I got a 52 week card with the DTV deal last year, the rent one a week thing kept me from even getting the 52 I was supposed to get untill I figured this out. In fact it expires today and I still haven't gotten but about 40. I am not crying for block bastered since I feel slighted by this whole deal. They offered what sounded like a great deal to get me to buy a Satalite system and then throw in restrictions aimed at making sure you can't get it. My 2 cents is screw away, they deserve it.
They give you a 52 week card, and you only rent 40 of those 52. How exactly are they screwing you over
I've known about this for awhile. Yes you can rent 14 times at as many locations as you want, apparently Blockbuster's computer system is not networked real time. You would think a company that big would have some safeguards against this kind of easy abuse.
I wouldn't say this is fraud. This is an oversight by BB and all the computers at different stores should be networked together. It's more like a loophole. I never knew about this and only after renting like crazy I realized something weird was going on.
60% of the deals at Staples would be fraud too because we are not supposed to PM and use coupons. Again, no one cries fraud because we blame Staples for not being careful enough.
60% of the deals at Staples would be fraud too because we are not supposed to PM and use coupons. Again, no one cries fraud because we blame Staples for not being careful enough.
DARN! Now this deal will more than likely be trashed since you announced it. I should probably be thanking you; I have been seeing too many movies anyway.
Thanks alot.
Thanks alot.
Loophole and oversight. But they are tied together when you use a 2for1 coupon with a scanned code.
Here's how the Blockbuster computer system works:
There are national database computers that store all of your identification info, searchable only by your membership number (6-digit store code -- where you first got the card, your "home store") + (5-digit identifier -- for each each store). Note your mem. # is 11 digits.
When you first get a card, you fill out the form and they make you a card and put you in the computer. You will remain in THAT computer, at your 'home' store, for a while. Once you're in a computer, you can be searched by your last name.
Note that when you go to a Blockbuster OTHER than your 'home' store, you are basically required to have your card, otherwise they make you fill out a form and get a new one . . . and a new number. This is because they can look you up in the national database (oh yeah, I forgot to add -- this shows that the card they issue you is INDEED good for the entire US and Canada) (yes Canada!) by your unique 11-digit membership #, but NOT by your name.
Through all this you can begin to see that the computer systems at each Blockbuster are NOT -- NOT -- networked in any way! So any type of redemption card they give you . . . pretty much EVER -- including this one! . . . can be used independently at any Blockbuster at which you choose to use it. The key: don't look like you know what you're doing, maliciously
D) cruising around town screwing Blockbuster at every turn because they choose to cut costs and not network their archaic computer system.
ONE CAVEAT: This is important. Now that you know a bit more about the BB database, you must know that while it is easy to get away with this redemption card exploit, you CANNOT run away from late fees. Once you owe a Blockbuster money -- note that you do indeed owe that SINGULAR Blockbuster money; you do not owe "Blockbuster" (the company) money -- they will hound you, the fees will pile up, and if you take too long to pay them back, they WILL report you to other stores, and they will notify the corporate collections dept. Oh yeah, that penultimate item is worth noting: indiv. Blockbusters can put a "hold" on your acct. and send this to a national computer, which will send it to EACH and EVERY Blockbuster. But this is typically just when you have a late fee at another store, or they need updated info, or you're in Collections . . . like I said, if you can stay in the clear with each Blockbuster you visit, you'll be just fine.
Rewards cards . . . I'm not so sure. I believe there is a little more at work there, and maybe your membership is more pervasive nationally . . . I don't know.
Have fun! Don't forget to Go Home Happy! (TM)
There are national database computers that store all of your identification info, searchable only by your membership number (6-digit store code -- where you first got the card, your "home store") + (5-digit identifier -- for each each store). Note your mem. # is 11 digits.
When you first get a card, you fill out the form and they make you a card and put you in the computer. You will remain in THAT computer, at your 'home' store, for a while. Once you're in a computer, you can be searched by your last name.
Note that when you go to a Blockbuster OTHER than your 'home' store, you are basically required to have your card, otherwise they make you fill out a form and get a new one . . . and a new number. This is because they can look you up in the national database (oh yeah, I forgot to add -- this shows that the card they issue you is INDEED good for the entire US and Canada) (yes Canada!) by your unique 11-digit membership #, but NOT by your name.
