|
|
|
Blockbuster hit by fraud lawsuit in N.J.
|
|
The following comments relate to this news article:
article published on 19 February, 2005
Movie rental giant Blockbuster has been hit by a fraud lawsuit in New Jersey. New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey sued Blockbuster Inc. Friday, claiming the video rental chain is deceiving customers with its new "No More Late Fees" rental policy. Blockbuster is accused of violating the states consumer fraud laws with its new policy. "Blockbuster boldly announced its 'No More Late Fees' ... [ read the full article ]
Please read the original article before posting your comments.
|
AfterDawn Addict
|
20. February 2005 @ 19:21 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
worldrave
Junior Member
|
20. February 2005 @ 20:14 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
|
daemonzx6
Senior Member
|
20. February 2005 @ 21:52 |
Link to this message
|
|
These restocking fees seem like just a bunch of BS. Where were these fees back when there were late fees? And why only charge restocking fees after you've had it more than a week after its due?
Was that intelligent enough for you?
I only compared it to Netflix because people were talking about it, and Netflix actually has no fees other than the monthly ones.
|
Newbie
|
20. February 2005 @ 21:58 |
Link to this message
|
|
i agree with worldraves first post. i work at a hollywood video store and it really blows my mind that people do not understand the fact that they get charged late fees in the first place when they are just that...late. If you are late with anything else are you not charged a fee? Late making a payment, returning a rented car, etc. Generally if you are late in the real world you pay a fine for it. however i do agree with blockbuster in giving people a few extra days to return it past the due date because the vast majority of people who are late with their movies were just a day late because something either came up or they forgot or whatever else happens that causes them to be late. I'm late all the time myself. On the other hand i do get alot of people who rent there also and know nothing about the fact that they are getting the fee of the movie charged to their card and are very suprised when it does happen. I feel in all blockbusters hype over no late fees they fail to even min. let their customers know about all the details. I got an email advert. the new no late fee policy and no where in the email did it mention having your card charged. the average person takes it at face value. no late fees means no charges for keeping it late. thats my opinion.
|
Moderator
|
20. February 2005 @ 22:13 |
Link to this message
|
|
Thanks for the revalatory link worldrave. This is funny stuff from that link and my comments are in bold:
The Cons:
* Monthly subscription fee (even if you don't rent anything)(Duh!)
* Slow turnaround time (from the time you return a movie and get one back is approx. 1 wk.)(I get mine 2 days after I put the old ones in the mailbox - without fail)
* Frequent renters get penalized with even slower turnaround time (total bull - I always watch all three within a day and send them back so it's a constant cycle for me and I never have to wait longer than 2 days to get them)
* Long waits on new releases (I've recieved every new release I've wanted without a wait)
* No shipments on Saturday or Sunday (Netflix employees don't work weekends) (No big deal to me)
* Most DVDs are badly scratched and may not play (see advice) (I've never recieved one that refused to play)
* Broken & lost DVDs through the mail (Never happened to me or the other two people I know that use Netfix)
* Videos are sent when available.(How is this different than Blockbuster being out of a title?)
o If you are renting a series (Lord of the Rings), you may get video C before you get video A and B. So much for the surprise ending!(More misinformation. I'm currently recieving two different anime series and all I have to do is set them up in my queue to be sent in order)
* No customer service phone numbers on netflix.com - (888)638-3549 and (800)279-5688.(I wouldn't know - my service has been perfect)
* Poor customer service(see above comment)
Couldn't you find a site that actually made legitimate claims against Netfix?
|
|
gerard514
Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 06:54 |
Link to this message
|
|
So basically, when it comes down to who is better or not.Most people think ........is better????
I have blockbuster online, i however had thought about signing up with netflix but for now blockbuster was a little cheaper for me just to try out. Also from what i understand the movie gets scanned at the post office and sends a reply to blockbuster letting blockbuster know that its on the way and then blockbuster sends out the next movie. Is this the same for netflix?
