Dish Network is making use of its new toy, Blockbuster, by coaxing customers at the rental stores into a lounge in an attempt to sign them up for service. Those who sit through the pitch receive a free month of Blockbuster By Mail and a free game or movie rental that day.

Home Media Magazine quotes a Blockbuster employee who describes the sit-downs, which sound a bit like time-share sales presentations. The post describes the scene at one store, in which a manager give his spiel to customers in front of a 52-inch TV.

Says an employee:

“You set up an appointment with one of our representatives and they give you the whole run down, give you all the information and they can sign you up for a free membership.”

Dish said in a press conference that the Blockbuster thing is working out well, with in-store traffic doubling in recent months.

Hear the ‘Dish,’ Get Free Blockbuster Movies, Games [Home Media Magazine via High-Def Digest]

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