*UPDATED x2* Potentially hot, potentially cold. Blockbuster to drastically change rental rates.

[michal1980]

verifiyed in wisconsin.

what makes this ice cold is you HAVE to use a credit card. No debit, cash, check cards allowed. in my book i feel thats aganist the law because i thought any commerical establishment had to except CASH (i.e. the only real legal tender in the nation, the us DOLLAR) for payment.

also now all rentals are 2.99 for 1 day, and a dollar a day after.

the movie freedom passes start at 24.99 for 2 movies out at a time, and 29.99 a month for 3 movies out at a time. with the new pricing scheme there pushing this is the way to go. however this also seems to be a slam on everyone that got a rewards card because this plan nulifies any rewards u might ever get.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: michal1980
verifiyed in wisconsin.

what makes this ice cold is you HAVE to use a credit card. No debit, cash, check cards allowed. in my book i feel thats aganist the law because i thought any commerical establishment had to except CASH (i.e. the only real legal tender in the nation, the us DOLLAR) for payment.

also now all rentals are 2.99 for 1 day, and a dollar a day after.

the movie freedom passes start at 24.99 for 2 movies out at a time, and 29.99 a month for 3 movies out at a time. with the new pricing scheme there pushing this is the way to go. however this also seems to be a slam on everyone that got a rewards card because this plan nulifies any rewards u might ever get.

:disgust:

 

[lobadobadingdong]

thanks for the info..I too no longer rent from blockbuster, at 2 different places after a few months they said that I hadn't returned movies that I never even rented(or heard of) in the 1st place.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"In fact, it's probably one of the reasons for the class action lawsuit against them regarding late fees."

Where?

 

[Macro2]

RE:"In fact, it's probably one of the reasons for the class action lawsuit against them regarding late fees."

Where?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Macro2
RE:"In fact, it's probably one of the reasons for the class action lawsuit against them regarding late fees."

Where?

Link

 

[BodyHeat]

I don't rent as often as I did (got 5 free rentals a week when I worked for them)

I worked for one of the corporate flagship stores in 1989 and we could take home up to six movies a night! You could only take one new release though. I think they did this so that the employees would know more about the movies so they would be helpful to the customers. I saw many B-movies (especially horror) that I would never have paid to rent. My member number was #6 and I used to freak out the check out guys when they asked for my membership card several years later. I would walk up and say I don't have my card, but my number is 6. I use Blockbuster now maybe once a month since there aren't too many other choices in my area. I'm thinking about trying Netflix though. I'm worried that I'll spend all my time watching movies just to get my money's worth. I'm one of those guys that has to go back 3 or 4 times at a buffet, even if I'm not hungry, since I paid for it.

 

[db]

I'm still p!ssed off at Blockbuster from over 10 years ago.
They are still overpriced and if they go down, no tears from me.

 

[duritz]

i rented 8 crazy nights a month or so ago (worst movie i've ever see) and returned it at the counter as i usually do to make sure they scan i on time (cuz i had an experience when they said it was a week late even tho i dropped it in the box) and yesterday i got a letter in the mail saying i never returned it and owe them $70 for the movie + late fees. went up there this morning to bitch at em and 8 crazy nights was selling previewed for $9.99....... however i owe them $70?

i fought with them and argued and they swear they never got it when i remember returning it. they said they're going to put me in a credit collection agency and screw up my credit if i don't pay them...

they do bad business and their renal rates are horrible.... go netflix

 

[SgtZulu]

People still pay to watch movies when there's a thing called broadband?

How 1999

 

[Axon]

Originally posted by: Steelwells
It's odd to see so many people berate this company over and over for things that are both founded and unfounded.

But I've got to weigh in since I managed four different stores in the Milwaukee, WI, area for about four years (I moved on to a non-retail job about three years ago).

On the membership agreements: Blockbuster has required a credit card or two utility bills to sign up pretty much since inception, and assuredly since 1996 when I started. As was printed previous in the post, the agreement stipulates that if you put a credit card on file, they can and will use it if you have delingquent fees (or simply fail to ever return items). This is not something new, and if you don't want to run the risk of having the card charged, don't use one. It's why they will not accept debit cards for new members - they could not charge them in the same way that they can charge a credit card - it is against the law. However, there is no federal regulations that prohibit this sort of rental agreement (take a look at your next car or U-Haul rental - it's in there). Blockbuster will not charge off an amount until it reaches more than 30 days old, and in that time you are guaranteed to get more than 1 reminder that you owe. If you choose to ignore that, I've got no love for you. If it wasn't a legit fee, take the card in and talk to them about it - don't let it go 30 days.