Thanks for the help./
|
|
iriedawta
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
21. February 2005 @ 07:21 |
Link to this message
|
|
in general, where did you get that information from? never heard of the post office having any kind of agreement like that with any company. never even heard that they had that kind of service. if there is a service like that i can send it over to gamefly to have that kind of service too. to make the cd games come over here faster
|
|
leestrada
Junior Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 12:55 |
Link to this message
|
|
I only use Blockbuster for new releases to rip and burn....Netflix has old the old and obscure stuff to rip and burn.
Both have they're markets and I'm never late cause it only takes 20 minutes to rip a pic, then I take it back so the next pirate can have a go at it!!
|
|
kalz8404
Newbie
|
21. February 2005 @ 13:35 |
Link to this message
|
|
To all of those who have ever had to walk into a blockbuster and cough up some cash to pay for having a movie out past the due date, i would think there would be more support of a company willing to take a billion dollar loss in revenue to make the customer experience better? I don't understand why people wanted to openly and rudely complain about late fees under the old policy which were at least 4 to 5 dollars every time the movie rechecked out to you which would end up to be like 25 bucks over two weeks then you had to buy the movie it didn't come back, now people are complaining that paying 1.25 is just another late fee? please you guys, it's called a greedy fee if you can't figure out how to return a movie within 9 days for a 2 day rental and 15 for a week long rental, then you have a seriously bad misperception of who is in the wrong. besides i think it's just another example of greed that is the cause of this lawsuit. it's not fraud when the advertisements direct you to a store employee for more information, they're not hiding anything, it's not their fault if you the consumer choose not to read the information.
|
Moderator
|
21. February 2005 @ 14:29 |
Link to this message
|
Quote:
a company willing to take a billion dollar loss in revenue to make the customer experience better?
Yeah, they better since so many folks have abandoned them because of crappy customer experiences.
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33 |
AfterDawn Addict
|
21. February 2005 @ 14:32 |
Link to this message
|
|
I abandoned blockbuster years ago. Before I switched to netflix, I used Hollywood Video instead, cause they have good service, better prices, and better selection.
|
|
CpWinkie
Newbie
|
21. February 2005 @ 15:28 |
Link to this message
|
|
Funny how this whole thing turned into a Netflix vs Blockbuster thing. And for those who are arguing for Blockbuster being such a "great company", please.. they took a giant loss in money so that they could keep up with companies like netflix. A friend of mine worked there for 3 years and was assistant manager and she made less than 8 bucks and hour.. ya great company.. woo hoo!!! Its a big corporation, chances are they don't care too much. And they are hella slow with their online thing, its been almost a week since my gf sent her movies back and still nothing, not even a notice that they have received her movies, while myself, with netflix sent mine on Saturday and they are already sending my next 3, its now Monday.
How to burn...
1) DVD Decryptor
2) Clone DVD2
|
|
worldrave
Junior Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 16:05 |
Link to this message
|
|
To Nephilim,
Pointing to a site with legitimate claims??? Umm, they ARE legit. I can say the same about the sites against Blockbuster. Duh!! It's all about personal experiences my friend. Just because you might have good experiences, that's your opinion. Just like it's your opinion on who you like better.
In general, Because they said, 'No more Late fees' is EXACTLY what they did. Removed them. As mentioned above, EVERYTHING you are late for has a penalty. That is no more even with Blockbuster. Sure the price of movie is charged after so much time (the key is "Temporary!!"). Bring the movie back within 30 days, and you get your money back - $1.25. It costs people to key stuff back into the system. Do you think labor is free now all the sudden?? How would you respond if your boss said "We're going to ask you to do this extra task every day/each week, but we're not going to pay you to do it each time, because the customers are just winers and don't feel like having to pay to do it." How do you think you would respond to him after hearing that?? That's exactly what your saying here! We shouldn't charge a restocking fee, because it should be free. We have to pay someone labor to do that with each title.
If your whining about it, guess what? BRING IT BACK WITHIN A RESONABLE TIME FRAME (Do you really need more then 7 DAYS PAST DUE DATE, which is 7 days past more then you've ever got before this, and never complained much before this) and you'll never have to even ever worry about this happening.
