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Blockbuster

Blockbuster • Late fees • Misleading Claims • Blockbuster Online • Insider's View --- News • Blockbuster Late Fees Make Encore • Blockbuster Abandons Customer Data on NYC Street • Loss Of Late Fees Hurts Blockbuster • States Settle With Blockbuster • New Jersey Sues Blockbuster • Blockbuster "Eliminates:"Late Fees • Blockbuster Settlement

Blockbuster seems to have a policy of turning the screws on its customers, charging extra fees whenever possible, "losing" videotapes and confusing everyone about how long five days really is.

The video rental business is expected to go the way of eight-track tapes any year now, so maybe Blockbuster's chief geniuses assume they can get by with abusing their customers for a few more years. Think they're right?

On the other hand, we might be wrong. Bob says we are. And he ought to know. He says he devotes his life to preventing late fees. John thinks we're all wet too.

Robert of Acworth, GA March 5, 2010

My visa debit card had an unauthorized charge. Blockbuster fraudulently charged my visa debit without my consent. On 03/04/2010 Blockbuster store #13100 falsified a transaction on my visa debit card in the amount of 1.05, this was not a purchase or a late fee. This is the third such incident since 09/08/08. This was after Blockbuster was under strict direction that they were not allowed to have my debit card information.

I opened an account at Blockbuster four, or so years ago using a Visa credit card, that I no longer have, and has since been closed. Since opening the account, when renting a movie, I either pay in cash or with my debit card. Three years ago 09/08/08 I saw an unauthorized charge on my debit card in the amount of 23.30 from Blockbuster store #13077. I inquired at store and they said it was for a late fee for not returning a movie in time. First, how did they get my debit card information, I purposely didn’t open the account with it? Did they get it off a previous transaction, which I believe is a direct violation of the new federally adopted PCI DSS regulations? Second, they say “they don’t charge late fees”, false advertising.

Third, Blockbuster admitted they had the movie the whole time and it was not returned late. Blockbuster credited my debit card 22.00 back and said the 1.30 was a restocking fee that they couldn’t credit back, again it wasn’t late they had the movie the whole time. My bank (B of A) wouldn’t do anything about it because they said “it was under their limit.” After the partial credit was made I did ask how they got my debit card information and was told it was “on file”, how it was on file is in question.

I sternly directed them to take my debit card information out of their database. I was told they needed a credit card for their records. I told them I didn’t want them to have my debit card “on file” and that I didn’t have a credit card. They again said they needed one on file, so I told them if that was the case to close my account. At that point the manager said that it’s ok, they didn’t need it and Blockbuster would take my debit card info out of their system. They did tell me I wouldn’t be able to rent equipment or a game without a credit card. I said I don’t anyway, so it doesn’t apply.

Then just days later it happened again! I saw an unauthorized charge on my debit card in the amount of 29.60 from Blockbuster store #13100. I inquired at store and they said it was for a late fee for not returning a movie in time. Again, they admit Blockbuster had the movie the whole time and it was not returned late. Blockbuster credited my debit card 28.40 and said the 1.20 was their restocking fee and that they couldn’t credit that back. When I asked why it was different, they said they weren’t sure. Again, it wasn’t late they had the movie the whole time, and again my bank (B of A) wouldn’t do anything about it because they said “it was under their limit.”

I questioned how they got my debit card information after it was supposedly taken out and was told it was “on file” at each store, again how it was on file is in question. Since I only rented from those two stores I told them to take my debit card information out of their database. I again went though the exact same conversation that I was told they needed a credit card for their records. I told them I didn’t want them to have my debit card “on file” and that I didn’t have a credit card. They said they needed one on file, so I told them if that was the case to close my account. At that point they then said that it’s ok, they didn’t need it and they would take my debit card info out but I wouldn’t be able to rent equipment or a game without it.

For at least 1 full year after this incident, anytime I rented a movie from Blockbuster they said they didn’t have a credit card on file for me and they couldn’t rent me the movie without one. I would tell them that I wasn’t going to give them one and that I wanted to speak to the manager. At that point they were instructed to rent me the movie without credit card information having to be “on file”. Since approximately the last six months we get our movies from an on line company or from a 1 vending machine, because Blockbuster is 5x more expensive.

Now just a couple days ago 03/04/09 I see that my debit card was deceitfully charged 1.05 by Blockbuster who were vehemently told they were not allowed to have my card information. The only way Blockbuster could have possibly got this information is by going back into old transactions or data which I’m quite sure is illegal not to mention immoral business practice! Since when do we allow large business to extort funds from their customers and get away with it, all because it’s under a threshold. How many subscribers does Blockbuster have and if you times that by 1.05 or 1.30, WOW, that would be in the millions of dollars! That’s disgusting!

Sheri of Canal Fulton, OH March 5, 2010

I have been a BB customer form the time they opened. A few times over the years I have returned movies late but have always paid the late charge with no problem. I rented movies in January of 2010 and returned them within the time frame. I used the drop off box, I did not take them into the store. In March 2010 I got a notice from a collection agency for 12.66. Rather than having a black mark on my credit report and going thru the hassle I plan on paying them the 12.66. Along with the payment I will include my membership card.

March of 2010 I got a notice in the mail from a collection agency for 12.66. When you question them on the late fee they give you the old "our records show...." I am outraged.

