Sea Change(s) in Video Renting
Are you a bit tardy when it comes to returning video rentals? Fret no more.
In response to the success of Netflix and other online rental companies who are seeing big success with their “no late fee” policies, Blockbuster Video has announced that they they too will no longer charge customers late fees on their rentals.
Now, before you head over there to grab a video permanently for $2.99, read this: BBV still gives you a due date, but you also get a 1-week grace period to get it returned, after which your credit card will automatically be charged the full price (minus your rental fee) for the video if it’s still in your hands. However, even then it’s not the end: you can still return the video and get a refund, so buying’s not mandatory (although a small restocking fee is charged).
As far as physical rental stores go, BBV has announced their intentions to better themselves in the market by eliminating their only major competitor. It’s sickening enough in the Era of the Big Mergers that we go from five major labels down to four, and our cellular choices are dwindling fast, but now we’re staring down the metaphorical barrel of one giant video rental monolith? Mr. Ashcroft, please have the decency to defend the ideaology of competition. And Hollywood, please resist the temptation. There’s more to this than money.