This company paid me pretty well, but lacked discipline in upper management. I stand to lose a good deal of money from 401k and stock options that I got as a manager when I worked there if they go under, but I was not part of anything unethical or immoral when I worked for them. If you don't want to rent there, don't. But don't get on your soapbox when you don't possess all the facts... that's what kills me about much of the stuff posted here. I don't rent as often as I did (got 5 free rentals a week when I worked for them) but the Rewards program is something that has a tremendous amount of customer value. The Game Passes and extra programs they roll out every year are always about getting people to keep coming in. So find one where the employees treat you right, and I think anyone should be okay if they follow the rules renting from Blockbuster. I'm interested to see what the new fee scheme is all about myself...

I'm calling you on the first thing. I got my account in 1997 here in NYC (and my second account at the new Blockbuster that was closer to my house - I did not even have credit in 1999 and you can check this if you want. First account was Capital One in Summer 2000.) and they did not ask for a card, nor did my father give them one when he opened his account back in 1994. My father hates credit and refuses to get any cards, and I've got his Blockbuster card right in front of me. This policy has not always been in place, I used to leave the extended fee for months and months until I came back and rented again, and no one ever charged my card before 2000. So no, I do not think that policy has always been there, at least not here in NY. My personal experience is in direct contradiction to your statement.

As I've clearly stated, I understand where Blockbuster is coming from, as no one returned the film late but me. Still, I don't like the idea of them having access to my credit, which is why I've stopped using my card there and will only rent when forced to. Legal or not, I do not like the practice and the idea of them being able to bill my card without my direct and timely consent is a bit scary. No one has ever charged more than exactly what I owed; nevertheless, it is not a good feeling. And yes, it was always after a period of 30 days or more.

I appreciate you defending your company, and I do not wish that Blockbuster "goes under" or anything silly like that. I would never wish that someone's livelyhood be taken away from them. However, even though I did owe the money, I would prefer a phone call warning me and asking for my approval.

 

[ChefJoe]

Discover Card's Rewards program gave me a free 10 rental card... used to be nice for 2 days on new releases and 5 days on the older things. I've used one of those 10. Have all my others been "converted" to one day ? Damn you blockbuster.

 

[ChefJoe]

Originally posted by: allisolm
Is there anyone who can verify the rental rate changes?

Yep, my dad recently rented and they gave him a flier outlining the changes. Grove City (Columbus) OH $2.99 first night, $1.49 each night after for "All movies"... which seems to be different from their Value movies. The only good thing is that the return time is now midnight instead of noon. What he rented at 8 pm last night for "one day" won't be due back until midnight tonight. I guess if you went and did your rentals when they open (usu. noonish), your day could come out to something like 36+ hours.

Flier1
Flier2

 

[batmanuel]

But if Blockbuster is Mormon owned, you'd think they would appreciate Henry and June more and start carrying it in their stores.

 

[michal1980]

i love the upper management guy that says that u need a 'credit card or TWO UTILITIES' well there you go sire, u do not have to have a credit card, just 2 utilities.

what ticks me off the most, is the fact that this new program REQUIRES a credit card.

i can't pay by CASH? thats new too me never knew a store that did not take cash.
they don't take check cards... so appartently now the visa commerical needs to change, where u can use visa check cards as a 'charge card'
this to me is all b.s.

and the rewards program did reward those that rented more. but what good is it now? NONE, because very few people in the world will want to stay with a regalur 3 dollars a nite rental.

i wish there were opitions like, u can have a unlimited rental card. or just rent the way you did.

and now there in-stock gaurrenty is meaningless. for 2 reasons. now the min. new rentals come out a lot of people take them out on the 30 day rental program deal. they keep the movies forever. so a the movies never come back. and b, if ur on the card whats a free rental gonna get you? nothin

 

[ScrapSilicon]

rented 5 for $17.08 taxed..return schedule still same..

 

[RobCur]

Originally posted by: wampa
I remember people talking about getting charged late fees even though they turned in their movies on time at blockbuster. Now that is pretty shady.
Hopefully Netflix and other online retailers will get more locations around the country so they can give BB and Hollywood video a clue that they better shape up.

They did this to me too so instead of just 12 bucks for 3 movies for 4days, i returned on the 4th day and was charged another 12 bucks saying I was 1 day late!
What in the world? Are they shady, tricky or what?
I never rented from them ever again, they have lost a customer for GOOD.

BTW, they never tell you upfront, they wait like 1 month to send you the bill then by that time you probably forget if you were really late or not. Thats how their scam work to make more money.
No one is perfect, and to blame it on the customer for their error is just wrong.
Let say you rent it on monday right? so you even asked when to return it, they say friday, thats 4 day so you return it on friday but 1 month later comes the late fee notice!
and then you really have to scratch your head...

