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

[Lee3Dee]

i wish you could rent games for 1 day, instead of a week. personally, if the game sucks, or u don't like it, u cannot return it without loosing the $6, u spent for the week. alas, there are no ma & pa video games rentals here in Jacksonville, NC.

 

[Axon]

Originally posted by: Krutoy
I've been avoiding Blockbuster lately. I had a one day late fee, which I never paid and they charged a credit card which I used to rent it about $5. While $5 is pretty meaningless and not worth my time going to argue with the manager, I'm still upset over the fact they charged my CC without my authorization. I been buying most of the new releases on dvd's and the ones I didn't buy, I can always get ppv on DirecTv. For all I care Blockbuster can go down, it's one company that's not going to survive all the new technology, and in my opinion will be going out in the upcoming years.

I agree. They've done the same to me and I called up and told them to dump my info. I doubt that they did, and I always pay cash there now. Still, the fact that they just went ahead and charged my card WITHOUT my authorization is scary. The manager tried to justify it by saying they were making it more "convient" for me, but that's a total load.

I mean some worker could get bent out of shape and just start going nuts with my money...

 

[Snowlock]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
they feeling the pain of netflix netflix 0wnz all!

but really, is blockbuster going to stop carrying pan and scam, and stop limiting their selection to R only? all those unrated directors cuts etc are not carried by them....

It is because Blockbuster is run by a religious consortium. Really. Yet one more reason not to shop there. So there is no porn and they don't carry unrated movies and there is even rumors that they edit some of the movies they do carry.

 

[simo]

I've been avoiding Blockbuster for a while now, mainly because of their love of fullscreen and lack of anything much except new releases, but also because I now use Netflix.

When I want a new release and it's on Very Long Wait on Netflix, I go to Hollywood Video like I did last week and got a coke, candy, popcorn and 2 new release DVD rentals for $8 and got a buck back for returning it within 2 days!

 

[emb09]

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x
I hardly ever rent from Blockbuster. In fact the last time I rented from them was when I had a fist full of coupons.
Their prices are way too high for me. Unless the price for new releases goes under $2 per day, I ain't gonna set foot in the place.

same here. i go there only 2-4 times a year.

 

[Urinal Mint]

OK, so it's $2 to rent a new release for one night in order to burn a copy?

Sounds like a winner to me!

 

[simo]

Originally posted by: roamerr
They really need to change their due date time. If I rent at 6pm it's due the following day before noon. That really sux. I have to go by Blockbuster before work -- and Blockbuster is 6 miles out of the way.....

Yeah, I agree entirely, that is retarted - they should really either user business hours or preferably 24 hours (return it 24 hours after you rent it) but by saying "by noon" it basically means by 8am on the way to work!

Originally posted by: Urinal Mint
OK, so it's $2 to rent a new release for one night in order to burn a copy?

Sounds like a winner to me!

I think they're realising that a lot of people are just renting to copy, so may be adapting to that bu offering daily rental. I think Netflix' success is based on people renting, copying and returning even before watching, so they can get more!

 

[Macro2]

Not only Netflix but NOW WAL-MART. $15.54/mo, 2 at a time, 18.97 for 3 at a time.
Same prepaid mailers as Netflix.

Blockbuster is being busted. No wonder they are rearranging things.

Bad feelings over later fees are definitely coming back to bite them in the A$$.

 

[Graphicd00d]

Blockbuster sucks! I had a late fee (movie due back at noon?!?) and they charged my credit card without authorization as well. Never been back.

Now I go to Hollywood Video on a frequent basis. 5 day rentals on everything in the store and due back at midnight the last day and free membership with no credit card.

 

[allisolm]

I don't see any mention of this at blockbuster.com and my store didn't know anything about it. I would like this policy as I usually keep movies for only one day.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Axon

Originally posted by: Krutoy
I've been avoiding Blockbuster lately. I had a one day late fee, which I never paid and they charged a credit card which I used to rent it about $5. While $5 is pretty meaningless and not worth my time going to argue with the manager, I'm still upset over the fact they charged my CC without my authorization. I been buying most of the new releases on dvd's and the ones I didn't buy, I can always get ppv on DirecTv. For all I care Blockbuster can go down, it's one company that's not going to survive all the new technology, and in my opinion will be going out in the upcoming years.

