Blockbuster "no late fees"

I would like to use this time and place to personally thank Blockbuster for their new policy of no late fees on movie or video game rentals. Now, you and anyone else can keep your copy of "How to lose a guy in Ten days" or "Juwana Mann" for that extra day that you have always wanted and needed. Blockbuster realized that 7 days with a video of that caliber was just not reasonable enough. Now, you may be thinking to yourself, why would Blockbuster do this for their customers? Well, I suppose it was because they really appreicate the business and they love their loyal consumers. They do not have profits in mind while invoking this policy on all of their many stores nationwide. Blockbuster has got it right, they are out for the greater good, just not to make the extra buck. Usually big companies like that would not be known for looking out for the little man (i.e. you and I) they are usually trying to figure out any way to squeeze out any extra penny from our pockets. Don't you worry Blockbuster will still survive somehow even with this newly found charity. Wait one second, you say there is a catch? A catch?! How can Blockbuster live with themselves, they aren't doing this to be nice, they aren't doing this to show how much they love thier customers, looking to enjoy a movie, oh no, they are out to make an extra dollar or two. How dare they! I would have never seen it coming. (Ok, so everything previous to this point was pure sarcism) Now Blockbuster is in the business of tricking their customers. These late fees have been waved, that seems all well and good, but what they don't say is, instead of a couple days of late fees, now you get charged for the full price of the movie or game you are renting if you keep it for a few days too long. Why don't their commercials inform you of this new policy? Well, I couldn't tell you, but it took some searching to determine what their actual policy was to prevent people from just keeping their products. I went to the website, clicked on about 4 or 5 links before I found the FAQ section, then I figured out what they were doing to keep their products. Well, instead of explaining the whole thing, here is their new policy from their website:

What are the full movie and game rental terms now that BLOCKBUSTER® has stopped charging late fees? A: Movie and game rentals are due back at the date and time stated on the transaction receipt. There is no additional charge if a member keeps a rental item beyond the pre-paid rental period. However, if a member chooses to keep a rental item more than a week after the end of the rental period, Blockbuster will automatically convert the rental to a sale on the eight (8th) day after the end of the rental period. Blockbuster will charge the membership account the selling price for the item in effect at the time of the rental. The selling price will be discounted by the amount of the initial rental fee paid by the member at the time of rental. If the member returns the item within 30 days of the sale date, Blockbuster will credit back to the membership account the amount previously charged to the member’s account or the member’s credit card, as applicable, for the selling price of the item, but the member will be charged a minimal restocking fee. All rental items must be returned to the proper BLOCKBUSTER® store. These rental terms are subject to change without notice at any time. Participating stores only. Additional membership rules apply for rentals. See participating BLOCKBUSTER store for details. BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster Inc. ©2005 Blockbuster Inc. All rights reserved

Wow, that says it all. So now instead of a $2.00 late fee for a few days extra, now you get charged like $49.95 for the video, but hey, you get to keep it, but who will want it after having it for that long?! It's kinda nuts, oh well, tricking your customers doesn't seem too nice, but hey, that's business. Just don't get tricked into buying these movies and games, look out for Blockbusters underhanded tricks.