Blockbuster gets sued - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 02-20-2005, 12:05 AM

http://www.latimes.com/business/cust...ck=2&cset=true

New Jersey wants Blockbuster Inc. to hit the pause button on its "No More Late Fees" marketing campaign.

The state sued the nation's biggest video rental chain Friday, alleging that the late-fee claim was fraudulent because customers could potentially get stuck buying movies they failed to return on time.

Additionally, California officials confirmed that they were part of a separate probe into the matter by 37 states. The task force was formed last month amid concerns that Blockbuster may be violating consumer protection laws.

"It comes down to truth in advertising," said Tom Dressler, spokesman for California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer.

The New Jersey lawsuit alleges that consumers aren't being told that overdue rentals are automatically charged at the full sales price if not returned by the eighth day. Even when customers return a movie within 30 days and are not docked the full amount, they are still hit with a $1.25-per-DVD restocking fee.

The suit also contends that Dallas-based Blockbuster failed to tell consumers that some of its stores don't participate in the program. New Jersey is seeking up to $10,000 for each violation.

"We believe the advertisement campaign is deceptive and misleading," said Atty. Gen. Peter C. Harvey. "It asserts there are no more late fees, which leads the public to believe it will not take any fee of any type. And that is simply not accurate."

Blockbuster denied that its late-fee campaign, which started Jan. 1, was deceptive.

"The fact is there are no longer late fees at Blockbuster, and we are surprised that the New Jersey state attorney general never directly contacted us about this," the company said.

Blockbuster went on to describe its program as "terrific," adding that "we've received tremendous feedback from both our customers and employees."

The company initiated the policy to address what has long been one of the biggest customer complaints. Rival Netflix Inc., an online DVD rental service based in Los Gatos, Calif., has exploited that dissatisfaction to grab market share.

Blockbuster shares rose 4 cents to $9.12 on the New York Stock Exchange

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't believe how STUPID people are. If you don't like the way BB does things, DON'T FREAKIN' GO THERE!!!!!!!

vienna waits · 02-20-2005, 12:12 AM

That commercial is extremely misleading. I had to get online and search for an article before I understood how it worked. Lying scumbags.

x3 Taylor x3 · 02-20-2005, 12:37 AM

I hate Blockbuster. I just get movies from Netflix or a local video store.

dawsongirl · 02-20-2005, 02:35 AM

This is what they get. Blockbuster sucks anyway.

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 02-20-2005, 02:51 AM

blockbuster doesn't suck. At least the one I go to doesn't suck! But people need to realize that no matter WHAT the promotional thing is there's always going to be a catch! come on.

You get 7 days extra after the due date to return it. That's up to 14 days to have the movie. If you can't watch a movie in 2 weeks, well then there's a problem. That's PLENYY of time to watch it and return it.

Mr. Television · 02-20-2005, 02:58 AM

I haven't been in a Blockbuster in about 5 years.

Belair · 02-20-2005, 03:10 AM

I dont go to video shops.I have my cable tv.

Mr. Television · 02-20-2005, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretty in Purple

I dont go to video shops.I have my cable tv.

Yea I get direct TV so I can order any movie I want so I don't have to deal with rude salesclerks and other crap. Plus no late fees.

Dutabi84 · 02-20-2005, 05:20 AM

Good, they're a pile of crap for not making it clear what the whole deal is. I'm glad I wasn't hired by them.

theshark8777 · 02-20-2005, 10:05 AM

We don't even have Blockbuster anywhere around here, so I don't have to worry about that problem. Netflix is a much better solution anyhow.

TJL · 02-20-2005, 11:01 AM

My roommate and I now use Blockbuster Online. It's much easier.

That reminds me, I think I still owe a late fee at my local Blockbuster.

David · 02-20-2005, 11:18 AM

Yeah the commercial is very misleading. I knew there was some catch.

Hollow · 02-20-2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHappyBurgerMeister

But people need to realize that no matter WHAT the promotional thing is there's always going to be a catch! come on.

It doesn't matter, they don't tell you that you'll still be charged until they charge you. they have to let you know that somehow beforehand. it's pretty much false advertising, which obviously is against the law.

The Modfather · 02-20-2005, 04:57 PM

Blockbuster sucks. There building one right down the road from the mom and pop video store I work in now and it'll put us out of bussiness. **** BLOCKBUSTER!!!!!

GARFIELDKOOL · 02-20-2005, 05:15 PM

Blockbuster does suck. I haven't rented or bought anything out of there since the mid-90s. Those high ass prices! I don't see how they are competing with Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Best Buy. I go to all those places for movies.

