant of Redbox, McDonald’s or Coinstar, or any similar companies in the DVD rental industry.
- I do not own stock in Redbox, McDonald’s or Coinstar.
- I do not receive any free movies, special benefits or services from Redbox, other than the occasional use of promo codes that everyone has equal access to here.
- I have in the past had discussions with representatives from Redbox, as most bloggers and journalists would. I hope to continue open communication with them as well as other companies in the industry.
- I do make affiliate commissions from time-to-time on ads located on this website. However, I have never been paid any commissions or the like by Redbox or its affiliates.
- I try to be fair in my reporting of Redbox and other companies in the industry. As a blogger, I write about things that I am interested in, but am always open to comments, suggestions and even criticism.
- I do not delete any comments unless they are found to be SPAM, pornographic, hateful, etc…
- If I am wrong, I will post a retraction, correction or even apology, if necessary.
- I try hard to respond to all email and comments I receive. If you need something, please let me know.
I hope this clears up what this website is (and is not). I really do enjoy running this site and discussing all things Redbox. I am grateful for all members of the (growing) community here and for all you do in helping make this site a fun and useful place to visit.
Thanks for being here!
- Michael
john cave said
May 15 2008 @ 4:10 pm
I too am interested in watching how the redbox ipo plays out. Does anyone have a date as to when it will be going publice and what the ticket sign will be. Please let me know?
Thanks
jc
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Kyle said
March 22 2008 @ 2:36 pm
My local store just got a red box and I had watched longingly at some of the bargain websites when they had discussions about free movies at red box. So this week I found a red box location and your website via a search. Seems to me that you have no need to defend yourself. People can read the information you post and take it for what it is…internet postings. Welcome to my Bookmark pages.
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Michael said
March 18 2008 @ 2:26 pm
@confused:
I appreciate your comment. Please note that earlier today I wrote a comment on the “contest” post that shares your concern.
http://www.insideredbox.com/index.php/2008/03/13/inside-redbox-rebranding-photo-contest/
I had not considered that it could be a problem for Redbox for the inside of the kiosk to be photographed. I am still not 100% sure that it would cause any trouble, but because of the possibility, I have retracted the idea for the photo.
Of course, I was not looking for someone to do some “dirty work” - I was just thinking if more people were looking it would be more likely someone would happen upon the Redbox when there was an employee there.
I do appreciate you letting us know that Redbox may have a policy against a photo of this nature, and I am sure we would have found out eventually when someone found an employee at a kiosk and asked about taking a photo.
Thanks!
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feeling confused said
March 18 2008 @ 2:09 pm
If you are so concerned with respecting Redbox policies and keeping a respectable relationship, answer me this. Why would you encourage a contest that would have a non-Redbox employee take a photo of proprietary components and information? You’re getting other people to do your dirty work bottom line. That’s pretty shady. How do I know this? I am a Redbox employee and it would be a violation and put other Redbox employees at risk if a photo was taken of their kiosk. $25 and a photo is worth risking someones livelyhood?
[admin edit: this person is not really a Redbox employee]
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Inside Redbox rebranding / photo contest | Inside Redbox said
March 13 2008 @ 11:25 am
[...] haven’t changed our look much since I started this as a fun little project back in 2005. We have just kind of added new features and ideas to the site without enough thought [...]
Michael said
March 12 2008 @ 2:17 pm
@Rob,
I’m always watching… :)
You gave me a great idea to setup a more useful contact method though, thanks! Stay tuned for the “Contact Us” page.
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intelligen said
March 12 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Yep, that worked. Thanks for the quick response! I couldn’t find any contact info elsewhere on the site and wasn’t sure how closely you watched these comments. :)
Rob
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Michael said
March 12 2008 @ 1:30 pm
Rob,
I think this issue is resolved. Did you get the password email now?
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Rob said
March 12 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I tried signing up and the account was created, but my password was never sent to me. Now when I try the password recovery feature, I get the following error:
The e-mail could not be sent.
Possible reason: your host may have disabled the mail() function…
Would you please look into it? The e-mail I registered with on insideredbox.com is the same e-mail that I’m using to post this comment.
