Blockbuster only *pretends* to remove late fees. Don't be fooled!

[Used and Abused]

"Blockbuster products still will have due dates, but customers will get a six-day grace period to return them. They also will get two phone calls and a postcard to remind them their rental is overdue, Ciaciuch said.

"After that, we sell it to you," she added.

When the grace period is over, customers will go from renters to buyers. On the seventh day, the company will automatically charge the person's credit card or membership account for the cost of the movie minus the rental fee"
http://www.dailytribune.com/stories/123104/sta_20041231004.shtml

Is it just me, or is being forced to buy a used DVD/VHS worse than getting a late fee? I'm sure many people will end up with overdraft fees and what not as a result of this change.

[kostya]

1. use the online version, you never have to return it, but you only

get 3 out at a time. Much easier shopping too, since you can search. - K

[GRLMGC]

2. My friend told me about that

He tried to tell people on another forum but they just called him an idiot, hehe. They were all like "I'm gonna go out and rent 20 movies", hahahahahah.

[Renew Deal]

3. I don't see why people won't just hold stuff for 2 weeks

People will always push the limits. The Blockbuster charge could be a good thing if they are fair. But if they are charging $30 for a DVD and $60 for a video game. there is a problem.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. Netflix

I switched a year ago. I used to rent movies once every few months. I figured out if I forgot 3 movies for 2 days, added the cost of the fines to the rental price, then I saved money over a year, and I have 3 new movies every week. (When I remember to mail them back!)

:bounce:

[serryjw]

8. Con't get too comfortable......

Blockbuster will win the war!

quote.......
Washington, D.C. (December 22) -- Blockbuster today announced that it was lowering its monthly fee for online DVD rentals to $14.99. The deal includes unlimited rentals, three movies out at a time, with no due dates or late fees. For extra incentive, as if they needed it, Blockbuster's online subscribers also receive two free in-store movie or game rentals every month.

Blockbuster's move is a clear message to its chief online rival, NetFlix: If you don't
join us, we will kill you. Consequently, I predict that the two companies will merge their online divisions in 2005 or early 2006.
---------end quote......
http://www.tvpredictions.com/blockbustermerger122204.html

[ikojo]

17. Blockbuster is still weak when compared to Netflix

Netflix has an awesome selection. Blockbuster pales in comparison.

[serryjw]

66. Blockbuster has DEEP pockets

that's why they will buy out Netflix. If they get into a price war .BB wins!

[chenGOD]

69. And blockbuster edits movies to fit their "family values"

where's that puke smiley....


ah, there he is...:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[smbolisnch]

56. "NetFlix: If you don't join us, we will kill you."

I'm sorry, but that made me laugh. :)
My sister raves about Netflix. I think I might give it a try next month sometime....

[Kipepeo]

63. I love Netflix

Always hated Blockbuster. Glad I never have to go there ever again. :)

[Miami Liberal]

10. Netflix rocks!

I haven't missed Blockbuster one bit and have saved a ton of money on late fees. :-)

[muse]

22. Please check out Netflix. It is awesome!!

Their selection is unbeatable. I have many interesting movies in my queue and I am never disappointed.

[Cats Against Frist]

32. I'm almost sure that Netflix is a blue company, too

[tanyev]

70. Yes, I read somewhere that they are blue.

Blockbuster is flaming red!

[ProdigalJunkMail]

5. buying it is cheaper than their late fees in many cases

four or five days late and you may as well have bought it. I THINK they will take it back up to 30 days after the rental...but then you get a 'restocking fee'...whatever that is...

theProdigal

[tnlefty]

19. Yesterday we were charged a restocking fee for a rental that

was 6 days late. It seems that the late fee merely has a new name.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

40. hmmm...could be...

seems like relabling things is the end-all-beat-all fix to this problem

</sarcasm>

Haven't rented from Blockbuster in years...Netflix and the local movie shop...

theProdigal

[Fla Dem]

41. Restocking fee of $1.25 if movie is returned within 30days of due date. n/

[Javaman]

6. Lackluster video...don't rent from them to begin with...

Go to a local renter, odds are you will have a more eclectic choice than from that corp giant shit.

[liberalhistorian]

7. Exactly, and what pisses me off

is that Blockbuster and Hollywood Video have totally destroyed the independent video stores around my area, stores my family and I always patronized and enjoyed going to. We miss them like crazy now, and hate having to kowtow to the corporate takeover of the video market.