02-20-2005, 12:05 AM	#1
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	Blockbuster gets sued http://www.latimes.com/business/cust...ck=2&cset=true New Jersey wants Blockbuster Inc. to hit the pause button on its "No More Late Fees" marketing campaign. The state sued the nation's biggest video rental chain Friday, alleging that the late-fee claim was fraudulent because customers could potentially get stuck buying movies they failed to return on time. Additionally, California officials confirmed that they were part of a separate probe into the matter by 37 states. The task force was formed last month amid concerns that Blockbuster may be violating consumer protection laws. "It comes down to truth in advertising," said Tom Dressler, spokesman for California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer. The New Jersey lawsuit alleges that consumers aren't being told that overdue rentals are automatically charged at the full sales price if not returned by the eighth day. Even when customers return a movie within 30 days and are not docked the full amount, they are still hit with a $1.25-per-DVD restocking fee. The suit also contends that Dallas-based Blockbuster failed to tell consumers that some of its stores don't participate in the program. New Jersey is seeking up to $10,000 for each violation. "We believe the advertisement campaign is deceptive and misleading," said Atty. Gen. Peter C. Harvey. "It asserts there are no more late fees, which leads the public to believe it will not take any fee of any type. And that is simply not accurate." Blockbuster denied that its late-fee campaign, which started Jan. 1, was deceptive. "The fact is there are no longer late fees at Blockbuster, and we are surprised that the New Jersey state attorney general never directly contacted us about this," the company said. Blockbuster went on to describe its program as "terrific," adding that "we've received tremendous feedback from both our customers and employees." The company initiated the policy to address what has long been one of the biggest customer complaints. Rival Netflix Inc., an online DVD rental service based in Los Gatos, Calif., has exploited that dissatisfaction to grab market share. Blockbuster shares rose 4 cents to $9.12 on the New York Stock Exchange ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I can't believe how STUPID people are. If you don't like the way BB does things, DON'T FREAKIN' GO THERE!!!!!!!
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02-20-2005, 12:12 AM	#2
vienna waits avatars are stupid. Forum Superstar Join Date: May 18, 2001 Location: Ravenclaw Common Room Posts: 29,859	That commercial is extremely misleading. I had to get online and search for an article before I understood how it worked. Lying scumbags.
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02-20-2005, 12:37 AM	#3
x3 Taylor x3 Yeahh man Senior Member Join Date: Jan 28, 2004 Posts: 1,741	I hate Blockbuster. I just get movies from Netflix or a local video store.
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02-20-2005, 02:58 AM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I haven't been in a Blockbuster in about 5 years.
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02-20-2005, 03:10 AM	#7
Belair Back@SO&Loveit! Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 13, 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 5,925	I dont go to video shops.I have my cable tv.
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02-20-2005, 02:35 AM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,134	This is what they get. Blockbuster sucks anyway.

02-20-2005, 02:51 AM	#5
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	blockbuster doesn't suck. At least the one I go to doesn't suck! But people need to realize that no matter WHAT the promotional thing is there's always going to be a catch! come on. You get 7 days extra after the due date to return it. That's up to 14 days to have the movie. If you can't watch a movie in 2 weeks, well then there's a problem. That's PLENYY of time to watch it and return it.

02-20-2005, 05:20 AM	#9
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	Good, they're a pile of crap for not making it clear what the whole deal is. I'm glad I wasn't hired by them.

02-20-2005, 10:05 AM	#10
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	We don't even have Blockbuster anywhere around here, so I don't have to worry about that problem. Netflix is a much better solution anyhow.
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02-20-2005, 11:01 AM	#11
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	My roommate and I now use Blockbuster Online. It's much easier. That reminds me, I think I still owe a late fee at my local Blockbuster.
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02-20-2005, 11:18 AM	#12
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	Yeah the commercial is very misleading. I knew there was some catch.
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02-20-2005, 04:57 PM	#14
The Modfather It Sure Does Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 12, 2003 Location: canada Posts: 21,149	Blockbuster sucks. There building one right down the road from the mom and pop video store I work in now and it'll put us out of bussiness. **** BLOCKBUSTER!!!!!

02-20-2005, 05:15 PM	#15
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	Blockbuster does suck. I haven't rented or bought anything out of there since the mid-90s. Those high ass prices! I don't see how they are competing with Wal-Mart, Circuit City, and Best Buy. I go to all those places for movies.