This info comes to me from my local Blockbuster, and there was no word on whether or not it was a corporate decision or just a regional/local one. In case it's a corporate decision though...
Starting today (1/30/04) Blockbuster video will be getting rid of the standard 2 day, 1 week, 9 day rental system and go to a strict rate-per-day system. For two-day rentals -- new releases -- the per-day rate will be half of the current fee for renting the video for 2 days. (So renting it for 2 days will cost the same) However the rest of the info was incredibly vague. There could be rate increases for other videos, or they could go down. There was mention that renting video games for a week should cost the same as it does now, but that wasn't explained in detail or really confirmed. I have no idea as to the rest of the fee structure.
Bottom line is that things are going to be strange at Blockbuster for a while. Keep an eye out for hidden late fees and make sure you understand the system fully before you rent anything from them.
* * * UPDATE * * *
So far this has been confirmed here (Northern Nevada, Reno area) and in Wisconsin. Other people have confirmed this as well, though they neglected to mention where they are.
Additionally, it appears as though Blockbuster now requires a credit card to rent from them. You can no longer pay in cash or by debit card, apparantly. No word on whether or not this applies to check cards, since they can be charged like credit cards. (I'll have word soon though; my account was registered with a check card)
Finally, ChefJoe was kind enough to scan and host images of their new rental policy fliers. I have also put the images in my yahoo briefcase, in case the AT effect breaks Joe's bandwidth limit. Links are below.
Blockbuster new policy flier, page 1 (Alternate link)
Blockbuster new policy flier, page 2 (Alternate link)
* * * UPDATE x2 * * *
Some more details about Blockbuster's new policy, at least in the Reno area.
In order to sign up for a new account with Blockbuster you are now limited to either two utility bills or an actual credit card. Check cards or any other debit cards that can be charged like credit cards cannot be used. If you signed up for an account previously with a Check Card or something similar your account will still be valid. Once you are signed up you can pay by any means you wish: check, cash, credit card, debit, whatever. You just need either a Credit Card or two utility bills to get the account in the first place. (As a side effect this effectively keeps kids from registering their own account using their Visa Buxx card or something similar)
As far as specific rates go Reno seems to match up with what most people have been posting. Games go for either $1 a day, or you can pay $6 to rent for 7 days. (The old rate was $5.99 for 5 days). New movies are $3-something for 2 days, then $2 a day afterwards.
All in all it doesn't look too bad, though as has been mentioned Blockbuster tends to be incredibly uptight about late fees.
Starting today (1/30/04) Blockbuster video will be getting rid of the standard 2 day, 1 week, 9 day rental system and go to a strict rate-per-day system. For two-day rentals -- new releases -- the per-day rate will be half of the current fee for renting the video for 2 days. (So renting it for 2 days will cost the same) However the rest of the info was incredibly vague. There could be rate increases for other videos, or they could go down. There was mention that renting video games for a week should cost the same as it does now, but that wasn't explained in detail or really confirmed. I have no idea as to the rest of the fee structure.
Bottom line is that things are going to be strange at Blockbuster for a while. Keep an eye out for hidden late fees and make sure you understand the system fully before you rent anything from them.
* * * UPDATE * * *
So far this has been confirmed here (Northern Nevada, Reno area) and in Wisconsin. Other people have confirmed this as well, though they neglected to mention where they are.
Additionally, it appears as though Blockbuster now requires a credit card to rent from them. You can no longer pay in cash or by debit card, apparantly. No word on whether or not this applies to check cards, since they can be charged like credit cards. (I'll have word soon though; my account was registered with a check card)
Finally, ChefJoe was kind enough to scan and host images of their new rental policy fliers. I have also put the images in my yahoo briefcase, in case the AT effect breaks Joe's bandwidth limit. Links are below.
Blockbuster new policy flier, page 1 (Alternate link)
Blockbuster new policy flier, page 2 (Alternate link)
* * * UPDATE x2 * * *
Some more details about Blockbuster's new policy, at least in the Reno area.
In order to sign up for a new account with Blockbuster you are now limited to either two utility bills or an actual credit card. Check cards or any other debit cards that can be charged like credit cards cannot be used. If you signed up for an account previously with a Check Card or something similar your account will still be valid. Once you are signed up you can pay by any means you wish: check, cash, credit card, debit, whatever. You just need either a Credit Card or two utility bills to get the account in the first place. (As a side effect this effectively keeps kids from registering their own account using their Visa Buxx card or something similar)
As far as specific rates go Reno seems to match up with what most people have been posting. Games go for either $1 a day, or you can pay $6 to rent for 7 days. (The old rate was $5.99 for 5 days). New movies are $3-something for 2 days, then $2 a day afterwards.
All in all it doesn't look too bad, though as has been mentioned Blockbuster tends to be incredibly uptight about late fees.