Through all this you can begin to see that the computer systems at each Blockbuster are NOT -- NOT -- networked in any way! So any type of redemption card they give you . . . pretty much EVER -- including this one! . . . can be used independently at any Blockbuster at which you choose to use it. The key: don't look like you know what you're doing, maliciously
D) cruising around town screwing Blockbuster at every turn because they choose to cut costs and not network their archaic computer system.ONE CAVEAT: This is important. Now that you know a bit more about the BB database, you must know that while it is easy to get away with this redemption card exploit, you CANNOT run away from late fees. Once you owe a Blockbuster money -- note that you do indeed owe that SINGULAR Blockbuster money; you do not owe "Blockbuster" (the company) money -- they will hound you, the fees will pile up, and if you take too long to pay them back, they WILL report you to other stores, and they will notify the corporate collections dept. Oh yeah, that penultimate item is worth noting: indiv. Blockbusters can put a "hold" on your acct. and send this to a national computer, which will send it to EACH and EVERY Blockbuster. But this is typically just when you have a late fee at another store, or they need updated info, or you're in Collections . . . like I said, if you can stay in the clear with each Blockbuster you visit, you'll be just fine.
Rewards cards . . . I'm not so sure. I believe there is a little more at work there, and maybe your membership is more pervasive nationally . . . I don't know.
Have fun! Don't forget to Go Home Happy! (TM)
I can't wait for the all-games-you-can-rent-in-a-month promotion
More like all-games-you-can-rent-in-a-year
More like all-games-you-can-rent-in-a-year
No. You are thinking of forgery.
Fraud is any misrepresentation, either by misstatement or omission of a material fact, knowingly made with the intention of deceiving another and on which a reasonable person would rely on to his or her own detriment.
Take that as you may. My personal opinion is that if anything comes out of this its going to be that BlockBuster fixes their system so that this won't work anymore. You won't go to jail for this and you won't be sued for this. However, if BlockBuster finds out that you rented more than 14 movies, they have the legal right to charge you for every movie you made over that amount. The law would be on their side if they decided to take that action.
- Shaz
p.s. I am not a lawyer, just a student of business law.
Forgery specifically applies to misrepresetning something as soemthing else that actually exists and generally has some sort of identification on it like signature or us seal. As in passing off one thing as if it were another based on implied faith. When you alter something, generally it's fraud.
I figure I am more a typical BB renter, and IMHO the discover card deal sucks.
1. You only can rent ONE movie per day via the card.
2. They won't or can't tell you how many rentals you have left on the card.
3. The card expires, sure we rent more than 10 or 20 movies a year, but MOST of the time forget the card, so mine that expired yesterday (12/30/02 not 31) still had movies on it.
4. Not good with any other offer, ie typical two for one coupons.
5. Not good for games.
6. Damn those late fees.
OTOH maybe I will get a couple and keep one in each car instead of at home passing one card back and forth between wife and I.
1. You only can rent ONE movie per day via the card.
2. They won't or can't tell you how many rentals you have left on the card.
3. The card expires, sure we rent more than 10 or 20 movies a year, but MOST of the time forget the card, so mine that expired yesterday (12/30/02 not 31) still had movies on it.
4. Not good with any other offer, ie typical two for one coupons.
5. Not good for games.
6. Damn those late fees.
OTOH maybe I will get a couple and keep one in each car instead of at home passing one card back and forth between wife and I.
The comment by the "student" says they can collect from you. That is not true!
Unless you sign a legal agreement stating that you will be liable for any additional fees incurred, they are responsible for the loses. Federal laws protect consumers from error and omissions from vendors who have errors in thier systems. There is case law rgarding Sears not charging interest on accounts that were established back when they simply mailed out cards. Consumers used the cards and kept a balance on them. The problem was that they did not disclose the interest amount in the offer documentation and did not catch the error for a period of time and then tried to retro the fees. They were forced to remove the fees and interest and convert the accounts to new accounts for those willing to accept the new terms. If the person did not accept the new terms, they accounts were closed and the consumer was allowed to continue making payments under the old terms until the balance was paid.
The consumer can not be charged unless they agree in advance!
Read some more and pas the bar before giving legal advice.
just my .02
Unless you sign a legal agreement stating that you will be liable for any additional fees incurred, they are responsible for the loses. Federal laws protect consumers from error and omissions from vendors who have errors in thier systems. There is case law rgarding Sears not charging interest on accounts that were established back when they simply mailed out cards. Consumers used the cards and kept a balance on them. The problem was that they did not disclose the interest amount in the offer documentation and did not catch the error for a period of time and then tried to retro the fees. They were forced to remove the fees and interest and convert the accounts to new accounts for those willing to accept the new terms. If the person did not accept the new terms, they accounts were closed and the consumer was allowed to continue making payments under the old terms until the balance was paid.
The consumer can not be charged unless they agree in advance!
