Went to blockbuster in Dallas (Frankford & Tollway). Running a HUGE in store special at most stores to promote their on line rentals.
For $99 you get the Archos 605 30GB WIFI touch screen (still sells for $199-$299 most places...WalMart $244.54) PLUS bonus $25 AMEX gift card included inside package. In theory, that reduces the cost of the player to $75.
Now you do have to spend $25 to buy the browser from Archos, but this is one heck of a deal.
CNET ranked this higher than the IPOD 1G in head to head ratings...

Also if you buy the unit with TWO $50 blockbuster GC's, you get an additional $10 in GC's instantly (which pays for the tax).

They had 8 left in store after we bought this one.
Remember B&M ONLY.
Edit by Moderator: Clarified Title

Seems hot.. but no one is replying
Thanks OP

can transfer vids from dish network vip 722 and 622 and a few others to this one

noclueatall said:Called several blockbusters, they all have the 4GB version of the 605 for either $119 or $99, but none knew about a $25 AMEX promotional gift card. Still not a bad deal for the 4GB version, though, I guess. Anyone else find the 30GB for $99?

You called? Me too, it's ringing right now.

Called 5 stores. No 30GBs just 4GBs like the other poster said.

OP got lucky. anyone that has it here only has 4GB. and since OP got a 30GB, apparently, the 4GB may not have the $25 AMEX card in it.

What do y'all think of the 4GB at $99. That's still about half what other people charge. Stick a 32GB SDHC card in it and you're good to go.

OK, not to be mean, but you really didn't check all of CA did you?
What area of CA did you check so I can see if it's worth my time to look around in my area. I'm in the East Bay Area.

Well let me contribute what I can. First I actually drove all the way to that specific store from Fort Worth - 45 minutes each way and a few tolls - why? Because this is by far the best deal I've ever seen on these. Me and my girl have had our eyes on Archos ever since the 400 series and were never able to find a deal or get in on a deal for them - but this one I finally got. I bought three - one for me, one for her, and one as a christmas gift - the guys at the store were totally cool with it and even cool with me buying 6 gift cards to get in on the other deal. Total was 300 for three and I had 5 bucks left on a Blockbuster gift card. Subtract the 3 AE gift cards and it is down to 75 even for these babies!

As far as who has them - a few months back Blockbuster started a pilot program for certain stores. Basically since business isn't great they are attempting to change their business model. They closed almost every store near me - but in turn certain stores (mostly in Dallas and nicer neighborhoods) became pilot stores for Blockbuster's new total entertainment model. They have HD TVs, Game Systems, TVS set up for you to test, games, snack bars - etc. They did this to see if becoming a blockbuster best buy hybrid would bring in more business/customers. There's very few stores like this.

From what I've seen and the employees at the Frankford store only these select stores have these deals. In Dallas I think they said there were two. I checked a store near me and all they had was the 605 4GB for 120 with no gift card.

So this is very YMMV and may even be an extremely local thing. I got three - a guy behind me got two - so that's 5 - but the guy told me they had plenty of these things - only a few were "bundled" with the giftcard but he said they had brand new ones and all the bundle consists of is them opening the box and putting in the gift card.

If you've been waiting for one of these I'd call the store and check and drive down there - very much worth even an hour drive to me. I think Blockbuster also sent an email at one point (or you may be able to check on their site) to see what stores are in the pilot program. I think you're best bet is if you have one of these stores near you.

FYI they also have the X-Box Bundle right now for 310 with includes an extra controller, x-box live point card and some other stuff - I think Indiana Jones and Blue Dragon game - on Black Friday they will have the same bundle with a third game for free. Good deal for those looking for that 299 x-box - I would have gotten it had I not blown my budget on the Archos.

According to the Blockbuster website, the pilot stores are in the Dallas Area.

http://www.blockbuster.com/stores said:May 6th, 2008 Dallas, TX — We're testing some exciting new concept stores in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area as part of our continuing efforts to improve the BLOCKBUSTER customer experience.

Most of the high tech stores are linked in the Dallas, TX area

Can anyone else confirm any other Pilot store locations?

-Dave

OK, got more info. It is ONLY at stores offering Blockbuster 2 GO.
There are only a FEW in the DFW area, so this is a local deal only in the Metroplex.

Called the store I initially mentioned. They still have about 50 left as of 10 am this morning.

So YMMV but it is worth it.

CC still has them in the "outlet" for $299 as of today.....