Stupid Video Shop Owners

[Soft, Gooey, Delicious.]

I went to hire a dvd this evening. I got to the shop and choose something I thought would go with the six pack I had already bought. I.e. trashy crap that's funny when you're a bit tipsy. I took it to the counter and tell the guy I need to get a card since this was my first time at this particular shop. Then the guy, who was slightly deformed, tells me I need a credit card. To hire a dvd. I thought this was ridiculous. I don't have a credit card. I told him this. He still wouldn't give me a card. I think I should write to the owner of the store. The End.

Has this happened to anyone else?

* edit.  Alcohol's the best thing ever.

[Scummbuddy]

Ummm... dude.

You need a credit card to start an account.  It happens everywhere. they need it for collateral, really.  Those videos cost like 200 dollars each to them.

and i guess to 'hire' a dvd, means to rent one.
oh, and dont drink.

[Femme Stab Mode >:D]

They need your credit card number so they can steal all your money and flee to Mexico. I don't drink either  

[Soft, Gooey, Delicious.]

You need a credit card to start an account.  It happens everywhere. they need it for collateral, really.  Those videos cost like 200 dollars each to them.

It's the first time I've been asked for one. I've had accounts at 6 or 7 different places as well. It's just about the most discriminatory thing I've been subjected to, which is good in it's own way. It's still a pain in the arse though. It's as if I'm not to be trusted. But I can't really argue with that, since I wouldn't trust myself.

[Squinky]

Yep, I've never had to show a credit card before...But I live in a small town in idaho...so...

I guess it does make sense though, those videos they get can sometimes be extremely expensive when they first come out...

[Timosity]

I've never heard of that happening, I could imagine it happening though, those scamming finacial companies slowly taking over the world.

This is what's really happening, not those pansy dictator types, It's the credit card companies and other financial institutuions that we should really be looking out for, heaps more dangerous, and very sly.

[Trapezoid]

While we're on the subject of movie renting... does anyone use Netflix? I just signed up the free trial. It sounds nifty as hell.

[Squinky]

My sister does, she seems to like it...

[rodekill]

Wanna really hear stupidity?
Blockbuster won't allow more than one membership per household, so if I want to rent something, I'd better pray that no one in my family has have any outstanding late fees.
Does this make any sense? I have a credit card. I'm willing to plunk it down for my own membership. Why the stupidity?
So you know what? I don't rent anything. Ever.
I wish I could find one of those small rental shops like they had when I was a kid. As much as like being able to choose from 600 copies of 'Maid in America', sometimes it'd be nice to be able to find something that's more than six months old.

[Pumaman]

When I've joined these places, they seem to either want a credit card or proof of your address (eg. driving license, etc) - which is fair enough. Demanding a credit card does seem rather unfair.

[Jimi]

When my dad went to join BlockBuster Video's, there was one of those stereotypical "cash register girls" who seems to have a sloooooooowwww annoying voice, and is just basically annoying, we went in with pretty much everything! Credit card, the lot. When we got to the desk, she said he needed to show her his driving licence to prove he was old enough to open an account.... HE'S 42 YEARS OLD FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!! (I hate my Dad. He is a stupid twat, and I hate him.... excuse my language.)

[rodekill]

 :

[Dr. Eric Moreau]

Rodekill:

Me and my brother both have seperate membership at the same Blockbuster store. Maybe they don't like you very much......don't they know who you are?!! You should march in there and if they deny you, say what all the celebrity say: "Don't you know who I am!!!!??"

[RabbitWithFangs]

When I've joined these places, they seem to either want a credit card or proof of your address (eg. driving license, etc) - which is fair enough. Demanding a credit card does seem rather unfair.

No, They wanted my licence AND a credit card.
Turns out I got a divx copy of panic room off of the lan and watched that. It was crap.

[rodekill]

Dammit.
I guess I shouldn't have slept with the bosses daughters.

[Darth Mandarb]

DVDs aren't as expensive as VHS tapes.  For some reason, when places like Blockbuster get VHS tapes, they're initially from $75 - $100.  Which is rediculous.  But DVDs they get for normal price.

These places ask for/need a credit card.  Otherwise losers would come in, open false accounts, and then never return the product(s).

And rule of thumb;  Don't insult the employees enforcing the rule.  It's company policy, not their's.  And because it's company policy, you can either accept it, or rent elsewhere.

If you want to get mad at somebody, get mad at the losers who caused this to become necessary by stealing product, not the people in charge of keeping their businesses prosperous!

