I live in Greensboro, NC. My nearest Blockbuster distribution center is Charlotte, NC, based on the label on the envelopes in which my movies arrive. I subscribe to Blockbuster Online as well as Netflix. Blockbuster's Web site doesn't give me a way to check which of my movies I've reported as lost or damaged, but as I recall it's been just three or four since I signed on in January. However, I received an email from them today, telling me that they're experiencing "issues". It said:
Hello Becky,
We hope you are enjoying your BLOCKBUSTER Online™ membership.
We've noticed that in the time you've been with us you have reported a number of issues with DVD shipments getting lost or damaged in the mail. We know incidents beyond anyone's control occasionally happen with our DVD shipments. We take these issues seriously, and we are working closely with the U.S. Postal Service in your area to monitor the quality of your service.
It then goes on to say I should make sure my address is correct, that my mail isn't being delivered to a "visible location". Should I have an "unusual number" of missing discs, my account will be put on hold. Yada, yada, yada. Your friends at Blockbuster Online (tm).
I live in Greensboro, NC. My nearest Blockbuster distribution center is Charlotte, NC, based on the label on the envelopes in which my movies arrive. I subscribe to Blockbuster Online as well as Netflix. Blockbuster's Web site doesn't give me a way to check which of my movies I've reported as lost or damaged, but as I recall it's been just three or four since I signed on in January. However, I received an email from them today, telling me that they're experiencing "issues". It said:
I got the same thing in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong with the e-mail. It sounds like Blockbuster is trying to be up front about their policies and own up to their faults. Netflix is anything but upfront about their business and has recently employed the use of spyware companies to infect user's PCs to steal customers from their competitors:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.benedelman.org/spyware/exact-advertisers/
Regardless, if you compare Blockbuster's policy with Netflix they both hold accounts for unusual activity:
Blockbuster:
If a DVD doesn't arrive within 3 business days of its ship date, please let us know at www.blockbuster.com/dvdissues. We will send either a replacement disc or the next available DVD in your Queue as soon as possible. The option is yours. Please understand that if an unusual number of issues are reported, your account may be placed on hold while we investigate.
Netflix:
You will be required to return the movies within 7 days following any cancellation of the service or be subject to charge for unreturned DVDs. Also, you may be charged for movies that you lose. As an additional member benefit, we will replace the occasional lost DVD free of charge. However, in the rare event that the number of lost DVDs on your account becomes excessive, as we may determine in our sole and absolute discretion,we will notify you that your account has been placed on hold for review and may charge your Payment Method for the estimated cost of the lost DVD(s). We will alert you of any potential charges prior to charging your Payment Method.
If you look more deeply into the Benedelman site, you'll find that the Netflix ads are designated as probable affiliate links, which the site defines elsewhere in part as "In simplest form, an affiliate link allows eXact to promote a merchant without that merchant's specific knowledge or consent."
ReplyDeleteAnd that certainly does not support a claim that Netflix employs spyware companies to infect users' PCs to steal customers. Instead, it's a better argument the ads are not placed by Netflix at all.
I'd agree with Manuel that both Blockbuster and Netflix tell you up front that they're going to watch out for lost disc claims. Netflix just goes into more detail up front; Blockbuster sends out that detail in its email. Personally, I'd prefer to have that detail up front and online, rather than receive it in this kind of email.
"Instead, it's a better argument the ads are not placed by Netflix at all."
ReplyDeleteYour logic makes sense except for the web sites targeted by eXact Advertising for Netflix. If eXact Adverting had randomly selected similar online DVD rental services as targets your argument would make sense. However, one target was not a competitor. Michael Muege's web site is targeted because of his analysis of Netflix's allocation system. eXact Advertsing would not know this unless they had researched his site, of their own accord, which is unlikely. Next, you would make an improbable assumption that eXact Advertisement knew Netflix wanted Michael Muege's site targeted.
Given the amount of evidence, the burden lies on Netflix to prove it innocence. For the record, Netflix admits to using spyware, "Companies including Netflix Inc. and Orbitz LLC have acknowledged using adware" to promote themselves online according to Adware Report (July 6, 2005).
You made a great argument though. Visit my site if you want more info:
Netflix Reroutes Traffic Through Security Holes!
I have just received my DVD "There Will Be Blood" in the mail (18 Mar 09) and it had a crack in it. And of course it wouldn't play. This is the first time anything like this has happened to us. Blockbuster has been GREAT with their DVD's in the past. What do I do?
ReplyDeleteI recieved a DVD"Mirrors" that has a crack in it and obviously won't play.It's no big deal, I just want to register this complaint so I will not be charged. Thank you
ReplyDeleteY'all need to contact Blockbuster Online about your issues. This is the Netflix Fan blog. This blog has nothing to do with Blockbuster.
ReplyDelete