I agree. They've done the same to me and I called up and told them to dump my info. I doubt that they did, and I always pay cash there now. Still, the fact that they just went ahead and charged my card WITHOUT my authorization is scary. The manager tried to justify it by saying they were making it more "convient" for me, but that's a total load.

I mean some worker could get bent out of shape and just start going nuts with my money...

Jesus christ, do people actually read what they sign? Link

BLOCKBUSTER Membership
Applicant acknowledges that he/she has received and read a copy of these Terms and Conditions for BLOCKBUSTER Membership and agrees that the membership card(s) issued by Blockbuster Inc. ("Blockbuster") will be used only as provided in such Terms and Conditions. Blockbuster reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to amend the Terms and Conditions of Membership. APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND ACCEPTS FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND GUARANTEES PAYMENT FOR ALL ITEMS RENTED THROUGH THE USE OF THE MEMBERSHIP CARD, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH USE IS AUTHORIZED BY APPLICANT. (Guarantee not applicable in California.) Applicant agrees that Blockbuster and its franchisees may pursue all avenues of collection, including use of collection agencies, and authorizes Blockbuster and its franchisees to prepare and submit credit card charge using any of the charge cards listed above to recover all charges and all other unpaid amounts due to (a) Applicant's failure to timely return all items rented through the membership, (b) damages to returned items (not to exceed the retail price of the item), and (c) other unpaid charges and reasonable legal fees resulting from the failure to return rented items.

1. Member must notify their BLOCKBUSTER store(s) immediately by telephone and in writing if their membership card(s) is lost or stolen. Member is responsible for all use of the card prior to receipt by Blockbuster of written notice of the loss or theft.

2. Failure to notify the issuing store of the loss or theft of your membership card(s) may result in the posting of significant charges to the credit card account which you identify on the application.

3. Any rented item not returned to the proper BLOCKBUSTER store within 10 days after rental may, at the option of Blockbuster, be converted from a rental to a sale. Member is responsible for the full retail price of the unreturned item plus all rental and extended viewing fees and other related charges arising from the rental prior to the conversion to a sale.

4.Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) may share and use personally identifiable information collected from you during registration and membership sign up, or generated by use of the membership to develop and improve the products, benefits and services they or selected business partners offer to Members. Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) also may share and use certain Member data in the ordinary course of their business, for example, for account maintenance and debt collection. Except as provided for in the Promotional Elections options, or as described in the blockbuster.com Privacy Policy (a) Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) may direct offers, information and other communications to you by email or otherwise and (b) authorized business partners of Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) may direct offers of goods and services to you by means other than email.

5. Member acknowledges that in corporate Blockbuster stores, rentals must be returned by noon the day they are due to avoid extended viewing fees, which shall be assessed on a per rental period basis. Rental periods and extended viewing fee terms may differ for rentals from franchise BLOCKBUSTER stores. Please confirm the terms when you pick up your order at your BLOCKBUSTER store. Member may ask store personnel for further explanation.

6. Member is responsible for returning rental items to the specific BLOCKBUSTER store where they were rented.

7. BLOCKBUSTER Membership is not transferable. You must be 18 years of age for BLOCKBUSTER Membership.

 

[isasir]

I still use Blockbuster and don't mind it too much. The main reason is that I am on their Rewards plan. So for my $4.35, whenever I rent a movie on Mon. - Wed., I can get one of the older movies for free. So that comes out to about $2.18/movie, which I get to keep for a week (unless it's a brand new release).

I have American Pie 2 and Bad Boys 2 sitting on my table right now. They're also 1/4 mile away from me, so it's convenient.

 

[dimwit]

Same as the rest, I stopped going to BB when they jacked the prices way up. Terrible selection too for DVDs. Now I just go to the local mom and pop places, cheaper and better selection.

