Blockbuster To Start Charging Late Fees

I wanted to give you a heads up. . . just in case you rent from Blockbuster and are known for returning your videos late.

Starting this week, customers will be charged $5 for a five-day movie rental. Previously, customers were allowed to keep each rental for seven days.

• If the customer returns the movie late, they'll be charged $1 per day until it's returned, up to a maximum of 10 days.

• If the customer still hasn't returned the movie by the 15th day, they'll be charged the full price of the DVD, which could range from $29.99 on the high end for newly released Blu-ray discs, to just a few bucks on the low end for a DVD on the clearance rack.

• If the movie is returned within 30 days, the customer will receive a store credit equal to the price of the movie they were charged for, minus $10 in late fees. So if the customer was charged $19.99 for a replacement DVD, they'll have $9.99 credited to their Blockbuster account.

Blockbuster spokesperson, Michelle Metzger,. . . say the new fee policy is not all that different from others in the industry, and would ultimately make for a more enjoyable customer experience.

Now is it just me?  Do you fail to see how reducing the number of days that you are allowed to keep a movie for the same price going to make for a more enjoyable customer experience?

To read more of this article go to Yahoo Business!

Nielsen Consumer Project

Wow! Who would have thought that you could earn prizes by doing what you do every week. . . .shopping!

By joining the Nielsen consumer panel, you will have the ability to influence the products you see on store shelves when you go shopping.
Participation is free and easy. We'll send you a hand-held scanner designed to read barcodes on items that you buy.
It only takes a few minutes to scan before putting your purchases away. Then, once a week, the scanner transmits your purchase data to us (free of charge).
A large choice of gifts. You send us your information: you earn valuable gift points. Those points are redeemable toward great thank you gifts offered in our catalog.

P&G Discontinuing Max Factor In US in 2010

P&G said in a statement Thursday it will discontinue the Max Factor brand in the U.S. effective in the first quarter of 2010 -- though under P&G policy, the brand may be available on closeout for months beyond that should its remaining retailers wish.

Credit: WalletPop

What Companies Are Offering Dollar Deal?

Just reading an interesting article on AOL Money & Finance
The article lists:
*
:: Major Companies Trying Dollar Deals
*
The Lure of the Dollar Deal
*
American companies are increasingly offering products for $1 or less. The most obvious reason is to keep customers during a recession.

*Radio Shack-advertized .99 batteries over Memorial Day weekend
*WalMart-now offers a $1 aisle including products like Knorr Pasta/Rice Sides, Crest Toothpaste and Angel Soft bath tissue 4 pk
*Pillsbury-offers $1 Pillsbury Brownie Mix at Walmart (involving coupons)
*Kraft Foods-offers Kraft Mac and Cheese Crackers (involving coupons)
*Starbucks- offers three instant coffee packets for $2.95
*E*Trade (ETFC)- offers $.75 per options contract trade
*AppleThe Apple iPhone Apps store-offers both free and $.99 applications.
*WeatherBug-offers a $.99 application for Apple iPhones
*RedBox-offers $1 DVD rentals with no late charges
*McDonalds-offers $1 items such as "Fruit N Yogurt Parfait", a small order of French Fries, the McDouble Sandwich, fruit pies, McChicken sandwiches, small soft drinks, side salads, and hot fudge sundaes.

The article also lists:

::12 Companies That Will Disappear::

Gone by End of 2010?

*Crocs-In late 2007, Crocs' (CROX) shares traded at more than $72. Now they change hands at well below $2.
*Borders-has struggled for several years as No 2 behind Barnes & Noble
*Old Navy-sales are flat and dropped 28% in March 2008
*Avis/Budget-as the travel industry continues to falter, problems at Avis/Budget will worsen
*Saturn-GM facing bankruptcy will close it poorly performing brands
*Esquire Magazine- is published by Hearst which is having substantial problems in both its newspaper and magazine divisions.
*Architectural Digest Magazine- has lost 47% of its ad pages this year
*Chrysler LLC- faces a problem similar to the one that GM faces with its weakest brands.
*Eddie Bauer-stocks trade for .38 a share down from $8 a share in September, 2008
*Palm-has been at deaths door for sometime.
*AIG-may be the only large company in America that management and the Federal Government wants torn apart.
*The Travel Industry-There is no question that two of the US largest flag carriers will have to merger to avoid bankruptcy

::10 Companies That Will Lead Us Out Of A Recession::

*Target
*Starbucks
*CBS
*Ford
*American Airlines
*Dell
*Yahoo!
*E*Trade
*Staples
*Electronic Arts-maker of video games

The predictions for this article came from 24/7 Wall St. It will be interesting to see how thier predictions pan out.

Cancelling Cable With No Pain

My husband and I have been talking for months about getting rid of our cable, but I have been hesitant to do so. Can I live without TV??? Well, I just finished reading a post by Kacie from Sense To Save. Now that I realize I will not have to do without tv, I am ready to take the plunge and join the other frugal bloggers. Read her post here .

Expired Coupon Bracelet

My friend, Kim Kazda, saw this on the news the other day and got quite a chuckle out of it. I agree with her, what couponer would pay this for expired coupons:
EXPIRED COUPON HANDMADE BEAD BRACELET
Recycled Expired Coupons are hand-formed into beads and stitched together on a comforatable elastic cord. All of the Expired Coupon Beads are sealed and protected by a moisture-resistant coating. Dimensions of Bracelet: 1.6" Height x 6.5" Length
Usually ships the next business day
$199.00

Thanks Kim for the chuckle!!

Image source: CompUSA