Gary of Belton, SC March 4, 2010

We rented movies like we use to, returned late because we were told when we started the account 3 yrs ago that there were no late fees. Well this time when we went to rent some more movies a few weeks later we have a 55 charge on the account. Asked the "manager" what it was all about? She proceeded to inform us that it was for 4 movies that were not turned in. This puzzled us since we did turn them in and asked what she was talking about informed her of when we turned them in and gave her a date.

Her reply was "Oh yea, I see where they were turned in and since they were 20 days late we have to charge you for the late fees and the price of buying the movie." I questioned this since the movies were returned. She stated "that was the policy, to charge for the movie even if it's returned." So it's legal now to charge for something yet not give the customer the item? To me that is a scam. Even this store credit thing sounds like shady business practices. Still can't keep the movies that you paid for.

liliana of dover, NJ March 3, 2010

I rented to movie and received a call that I had to returned them. So, I did return the movies and now I have been charge for 35.29...for 2 used movies..The contact you for a reminder and but the still charge you...They sent this to a collection agency my credit is ruin and destroy by a collection agency done by Blockbuster for 35.29.

Britni of Dayton, MT February 24, 2010

I visit the Kalispell, Montana Blockbuster quite often and the employees are very kind and helpful. I am concerned about a particular gentleman there that i rarely see but when i do, my experience with him is great but the body odor is unbearable. the whole store smells and you can hardly take the time to go in. I dont mean to be rude but i just think it needs to be addressed.

debra of royersford, PA February 19, 2010

hi we had rented a game for ps3 and took it back before it was due.i had a disdribing phone call message a long speech on what happens if we dont return it..two hrs later had another message staying they found the tape...my boy friend stopped in the store and they said a new person started and messed up i did not appreciate that phone message at all very down meaning...it happen in the b lock buster in royersford pa

Julia of Woodside, CA February 17, 2010

Blockbuster charged me "restocking fees" for videos that they claim were returned over 10 days after their rental date (I returned them on the 8th day, a day late). They advertise that there are no late fees, and say that "restocking fees" are not late fees, but the restocking fees are only charged if you return the videos late. This is false advertising. Also, they refer your bill to a collection agency without notifying you of charges that allegedly are overdue, or requesting payment.

kimberly of somers, WI February 13, 2010

I would like to file a complaint in regards to the legalities of the block buster store located on 18th street in Kenosha Wi. On more than one occasion I have had unauthorized debits to my account, because I signed up for an automatic draft to purchase what they call "the pass". This service not being the issue, however for no reason at all the same employee debited my checking account for a preauthorization of 1.00 in an untimely manner, meaning I was not just starting out an account. An unauthorized transaction, for no appearant reason.

Then today, one hour ago, I found out that this same account was debited 1.04 for a late charge for one day of a late return. When I asked in the store, I was given the "Addendum to Blockbuster Membership Application." This addendum however states absolutely nothing about automatic late charges being assessed to any checking accounts. There are no late charges in regards to the above mentioned "Pass".

However, in regards to this particular complaint, I am pretty certain this would be considered theft among, just "bad" business practice as it regads to contractual aggreements. I appologize in advance if this company can produce verifacation of my permission to autodebit my account for any other reason than the monthly fee associated with their "Pass" service, however, I am 99% certain I gave NO such authorization to this company to do so.

The bottom line is not the amount debited, but the fact it is being done so without my authorization, and or knowledge! I have been violated in regards to my financial privacy.

Leticia of phoenix, AZ February 9, 2010

I talked with Gabriel an employee who answered the phone, i explain to him,when i rented movies the male cashier told me i had an credit on my account i owe 8.58. for Mario Cart, the cashier told me since i didn't hear of the new policy change, he was going to remove the charges from my account. Gabriel said it was new charges for Mario cart. i told him the cashier removed those charges already. Gabriel said no these are new charges.

Block Buster's does not send out any Information on any new changes, they just tell you word of mouth and if you didn't get the message you are screwed. They don't follow their own contract. They will find some way to keep the charges on your account. I canceled my services with Block Buster

Wesley of Lethbridge, AB February 4, 2010

On February 2 2010 I was renting a videogame and movie on my Account at the North Lethbridge Blockbuster. I had a credit of 37 on my account from previously traded in Blue Ray Movies. When I looked at the total I only had 5.99, I informed the cashier of the difference and she informed me that I did not return a movie from the previous month and that I "Bought" the movie. I Know for a fact that the movie "Public Enemies" was returned before the due date with two other movies. I explained this to the Assistant Manager and she said Smugly "Well you obviously did not return the movie". And that was it, no offer to help or look for it and this conveniently happens when I have just enough on my account to pay for the movie!! I became frustrated with her and re- explained that when I returned the movie my friend was with me and I know for a fact that the movie was returned.

After arguing with the Assistant Manager for 20 minutes and all she did was tell me that the computer said that it was not checked in, I asked her at this point if she had cameras in the store so she could check the fro the day i returned the movies. The Assistant manager responded "yes we do have cameras but they do not look in that area and they are not for that use. She then said "Well there's nothing I can do you have to pay for the movie, I need to help other customer". She then turned away from me and offered for a customer to come to the register. You can understand my frustration, so I called and asked to speak to the manager and was told that she was not in that day. I left a message and since have had no response. Also I did not receive a phone call from the store telling me the movie was missing nor did i get any warning of "Having to buy the movie". This is the Second time I have had blockbuster charge me, the first was for a video game that I brought back two days after renting it, and now this movie.

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