Just when I didn't think Blockbuster couldn't suck anymore...

lilboo

lilboo

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This isn't new as I'm sure this has probably been around for sometime. This is more of rant/complaint. If this has been posted before--I apologize.

So tonight I went to Blockbuster to rent a game due to the fact I had a coupon (holla!). Now I was contemplating on Downhill Jam for Wii, but I finally made the choice of WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007 for the 360. Well I use my coupon get the game.. and roll out. I get in the car and look at the receipt (which is funny, I don't do that for BB rentals) and I saw "PS2-WWE Smackdown vs raw 2007" and I'm like "Hmmm.." so I check the box and it says PS2, and I check the actual game and it's PS2. OK, I'm glad I caught this before I went home (as I was still in the parking lot) ..Keep in mind, the box WAS from behind the 360 version.. so yeah wasn't totally my fault ;). ANYway, I head into the store and explain to her I needed the 360 version instead. She asks for a credit card for verification? So I'm like "...??? K..?" and I hand over my Debit card--which IS a Visa (so can be used as credit). She says it HAS to be a credit card. All 360, PS3, and Wii game rentals can ONLY be rented with a credit card since they are "expensive". They wouldn't even take the Visa Check card because "Debit cards aren't included". Soo.....yeah. WTF?

PS3 and 360 games are $10 more then GCN/Xbox/PS2 games..and Wii games are the same price...(retail value). To rent PS3/Wii/360 games? It's $7.99...which is the SAME price as a GCN, PS2, Xbox, and PSP game. Sooo.. what the hell is up with this?

Has this always been since the 360 started? I had my 360 since September..and I never rented a game for it.. so this may be like a year old?
I was kinda wondering why the hell there were SOO many games in stock (for 360, PS3, and Wii)!

I don't have a credit card.. since I don't want one. Even if I DID.. why am I gonna rent a game with a CREDIT CARD? Yes $8 isn't much..but then you gotta pay interest on it..ETC.

This just annoys me because I don't see any difference between any of these games in terms of value. In FACT, there's also a credit card LINKED to your membership..............so...what the HELL?!?!

Again if this is posted already I apologize. This just pissed me the hell off. Looks like I'm not renting from Blockbuster again.
 
Been that way since they starting rentings out 360 games I think. Though the expensive excuse is probably pretty wrong, my guess would be it's a loss prevention thing because, at least in retail, high demand goes hand in hand with high theft. Plus it's probably harder to replace the missing copies than for older systems even if they charge people for it. Just a theory though, it is a pretty stupid rule.

Also you don't have to pay interest on a CC if you pay off the balance every month. I use my credit card alot, but I've only ever paid interest about once or twice in the 7 years I've had it.
 
I know from talking to friends and others that work at Blockbuster and Hollywood that the average lifespan of a game rental is less then a month. Especailly in large inner cities, those games will get rented out and never come back, or will no longer be in playable condition when they do come back.
 
You don't have to pay for the rental with a CC. They just want the account so they can charge you for it if you don't bring it back. If I'm wrong, then they do suck it hard.
 
[quote name='Ziv']You don't have to pay for the rental with a CC. They just want the account so they can charge you for it if you don't bring it back. If I'm wrong, then they do suck it hard.[/QUOTE]


I believe so. But a debit card with a Visa logo would work the same way...sigh
 
Semi-off topic, but theres really no reason not to have a credit card. If you are responsible it will actually save you money a couple ways. It will build a credit history, which will allow you to get cheaper interest rates on big purchases (house, car, etc), and if you get a card with rewards like cashback you will make a few bucks.
 
They typically have signs at the front of the counter, and around where the games are about this.

Pay more attention, lilboo.
 
I haven't rented a game in 4 years not counting free Gamefly for 2 months (last time I rented was when Movie Gallery opened and had $0.99 rentals for a month) so I am shocked to see the $7.99 price for a rental. I could maybe understand for PS3, Wii and 360 but for PS2, XBox GCN games?!
 
[quote name='yukine']They typically have signs at the front of the counter, and around where the games are about this.

Pay more attention, lilboo.[/QUOTE]

They didn't! That's why I was kinda mad!

I went to another BB afterwards because I thought the girl was dumb, but the second BB actually had a few signs on the registers.
 
[quote name='lilboo']They didn't! That's why I was kinda mad!

I went to another BB afterwards because I thought the girl was dumb, but the second BB actually had a few signs on the registers.[/quote]

Then yeah, I'd be pissed to.

I fucking hate Blockbuster, but they have gotten on my good side since starting that Total Access thingy for their wannabe Netflix service.
 
