Ok so it's not quite that bad. But the last
time I went to my local Blockbuster to rent an Xbox 360 game, they made me hand over my credit card for
a $2 pre-authorization "to make sure I had money on the account," even though they already had a card on
file. I'm such a downtrodden consumer, I accepted this indignity without complaint, but reader Adam was insulted enough
to walk out of the store and email us demanding an investigation (He seems to think their putting a hold on
the card for the full price of the game. As far as I can tell, that's not the case). 360 games only cost $10
more than their last-gen counterparts, so it does seem that Blockbuster is being a tad paranoid. Do they really think
their loyal renters aren't good for a lousy $60? Shouldn't the mere fact that we shelled out $400 plus for a fancy
console indicate a credit score above destitute drifter range (Core system owners excepted)? For now it looks like we're
stuck with a checkout process remeniscent of buying a keg with a fake ID.
The brick and mortar rental
business such a dying industry, I feel like I'm visiting the typewriter factory every time I walk in the
store. Perhaps I sensed their corporate desperation and subconsciously took pity, but treating gamers like
ashtray-stealing trash isn't going to turn things around. I couldn't find any official language about this
policy on the Blockbuster site, but calls to a couple more stores once again confirmed its existence. Is a
$2 hold enough to make you head for Hollywood Video or swear off strip mall rental shacks altogether? What about
the un-American types who refuse to use plastic?
