Blockbuster settles over "No Late Fees" lawsuit

[Queasy]

Link

NEW YORK ? Blockbuster Inc. (BBI), the top U.S. movie renter, has agreed to pay $630,000 to settle claims from 47 states that said its "No Late Fees" rental policy deceived customers, the Pennsylvania attorney general's office said Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Blockbuster will also be required to make full refunds to customers who claim that they were misled and were charged restocking fees or the full price of movies rented if they were returned seven days after the due date, a statement from Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett's office said.

It said the agreement, which also includes the District of Columbia, would dramatically alter the way Blockbuster advertises its "No Late Fees" policy in the future.

 

[isasir]

Ouch.

 

[Jzero]

$630k is nothing, but as long as it changes their false advertising scheme, it is good enough.

Am I the only one that noticed that ever since BB became rent-to-own ship that they never have any movies available anymore?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Jzero
$630k is nothing, but as long as it changes their false advertising scheme, it is good enough.

Am I the only one that noticed that ever since BB became rent-to-own ship that they never have any movies available anymore?

I think the $630k is supposed to be a refund of the 'late fee'. But, you're right. The number of available movies in-stock (especially new releases) has really gone down in the stores since they went the no late fees route.

 

[Hammer]

Originally posted by: Jzero
$630k is nothing, but as long as it changes their false advertising scheme, it is good enough.

its substantially more than that.

Under the agreement, Blockbuster will also be required to make full refunds to customers who claim that they were misled and were charged restocking fees or the full price of movies rented if they were returned seven days after the due date

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Our blockbuster has the entire policy listed on the receipt.

 

[spunkz]

which states are not included in the settlement?

 

[eakers]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
Our blockbuster has the entire policy listed on the receipt.

our blockbuster hands out a pamphlet with highlighted parts and tells you to read the information if you are gonna be bringging it back late.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: Jzero
$630k is nothing, but as long as it changes their false advertising scheme, it is good enough.

 

[StageLeft]

Good. They never terminated "no late fees" regardless of how much a play on semantics is attempted. On the one hand it's plainly evident that there is in fact a late fee, so you should not be surprised to be asked to pay one (oh, I mean "restocking fee"), but on the other hand it states in huge letters "no late fees", so I am happy for this. BB sucks.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
Our blockbuster has the entire policy listed on the receipt.

Listing the actual policy in the fine print is nothing. The suit was about false advertising. A company is not allowed to advertise one way and then spell out something different on a receipt. Blockbuster clearly lied, they advertised no late fees and charged late fees under a different name. The receipt didn't protect them from getting smacked down.

 

[PingSpike]

Good.

 

[Pciber]

hey, heres a thought, guys...


return your movies on time and don't worry about late fees.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Pciber
hey, heres a thought, guys...


return your movies on time and don't worry about late fees.

You're a moron.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: Pciber
hey, heres a thought, guys...


return your movies on time and don't worry about late fees.

You're a moron.

seconded

 

[Doboji]

The End of Late Fees Terms

Membership rules apply for rentals. Rentals are due back at the date and time stated on the transaction receipt. There is no additional rental charge if a member keeps a rental item up to 7 days beyond the pre-paid rental period. After 7 days beyond the due date, Blockbuster will automatically convert the rental to a purchase on the 8th day and will charge the member the selling price for the item in effect at the time of the rental, minus the rental fee paid. Member then has 30 days to return the product and receive a credit for the selling price charged, less a $1.25 restocking fee. These terms available at participating stores only. Franchisee restocking fees may vary. See store or blockbuster.com for complete terms and conditions.

So basically there's a $1.25 late fee, and they gank your account for whatever crazy price they pay for a movie. WHICH BTW is alot more than what you would pay at BB.

Yet another reason I will never EVER own a blockbuster membership again.

-Max

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Pciber
hey, heres a thought, guys...


return your movies on time and don't worry about late fees.

Umm.... If there is "no late fees" then how can it be not "on time" and thus late?

 

[Vampirrella]

blockbuster= die use netflix!

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Blockbuster is a joke. The fact that they're the number one rental chain isn't surprising, though. Just more proof that this nation gravitates towards crap. I pray to God they aren't allowed to buy Hollywood Video.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: spunkz
which states are not included in the settlement?

Alaska isn't. They advertise the "No Late Fees" thing up here, but they don't actually follow it.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Blockbuster is a joke. The fact that they're the number one rental chain isn't surprising, though. Just more proof that this nation gravitates towards crap. I pray to God they aren't allowed to buy Hollywood Video.

There was an article a few days ago saying that they had ended their attempted take-over.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Pciber
hey, heres a thought, guys...


return your movies on time and don't worry about late fees.

Umm.... If there is "no late fees" then how can it be not "on time" and thus late?

Well, on my recipts, it says, Please Be Kind and Return On Time. Retarded.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Blockbuster is a joke. The fact that they're the number one rental chain isn't surprising, though. Just more proof that this nation gravitates towards crap. I pray to God they aren't allowed to buy Hollywood Video.

There was an article a few days ago saying that they had ended their attempted take-over.

Awesome. I remember hearing a few days ago that the FTC might intervene so I was hopeful. This is good news indeed.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Blockbuster is a joke. The fact that they're the number one rental chain isn't surprising, though. Just more proof that this nation gravitates towards crap. I pray to God they aren't allowed to buy Hollywood Video.

There was an article a few days ago saying that they had ended their attempted take-over.

Awesome. I remember hearing a few days ago that the FTC might intervene so I was hopeful. This is good news indeed.

Here is the article. It looks like Hollywood, the second largest chain in the country, wants to merge with the third largest chain.

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
Our blockbuster has the entire policy listed on the receipt.

Listing the actual policy in the fine print is nothing. The suit was about false advertising. A company is not allowed to advertise one way and then spell out something different on a receipt. Blockbuster clearly lied, they advertised no late fees and charged late fees under a different name. The receipt didn't protect them from getting smacked down.

What I don't get is why the lawyers for Blockbuster didn't point this out to them before it even started? Surely it's obvious that saying "No Late Fees" would confuse a good portion of people, even though common sense says they'll still make their money somehow.