The thing that people don't realize about Blockbuster or any video rental place for the most part is that they don't pay retail for a game, dvd, or VHS for that matter. They pay sometimes alot more then the the items actually worth;I don't know why. I used to work at Blockbuster, and a customer would want an item ordered for them, some of the VHS's would cost 100+ for a movie you could pick up in a bargin bin at WM. So the reason they ask for the CC is because if you don't bring it back, they'll charge you for the game to recoop the loss
 
[quote name='TheOne06']The thing that people don't realize about Blockbuster or any video rental place for the most part is that they don't pay retail for a game, dvd, or VHS for that matter. They pay sometimes alot more then the the items actually worth;I don't know why. I used to work at Blockbuster, and a customer would want an item ordered for them, some of the VHS's would cost 100+ for a movie you could pick up in a bargin bin at WM. So the reason they ask for the CC is because if you don't bring it back, they'll charge you for the game to recoop the loss[/QUOTE]

But there is a credit card linked to your membership.

The new "no late fees" policy is that if you don't bring back the movie/game after 7 days you get charge full price.

So why is this different?
 
When I was there, the option was on the application incase you wanted to rent 2 or 3 games at time. I really can't speak for them now.
 
That's strange. I've rented multiple 360 and Wii games from the local BB for the last couple weeks now, and not once have I paid with my credit card. (Always cash.)
 
[quote name='Rig']That's strange. I've rented multiple 360 and Wii games from the local BB for the last couple weeks now, and not once have I paid with my credit card. (Always cash.)[/QUOTE]

This sounds more like a YMMV depending on how either the store or district manager calls on the policy.
 
I work at a "certain video store" and I've seen PLENTY of brand new 360 games rent only once before the disc is destroyed, usually because the person tipped over the system while it was running. Of course this makes a giant groove all the way around the disc and the game is unreadable. The game that's worth $60 only generated $8 in revenue...

That's why credit cards are required.

And check cards don't work because people have complained because they received an overdraft charge when they kept their rentals for a month overdue. I figure Blockbuster just doesn't want to deal with it.

EDIT: Rig, you don't have the pay with credit card, you just need one on file on your account. If you get an inattentive employee, you might be able to rent one without them noticing, but they aren't supposed to rent to you without a CC.
 
its 8 dollars to rent a game now???


WOW.


i still remember when i was renting psx/snes stuff for $4.24 with tax!!

sorry to hear, but i gave up on renting long ago. just buy the best, and buy em cheap! :)
 
[quote name='lilboo']I believe so. But a debit card with a Visa logo would work the same way...sigh[/quote]not if you dont have any money in your debit.
 
[quote name='YoshiFan1']I haven't rented a game in 4 years not counting free Gamefly for 2 months (last time I rented was when Movie Gallery opened and had $0.99 rentals for a month) so I am shocked to see the $7.99 price for a rental. I could maybe understand for PS3, Wii and 360 but for PS2, XBox GCN games?![/QUOTE]
I'm shocked too! Most of the games I've bought in the last few months have been clearance games for $5-$10. I can't imagine paying $8 just to rent one. On the other hand, it makes Gamefly seem like a better deal.
 
[quote name='icruise']I'm shocked too! Most of the games I've bought in the last few months have been clearance games for $5-$10. I can't imagine paying $8 just to rent one. On the other hand, it makes Gamefly seem like a better deal.[/quote]

Well, you get it for 5 days to 1 week i think. Also what is better. Renting or Buying a game at $60 playing it for a week, trading it in and getting $25.

Tons of people do that so for them Renting isn't a bad choice at all. Not everyone is like people here on CAG.

By the way, im pretty sure most people when they rent are deciding to rent the "clearance" type games, they are going for the new releases.
 
[quote name='lilboo']I believe so. But a debit card with a Visa logo would work the same way...sigh[/QUOTE]

not really. A credit card they could charge you the 60 bucks if you dont return the game. A debt card if you dont have 60 in your account they wont get the money.

hell your lucky you even got the game. I went in to rent the same game for the ps2 but didnt check the box when i left. I drive all the way home and instead of

smackdown 2007 they give me smackdown vs raw (the first one for the ps2)

i said screw it im not driving all the way back
 
well they charge so much to rent cause they want you to get a gamepass so you will visit the store often and odds are you will make another purchase.

I dont see how anyone would pay half of a gamepass just to rent 1 game.

Does the 360 realy destroy games if its tiped over? seems like they could easily change the drive slightly and disk would remain in place nomatter what.
 
[quote name='reiji']EDIT: Rig, you don't have the pay with credit card, you just need one on file on your account. If you get an inattentive employee, you might be able to rent one without them noticing, but they aren't supposed to rent to you without a CC.[/quote]

Oh, I didn't know that. I'm pretty sure there's not a credit card account linked to the BB account. So if that's the case, the employees must not care. :lol:
 
If you have $1,000 max credit card and you are maxed out...would it still be charged? I don't think it would. I had credit cards before. They are evil (ok I get too carried away with it).

