dvd’s

Blockbuster Weighing Charge For Total Access

Blockbuster Weighing Charge For Total Access

Blockbuster may soon levy a $4-$6 surcharge for Total Access. By allowing DVDs to be exchanged as free in-store rentals, Total Access dangles a potential workout before couch-potatoes who would otherwise return DVDs exclusively by mail. Blockbuster is quietly circulating a survey to gauge potential outrage to a price hike.

One of the ideas is to offer Mail-Only plans, which would allow members to receive and return DVDs only by mail, without the option to return them at a Blockbuster store and exchange them for free in-store DVDs.

Explain DRM To Your Dad

Ever try to explain why DRM is bad for consumers to someone who just didn’t get it? Wired’s Listening Post Blog has a bunch of good examples. We don’t know if they’d work on your Dad (does Dad give a crap about Linux and Region 2 DVDs?), but they are nice examples of ways that DRM gets in the way of consumer goals. —MEGHANN MARCO

Target Gets Returns Right

Dear Consumerist,

Succumbing to Shirley Temple’s Deadly Charms

Succumbing to Shirley Temple’s Deadly Charms

The children’s toy industry apparent refusal to stop putting lead in jewelry products lends itself to this morning’s best lede: “The good ship Lollipop has some unsafe cargo.”

Mickey D’s Unveils New, Healthy, Pile of BS

Mickey D’s Unveils New, Healthy, Pile of BS

Morning Deals Round-Up

• Amazon’s electronics outlet has many items on sale for 70% off or more. Get the Remanufactured Brother RPT-65 P-Touch Personal Label Printer for just $13, Lifehackers. [via DealNews]

Netflix Still Boning Best Customers

Netflix Still Boning Best Customers

We were a bit surprised by the renewed ruckus concerning Netflix throttling the turn around speed of heavy users, considering it’s been a well-worn topic on Netflix blogs for at least a couple of years. But thanks to a new article on CNN.com, the issue is back to upset a whole new set of customers.

Morning Deals Round Up

Shattered Hopes Sale of the Day: Drugstore.com’s 72-hour online sale. There is a serious lack of the good stuff. Still, some prices up to 50% off, and up to 29% of their full line of Vibratex vibrators.

Walmart Recommends African-American Films to Planet of the Apes Purchasers

Walmart’s at it again:

MoviesWithASmile.com: Friends Don’t Let Friends Watch ‘Friends’

They also offered to upgrade the shipping for no extra cost.

Find out if Rachel finally gets with Ross’s monkey after the jump.