Netflix was great, but I was watching way too many movies. I am now trying the free for 30 days 2 movie Walmart deal, but may cancel since their shipping times see slower and their selection is not as good as Netflix.

 

[adams828]

my vote for netflix, especially if you live near a distrib. center. sometimes you can get a movie back and a new one in 2 days, usually 3

 

[RDaneel]

Gotta go Netflix, especailly with DVD+R media being so cheap!

Here's hoping they drop the Xbox rental prices - those of us that don't need the game more than 30 or 40 minutes shouldn't have to pay $6! (that's all sarcasm!)

 

[salfter]

Who cares about Blockbuster and its rate structure when there's Netflix?

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: Macro2
Not only Netflix but NOW WAL-MART. $15.54/mo, 2 at a time, 18.97 for 3 at a time.
Same prepaid mailers as Netflix.

Blockbuster is being busted. No wonder they are rearranging things.

Bad feelings over later fees are definitely coming back to bite them in the A$$.

Avoid Walmart rentals, they don't have the large distribution network that netflix does, offer less titles, and will charge you full price for a lost dvd (netflix graces you a few times if that happens).

 

[DaveNCheez]

How would this work?
You'd have to tell them up front how many days you'd keep it?

I mean, How are they going to charge you if you don't pay by credit... You can't really pay when you return it.. that'd be stupid... so how exactly are they going to charge this?

 

[kitkit201]

i was a former blockbuster employeee, i hated dealing with late fees, and I was on the other side of it.. do yourself a favor and get netflix.. 14.99 for 2 unlimted rentals a month is a damn good deal.. beats going to bb with the long lines on weekends and driving!

 

[AquariusX]

Man, my BB charges 5.99 for the rental... and if youre late... its not a late fee, but they recharge you 5.99 for another 5 days rental. Now that just sucks period. I don't even bother renting anymore. I mean, you can just buy a dvd for around 12-15 anyway, so why bother...

 

[transitive]

I used to rent 2 or 3 movies a week, every week. When I upgraded to a 47 inch wide screen HDTV I wanted to get all of my movies in wide screen. When I complained about the lack of wide screen DVD's my local Blockbuster said they have no control over what the corporation sends them. I then emailed the corporate HQ and was told that due to extensive market research pan and scan is prefered by Blockbuster customers.

I now go to Hastings. At least they carry both DVD formats and give me a buck back for early returns.

 

[DribbleDrive]

I've pretty much put blockbuster on my blacklist.

On their first 'strike', I returned a DVD a few minutes after 12 and talked to the guy to see if he could waive the fee. He scanned it and said, "Nope, it's late." Then said there would be a regular charge for another 5 day rental. I was a bit sad I didn't get it waived, so I asked if I can get the DVD back since I'm now paying for renting it an extra week. He said, "Nope. I already scanned it back in."

Their second and final 'strike' with me was another disputed late charge, when I know it was returned on time. They only get two strikes from me, and they're lucky they got the second chance.

 

[LucJoe]

Originally posted by: DribbleDrive
I've pretty much put blockbuster on my blacklist.

On their first 'strike', I returned a DVD a few minutes after 12 and talked to the guy to see if he could waive the fee. He scanned it and said, "Nope, it's late." Then said there would be a regular charge for another 5 day rental. I was a bit sad I didn't get it waived, so I asked if I can get the DVD back since I'm now paying for renting it an extra week. He said, "Nope. I already scanned it back in."

Their second and final 'strike' with me was another disputed late charge, when I know it was returned on time. They only get two strikes from me, and they're lucky they got the second chance.

Wow, i wouldn't have gone back after that first horrible strike..

Or better yet, i would have written a letter to corporate, not that it would hav helped..

 

[P4spooky]

I wish they would go to 'charge by the hour' rate structure

I don't need any DVD for more than 40 minutes max

Blockbuster will never get a penny from me.

