Blockbuster Comes Like a Thief in the Night

While you sleep, Blockbuster might be charging your credit card several times for you to purchase movies you recently rented. They have come under fire for their new highly self-acclaimed "No late fees" policy. Their trouble came from making deceiving representations about what it would cost you to keep a video past its due date.

In a volatile market environment with stiff competition from outfits like Netflix.com, Blockbuster devised a kinder, gentler, quieter way to separate you from your hard earned money. Doesn't "Extended Viewing" sound so much more positive than "Late Fees"? Which makes it all the more likely that you will ignore the fees they are drawing from your credit card account. And getting to the video story was such a hassle last month you figure you'll just keep the ones you have and purchase them through Blockbuster's no hassle purchase fees. Just don't gloss over the amount of the purchase fee which is probably twice what you would pay from any normal retail outlet.

This is one more example of why never to give any company the ability to post a recurring charge to your credit card. Each charge should be pursuant to a single agreement and purchase. Otherwise, the convenient status quo is for money to keep flowing from your account while you must take effort and inconvenience to fix it.