Best regards,
Rob
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Rachel said
March 11 2008 @ 10:07 pm
Hey Michael, just like everyone here I believe you are doing a great job. Honestly, I’d seen the red kiosk at the McD’s down the street but didnt really know what it was until the day I came across your site. Now each week my girls are excited to type in the code (my little one squeals with delight each time its accepted)get a movie and usually some McDs too I admit, and thanks to you, I can be excited about the cost of that. And because of your site, regardless of the codes, Redbox gets alot of my business. Thank you.
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Tara said
March 11 2008 @ 11:12 am
Thank you for running your site with out it my six kids and
I would not have as many activity nights as we are able I appreciate everybodywho is willing to share their codes. Thank you Thank you Thank You. I don’y care if you are working for them or not. keep up the good work.
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Barry B said
March 11 2008 @ 11:09 am
I appreciate all of the work that you go to that enables us to watch more movies than we normally would. Keeping up a site like this takes a good bit of time as I used to have an affiliate site myself, so thanks very much for giving us all that you do!
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Kim said
March 11 2008 @ 8:39 am
Thanks for the clarification. I also thought this website must be operated by Redbox: While giving away free codes, it promotes Redbox and encourages people to try it out and fall in love with it - Then one day the free codes will cease but we have all been captured by Redbox as loyal customers. Even if the free codes continue to come, Redbox still profits from late returns.
Anyway, while I appreciate you running this website on your own. I really don’t see any problem for you to get compensated by Redbox. You’re doing them a great service, so what’s wrong with getting paid? So…I’d really encourage you to negotiate a commission with Redbox, just so that you can profitably continue running this website and we all benefit from it. Thanks.
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Michael said
March 11 2008 @ 8:23 am
I appreciate all of the comments, everyone. Thanks for your support.
I didn’t really write this disclosure to prove myself, but to clarify the fact that this site is not affiliated with Redbox.
I hope with this disclosure and with some of the recent changes I have made (and will be making) that all visitors to this website will immediately recognize that this website is independent and not owned by or affiliated with Redbox.
Thanks everyone!
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Alice said
March 11 2008 @ 7:59 am
Tell all the haters to “pound sand.” Keep doing what you do!
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235Agent said
March 11 2008 @ 7:21 am
Michael,
From the amount of positive comments you should know you are doing a GREAT job!
I do not remember where this saying came from, but I thought it is pretty neat:
“Never explain yourself, your friends don’t need it and your enemys won’t believe it.”
I admire you for the amount of work you put into this site. Absolutely a wonderful service you provide. Like others I usually end up keeping a DVD for more than one night. And at that it is still a bargain.
Happy Easter!
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Darth Rob said
March 11 2008 @ 7:04 am
Thanks for all you have done : ) Please keep it up Michael!
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melody said
March 11 2008 @ 4:29 am
when i get the free codes for mon im already at work and cannot use them could u not send them sooner
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Artie Rip said
March 10 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Where ever you are getting the codes from each week is the Best Kept Secret in the world today? I don’t want to know that answer as long as you keep giving out the FREE Codes. This insideredbox.com website is really helping REDBOX promote their DVD rentals to all and when the individuals don’t return the rented DVD to any Redbox machine makes them money in the end result if it gets returned or not.
Please keep up all your hard work, Michael. Thank You!
From all the folks in Baytown, TEXAS.
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Tony said
March 10 2008 @ 9:44 pm
REDBOX is the best rental invention to me. I stopped my online rental subcription because I can rent when I want and what I want as far as new movies. I don’t have to wait for weeks on end just to watch a new release. Keep up the good work!!!!
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Daniel said
March 10 2008 @ 9:37 pm
U Rock Man!
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nancy melander said
March 10 2008 @ 8:50 pm
It’s nice to get something free once in a while. Thanks for doing the work.
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Kevin said
March 10 2008 @ 8:06 pm
I have enjoyed your service for quite some time and am appreciative.
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mike said
March 10 2008 @ 6:50 pm
I love REDBOX I will never rent a movie anywhere else!
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jahar said
March 10 2008 @ 5:25 pm
Thanks for running your website to share the promo codes. You are doing a good job. Redbox has good selections and easy to use, as well as being so cheap. We usually get one free with the promo code, then rent 1 or 2 more at the same time.
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