Read some more and pas the bar before giving legal advice.
just my .02
db
Lifer
- Dec 6, 1999
- 10,575
- 292
- 126
So let me get this right: someone here thinks I should feel bad b/c Blockbuster--who got sued and lost in a class action lawsuit for fraud on late fees--has their head up their @ss?
I consider this an education for Blockbuster, who deserves an education and more.
I consider this an education for Blockbuster, who deserves an education and more.
Blockbuster is so shady they deserve this. About two years ago they claimed i returned a N64 game late. They only problem with this story is that ive never rented ANY video games from them. So after recieving a bill for something ive never rented, I calmly went in there to discuss this with the manager. Unforunatly rather than being a professional he called me a liar and it took me over 30 minutes to convince him to remove the charge. Then to my suprise on my next credit card statement there was a mysterious charge for the exact amount they claimed i owed them. If anyone wants to talk about fraud, talk about things like this.
It seems that blockbuster has no idea whats going on with any of these types of cards. You might not even need to drive all over town to exploit your cards. One of my friends had bought one of those 'buy some DVD and get 10 free rentals' deals and for some reason he was able to rent like 30 movies with it.
It seems that blockbuster has no idea whats going on with any of these types of cards. You might not even need to drive all over town to exploit your cards. One of my friends had bought one of those 'buy some DVD and get 10 free rentals' deals and for some reason he was able to rent like 30 movies with it.
Read Here about gift certificate laws:
Is It Legal for Gift Certificates to Expire?
I live in New Hampshire
T1M
Many people had problems with BB recently charging late fees on movies turned in on time. In fact for a several month stretch (4-6 mos), BB charged me a late fee on EVERY SINGLE movie I rented. Now once I tested the system by renting a 5-day blue cover and returning it after two days, and YES I was charged a late fee. Most BB managers are a**holes and I have had more than one call me a liar to my face when I simply wanted to dispute a charge. I have very little respect for BB as a result, and any chance I get to screw them over I take it!
BB sucks donkey balls!
Many people had problems with BB recently charging late fees on movies turned in on time. In fact for a several month stretch (4-6 mos), BB charged me a late fee on EVERY SINGLE movie I rented. Now once I tested the system by renting a 5-day blue cover and returning it after two days, and YES I was charged a late fee. Most BB managers are a**holes and I have had more than one call me a liar to my face when I simply wanted to dispute a charge. I have very little respect for BB as a result, and any chance I get to screw them over I take it!
BB sucks donkey balls!
I'll admit that you are probably right that they can't collect, but since you had to be an ass about it I'll go ahead and reply. The case you referred to is completely irrelevant. As you described it, Sears didn't tell the consumers about the interest fee when they first signed up. THAT is what the case was about. However, regarding the blockbuster cards, you KNOW that you are only allowed to rent X number of movies. If it can be proved that you read this thread before going out and purchasing a 14 movie giftcard and then used it to rent 40 movies, that is FRAUD. The sears case has no mention of fraud by the consumer. And YES, a purchase is a VALID LEGAL AGREEMENT because there was an exchange of money for a service or product. Whether or not they collect, though, depends on whether there were some sort of "Terms of Agreement" that came with the card, which most products do contain.
And by the way, I was not giving legal advice. I simply quoted a few definitions, made it perfectly clear that I'm not a lawyer, and then gave my opinion. But its pretty obvious you know less about the subject than me.
- Shaz
Who ever mentioned it being illegal in some staes for gc's to expire didnt read the link he posted..
all the laws regarding them that I know of deal with the loss of money equal to what you paid. For example most retailers have monthly "fees" they charge you for use of a gc, like lets say $1 per month(almost like connection fees on phonecards) which alot of states have deemed illegal. On the other hand this isnt a giftcertificate, you didnt pay 20x $3(or whatever the rental fee is) for 20 rentals, you purchased them at a discounted rate or in otherwords you bought a coupon. They also make reference to "awards programs" which this would also fall under.
all the laws regarding them that I know of deal with the loss of money equal to what you paid. For example most retailers have monthly "fees" they charge you for use of a gc, like lets say $1 per month(almost like connection fees on phonecards) which alot of states have deemed illegal. On the other hand this isnt a giftcertificate, you didnt pay 20x $3(or whatever the rental fee is) for 20 rentals, you purchased them at a discounted rate or in otherwords you bought a coupon. They also make reference to "awards programs" which this would also fall under.
I agree. About 1/3 of the DVD's at both my local stores are FULLSCREEN!! Geeze, I'd rent VHS if I wanted fullscreen, what a waste. I asked the manager & he said they only get what headquarters sends them, they can't choose what format they want. I wish Holywood Video was near me.
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