Posted: 1/12/2005 4:52:46 AM EDT
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I signed up for a Blockbuster card two months ago. They offered me some free magazines along with the membership. The deal was that the magazines were free for 8 weeks and then I'd get a statement asking if I wanted to subscribe. If I didn't want to subscribe, I'd just indicate that and return the card. I told them I was not interested. I got magazines anyhow. I went into Blockbuster and told them I didn't want the magazines and that I wasn't going to pay for them. The 15-year-old behind the counter had no clue. Whatever, then... Free Time and SI. Never got any statement asking me if I wanted to subscribe-- THEY BILLED MY CREDIT CARD DIRECTLY FOR $60.00! Just got it taken care of last night- I think I scared them somehow... (Shouldn't have mentioned anything about keeping a lawyer locked in the basement and only feeding it the blood of virgins...) Just a word to the wise-- watch your statements and be careful around Blockbuster.  Mike |
Not to me they don't. Everytime they ask for personal info like address or phone number... I say "No." Not once have they ever refused to sell something to me...... (Blockbuster is a little different since you have to be a member to rent from them.....) |
Movie and game rentals are due back at the date and time stated on the transaction receipt. There is no additional 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 eight (8th) 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. 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 minimal 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. Participating stores only. Additional membership rules apply for rentals. See participating BLOCKBUSTER store for details. |
Toys R Us did that a while too, asking for phone number, for what? Call me up and see how my TONKa truck is doing? Pffffffffft. My answer is always "it's unlisted" when asked for phone number, if they insist then it's 555-1212 |
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When asked for a phone number (Sports Authority, Best Buy, etc.), I just say "no thank you." Asked for a zip code, I give them one from California or Massachussetts. If they press for a phone number, perhaps giving them the number for the Arizona Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection division, might be fun: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Consumer Information and Complaints 1275 W. Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2926 Telephone: (602) 542-5763 For you SoAz folks: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Consumer Information and Complaints 400 W. Congress South Building, Suite 315 Tucson, Arizona 85701-1367 Telephone: (520) 628-6504 |
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Radio Shack did that to me once.....I left the stuff on the counter and walked out. I went to the pay phone and looked up Radio Shack's number... Went back to the store and when asked for my number...I gave them theirs. I don't know if they caught on or not. I haven't been back there since. |
Im writing that one down and putting it in my wallet right now. |
+1 on Netflix. Never had a problem with them, and they have even lowered their prices recently. That whole charge the credit card card but then credit it back *if, if, if* sounds like a cluster fuck waiting to happen. I'm sure their accounting staff was real happy when they heard that, running around like a monkey fucking a football adjusting ledgers. I just finished an accounting class, and it's confusing enough without convoluting matters to that extent. I don't know how anyone could be an accountant for a living without a drinking or drug problem - gave me a headache trying to figure all that stuff out. |
I used to think that NetFlix would be a big waste of money for me since I don't watch a metric assload of DVDs. However, the other day I returned two videos late and the late fee was $17.50! I could get a month's membership at NetFlix for that. Plus this whole "no late fees" (but we'll charge your card for the cost of the video) schtick they're pulling now and their anti-gun issues have made me re-think things. |
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Generlly if you call the phone number listed on your statement they will issue a credit to your account without any argument. If that fails (it wont, allow some time for credit to show up) call your bank and tell them you cancelled. Make up a date that is 15-20 days before you where billed. |
First Amendment only applies to governments and their agents. Blockbuster's decision to carry "only the films the management deems morally suitable" seems more a business decision than anything else. they have only so much floor space to devote to rentals. So while you might be looking for the latest copy of the Seymour Butts series, most folks going to Blockbuster won't. So, that space is being taken up by a vid that gets rented infrequently. Not much ROI per square foot for that. Regardless, even if the management indicated they select movies they believe morally suitable, I don't see how that is censorship in the context of the First Amendment...you are free to go elsewhere for your movies...as you indicate you likely do. |
