Blockbuster to Handle Late Rental Returns Differently
Wednesday December 15, 2004
Turmoil continues in the home video rental marketplace.
Blockbuster is claiming they are going to eliminate late fees in their video rental stores, although rivals are saying that really the movie rental giant will only be giving customers more time than they have in the past before imposing even higher payments.
The Blockbuster scheme isn’t all that straightforward, and I may be a little confused, but I believe it goes something like this: The customer is given a one-week grace period after the due date of any movie rental. If the movie is not returned within that grace period, it is automatically sold to the customer! But wait, there’s more! If the customer returns the movie within 30 days, they will be refunded their purchase price less a service fee of something like $1.25.
My understanding is that the new scheme is scheduled to go into effect at Blockbuster stores on January 1, 2005.
This certainly seems like a complicated scheme to me, and I hope I’ve at least got the general flavor of it right. In any case, be sure to check with your local Blockbuster store before you try to make use of the new scheme.
Meanwhile, the home video rental business remains in a state of flux. Blockbuster and Hollywood Video may merge, and Amazon may enter the online rental business in the U.S as it is doing in the U.K.
More About This Story Elsewhere on the Web:Blockbuster Video - No More Late Fees
Blockbuster to Wipe Out Late Fees on Rentals
Blockbuster to Eliminate Late Fees
Blockbuster Sacrifices Late Fees to Lure Renters
Blockbuster Cancels Late Fees
Movie Gallery Bids on Hollywood Entertainment
Hollywood Video Sour on Blockbuster's Sweetened Offer
Amazon Moves in on the DVD Rental Market
Amazon Rolls Out Online DVD Rentals in the U.K.
Blockbuster is claiming they are going to eliminate late fees in their video rental stores, although rivals are saying that really the movie rental giant will only be giving customers more time than they have in the past before imposing even higher payments.
The Blockbuster scheme isn’t all that straightforward, and I may be a little confused, but I believe it goes something like this: The customer is given a one-week grace period after the due date of any movie rental. If the movie is not returned within that grace period, it is automatically sold to the customer! But wait, there’s more! If the customer returns the movie within 30 days, they will be refunded their purchase price less a service fee of something like $1.25.
My understanding is that the new scheme is scheduled to go into effect at Blockbuster stores on January 1, 2005.
This certainly seems like a complicated scheme to me, and I hope I’ve at least got the general flavor of it right. In any case, be sure to check with your local Blockbuster store before you try to make use of the new scheme.
Meanwhile, the home video rental business remains in a state of flux. Blockbuster and Hollywood Video may merge, and Amazon may enter the online rental business in the U.S as it is doing in the U.K.
More About This Story Elsewhere on the Web:
Comments
I just experienced the new no late fee scam from blockbuster. If your allowed users rent videos, you find out about them on your credit card bill. It’s too late to return them and you buy them. The store is uncooperative and makes no attempt to use customer care. I must say that this is my opinion of blockbuster and that they are a company to avoid at all cost. Use them and pay the price. Let the buyer beware!!!! Use any video source except blockbuster.