Blockbuster is either incompetent or malicious - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Nick Koan · 2008-03-10, 08:21 PM

Take your pick, either way, I sure as hell ain't going back.

Last December I get a call saying that some movies I rented were going to be late and I was going to be charged for them. I hadn't rented a movie from there for about a month by that point (IIRC). So, being rather angry, I drove down there to have them reverse the charges. And they did and and they put all the super duper security on my account and I left. I haven't been back since because I still haven't gotten over it, but tonight I got another call regarding the same problem.

So, now I'm super pissed because its gotten through their super duper extra special ID checking security. I'm basically figuring that they are either incompetent or malicious and I decide to drive down again. Last time, though, they told me I could just call them up instead of showing up in person, but I find its much more productive to visit in person.

Well, I went through the spiel again, and this time emphasized the fact that this happened 3 months ago. I also made it a point to say that they should have a talk with the employee who rented out the movie. I said I didn't want to know the employee's name, but it slipped out of his mouth anyway (oh well). Anyway, I still had them cancel my Blockbuster account since I wasn't going to use it ever again, and that now its a serious liability if their employees can't restrain themselves from renting movies on my account like its 1999.

Well, turns out there is another Nick <insert my semi-full last name here> in the area and has an account there (and, strangely enough, was an acquaintance of the poor sap who had to deal with me). So, who knows how many times movies have been rented under the wrong account? I still had them cancel my account though. But I guess it is nice to know that they aren't malicious there.

Nick Koan · 2008-03-10, 08:29 PM

Actually, now that I've calmed down, I do kinda hope a specific employee doesn't take the brunt of this. Sure, at least one employee there fucked up, but this kind of problem is really indicative of a need for a policy change because it does sound like a small error at the register (that manifested itself in me potentially getting charged ~$100 for movies I never rented out).

And, to their credit, they did reverse the charges after I talked with someone at the store.

But still, fuck them.

I'm going to start downloading movies again.

100_Percent_Juice · 2008-03-10, 10:07 PM

The only place I go to get movies anymore is my mail box. Thanks netflix for always being a loyal friend.

eggeegg · 2008-03-10, 11:20 PM

I hope one day all BlockBuster stores could just be converted into giant Redbox machines.

Nick Koan · 2008-03-10, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100_Percent_Juice

The only place I go to get movies anymore is my mail box. Thanks netflix for always being a loyal friend.

Yeah, I tried it (and Blockbuster's one too), but I felt like I was wasting my money. I don't watch nearly enough movies to make it worth it.

cody · 2008-03-11, 07:44 AM

Blockbuster is teh suck. Way too expensive, and I've had fraudulent charges there too (probably 10 years ago in another state, but whatever).

Kevin M · 2008-03-11, 08:40 AM

Hollywood Video scammed me once. I don't do rentals anymore. OnDemand or go buy a DVD.

tysonK · 2008-03-11, 10:56 AM

I just got an account like 3 months ago to rent a movie here and there, they have not screwed me yet, but they have in past.

Hollywood Video late charged a few times until I asked them to print out return reciepts when I took the movies back. I got word from the manager that if I could present a return reciept that was not late and I still got charged for I could have 5 free rentals. Needless to say I got my free rentals in under 2 weeks.

ScottyS · 2008-03-12, 08:54 PM

Then the police show up: "Mr. Koan, we know what sort of movies you've been watching..."

With that last name, too.

Kunikos · 2008-03-13, 11:33 AM

I get Amazon Unbox directly to my TiVo (hoping they roll out HD content soon), and I subscribe to Netflix. If Unbox had more selection I might be tempted to cancel my Netflix; I get them much faster, and I love their $0.99 specials. A plan with all-you-can-eat would be pretty sweet, though.

Other than that I can download movies to my PC and use pyTivo to stream them to my TiVo boxes. I plan on testing out the HD streaming sometime soon (not sure if my PC is strong enough to do that and do other things at the same time).

I also obviously use the HD TiVo and my Series 2 DT TiVo to record movie channels, since I have pretty much all of them (Showtime, HBO, Encore, etc).

JC · 2008-03-13, 11:42 AM

TWC is supposed to be rolling out HD Movies On Demand that are day and date releases with DVDs here soon. I still use netflix for the better quality though.