And if you DO get charged because your so darn lazy, and disrispectfull to others wanting to also rent that title, bring it back within 30 days, and your only out $1.25. If this is so bad, and are hurting so much over $1.25, you are nothing but the biggest, greediest, inconsiderate b*stard in the world, and I couldn't care a less if you like Blockbuster anyway.
Don't you understand, 1.) If they didn't eventually charge you, What reason would someone ever have the need to bring it back ever???? Duh!! 2.) Every period of days it not back past due date is what they call "Lost Revenue" because no money is being made on that title all that time it's not back, since it's not in the store to be rented again. 7 Days past that isn't enough still?? Personally, that's an EXTREMELY generous amount of extra time now given with NO CHARGE.
Also, for example, there are over 2,000 (AT LEAST), and next time you break one because you didn't know it was actually against the law, try that one in court "Well your honor, no one told me!?". Don't ASS-U-ME someone telling you "No late Fee's" = "Keep the movie as long as you want, nothing will happen, you won't be charged anything ever for it either"
We get asked a lot about what it means, and how it works, and we tell EVERY customer how it works, and what happens. And guess what!?? Customers STILL do it, and still wine about it. That's just lazy, and trying to work the system. Renting something for 1 month and 7 days past the DUE DATE (still exists!!) for only $1.25 and complain about it still? That's not being lazy and money pinching, yet you paid $4.59 to rent it from the start, and never had a problem with that? Wow!!
Every single remark i've made from the start is nothing but FACT's. Most every negative response I've read is either an opinion (personal experience), or simply hearsay (read BS from another post/site),or just plain posting something because of an experience caused from simply being lazy, or assuming you can just keep something as long as you feel.
Like the example used above, try renting a car, or consol,or room for a few days, and do nothing for a couple weeks past that, and tell me it's not going to cost you anything, as well as try to use the stupid excuse "Well, you didn't tell me all that". We tell all customers the due date. And if they want to keep it an extra day or two, that's ok. We don't say, keep it forever, nothing will happen. We don' hide anything. We properly explain every question (GET ASKED A LOT) asked, and in detail as it's further asked. But we don't want to just tell every customer all this info, because no one would ever bring back a movie within 10 (for a 2 day rental) total days with no penalties. Which is happening a good bit already anyways.
So if this information about price of movie , again, 'TEMPORARILY' (30 days PASSED the charge appears on your account, or card. And refunded minus $1.25, Instantly, once brought back in, NO QUESTIONS EVER ASKED.) charged isn't explained in detail at the time, That gives you the right to assume you can just keep it whenever, screw everyone else that also wants to rent it, and at NO EXPENSE to you at all, and can honestly tell me your being ripping off, or that's not being LAZY or INCONSIDERATE, or it being 'our fault'????? That's a lot of nerve. And stupidity. Facts are facts, which is all i've stated from the start. Can't argue that with opinions. Nothing more.
|
|
worldrave
Junior Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 16:38 |
Link to this message
|
|
And one more thing also in case you OBVIOUSLY didn't know. Before this even started, Blockbuster has always charged you for the price of the movie after 2 weeks. This is always been. This is not anything new.
And to CPwinkie,
Blockbuster did NOT take a huge hit to compete with 'Netflix (get your facts straight), it was to give the customers what they wanted, 'No more Late fee's', and 'MOST' were accounted to being charged because it was within an hour to 8 hours late, which now is up to '7' DAYS grace period. And again (how many times you still didn't read this part) That is apples and oranges to even compare the two. 'Blockbuster' and 'Blockbuster Online'(what is what DOES compete with Netflix) are 2 totally different buis's. (IE- Like saying 'Home Depot' is the same thing as 'Exposition Center', which are 2 different places, even though there both subsideraries of "HOME DEPOT"(TM) ) The only link between the two is Blockbuster Online gives each customer 2 Free Rental Coupons a month to use in a Blockbuster store. THAT'S IT. We're not linked in any other way. And BTW, if your friend was a manager, and only making $8 an hour, somethings really wrong there. I don't know any managers (comparing to 19 i personally know of course) that make anything even close to that low. The only person i know that even comes remotely close to that is only 21 years old, and that's his 1st manager's position for experience, and even then, it's a Sub-assist mgr position title. So i'm affraid somethings wrong with that picture.
|
|
S2K
Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 16:56 |
Link to this message
|
I think bringing up netflix since they are in the same competative market and BB is responding on that basis is perfectly fair.
