Blockbusters fine

Central · 13-01-2008, 18:11

I used to work at Blockbusters so understand how they work. If a DVD has not been bought back after the 2nd night we have to do a call list which is calling customers to ask about bringing it back.

Now just before I left I hired out the boxset heroes. It contained 6 discs. I returned it just after I left.

I left in December 07. Tonight I just had a call telling me I owe Ã‚Â£12. This was the first call I have had since taking it back. A disc was missing which I have now located.

If they had done there job they should of called me with in 2 days of it being returned with the missing disc but they never. Them not calling me meant a balance was growing but without me knowing. If they had rang I would of took it back straight away.

Any advice here as I dont see why I should be paying Ã‚Â£12 for a fine for a disc I had no idea about.

Cheers

**Graham M** · 13-01-2008, 18:39

<DevilsAdvocate>Maybe you should have checked that all of the discs were in the box before you took it back?</DevilsAdvocate>

Central · 13-01-2008, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

<DevilsAdvocate>Maybe you should have checked that all of the discs were in the box before you took it back?</DevilsAdvocate>

Yes I should but perhaps they should of rang me to to tell me and not 3 weeks later after a balance had grown.

**Stuart** · 13-01-2008, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

<DevilsAdvocate>Maybe you should have checked that all of the discs were in the box before you took it back?</DevilsAdvocate>

True, but an easy mistake to make.

Be, try complaining to the store manager.

Charlie_Bubble · 13-01-2008, 19:03

Return the disc via the out-of-hours slot. Write a letter of complaint to the manager that nobody from the shop phoned to let you know that you had accidentally kept one of the disks, but offer to pay the appropriate fine that would have been levied if they had called to remind you.

punky · 13-01-2008, 19:06

Unless its written in some agreement they remind you within x days, then I can't see how you have any basis to stand on. Whether they contacted you or not, you still had the DVD. This is the first call you recieved, but may not be the first call they made?
Also, by your logic, if you had just not answered the phone for 12 days, you should still pay the minimum fine?

As Zeph said you should have checked the box (which you admit). It wouldn't hurt calling, but i'd pay the fine if they stand their ground as a matter of decency. However, i'd doubt they'd persue it further if you refused.

Central · 13-01-2008, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin

Unless its written in some agreement they remind you within x days, then I can't see how you have any basis to stand on. Whether they contacted you or not, you still had the DVD. This is the first call you recieved, but may not be the first call they made?
Also, by your logic, if you had just not answered the phone for 12 days, you should still pay the minimum fine?

As Zeph said you should have checked the box (which you admit). It wouldn't hurt calling, but i'd pay the fine if they stand their ground as a matter of decency. However, i'd doubt they'd persue it further if you refused.

Like I said I worked there. I know that if they dont get a call they leave a message. Its the company policy. Also my phone tells me the last 30 people called and Blockbusters was never one of em.

No message was ever left.

**Stuart** · 13-01-2008, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin

Unless its written in some agreement they remind you within x days, then I can't see how you have any basis to stand on.

IIRC, when I worked there (which was a long time ago, so I could have it wrong, or it could have changed), it was stated in the terms and conditions on the application form that they would call. I am also sure it was stated on a poster in the shop.

bopdude · 13-01-2008, 23:14

Pay the Ã‚Â£12, every day you keep it it's gonna get higher, after all, it was your mistake to begin with

cookie_365 · 14-01-2008, 00:16

But if you don't pay the fine, they're hardly going to take you to court, are they?

bopdude · 14-01-2008, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

But if you don't pay the fine, they're hardly going to take you to court, are they?

Aren't they ? I had a similar thing a coulpe of years ago with them ( BB ) a movie hadn't been returned on time, so they said. We found out about it months after the fact. The letter basically said pay or else type thing.

marky · 14-01-2008, 02:28

Dont pay, i'm fed up of going back with scratched disks that wont play and all they do is say "sorry would you like to replace it"
NOOO, i want a place that check every disk as its returned so this doesnt happen

It is relevant because if they did you would have got the call

**Stuart** · 14-01-2008, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie_365

But if you don't pay the fine, they're hardly going to take you to court, are they?

No- they send the bailiffs round. Think I am joking? Try it. It's an automated process.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marky

Dont pay, i'm fed up of going back with scratched disks that wont play and all they do is say "sorry would you like to replace it"
NOOO, i want a place that check every disk as its returned so this doesnt happen

Nice idea, but not practical when you only have a few (less than 5 usually, depending on the size of the store) members of staff and a couple of thousand discs to check.

cookie_365 · 14-01-2008, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

Aren't they ? I had a similar thing a coulpe of years ago with them ( BB ) a movie hadn't been returned on time, so they said. We found out about it months after the fact. The letter basically said pay or else type thing.

Every company threatens that - 'Pay up or else'. There's a huge difference between threatening you with with court proceedings and actually issuing them. Their irrecoverable admin costs alone will well exceed Ã‚Â£12.

DES_1001 · 14-01-2008, 18:54

Yeah but is it worth the risk? CCJ etc