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Blockbuster Inc. Complaint - Goodbye Blockbuster! - Reinstating Late Fees

Reinstating Late Fees - Complaint
Review by clutzycook on 2010-05-16
I stopped using Blockbuster about 5 years ago because I was sick and tired of having to return a movie by noon on its due date. I always had late fees because of work and/or class and I would leave the house, forget the movie, and would not have the opportunity to return to retrieve it until long after the noon deadline came and went.

When they eliminated their late fees back in 2005, I started going back. It was nice knowing that if I forgot to return my movie, I could return it the next day or the day after and not incur a fee.

Last fall, they reinstated the late fees on video games. I wasn't terribly happy about this because my husband likes to rent video games and he's not always the most punctual with returns.

This spring, they reinstated the late fees for all movies as well. This irritated me to no end for the reasons I illustrated in the first paragraph.

Two weeks ago, my husband rented 2 movies and 2 video games. Naturally, he didn't return them until after the 12:00 deadline, giving us a $4 charge on our credit card for late fees! If Blockbuster had a sensible return deadline (like midnight), I wouldn't have incurred this fee.

I've had enough. Goodbye Blockbuster, hello Netflix and Redbox!
Comments:
Posted by SteveWiginowski on 2010-05-16:
If you rent a new release movie (which is a two day rental), you get it for the day you rent it, plus the next day. They allow you to return it by noon on the 3rd day without a late fee. If you return it after that, then it is late.
Posted by Inat on 2010-05-16:
they lost most of their competition for new releases (netflix, redbox, cable) so can do what they want now . . . see, competition was good!
Posted by Wally86 on 2010-05-16:
Blockbuster is almost bankrupt they are bleeding money. they are doing just about everything to increase profits or they are gonna be history.
Posted by Skye on 2010-05-16:
I'm surprised they are still around. They probably reinstated late fees, due to loosing money to places like red box, comcast, etc., that they cannot compete with. We haven't been to Blockbuster in 3 years, and my husband plays all his games on line now.
Posted by Wally86 on 2010-05-16:
I always hated having to run to Blockbuster before noon to drop my games of. Now I use gamefly I can keep my games as long as I want. good Riddance BB
Posted by MRM on 2010-05-16:
I too hate to return movies the next day on a certain time. That is why I copy movies and return the movies the next day and I then could the movies whenever I want!
Posted by sherdy on 2010-05-16:
Agreed, Wally. We've had three go out of business within 20 minutes of every direction of me. I went in one Friday to look around. There are a ton of movies for sale at the 4 for $20 price, even the very new stuff. The poster on the front of the store said they get movies faster than Red Box and Net Flix. What escapes them is, if I have waited four months to see a particular film because I hate going to the movies anymore (cell phones, idiots, you know), I can wait another two weeks to get it for $1 at the RedBox. I also like the fact I get receipts for when I rent and when I return.
Posted by andbran on 2010-05-16:
has anyone considered using blockbuster online? i have been using this for about 5 years and still love it.
Posted by clutzycook on 2010-05-17:
I figured the whole losing money thing was why they reinstated the late fees. I even paid the extra money every year for Blockbuster rewards. We used to have Hollywood Video just down the street from Blockbuster, but their selection was crap and they actually ended up going out of business last month. I just don't have time to go to the video store anymore.
Posted by lilyaya on 2010-05-17:
We stopped using Blockbuster when they reinstated the late fees. Now we just order movies
Posted by Ytropious on 2010-05-17:
My friend and I have movie night every so often and before I knew about Redbox I signed up at BB for a card. They never got the computer working to print me a card so they gave me a free movie. I can't believe they wanted 5 bucks for a rental anyway so thank god I got it free! I still haven't gotten that BB card in the mail either. I do Redbox now. So much simpler and so much cheaper.
Posted by jktshff1 on 2010-05-21:
I stopped using blockheads when they posted all the stores. Really and anti 2A company.

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