Oh well, I guess I'll try Hollywood Video or something.
I just HATE.. HATE HATE HATE Gamefly :(
But it's selection is SO good.. Wii games..DS games (which is a shock)..PSP movies...it has so much potential to be so damn awesome :(
 
[quote name='lilboo']I believe so. But a debit card with a Visa logo would work the same way...sigh[/QUOTE]

No, they want a credit card, not a debit/checking card. Two big differences to them especially when they let you walk out of the door with a $60 game. Its been like this for a LONG time, not just with 360/wii/ps3 games. Its varies from store to store depending on theft of products.
 
[quote name='lilboo']If you have $1,000 max credit card and you are maxed out...would it still be charged? I don't think it would. I had credit cards before. They are evil (ok I get too carried away with it).

Oh well, I guess I'll try Hollywood Video or something.
I just HATE.. HATE HATE HATE Gamefly :(
But it's selection is SO good.. Wii games..DS games (which is a shock)..PSP movies...it has so much potential to be so damn awesome :([/QUOTE]


be glad gamefly dont take debit cards. There are number of times gamefly has charged me 2 or 3 times in the same month (what was fixxed very easy by just disput the charge) Try to do that with a bank card and your screwed
 
[quote name='slidecage']be glad gamefly dont take debit cards. There are number of times gamefly has charged me 2 or 3 times in the same month (what was fixxed very easy by just disput the charge) Try to do that with a bank card and your screwed[/QUOTE]


But I've used Gamefly (on 2 different ocasions) with my Visa Debit card, and never had any trouble with it. One time was last year, one time was like.. 5 months ago? Sigh. Oh well. I'm pissed, but it is what it is.
 
The main reason they want a credit card versus a debit/check card is so that if you do get charged for the game, you don't go bouncing checks elsewhere. For example- let's say you have $100 in your checking account. Without realizing that you've had the game one day too long, you get $60 taken out of you account. Now, that check you wrote (or debit transaction you did which hasn't actually posted yet) for $50 isn't going to clear and you're going to still have to pay the $50, plus you have to pay an overdraft fee and a check return fee. Blockbuster doesn't want everyone who has a game or movie autosell to them to come in and bitch about it, so they simply have the rule of no check/debit cards.

And also, there SHOULD be a sign up front or by the game section that says that any 360/PS3/Wii games require a credit card on file. I know our store does. We also require that you have one on file for any Madden 07 game (no matter what system). All this is, is simply a small step on the path to requiring credit cards on file for ANY game rentals.
 
I had a bad experience with the GameRush portion of BlockBuster. I bought a 360 very shortly after they came out from GameRush. Get it home, start playing and three rings of death showed up. So I rethink my position of being an early adopter of the 360 and take it back to return it the next day... Sorry sir, we don't take returns of opened merchandise. Who has a return policy of out the door!?! Not to mention, I bought it at a BlockBuster further from my house because they had one, and when I tried to return it to the one near my house... Sorry sir, you have to return that to the store you purchased it at. No mention of, oh yeah and we don't actually take returns. Any store with a no returns return policy is complete garbage, they won't get my business again even to rent a movie.
 
[quote name='TheOne06']The thing that people don't realize about Blockbuster or any video rental place for the most part is that they don't pay retail for a game, dvd, or VHS for that matter. They pay sometimes alot more then the the items actually worth;I don't know why. I used to work at Blockbuster, and a customer would want an item ordered for them, some of the VHS's would cost 100+ for a movie you could pick up in a bargin bin at WM. So the reason they ask for the CC is because if you don't bring it back, they'll charge you for the game to recoop the loss[/quote]

It sounds like you worked at a video store during the days of priced to rent movies. Prior to DVDs, there was no market for video purchases. The film studios worked out a deal with Video Rental companies that they would jack up the prices of video releases to well beyond what any reasonable person would be willing to pay, that was the vidoe stores essentially have a monopoly on the market. You would have no choice but to rent movies at your local video store, because they weren't affordable to purchase, and most stores wouldn't even stock them for purchase. Of course once DVDs came around, overhead cost for the film studios was nill, so they decided to just completely eliminate the middle man, and keep all the profit for themselves.
 
[quote name='Stiletto']I had a bad experience with the GameRush portion of BlockBuster. I bought a 360 very shortly after they came out from GameRush. Get it home, start playing and three rings of death showed up. So I rethink my position of being an early adopter of the 360 and take it back to return it the next day... Sorry sir, we don't take returns of opened merchandise. Who has a return policy of out the door!?! Not to mention, I bought it at a BlockBuster further from my house because they had one, and when I tried to return it to the one near my house... Sorry sir, you have to return that to the store you purchased it at. No mention of, oh yeah and we don't actually take returns. Any store with a no returns return policy is complete garbage, they won't get my business again even to rent a movie.[/QUOTE]

Hmm... I've returned 2 defective DS's that I have purchased at GameRush, so YMMV.
 
I had the same problem so I now have Gamefly.I use my debit cart for payment and Ive never had any problems as far as double billing.
 
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