 

[Axon]

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: Axon

Originally posted by: Krutoy
I've been avoiding Blockbuster lately. I had a one day late fee, which I never paid and they charged a credit card which I used to rent it about $5. While $5 is pretty meaningless and not worth my time going to argue with the manager, I'm still upset over the fact they charged my CC without my authorization. I been buying most of the new releases on dvd's and the ones I didn't buy, I can always get ppv on DirecTv. For all I care Blockbuster can go down, it's one company that's not going to survive all the new technology, and in my opinion will be going out in the upcoming years.

I agree. They've done the same to me and I called up and told them to dump my info. I doubt that they did, and I always pay cash there now. Still, the fact that they just went ahead and charged my card WITHOUT my authorization is scary. The manager tried to justify it by saying they were making it more "convient" for me, but that's a total load.

I mean some worker could get bent out of shape and just start going nuts with my money...

Jesus christ, do people actually read what they sign? Link

BLOCKBUSTER Membership
Applicant acknowledges that he/she has received and read a copy of these Terms and Conditions for BLOCKBUSTER Membership and agrees that the membership card(s) issued by Blockbuster Inc. ("Blockbuster") will be used only as provided in such Terms and Conditions. Blockbuster reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to amend the Terms and Conditions of Membership. APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND ACCEPTS FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND GUARANTEES PAYMENT FOR ALL ITEMS RENTED THROUGH THE USE OF THE MEMBERSHIP CARD, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH USE IS AUTHORIZED BY APPLICANT. (Guarantee not applicable in California.) Applicant agrees that Blockbuster and its franchisees may pursue all avenues of collection, including use of collection agencies, and authorizes Blockbuster and its franchisees to prepare and submit credit card charge using any of the charge cards listed above to recover all charges and all other unpaid amounts due to (a) Applicant's failure to timely return all items rented through the membership, (b) damages to returned items (not to exceed the retail price of the item), and (c) other unpaid charges and reasonable legal fees resulting from the failure to return rented items.

1. Member must notify their BLOCKBUSTER store(s) immediately by telephone and in writing if their membership card(s) is lost or stolen. Member is responsible for all use of the card prior to receipt by Blockbuster of written notice of the loss or theft.

2. Failure to notify the issuing store of the loss or theft of your membership card(s) may result in the posting of significant charges to the credit card account which you identify on the application.

3. Any rented item not returned to the proper BLOCKBUSTER store within 10 days after rental may, at the option of Blockbuster, be converted from a rental to a sale. Member is responsible for the full retail price of the unreturned item plus all rental and extended viewing fees and other related charges arising from the rental prior to the conversion to a sale.

4.Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) may share and use personally identifiable information collected from you during registration and membership sign up, or generated by use of the membership to develop and improve the products, benefits and services they or selected business partners offer to Members. Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) also may share and use certain Member data in the ordinary course of their business, for example, for account maintenance and debt collection. Except as provided for in the Promotional Elections options, or as described in the blockbuster.com Privacy Policy (a) Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) may direct offers, information and other communications to you by email or otherwise and (b) authorized business partners of Blockbuster, its affiliates and franchisees (if permitted by Blockbuster) may direct offers of goods and services to you by means other than email.

5. Member acknowledges that in corporate Blockbuster stores, rentals must be returned by noon the day they are due to avoid extended viewing fees, which shall be assessed on a per rental period basis. Rental periods and extended viewing fee terms may differ for rentals from franchise BLOCKBUSTER stores. Please confirm the terms when you pick up your order at your BLOCKBUSTER store. Member may ask store personnel for further explanation.

6. Member is responsible for returning rental items to the specific BLOCKBUSTER store where they were rented.

7. BLOCKBUSTER Membership is not transferable. You must be 18 years of age for BLOCKBUSTER Membership.

While I appreciate the condescension, I have had my account for well over 7 years. Previously Blockbuster would simply wait until your next rental to charge you, and then suddenly they changed their policy and will now charge any card of yours that they have on account.

So thanks, but I read what I sign, and I didn't sign that. Now that I am aware of this policy (Blockbuster does not update you, so I found out the hard way) I have stopped renting there, or I rent with cash if needs be.

Furthermore, I'm sure I could find a federal contract statute that doesn't particuarly agree with Blockbuster's manner of implementing terms and conditions.