[Tweed]

9. Blockbuster's selection is actually quite good

For selection, you can't beat them. Their prices are high though and it would be great if we could have more local stores.

[GRLMGC]

11. I don't like them

I find most of the movies I want to see at independent stores or Netflix which is unparallelled when it comes to selection. Plus, they only offer edited versions of "controversial" films.

[Tweed]

12. Where do you live?

I find my Blockbusters to be quite progressive in the Great Lake states.

[GRLMGC]

53. Los Angeles nt

[Fla Dem]

36. Really? I've rented several "controversial videos at Blockbuster

and as far as I know they were nor "edited". Can you give me a few titles that were edited?

[GRLMGC]

54. Yeah, I can

I couldn't find the unrated version of Requiem for a Dream or the unedited version of Audition.

[GRLMGC]

52. delete

[Javaman]

16. They are corporate shills...

What other change would line their shelves with that waste of celluloid, Gigli?????

The are the suck masters of the studios.

Sorry but they suck.

[0007]

23. I don't care for them, but I guess it all depends who has the

franchise.

[tx_dem41]

28. Believe me ....you can beat their selection.

Yes, they have 50 copies of all the "hot" movies, but nothing compares to my local independent store for indie and foreign movies...as well as documentaries. What can I say....I'm an elitist snob. :-)

[phylny]

25. We only have local guys and one of the reasons I like renting from

them is their sense of humor.

Maybe other places have this, and I don't know about it, but when we rented "Wayne's World" to share with our daughters, I got it from the "Stupid Teen Movie" section of the store :)

Now, we usually get Movies On Demand from the cable company, since we're notoriously bad about returning.

[Jack_DeLeon]

13. Why rent...

when you can just download movies off the net.

If I like the movie I will usually buy the DVD.

[baba]

14. I wouldn't download movies.

I see a major difference between downloading a song or two from the Internet, and dowenloading a movie. Besides-the quality is probably not as good, and I'm sure it is incredibly slow.

[ikojo]

20. The movie is usually available online months

before it's on DVD. The poster who suggested downloading the movie also said that he/she buys movies he/she likes once they come out on DVD. In some cities movies don't stay around long.

[progmom]

42. What do you think the difference is between downloading a song or a movie?

Both is theft of intellectual property...

[tx_dem41]

44. Exactly....

...these posts left me shaking my head.

[baba]

50. The difference.

You are right-there is technically no difference legally. But downloading a movie seems "more wrong" for some reason. Sometimes you may only want one song from an album, so you could either record it from a friend or download it. You aren't stealing the whole album, whereas you are stealing the whole movie.

[tx_dem41]

68. They are both stealing...they are both wrong. n/t

[IronLionZion]

67. hehe there are legal downloads out there

where you pay something and download it and some are free. It's often faster and cheaper than driving to the store. And the quality is similar to DVD. There are DIVX players out there but it's easier to just use a PC or XBOX hooked up to your TV.

http://www.divxmovies.com/

Similar to the legal music downloads offered by Apple, Napster, et al.

The Kerry movie and many other progressive movies are available legally on the internet for free. People who make movies with a message love it because they can reach more people.

[asthmaticeog]

51. When you download movies,

you're KILLING STUNTMEN!

Seriously, I saw that in an anti-downloading trailer at the movie theater.

Stuntman killer.

[tx_dem41]

43. If you are talking about through P2P...

...because its stealing.

[Boy Interrupted]

58. just so you know

you aren't the only one to do this. I do it too. I see lots of judgement on this. LIke you, if I like it I buy it, which is pretty much what I do with music too. However sometimes I thank the net gods I didn't pay to see something. Example.. The Day After Tomorrow. I dodged a bullet in not paying for that one.

[Old Mouse]

15. I just talked to a blockbuster employee tonight

and he said the purchase price is the 'used' price for DVDs.

So, if there is a DVD I want to buy, I should go rent it and keep it? I would lose the jewel case, but I would have what I wanted at a used price. Even all of the older, out-of-print DVDs...

[ikojo]

18. Not all DVDs at Blockbuster are sold as previously

viewed. What I noticed is that they sell the real popular ones as previously viewed (because they order so many.) A DVD they had only one or two copies of may be priced at the regular price, you just never know.

[ronzo]

21. Fuck blockbuster.

That is all.

[muse]

24. This shouldn't surprise me, but it did surprise me to read this.

I despise Blockbuster. I had one too many late fees about a year ago and moved on to Netlix permanently and I couldn't be happier. I hope I never step in a Blockbuster again.

