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Blockbuster

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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.

Tammy of McDonough, GA May 6, 2009

My husband rented a game. He took the game back on 4-19-09. On 4-21-09, blockbuster debited my personal account(my husband is not on at all) 58.84 for the game, which resulted in 70.00 in OD fees, because I had outstanding checks that were coming in. When I called the store to inquire as to why they did that, the manager stated that the game was not returned. I told him yes it was, he place me on hold to check. He came back on the phone and said oh, here it is. I told him that I wanted a credit for the 58.84 and reimbursement of the OD fees, he told me that he was not responsible for the fees and that he would only credit me 56.45 and would charge me a 1.95 restocking fee.

I called my bank and they put Blockbuster,me and them all on a conference call. My bank told them that they were responsible for my OD fees and that they should issue be a credit. He would not do so. I called the Customer Care line and spoke with Mary Margaret, Employee NoL 811 3094. She she gave me her fax number and asked me to fax my letter and the letter from my bank and they would get it worked out.

I have since called on 4-23-09, 4-29-09, 5-5-09, 5-6-0, only to be told that the District Manager Tom Jones would call me. Each time I call, I verify my address and telephone number to contact me by. I have yet to be contacted back. They had no authorization to use my check card. THis resulted in two checks bouncing, 70.00 in fees from bank and additional fees from the merchants for returned checks.

Andrea of Mountlake Terrace, WA April 22, 2009

the first of the year I became a member of Paypal. I receive offers from them from time to time. I got one for blockbuster it said If I jointed using my Paypal account and after one successful billing I would receive 20.00 in my Paypal account. I e-mailed them after two successful billings and this is the e-mail I got in return. "Thank you for contacting Blockbuster Customer Care. I understand your confusion regarding the Paypal cashback promotion. In order for you to receive the credit, please change your payment method for your Blockbuster Online account to any valid credit card. You will be receiving the cashback after one successful billing on your credit card." I received this offer via Paypal. Not blockbuster, I use paypal so my credit card info isnt out there for Identity theft.

Daniel of St Cloud, FL April 21, 2009

Daniel of St Cloud FL (04/21/09)
I did a google search on blockbuster complaints that led me to this site. After reading many posts it cannot be a mistake that service with blockbuster is intentionally worsening. Like many of the posters that I read we found out the hard way about the in store rentals being counted against your total amount of movies. What's worse is that they tell you that you have x amount of movies that you can have out at any one time, HOWEVER... they won't ship out anything until you return the in-store rental.

In our case we have the plan that has three mail dvds along with 5 in store rentals per month. Even though my wife returned two of the mail-in dvds directly to the store, days went by and no movies. When she went to the store and asked what is going on they explained that no more movies would be shipped until that in store rental is returned. Which is a total rip, if we're paying for three movies at a time it means three not two.

Let's face it, this is no accident, Blockbuster is doing this intentionally. They make more money by not shipping movies. They are deliberately slowing down the pace of the rentals. Even the movies that we return directly to the store aren't credited for days and this slow-down has coincided with the latest policy change. My advice to those who have a similar plan to us is DO NOT use a in store rental until you receive an email stating that movies in your que have already shipped. That way you have movies on the way and you watch the in store and return it before your movies arrive or maybe return the mail-out ones and the in-store at the same time.

If you want to cancel, wait until you get confirmation that your last movies have been received so they don't try to job you going out the door. Remember it's a game, if you play it right you will win, after all you are the customer they need you, you don't need them.

Angela of Norwalk, CA April 21, 2009

Angela of Norwalk CA (04/21/09)
My record at Blockbuster shows that I have an outstanding balance of 64.92. I have not been in a Blockbuster store in over 2 years and the charge in question shows that someone ordered a video game called Skater II back in February of 2009. I do not own any type of play stations or XBOX in my home and I want this charge stricken from my account immediately. I am afraid someone got a hold of my account number and rented this game out under my name. I know that this is a mistake and I need someone from Blockbuster to rectify this program immediately.

Blockbuster claims that they've made several attempted phone calls to my home regarding this outstanding balance but that is not true. I have never received not one phone call regarding this erroneous bill. The only thing I received from them is a collection notice given by an outside service to collect a debt on behalf of Blockbuster. This could negatively impact my credit if this situation is not resolved.

Susan of Columbus,, OH April 17, 2009

Susan of Columbus, OH (04/17/09)
I have frequented this particular Blockbuster for over 15 years. I go now because it is a regular outing for my special needs son. I have become alarmed at a recent new and I believe illegal practice blockbuster is engaging in. I never charge anything, and always pay cash. A few months ago I caught the clerk pulling off a credit card slip, crumple it and throw it away.

I demanded to see it because she did this only after having entered my order. She immediately looked guilty and after I got more firm with her she reluctantly got it out and gave it to me. Seems that on all CASH transactions, Blockbuster is ILLEGALLY placing a 1.00 hold on my credit card!!! I have demanded that they reverse it to no avail, and I have demanded that that NOT do it at all - I am ignored. Presently, my husband took our son and rented a game Saturday - paid CASH - a 1.00 hold is still pending on our credit card and it is now Thursday.

I'm thinking next time I'm in a bad mood, I am going to go up there, rent a movie, pay cash, and then call the police and file a report of theft by deception. I have a little bit of knowledge about criminal law, and what they are doing is TOTALLY illegal, especially since they are doing it without my authorization and also against my specific demand that they not. This REALLY should be looked into......it has to be actionable.

Keith of Reynoldsburg, OH April 17, 2009

Keith of Reynoldsburg OH (04/17/09)
On April 19, 2009, the deadline for me to return my DVD, Transporter 3,shortly after the deadline and while trying to check out another movie, I was told by the Assistant manager of the Reynoldsburg, OH Block Buster that I owe 27.00? After stating with assurance that I had returned the movie w/two others, I remembered leaving the movie in my laptop case at work.

Even after promising to return the DVD-never mind that I have been and active and responsible Block Buster customer for 6 years or more-I was told I would have to pay the you-own-it-price and there was nothing he could do. I was also told that I would have to submit a credit card to reestablish my account.

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