I went to the site http://www.manuelsweb.com/netflix.htm posted here and I have to say that the observations there are extremely accurate. it refelcts my experience 99%
It is clear Netflix is also pushig the very outer envelope on ethcial pracitces as well. I notice how some people are saying that "all you can eat doesn't mean that literally." Ahem actually no resteraunt "offering all you can eat" can segregate its customers according to how much they eat. they can't be given any preference on past behavior either. And if you do get limited in such a busiess model you have a right to a full refund. I think netflix is accumulating liabilites for everyone they have throttled going back many many months.
sooner or later a gung ho state's attorny general is going to go after them as well.
Onto blockbuster:
Blockbuster's restocking fee is TOTALLY in line with standard rental contracts. I worked in hardwre store years back that did rentals and we had standard forms for our rentals. If you didn't return the item in ten days, you bought it. We cahrged yoru card for the full price and NO ONE ever successfully fought that. We would buy it back from you less a $10 transaction fee (just like blockbuster not a late fee but a restocking fee).
Anyway, again I think Netlfix has more ethical problems. I used them for two years and they of course (as slashdot clealy proed 18 months ago) lied about preferencs for new releases. those preferences for new customers had NOTHING to do with your rental load (what netflix apparently classifies as "sheep" vs pigs") but purely you length of cotnract. IS people paying the same fee - regardless of activity - got less new releases the longer they were subscribers.
Some of you may recall thre months ago the Wall Street Journal did a piece on Best Buy categorizing value seeking custmers as "devil customers", flagging them in a database, and insitution policies to disincentive them from best buy. that raised hackels. netflix is doing something else, since their "devil customers" are already paying fees. that is highly problematic.
|
|
S2K
Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 17:00 |
Link to this message
|
|
I just did want to add that Blockbuster has always forced you to buy the movie after a period of time - again JUST like any other rental company.
If you rent a film from netflix and ceancel your account (stop paying) they will make you buy the film too. it is no different one iota in there agreement.
If you et a netflix gilm on the 2nd, cancell on the 5th if your aniversary is that date, and send back on the film on the 30th of that month do you think netflix won't charge you EVEN more than blockbuster?
|
Moderator
|
21. February 2005 @ 17:51 |
Link to this message
|
|
@ worldrave,
I hope you had fun writing that essay cause I'm not even going to waste my reading it. Go ahead and write a novel if you want but it isn't going to make me or any of other folks who abandoned Blockbuster suddenly go back. Piss on them, they had their chance.
I could however put in a good word for you at the corporate office so maybe you can get one of those really cool employee of the month pictures on the wall or something for your undying loyalty to Blockbuster :)
|
AfterDawn Addict
|
21. February 2005 @ 17:56 |
Link to this message
|
|
hey worldrave, whats that stuff on your nose...it looks brown
|
|
kalz8404
Newbie
|
21. February 2005 @ 18:05 |
Link to this message
|
|
Just wanted to point out that several comments have been made about the blockbuster company in regards to their treatment of employees, that they are an unfair company that doesn't treat people well. I hate to point out the obvious, but you haven't read one posting from a disgruntled currently employeed blockbuster person have you? and to anyone else out there speaking for another about whether or not they were paid well, you weren't their boss, you have a bias oppinion. Everyone wishes the compensation they recieved was higher, but the truth of the matter is, retail is what it is, all companies compete with wages and what they do offer is good enough to where anyone can be replaced, besides, it's blockbuster, it's not like it's a hard job, the worst part i would think is putting up with customers that refuse to understand that store level employees don't make the rules they enforce
|
|
worldrave
Junior Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 19:12 |
Link to this message
|
|
LOL. Ok,ok. I'm just very passionate at whatever i do (always giving 175%), and for the record, if you don't like them, or prefer Netflix, that's totally cool. I'm not trying to change minds, or sway people one way. I'm just trying to set the record straight and let facts be out there, and known. That's my only intent.
