- Report: #117636
Complaint Review: Blockbuster Video - Southern Pines North Carolina
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Author Confirmed
Why?
Blockbuster Video
1800 N US 1 Southern Pines, 28387 North Carolina, U.S.A.
Phone:
910-692-4370
Web:
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Blockbuster Video ripoff dishonest fraudulent billing Southern Pines North Carolina
First of all, I don't even have a membership at this store. My son does. Back in the summer, I used my debit card to buy a movie pass for him, but they didn't make it clear to me that the monthly fee would be debited from my account automatically. So I got a little excited when I looked at my bank statement and Blockbuster had debited my account. So I went there and the manager cancelled the movie pass and refunded the money.
Then today I looked at my bank statement online, and Blockbuster had a debit of $37.84 on Nov. 9. I called and spoke to the manager on duty, and he said that this was for movie rentals and late fees.
I told him that I haven't rented any movies from Blockbuster; this is my son's membership, and I only used my debit card to buy a movie pass for him, but it was cancelled after my account was charged the last time.
He was unwilling to do anything about it and told me that I could come in at 5:00 today and speak to the store manager. I told him that I would do that and I would be bringing my son and he would be turning in his membership card cut in two.
I also told him that if this issue is not resolved very quickly that I would be taking out papers in Small Claims Court since this is the second time in as many months they have imposed unauthorized charges on my debit card. I also sent a email into their corporate office about this issue. I think if Blockbuster wants to maintain their integrity in this area they need to make some changes in the management of that store.
Danny
Aberdeen, North Carolina
U.S.A.
Then today I looked at my bank statement online, and Blockbuster had a debit of $37.84 on Nov. 9. I called and spoke to the manager on duty, and he said that this was for movie rentals and late fees.
I told him that I haven't rented any movies from Blockbuster; this is my son's membership, and I only used my debit card to buy a movie pass for him, but it was cancelled after my account was charged the last time.
He was unwilling to do anything about it and told me that I could come in at 5:00 today and speak to the store manager. I told him that I would do that and I would be bringing my son and he would be turning in his membership card cut in two.
I also told him that if this issue is not resolved very quickly that I would be taking out papers in Small Claims Court since this is the second time in as many months they have imposed unauthorized charges on my debit card. I also sent a email into their corporate office about this issue. I think if Blockbuster wants to maintain their integrity in this area they need to make some changes in the management of that store.
Danny
Aberdeen, North Carolina
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Danny
Aberdeen,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Bank agrees
#2Consumer Comment
Sun, December 05, 2004
Thank you Bryan for your comments, however, when I disputed the debit card charges with my bank, the bank agreed with me and reversed the transaction. In disputing the transaction, I presented this example: If I go to a restaurant with a friend and I pay for my friend's meal with a debit or credit card, does that give the restaurant and my friend a lifetime right to charge meals on my card just because I used the card one time to pay for my friend's meal and the restaurant has my card number on file? You can really learn a lot from watching Judge Joe Brown and Judge Greg Mathis. If I had pursued this in small claims court rather than disputing it with my bank, I'm all but certain the court, also, would have ruled in my favor. I know it was a very small amount of money involved, but I fought it because of principle. I don't believe in allowing businesses to run over people like this. To charge me for something I had absolutely nothing to do with was not right and probably not legal either.
Bryan
Washington,District of Columbia,
U.S.A.
Who is really at fault?
#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 24, 2004
If you read the terms of your initial membership contract, or in this case your son's, the company does have a right to use credit/debit cards on file to reclaim funds owed. While I agree that the monthly renewal should havebeen disclosed, and the manager acted correctly in refunding that chatge, any late charges incurred by your son are not the responsibility of the store. That is a discussion you should have with your son. The montly movie pass was designed for thise who want to avoid those charges, and it sounds like your son is a prime candidate. The fact is that if your son cannot return the movies on time, then they are not available for others to rent. To allow that pattern to continue would cost the company a loss of revenue, It will also cause higher costs, and frustration to other members. People need to be responsible and accountable to their own obligations. In this case, it sounds like the company did do a poor job informing you of the product, but the additional charges were the fault of your son.
