Blockbuster’s New Late Fees Aren’t Really Late Fees

Blockbuster Video

We all know that Blockbuster is hurting big time, thanks in large part to a little company called Netflix. So it’s understandable that they’ll do whatever they can to keep profits up and maintain whatever marketshare they can. A few years ago, their big attempt was to do away with late fees… sort of. But now, the late fees are coming back. Just don’t call them late fees.

And you’ve got to love corporate-speak like this (emphasis mine):

“This is not a late fee. This is an additional daily rate and if the customer is choosing to keep out a movie past the due date, then they are going to charged [accordingly],” [Blockbuster spokesperson Michelle] Metzger said. “If you keep a rental car out an extra day, the rental car company has to charge you.”

It makes you wonder how Blockbuster could have lost over $400 million last quarter.

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