I recently rented and returned a video game from my local Blockbuster Video store. The game was returned on time as I headed to the airport to fly out of state. I thought that everything was fine game returned, end of story.
When I return home the following week I have a message from the automated system informing me that I still had a game out and that I was to be charged the purchase price of the item if it was not returned. I called the store and the associate confirmed that it was in the store and someone had mistakenly restocked the item without checking it in. I was told he would reverse my charges and everything is taken care of. This is where my problems only begin.
When the store charged me the $71 for the game my bank account had only $80 in it with multiple low dollar items pending from my credit/debit card. As a result of the fraudulent charges made by Blockbuster I have inccured over $250 in NSF fees from my bank as well as local businesses returned check fees. I missed 2 days of work as my job requires the use of my personal vehicle and I had no gas money.
I called the customer service line and was told that Blockbuster is not responsible for NSF fees and they could do nothing to help me. I was even told it was my fault because I used the drop box and did not go inside and physically hand them the game and watch them check it in. I asked to speak with the district manager and was told that they would be contacting me within 78 hours. 4 days later no call back. Ihave called personally and left messages on the DM's voice mail for the past 3 days with no resonse.
It seems that Blockbuster is more interested in STEALING it's customers hard earned money than they are in fixing the problems they have caused. I am the sole provider of a family of 4 on a $30,000 dollar salary. I do not have extra money and as a result of all of this I will be short over $500 in verifiable lost money and wages this month. This means I will struggle to feed my 2 small children, to pay the energy bill to heat our house, to cover any emergency expenses that may arrise or to put gas in my vehicle to continue working. I am at risk of losing my job if I can't get this resolved soon.
It would seem to me that this is as easy as a large corporation fixing a wrong they have done to me and my family. I can provide bank and employer verification as to how much is owed and still they contest that it is not their fault. My family can't eat -"not our problem", no heat - "not our concern", Can't pay the rent - "Oh well". It is clear that Blockbuster is only after profits and the could care less if their employees have made mistakes that cost customers not only time but money they should not be out. The bottom line is that it is illegal to use someone else's credit card without their permission and that is exactly what this store did - charged my account without my knowleded for something they had in their possesion. This is credit card theft, identity theft, and just plain theft.
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