Dear Dish on Movie Rentals
Dear Dishère:
I rented two videos from Blockbuster. They cost an approximately astounding $14, but I didn't find time to watch them. Even with the no late fees business, I still didn't find the time. Avast ye!
So I had to return the videos unwatched.
How can I right this wrong?
Sincerely,
A Cinephile (not to be confused with any of the bad type of 'philes)
Dear Cinephile:
It is true. Generally, when we think of words that end with -phile, we think of the negative ones, such as pedophile, necrophile or ornithophile. Please rest assured that plenty of other words that do not have such negative connotations end in -phile, particularly in the field of science. No one is judging you for being a cinephile.
Dish feels that Blockbuster’s no late fees strategy is merely a marketing ploy. The Blockbuster Web site even clearly states that "movie and game rentals are still due back by the due dates shown on your receipt." They give you a few days of leeway, but then they charge your credit card for the complete cost of the movie. If you return the movie after that, they will remove the charge from your card, but you will still be charged a restocking fee of $1.75 – in other words, a late fee!
Dish's disagreement with Blockbuster aside, unfortunately, in this case, you are a victim of your own procrastination. In order to avoid this type of movie-related dilemma in the future, Dish suggests you try an "on demand" type station. That way, you can just select the movie you want to watch, when you want to watch it. It is far more convenient in that you don’t have to go to the video store to pick up the movie or to return it. Granted, you have to content yourself with what is available on the station but, generally speaking, these channels tend to have new releases similar to what you would find in the video store. Plus, if you use Rogers, there is even a free karaoke feature! [Side note: You haven’t heard real karaoke until you’ve heard Jennie do her impression of Cher.]
Alternatively, you could also try something like zip.ca where you pay a monthly fee based on the number of movies you want to rent and they mail you the DVDs you want. You can keep them as long as you like and then mail them back when you have finished watching them.
In this case, consider the $14 money well spent on a lesson that needed to be learned. Rent movies only when you are prepared to devote the time to watching them, or devise an alternative strategy.
Please try to be more conscientious in the future.
Dish
posted by Dish @ 9:24 PM
5 Comments:
Uh, what the heck. If you want to throw your money away in the future, I can lend you two movies for $14 that you will never end up watching anyhow.
In fact, why don't we just forget about me actually lending you the films and you just send me $14 and then we're all good.
I would like to see a response to this question "Why in the world would you rent a film if you don't plan on watching it right then and there?" It doesn't make sense to me.
I see the Cinephile is hiding and unwilling to defend him/herself...
oh, man. You're totally trying to bait the cinephile, aren't you dish? hook, line and sinker!
I'm just saying that perhaps the Cinephile should take a stand to defend his/her actions against Palmer's accusations.
The 'phile should have bought 2 previously enjoyed DVDs in their $6.99 bin instead of renting them... She could have taken the time she want to watch them instead of throwing away her money.
tsk, tsk, tsk.
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