Lawsuit Against Hollywood Video = FREE Rentals!

[Stealth]

If you rented movies or games from Hollywood Video, you could get free rentals from a legal settlement.

A nationwide settlement has been proposed in a class action lawsuit about additional rental charges at Hollywood Video stores. The settlement will ensure that at least $9,000,000 worth of certificates for free rentals at Hollywood Video stores will be issued and redeemed. The settlement resolves several lawsuits over charges for rentals not returned within the initial rental period at Hollywood Video stores.

http://www.hollywoodvideo.com/arc/default.aspx

 

[DaCurryman]

so do we have to sign up as part of a class-action suit or something?

 

[CasmirRadon]

I read all the fine print so you don't have to!

Hollywood Video Class Action Suit = Worst rebate ever! (including ones that don't show up)

Basically you can pick up a claim at any Hollywood Video store, which needs to be mailed to the court, certifying that in the last 6 months (or something like that) you have had to pay a late charge, or have been charged for a damaged movie/game.

Then you wait until November 1st 2005 at the earliest when you recieve 6 coupons for free movies/games.

But wait, these aren't just normal coupons!
You can only use 1 per month, they cannot be combined with any offer, and they expire in just a little over a year. At least they give you the right to give them to someone else if you want.

Furthermore, if you don't happen to find out about this class action suit, and if you don't want to file a claim, and you don't (for some reason) feel like sending two letters with all of your personal information by October 2005 to their offices/courtroom then you do not recieve certificates, and forfeit your right to ever be part of a suit against Hollywood Video again for these reasons (which are not specified unless you write to the court).

Wow, I'm so glad they settled (whatever their suit was). I mean, I bet this settlement will really hurt Hollywood Video. I know that I work at a video store (a small one too) and we hate giving out free coupons to mollify customers...

oh, was that too sarcastic for you?

 

[kindlr]

Wonder what the lawyer's going to do with his $3M portion of those free rentals...

 

[gspyer]

The laywer should have been paid $3M in free rental coupons.

 

[Drekce]

Why should people be compensated for having to pay late fees? It is their fault for turning the rental in late. I hate lawsuits like this.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: gspyer
The laywer should have been paid $3M in free rental coupons.

Best idea evar!

 

[prometheusxls]

Originally posted by: Drekce
Why should people be compensated for having to pay late fees? It is their fault for turning the rental in late. I hate lawsuits like this.

Do you really have to ask... have you ever patronized a hollywood video? If you did then you know. their late return policies are terrible basicly the samething as blockbuster (who settled in 2003), if its late a day its an additional week charge. This is a negotiated settlement so its not a Law Suit.

 

[Winchester]

I quit renting at Hollywood Video for this reason. If it was two days late I got charged for two rentals. So I ended up paying like $14 for a movie. Now I just go to Albertson's and rent movies for $2 including new releases. If it is late, it is like a .25 charge.

EDIT:

This is not good for people who living in Washington state.
The certificate period will run for November 1, 2004 until April 30, 2007. Section II.5
NOTICE: The certificates are "Rent any product and get one free Catalog VHS, Catalog DVD or Video Game rental." III.B.1.a

 

[SoylentGreen]

Well, I say eff them. I only rented one item in the last several years, brought it back early and a few months later they wanted 15 dollars in late fees saying it was two weeks late.

Good, that BS should be removed.

 

[cougr]

Well, when Goldeneye originally came out for the n64, I rented it, returned it ONTIME, and the next month noticed a charge to my credit card for the full amount of the game that I "never returned".

My credit card company sided with me, and did not pay. However, I was banned for life from Hollywood Video.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You may have to document that you were hit with the fees.

 

[dakels]

I had some nightmares with these HV a while ago.... about 2 years ago I guess. They jacked me big time. Well over $200 in fees from late fees to multiple charges, etc. They tried to charge me $60 once for some late fee because some idiot didn't report it as returned in the drop box. I stopped dealing with them a long time ago though, I wouldnt qualify for this. I wouldnt want anything from them anyways, free or not. They suck!

 

[Jaxidian]

I've never had a problem with Hollywood Video or any other rental place. However, I would have LOVED for them to falsely charge me for a late return. If they did, then I would first of all argue that I had returned it. At this point, they would either say "Okay" and I would continue to be a happy customer or they would continue to demand I pay it. If they continue to demand that I pay it, and especially if they bill my credit card or anything else for it, they WILL have a lawsuit on their hands for harassment, theft, as well as personal compensation for my time, energy, and resources spent on the issue at hand (including any highly-priced lawyer fees, meals I purchased for my lawyer while discussing what happened, etc.). In the end, they would not be getting $15 or whatever, I WOULD be getting some amount of dollars with 3 or more zeros to the left of the decimal point, and I would continue to be a happy customer.

Sorry but if they wanna start some sh!t, I will gladly finish the sh!t.

 

[UF Jspec]

Any room in your fantasy world for me?

 

[tyim]

Originally posted by: Winchester
I quit renting at Hollywood Video for this reason. If it was two days late I got charged for two rentals. So I ended up paying like $14 for a movie. Now I just go to Albertson's and rent movies for $2 including new releases. If it is late, it is like a .25 charge.

EDIT:

This is not good for people who living in Washington state.
The certificate period will run for November 1, 2004 until April 30, 2007. Section II.5
NOTICE: The certificates are "Rent any product and get one free Catalog VHS, Catalog DVD or Video Game rental." III.B.1.a

albertson's had videos?!

 

[BobDole007]

Well just thought I would chime in since I work for Hollywood. The funny thing is Hollywood wasn't hurt by this at all as someone stated above. The court actually found that Hollywood had done no wrong and the case was dismissed. As has been shown in here the deal really isn't that great as it is very limited on the coupons, plus it's rent one get one free...not just straight up free rentals. Basically Hollywood is trying to look like the good guy by offering free rentals, however will still get to charge full price for one rental in order to redeem the free one. But if you already to there to rent, might as well do this if you're eligible as you will get a free rental here and there. No harm in that for just filling out a form

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You may have to document that you were hit with the fees.

("my") Hollywood automatically gives forms fur these coupons out to ALL of their customers with ANY late fees
. . . . i had ONE late fee in the past 3 years so i got one yesterday.

BTW, their "unlimited rentals" for $9.95 can be a good deal . . . i have rented 16 ($3.79 ea) movies so far THIS month. :thumbsup:

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You may have to document that you were hit with the fees.

("my") Hollywood automatically gives forms fur these coupons out to ALL of their customers with ANY late fees
. . . . i had ONE late fee in the past 3 years so i got one yesterday.

BTW, their "unlimited rentals" for $9.95 can be a good deal . . . i have rented 16 ($3.79 ea) movies so far THIS month. :thumbsup:

note: its only that price for the first three months. Then it goes to $15

 

[Jeraden]

That is such a bogus judgement. Free rentals != rent 1 get 1 free. With their overpriced rentals, they'd actually be making money off the judgement, as it would draw more people back into the store. They probably filed the suit themselves, just to drum up some advertising.

 

[brxndxn]

LOL.. I still owe them $36 in late fees.. Yup, I returned the two goddamn dvds.. But, I forgot about them and turned them in a week and a day late. So, they charge me more than I can buy either of the DVDs for.

Screw them.. I ain't paying. I'm never going back either.