Went down to the Blockbuster video rental store in Broadway the other night, keen to pick up a DVD to chill out to. Previously I’ve rented using one of my housemates’ accounts, but they no longer live here so I figured, what the heck, I’ll sign up.
Turns out the store doesn’t really want new customers. First, they required a 100 point ID check – that’s the same amount of ID required to set up a bank account. Then half-way down the application form there’s a section where they require a credit card number for security. I thought to myself, and wish I had have said, “It’s not like I’m renting a hotel room or anything…”
Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually make a habit of leaving credit card numbers with my local video store. So, we walked out without becoming a member, and we’re not likely to go back. Surely I’m not the only one who takes issue with this – or am I?
Anyways, I was thinking about it after and the only thing that I can think of is that their turnover of videos is pretty high and that their clientele are particularly hard to track down for some reason. But regardless, this is utter overkill for simply renting a video.
Grant, again I totally agree with you. It seems that more and more these days to do anything in life you need a credit card.
I am strongly against credits cards and i am finding it alot more difficult to do some every day things, like get a video card, book a hotel room, hire a car etc.
I think that too many people so easily give out their credit card details.
My view is that I dont need to use somebody elses money (i will save up for something if i want it) and even more so, I dont like authorities being able to know so much about me. ie where i shop, how much i spend etc. Its already bad enough with bank account via eftpos.
Anyway, i have no solution to this other than to do exactly what you did. Avoid any retailer that insists you give them credit card details.
If more of us did this then the authorities (and retailers)would need to address their procedures.