../../../..//2007/12/28/fox-and-apple-have/
Fox and Apple have reached a deal that would allow movie rentals through the iTunes Music Store. No official announcement yet, so no details on pricing, date, or how the rentals will work.
rentals
Slumlord Dermot Company Installs New Boiler (For Four Days And Counting)
By 12.21.07
On Monday, I returned home from work to discover an unexpected message from the city building inspector tucked under my door, stating that he had come to check on my heat and hot water, but that, since I wasn’t home, he’d check things out in a neighboring apartment.
Cellular Abroad Charges Tax On Security Deposit, Calls It A "Sale"
By 11.9.07
Joanna writes, “Here’s my tip for using Cellular Abroad: don’t. They totally charged me tax on a ‘security deposit’ and then refused to refund my tax on the returned portion of the deposit.” When she wrote to Cellular Abroad to dispute the tax, she was told that technically it wasn’t a security deposit but a purchase, and that when they refunded her the difference after she returned the phone, that wasn’t a refund—they were buying it back from her, and because they have a reseller’s license they don’t have to pay taxes on their “re-purchase.” Whaaa?
By 9.17.07
../../../..//2007/09/17/uhual-truck-kills-renter-trying/
Uhual truck kills renter trying to stop Uhaul truck from killing Uhaul worker. Truck had a history of parking brake failures. Uhaul has history of not making adequate repairs to its trucks. Uhaul says renter is responsible for his own death. [LAT] (Thanks to Alan!)
Blockbuster Cancels Your Plan? Or Does It?
By 9.6.07
Can someone tell us what the hell is going on with Blockbuster? Some readers are writing in saying that they’re being allowed to keep their plan but are warned that if they change it they’ll be kicked off and charged more. Other readers are saying that their plan has been completely canceled and they have to choose another one. Still other people are on the same plan but now are not receiving coupons. We’ve gotten about 20 emails about this issue, but are at a loss to understand it.
Get What You Want By Asking For It
By 8.23.07
I use and love Zipcar, a New York area car-share rental service, but our last bill had an unexpected $50 late return fee. Whiskey tango foxtrot, I wondered aloud, I know for sure I returned that car on time. After calling, Dawn told me it turned out I hadn’t swiped out (to get into the cars you use a RFID enabled card) after dropping off the car. She said:
The Ace Up Netflix's Sleeve: Excellent Customer Service
By 8.19.07
Netflix is investing in superior customer service to differentiate themselves from Blockbuster as the two rental giants remain locked in a vicious price war. The company has completely shunned email-based support, instead relying on 200 friendly Oregonians to answer calls around the clock. Netflix CSRs, unlike most, are not given target call durations, and are encouraged to “err on the side of generosity” when dispensing compensation. They have one shockingly simple goal: satisfy the customer.
Blockbuster Tries To Thwart Netflix, Gobbles Up Movie Download Service
By 8.10.07
Blockbuster has purchased Movielink, an ailing movie download service cobbled together by film studios to combat online piracy. The deal will give Blockbuster access to movies from Sony, Universal, Paramount, MGM, and Warner Brothers. Netflix’s download service, by contrast, offers a limited selection of mostly older movies. The deal is the latest salvo fired in the consumer-friendly war of the movie rental services. No word yet on how long hackers might take to crack the new download service.
Overcharged, Man Secures U-Haul Refund
By 7.10.07
Terry got overcharged for his U-Haul rental but by using three of the most basic tools in the consumerist toolkit, persistence, politeness, and escalation, he was able to get the amount refunded (plus an executive assistant contact number and name to boot).
How To Get A Deal On A Rental Car
By 7.8.07
Ask For A Discount: Always ask for a discount, especially if you’re a member of an organization like AAA or AARP.
Netflix Lowers Costs As Blockbuster Prepares To Raise Prices
By 6.29.07
Netflix has reduced the cost of its 2-DVD plan by $1 to $13.99, matching a move made by Blockbuster earlier this month. Blockbuster had expected to be dancing triumphantly atop the battered and bankrupt corpse of its rival by now, but Netflix’s staying power is causing Blockbuster to re-think its strategy. By the end of the year, Blockbuster will raise the price of its Total Access service, which allows subscribers access to its retail locations.
The company said in the filing that it planned to modify its popular Total Access plan before the end of the year to “strike the appropriate balance between continued subscriber growth and enhanced profitability.”
Netflix’s email to subscribers, after the jump:
U-Haul Knowingly Rents Deadly Trailers
By 6.24.07
U-Haul knowingly rents unsafe tow trailers that have the potential to kill customers. A yearlong investigation by the L.A. Times found that U-Haul’s practices unnecessarily expose customers to the dangers of trailer sway.
Traveling downhill or shaken by a sharp turn or a gust of wind, a trailer can begin swinging so violently that only the most experienced — or fortunate — drivers can regain control and avoid catastrophe.
Trailers can sway when towed by vehicles lighter than the trailer. U-Haul regulations allows trailers to outweigh the tow-vehicle by up to 25%, openly flouting guidelines set by automakers. For instance, U-Haul allows a 2007 Crown Victoria to haul 4,400 pounds, even though Ford suggests that the 4,100 pound vehicle tow no more than 1,500 pounds. “Two U-Haul competitors, Penske and Budget only rent trailers to customers renting trucks heavier than the trailers. Safety is the reason.”
ENDGAME: Pulled Over By Police After Toyota Dealer Rented Me A Car That Was Illegal To Drive
By 4.5.07
Chris tells us the endgame on his situation where the Toyota dealership rented him a car that was illegal to drive. He was eventually able to get a full apology from the place and get 50% knocked off his bill, but it took him showing up in person and going a few rounds with the manager.
Pulled Over By Police After Toyota Dealer Rented Me A Car That Was Illegal To Drive
By 4.4.07
UPDATE: Chris goes back to the dealership and makes the manager give him 50% off his bill
Free Netflix Rentals For Brooklyn Residents?
By 3.24.07
The Brooklyn Public Library may replace its DVD inventory with a Netflix subscription. According to the NY Post, talks are underway to offer free Netflix deliveries to any Brooklyn resident with a library card. The proposal makes sense when you consider the challenge of maintaining a DVD collection in fifty-eight branches.
“DVDs are very expensive to buy, and they’re also very expensive to move because they’re delicate,” Vitali said.
Blockbuster Weighing Charge For Total Access
By 3.8.07
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.
Man Who Abandonded Thrifty Rental Car Still Reponsible For Elk Attacks
By 12.4.06
A man who Thrifty charged $30 a day after he was forced to abandon his rental car in the forest following a washout has gotten a reprieve.
AVIS Gives Free iTunes With Rentals
By 12.1.06 — Updated: 9.8.16
Get free iTunes downloads every time you rent directly from AVIS. 1-4 days = 5 tracks, 5+ days = 10 tracks. More Than Points tells us how it’s done:
