Blockbuster courts rogue Netflixers...again

In the face of the juggernaut that is Netflix, lagging movie rental giant Blockbuster has tried many an incentive to convince viewers that it's no dinosaur. Since entering the online DVD rental business in 2004, Blockbuster has instituted "Total Access," a system of online-and-offline rentals geared toward Netflix users who may be disgruntled by the fact that they can't just hop in their cars and pick out movies on the fly.

This week, Blockbuster is taking a sharper jab at Netflix. With the President's Day long weekend underway, the rental company is attempting to capitalize on the fact that when there's a holiday, post offices are closed and Netflix shipping times are inevitably slowed down. So, Blockbuster is extending a "Presidents' Day Pardon" to Netflix members: Turn in the tear-off flap from a Netflix rental (you know, the one with your mailing address on it), take it to a Blockbuster store, and you get a free rental. Apparently, you can get an additional free rental for every address flap you turn in.

The catch: You'll need to sign up for a Blockbuster store membership. It's free, but it's still a membership, and plenty of people think those are just a tad icky. But if it doesn't bother you, you have through Feb. 21st to take advantage of this offer.

Just remember, late fees do apply.