 

[ChefJoe]

Originally posted by: michal1980
i love the upper management guy that says that u need a 'credit card or TWO UTILITIES' well there you go sire, u do not have to have a credit card, just 2 utilities.

what ticks me off the most, is the fact that this new program REQUIRES a credit card.

i can't pay by CASH? thats new too me never knew a store that did not take cash.
they don't take check cards... so appartently now the visa commerical needs to change, where u can use visa check cards as a 'charge card'
this to me is all b.s.

and the rewards program did reward those that rented more. but what good is it now? NONE, because very few people in the world will want to stay with a regalur 3 dollars a nite rental.

i wish there were opitions like, u can have a unlimited rental card. or just rent the way you did.

and now there in-stock gaurrenty is meaningless. for 2 reasons. now the min. new rentals come out a lot of people take them out on the 30 day rental program deal. they keep the movies forever. so a the movies never come back. and b, if ur on the card whats a free rental gonna get you? nothin

I don't think you're required to have a credit card. From the flier, it suggests that your account gets a "balance due" mark on it if you accrue late fees.

 

[RobCur]

Originally posted by: BrokenArrow
I had to sign up for this forum just to reply to this idiotic post. You admittedly had a late fee and refused to pay it, and then you whine when they come get their money anyhow? Do you know how stupid you sound? I seriously doubt that you did read what you signed. My wife used to work at blockbuster before having our second child, and I know first hand that they send out mail notices before resulting to charging a credit card. Its not blockbuster with the problem, its people like you that need to grow up, and take responsibility for your finances. Stop blaming others for your incompetence.

BB is very expensive, most don't have the luxury or money to waste on just movies.
I know a place, a very cheap movie theater that most poor folks like me go to that only cost 1 buck per person. Not only is big screen movie more enjoyable, it cost us next to nothing plus no late fee to worry about. Of course there are people who sneak in to a different movie room after movie end and watch more for free
so 1 bucks can get you 2 movies, which is like a screaming hot deal.

 

[darkside9923]

I hope the go out of business to.... Let me share what happened to me last week.

I havent been to BB in about 2 months. I go there and they say that my membership is no good they purge memberships after several months of inactivity. I Fill out the Application for a new card and they would not give me a new card. They stated that since I had a VISA Check card that was unacceptable. They want a real CC on file. I explained I do not use Credit Cards and that its a Visa and should be able to be accetped. The manager comes out to see what the hold up is and stated that he would allow me to give them a copy of the TITLE :| to my car as well as my Visa Check card.

I refuse to go back to that place, make me feel like I am a peasant and not worthy to rent there Dirty scratched and misused disks.

Sorry for the rant but I feel that there business ethics and customer service are highly unacceptable.

 

[TheCoop]

Blockbuster Freedom Pass, nver heard of this before, hope its good cause I live right near one and could copy 2 a day easy and return them next day for two more, that would amount to 60 movies/month for $24.99. This I can handle. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Pardus]

blockbuster will prob go out of business eventually, i havent rented from them in ages, you pay $20 a month for netflix, even if you only get 10 movies a month, thats $2/movie and no damm late fees, unless blockbuster charges $2 per movie and you can keep it for a week at least, they will never be able to compete with netflix, best buy, walmart and all the other online rental companies out there.

blockbuster by me charges $4.70 for a new flim for a day or so, why bother and they dont have anything close to what netflix has.

 

[optimistic]

Originally posted by: JHawk
My son was late returning a game and jeez they act like he is a criminal--threating letters etc. I will NEVER rent from BB again.

I got the same treatment. And my video was only 30min late. I will not go back.

 

[yukichigai]

I've read over the thread and updated the first post with the relevant info. I've also hosted the flier images via my yahoo briefcase, in case ChefJoe's bandwidth gets broken. If I've missed anything please point it out to me, because it might just be 3am when I'm posting this and I might just have had a few shots.

P.S. Oh yes, I just wanted to mention I fully understand and agree with what most of you have been saying about BB and their Gestapo late fee tactics. The only reason I ever rent from them is because around here they have been forced to relax their policies by Hollywood Video, their main competition in the area. As I mentioned, there is -- well, was -- no difference in renting games from Hollywood or Blockbuster in this area. The fee was exactly the same, as was the rental period.

Unfortunately I've also been in the situation I think many people who will benifit from this thread are in: Blockbuster is the only rental company in the area. Let's not forget about them, eh?

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm at a complete loss here. How is it that you all end up with late fees anyway? I've been renting at three different Blockbusters in my area for almost two years and have not had one single late fee. I'm sure I've rented more than 200 movies since they recently (within the last 6 months) hooked me up with one of those nifty gold cards.

Here's what I do. I rent the movie(s). I look at the due date. I walk into the store when returning the tapes, chat with the worker, watch them scan in the movies, and then grab a couple more or leave. No late fees here. No Gestapo action. Nada.

Anyway, a lot of you must keep in mind one other thing about Blockbuster. There are MANY stores that are franchise stores and these locations are not necessarily run in the same exact way as their corporate cousins. I used to manage two different stores when I was in college, both of which were franchise, and there were several things that we did not do that corporate stores did. Hell, one time we got in trouble in our markets thanks to Hollywood Video and dropped our prices to $.99! The Franchise stores do not have the power to compete with the major Hollywood chain stores, so whoever said that their Blockbusters turned into Hollywoods probably had franchise stores in their area.