(can any of you tell I used to work at Blockbuster??)

[Scummbuddy]

Haha....

I remember two years ago in Ocean City Maryland, I went with these 2 girls to rent a movie at the local video store.  We spent some time picking out the right movies and we went up to pay.  I needed a credit card there too, and back then I didnt have one, nor a debit card....   so we couldnt rent the movies, and we went back to her condo  and we watched Dumb and Dumber on TBS.... it all ended well.

[TheYak]

Actually, the movies aren't that expensive for the places to purchase.  It runs approximately the MSRP of the initial release + about 10%.

And speaking of Blockbuster vs. local chains..  that's why I like Hollywood video.  They've got the small store's sensability and the Blockbuster selection.  I've never had anything but mediocre to bad experiences with them and every manager of theirs I've met has been an utter throbbing phallus.

[rodekill]

The reason videos are so expensive when they're first released is because Blockbuster somehow got some system implemented where movies are released to rental places first so people will rent movies before they buy them. Unless they want to cough up the 100$, obviously.
They're currently trying to do the same thing to DVD.

Feel free to not rent anything anymore either.

[remixor]

My household has three Blockbuster memberships I think.  My mom has one, my brother has one, and I have one.  I don't live with them since I'm in college, but it's still my permament address and we've never had a problem.  I can't imagine why they wouldn't allow it for you.

Also, I've always needed a credit card to sign up for rental places.  I'm sure that some smaller stores don't require it though.

As far as the cost to the store, my friend works at Blockbuster and from what he tells me it definitely costs them a lot more than MSRP+10% per DVD.

[TheYak]

The reason videos are so expensive when they're first released is because Blockbuster somehow got some system implemented where movies are released to rental places first so people will rent movies before they buy them. Unless they want to cough up the 100$, obviously.

Actually many titles are for sale at about the same time as they are for rent.  Due to competition, I suppose.  One example is Harry Potter.  Hollywood video, Inc. carried this movie on a certain date for 19.99 and released it for rent the same day.  Walmart was also selling it that day, but for 14.99.  As far as Blockbuster goes, the most manipulative practice I know they have is that of negotiating for movies released by its parent company (Time-Warner) to not be rented at Hollywood videos.  

[Sylpher]

Being a former Blockbuster employee maybe I can shed a little light on this subject. I don't have any solid numbers but I do know that of all the videos that leave the store at least half don't make it back when they are supposed to (and some never at all). A video store takes a risk by lending you the movie you wish on a trust level that you will bring it back when you are meant to.

Back in the day to make sure the video was brought back they came up with the idea of late fee's. If you don't bring it back they are gonna charge you (which is where the majority of there actual profit comes from) (Also many people don't pay there late fee's in which why a credit card is again needed people will just go to a different store and start renting movies there...). But that alone didn't stop people from breaking videos...turning in the wrong ones with switch labels...Turning in wrong videos all together and never bringing back the proper one...Or never even bringing back the movie at all.

And because people do these things extra security for the buisness must take place. Since some people do stupid things we all suffer. So a credit card isn't out of the question. If that is the least of what you were asked for you should be thankful some places (High in store theft and crime) They will require a home phone (Which they will call and verify more then once as well it cannot be a cell phone). A home address (Which they will again verify more then once) and they limit how many movies you can have out at one time.

Although where I worked they will let the credit card thing slide if you can bring a bill in your name. I know it sucks (Trust me I have listened to every complaint you can imagine...in a couple different languages as well) but it all comes down to commercialism.

* Sylpher burns flags and eats children!

(Also just so you know Blockbuster, and I am sure others, is starting to report people with severe account problems (Large sums owed usually 50$ or more, running off with videos and stuff like that) to the credit bureau. So just imagine not being able to buy a car or a house because you didn't want to bring back Back to the future?)

(Also also the price for one video brand new (such as harry potter) to rent out is around 100-135 per tape. Considering they usually get about 100 of each of those big movies you can see how much of an investment that is. They are allowed to overcharge the movies so much to make up for the lose of the movie being rented for years and years. I don't remember exactly but most places don't make a profit off of movies til 5 or 6 months after they are out...but it depends on how much it is rented...)

[Las Naranjas]

I've buy all my videos and DVD from warehouses that sell to rental places. It does cost alot, since they're paying for the rental licence rather than the movie itself.

Of course, even with video you can get the video or DVD as soon as it's released rental for a normal retail price, and cheaper than retail 2 weeks later.