There have actually been 2 separate incidents of bait and switch they have done in the last few months. One I bet a lot of people never knew about because they pulled the online ad before I could submit a complaint. This was with their buy a blu ray for $49 with a 12 month subscription to blockbuster combo pass. The one they showed online listed specifically the Toshiba BDX4200 model. I went to my local Blockbuster and they were doing the deal with the Toshiba BDX2200 only which is a HUGE downgrade. To give an example, the 4200 models were running well over $200 where the 2200 models you could find everywhere for about $75 or below with the Christmas sales that were going on. I told them at the store that it was a bait and switch tactic and not a cool thing to do. A day or two later I was going to file a complaint about it and found that they had pulled the add on the website (I guess other people busted them on the bait and switch as well).
The second fraudulent tactic is also a bait and switch with the combo program itself. The in store ads as well as online ads all listed the combo pass as unlimited one at a time rentals in store AND one rental by mail per month included in the plan. Despite the e-mail to complete the combo pass there was no way to do it. (note the pasted e-mail message) Complete your Combo Pass signup now and get:
One by-mail rental per month
Access to more than 100,000 movies, games and TV shows
Early notice of up-coming new releases, promotions and special
When you click on the complete button it takes you to the website where you have the choice to re subscribe to your old plan (I used to do the one at a time unlimited by mail but dropped it when they messed with the plans and prices) or upgrade. So instead of getting one rental by mail per month I only have the options to pay an additional $9.99 or even more. There is absolutely no way to activate it without paying more money. I have been on this combo pass for months now and my que says this account is deactivated with (of course) the options to renew or upgrade if I wanted to reactivate it.
This is not only a bait and switch, this is fraud. If anyone knows of a lawyer who wants to make a lot of money? I am sure I am not the only one they did this to. If anyone knows of a class action lawsuit on this please let me know, I would be happy to sign up on it.
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