Their commercials for no late fees make it sound like it's the second coming of Christ. The fine print dispels that.

[tx_dem41]

31. I don't quite understand your specific complaint.

Look...I hate Blockbuster...but don't you think you should pay a fine when YOU are late returning, especially when you know the rules going into the transaction???

[Fla Dem]

26. If not returned in 7 days past due date film is sold to your account.

Could be either the original video price or a previously viewed price depending on whether it is a new release or not. If the video/game is returned to the store within 30 days, the charge is removed. I guess they feel if you keep the video/game for 30 days, you intend on keeping it.

I know we're all supposed to hate big corporations. And I do agree that some of them would suck the life blood out of their mothers. But having worked in a video rental store, I find it incredible that some people take no personal responsibility if they return a video late, but then yell at the poor clerk behind the counter because they are charged a late fee.

If you rent a car and return it late, you have to pay for the additional time you kept it out. If you stay longer in a hotel than planned, you pay for the extra days. If you want to go see a movie twice, the theater owner doesn't say, oh okay you already paid to see it once, so you don't have to pay to see it a 2nd or 3rd time. People know when they rent a video/game when it's due back. If they don't get it back on time, that's their fault.

Why do people get so outraged, when they are charged a fee for keeping a video or game beyond the due date. It deprives the store of additional rental income, and if it is a small Mom & Pop store, it hurts them even worse. By the way, no apologist for Blockbuster, but that started out as a small Mom & Pop store.

OK Flame me...... :loveya:

[tx_dem41]

34. Great post....whatever happened to personal responsibility?? n/t

[Cuban_Liberal]

27. Just return the damned thing on time.

Problem solved.

[Fla Dem]

35. Yep, that's all it takes. LOL n/t

[Cuban_Liberal]

39. *grin*

Of course, if one does THAT, one can't play the 'victim' card.

:P

[Boy Interrupted]

55. how *dare* you try and be logical about this!

I'm hitting alert. There must be a rule about someone being logical instead of trying to make every topic a battle. :hi:

[DrGonzoLives]

64. Finally, a voice of reason

What the hell is the big deal about just getting the fucking thing in on time?

[ldf]

29. every single person who rents a dvd/video

KNOWS how long they have it for.

keep it longer and you deserve the late fee.

we're big boys and girls, now. let's act like it.

is NO ONE willing to take responsibility for their own actions?

[Mr.Green93]

30. Why not

just honor the contract and return the rental on time?

[proud patriot]

33. A very long time ago when I worked for Wherehouse Ent.

we are talking 12-15 years ago . We charged credit
cards upwards of 70 dollars for unreturned rental
copies . Imagine making 5 bucks an hour trying to
defend that policy :eyes:

[OneTwentyoNine]

37. This isn't a secret,it was in their press release....

But...I could care less about Blockbusters new rental policy,I quit going in YEARS ago when first run movies had to be back in 24-48 hours or get nailed with a late fee.

What pisses me off is their buying of Hollywood Video,if they later merge with Netflix then they own the whole fucking industry. Nah...we don't need no stinkin' anti-trust laws.

Yeah...Old Blockbuster is being REAL generous with their new rental policy--Bullshit,prices will rise to make up for missing late return revenue,especially when the Hollywood Video take over is a done deal.

[Egalitariat]

38. I don't think they're forcing anyone to do anything

If you return the movie within a week, nothing happens.

As nice as it would be to be able to keep movies forever for $4.99, it would be hard for any business to make much money that way. Unless they copied the Netflix model which limits the amount of movies you can have at any one time.

[Bridget Burke]

45. It appears that there's a deception involved.....

They're advertising "no late fees" but they'll still get you for keeping your DVD's longer than they like.

So, I settle for the Netflix "limit" of 3 videos at a time. Great selection, total convenience & no late fee.

[Fla Dem]

46. No deception....if you don't return the video, they sell it to your acct.

If you then return it within 30 days,they remove the selling charge and you are charged a measley $1.25 for restocking. Why do you think you should be able to rent a video and/or game, not return it and suffer no penalty?

:shrug:

[Bridget Burke]

59. I think I "ought to" be able to return my DVD's when I wish.

That's why I use Netflix. No problem.

[tx_dem41]

47. Where is the deception.??? n/t

[Bridget Burke]

62. I believe the ads say "End of Late Fees"

Some people don't read the fine print.