That's all. :-)
PS- Funny though, i used to always associate Blockbuster as a quite not so hard job though until i started working there myself. It's a great company actually. I know a lot of people think "Oh, you just hand out movies, and put movies back", i can assure you, there's a bit more on the plate then that. (Managed retail for 11 years) If your not quick, customer service friendly (no matter what personal mood your in), very much able to highly multitask, time management oriented, you will for sure not last.
|
|
MXGzX
Member
|
21. February 2005 @ 20:27 |
Link to this message
|
|
I saw an ad for this and in the fine print I clearly understood what would happen. I thought it was lame but...consumer...just rent rip and return! That's the way to end late fee's :)
|
Member
|
22. February 2005 @ 00:16 |
Link to this message
|
|
nephilim,
i think there was some misunderstanding in my posting, and i apologize for it. while i was a former employee of blockbuster, im not really sticking up for it. while i do believe there is a difference between a "late fee" and a "restocking fee", i dont believe that what blockbuster did was ethical. it was misleading and i think something should be done to prevent companies (not just blockbuster) from taking advantage of the common person (most of whom will not take the time to read the fine print).
with that said, i have tried many of the rental options out there. while employed at blockbuster i got 5 rentals a week free which started me on my path to ripping movies. i tried netflix and had a great experience with it. no complaints what so ever (possibly because the warehouse was literally less than 2 miles away from my house and the turnaround time was 1 day). much to my co-wokers' dismay, i tried out blockbuster online after i quit. the system was a little slower (between 2-3 days turnaround), and did not have the selection of older movies that i enjoyed from netflicks. ive had the movie and game passes from blockbuster. over all, i prefer netflix. yes, a former blockbuster empolyee admiting the truth, netflix is better.
--im the only john wayne left in this town--
|
|
Quadratic
Senior Member
|
22. February 2005 @ 15:05 |
Link to this message
|
|
This is getting stupid.
Even a half smart person would realize that their HAS to be some kind of limit on how long you can actually rent, even if late fees are "over." Technically, they are still in place, but they've renamed it. You can't keep the movie forever.
|
|
evilthug
Newbie
|
22. February 2005 @ 20:38 |
Link to this message
|
|
Blockbuster is an extremely good company to work for, I have only been with them 10 months, but i have already been promoted twice and all of the people i interact with are great. The corporation is headed by smart people and they know that without us little employees and customers they would be nothing. John Antioco actually hosts an annual patrty at his ranch for all store managers who would like to attend. Furthermore, the new late fee policy is awesome compared to the old system. If someone is going to keep out a movie for more than a month they deserve to buy it! Keep in mind that on the old system, it did not charge them the amount of the movie, it just kept accrueing late fees until the item was brought back or reported lost. this often added up to three times the price of the movie! This new policy from blockbuster a revolutionary for the video rental business, and I am happy to be able to say i was employed during the switchover...however, if any major corporate people are reading this...the compass system is terrible! If you are not an employee, you would not know what this is because it only affects employees.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
evilthug
Newbie
|
22. February 2005 @ 20:44 |
Link to this message
|
|
an addendum to the above, the FINE PRINT as you so lovingly call it, is Posted on a sign the size of me in EVERY STORE LOCATION so if anyone is really going to concede they didnt understand the policy..it is because of their own sheer laziness to not only ask any employee, but they could also READ THE SIGN IN THE STORE...the phone works too...i probably spend 20% of my shifts...on the phone...some people are never happy.
|
|