2008-03-10, 08:21 PM	#1
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Blockbuster is either incompetent or malicious Take your pick, either way, I sure as hell ain't going back. Last December I get a call saying that some movies I rented were going to be late and I was going to be charged for them. I hadn't rented a movie from there for about a month by that point (IIRC). So, being rather angry, I drove down there to have them reverse the charges. And they did and and they put all the super duper security on my account and I left. I haven't been back since because I still haven't gotten over it, but tonight I got another call regarding the same problem. So, now I'm super pissed because its gotten through their super duper extra special ID checking security. I'm basically figuring that they are either incompetent or malicious and I decide to drive down again. Last time, though, they told me I could just call them up instead of showing up in person, but I find its much more productive to visit in person. Well, I went through the spiel again, and this time emphasized the fact that this happened 3 months ago. I also made it a point to say that they should have a talk with the employee who rented out the movie. I said I didn't want to know the employee's name, but it slipped out of his mouth anyway (oh well). Anyway, I still had them cancel my Blockbuster account since I wasn't going to use it ever again, and that now its a serious liability if their employees can't restrain themselves from renting movies on my account like its 1999. Well, turns out there is another Nick <insert my semi-full last name here> in the area and has an account there (and, strangely enough, was an acquaintance of the poor sap who had to deal with me). So, who knows how many times movies have been rented under the wrong account? I still had them cancel my account though. But I guess it is nice to know that they aren't malicious there. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN Last edited by Nick Koan; 2008-03-10 at 08:24 PM.

2008-03-10, 08:29 PM	#2
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Actually, now that I've calmed down, I do kinda hope a specific employee doesn't take the brunt of this. Sure, at least one employee there fucked up, but this kind of problem is really indicative of a need for a policy change because it does sound like a small error at the register (that manifested itself in me potentially getting charged ~$100 for movies I never rented out). And, to their credit, they did reverse the charges after I talked with someone at the store. But still, fuck them. I'm going to start downloading movies again. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2008-03-10, 10:07 PM	#3
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	The only place I go to get movies anymore is my mail box. Thanks netflix for always being a loyal friend. __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2008-03-10, 11:20 PM	#4
eggeegg EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 137 Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan Trying is the first step towards failure.	I hope one day all BlockBuster stores could just be converted into giant Redbox machines. __________________ Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones

2008-03-11, 07:44 AM	#6
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Blockbuster is teh suck. Way too expensive, and I've had fraudulent charges there too (probably 10 years ago in another state, but whatever). __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2008-03-11, 08:40 AM	#7
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Hollywood Video scammed me once. I don't do rentals anymore. OnDemand or go buy a DVD. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2008-03-11, 10:56 AM	#8
tysonK warehouse SECCS Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SoCal... Posts: 6,253 Car: 04 Evo 99 Cadillac Class: street de le mod	I just got an account like 3 months ago to rent a movie here and there, they have not screwed me yet, but they have in past. Hollywood Video late charged a few times until I asked them to print out return reciepts when I took the movies back. I got word from the manager that if I could present a return reciept that was not late and I still got charged for I could have 5 free rentals. Needless to say I got my free rentals in under 2 weeks. __________________ Anjali? Anjali?

2008-03-12, 08:54 PM	#9
ScottyS EJ205 Real Name: It is real! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: RNO Posts: 2,367 Car: 1998 Impreza Wagon, 1991 Legacy Turbo Sedan, 2003 Nissan Xterra Class: tvFree Yes, I'll fix it for you. Again.	Then the police show up: "Mr. Koan, we know what sort of movies you've been watching..." With that last name, too. __________________ "Trend Number One is that people aren't getting any smarter." Dogbert

2008-03-13, 11:33 AM	#10
Kunikos EJ22 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: QT3 Forums Posts: 213 Car: Three-Dead-Hooker-Trunk Devilmobile Xfire: Kunikos	I get Amazon Unbox directly to my TiVo (hoping they roll out HD content soon), and I subscribe to Netflix. If Unbox had more selection I might be tempted to cancel my Netflix; I get them much faster, and I love their $0.99 specials. A plan with all-you-can-eat would be pretty sweet, though. Other than that I can download movies to my PC and use pyTivo to stream them to my TiVo boxes. I plan on testing out the HD streaming sometime soon (not sure if my PC is strong enough to do that and do other things at the same time). I also obviously use the HD TiVo and my Series 2 DT TiVo to record movie channels, since I have pretty much all of them (Showtime, HBO, Encore, etc). __________________ "What can change the nature of a man?" - Ravel Puzzlewell

2008-03-13, 11:42 AM	#11
JC Ask me about dubs! Real Name: JC Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 2,895 Car: 2013 Triumph Speed Triple R	TWC is supposed to be rolling out HD Movies On Demand that are day and date releases with DVDs here soon. I still use netflix for the better quality though. __________________ Actually, I am a rocket scientist.