No problem--I use Netflix.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

48. I think the reason why Blockbuster is doing this is

because a lot of people would return the movies the day they are due, but not at noon-time (2pm is the actual deadline on Blockbuster computers) like they were supposed to. The customers would then get charged the same price they were initially charged for renting the movie. A lot of people thought the late fees were too steep. Then there are the people that totally forget they even checked out the movie. They used to have to to return the movie, plus pay even more in late fees then it would cost them to buy a new copy of the movie.

For the people who are usually on time, or only slightly late returning their movies, they will get no additional fees. The ones who keep their movie over a week have to pay for the movie, but they get to keep it as well. A weeks worth of late fines on a new release at the Blockbuster in my neighborhood used to cost you $17.56 additional to the $4.39 you paid to rent it (and you wouldn't get to keep the movie either). I think the new plan Blockbuster came up with is much better, but they should do a better job in advertising just how long you can keep the movie before they charge your account for buying it.

Here are the terms and conditions that I copied from Blockbuster's website.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
In-store Movie and Game Rental Terms
Movie and game rentals are due back at the date and time stated on the transaction receipt. There is no additional rental charge if a member keeps a rental item beyond the pre-paid rental period. However, if a member chooses to keep a rental item more than a week after the end of the rental period, BLOCKBUSTER® will automatically convert the rental to a sale on the eighth day after the end of the rental period. BLOCKBUSTER will charge the membership account the selling price for the item in effect at the time of the rental, which is either (1) the retail price charged by that BLOCKBUSTER store for the product if sold as new, if the product is not available for sale as previously rented product at that BLOCKBUSTER store at the time of rental, or (2) the selling price charged by that BLOCKBUSTER store for the product if sold as previously rented product, if the product is available for sale as previously rented product at that BLOCKBUSTER store at the time of rental. The selling price will be discounted by the amount of the initial rental fee paid by the member at the time of rental. If the member returns the item within 30 days of the sale date, BLOCKBUSTER will credit back to the membership account the amount previously charged to the member’s account or the member’s credit card, as applicable, for the selling price of the item, but the member will be charged a restocking fee. All rental items must be returned to the proper BLOCKBUSTER store. These rental terms are subject to change without notice at any time. Rental terms and policies may vary in franchised locations. Additional membership rules apply for rentals. See store for full details.

[pookieblue]

49. Our Local Blockbuster has refused to go with this new program.

In a letter issued out to their customers they said..


Jan 1 2005

By Now, you have probably been hearing a great deal of adverstising promoting "End of Late Fees". As an independently owned and operated Blockbuster Video franchisee, This Blockbuster has decided not to implement the nationally adverstised "End of Late Fees" corporate program and to continue serving you with our customer friendly "Day Late, "Day Rate" Policy. After a full reviewof Blockbusters's "End of Late Fees" campaign, we concluded that this program involves a complicated scheme of increased rental rates, restocking fees and automatic product sales to your account or credit card. We are confident that our members would find this policy confusing and controversial. Therefore we have declined to implement the program.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

60. Day late, day rate was never the policy of any Blockbuster I've

ever been too.

[smbolisnch]

61. Interesting....

Of course there must be a TON of fine print to this program. Did they expect their customers to believe they were doing it out of the generosity in their hearts? That's a joke.

I don't know if our local Blockbuster is doing this, but I went in there to rent some games to play on my husband's XBOX, and they were like $6.50! I almost fell over! I might as well buy the game used for that rental price :mad: I hate Blockbuster. It's all we have in this town though. Must sign up for netflix! ;)

And welcome to DU! :hi:

[durablend]

71. "Did they expect their customers to believe..."

Um, I think you give the American sheeple far too much credit.

All they heard is "NO MORE LATE FEES" and they're gonna lap it up (and whine and bitch later on when they get hit with the punishment). This is how it ALWAYS works.

Your mistake is you're under the impression that people can think. NOPE...we already proved that was a fallacy 2 months ago.

[proud2BlibKansan]

57. depends on the price of the movie

This doesn't say how much they will cost.

[THUNDER HANDS]

65. I used to work there, I knew this was a scam

Late fees comprise 75% of Blockbuster's profits. There was no way they were giving up that cash cow for nothing. They wouldn't do this if the average late fee wasn't equal or less than that of the cost of buying a used movie.

[Flammable Materials]

72. People still rent from video stores?

:evilgrin: