Do you actually have to sign up with Blockbuster and pay a monthly fee? Can I sign up if I'm only 17 years old? Do I need identification? How many games can you have out at a time?

I'm assuming that you are referring to their "Game Pass" offer. Check this out. It contains all of the details.

I'm really only interested in a standard membership.

Haha, no there is no monthly fee...All you do is give them identification and such and you get a little card and then you can pay and rent movies and games.

Having worked at blockbuster for 2 years, I'll try to remember what it was like back then...

I believe that you have to be 18 with a valid driver's license (or other picture ID with date of birth) as well as a credit card or proof of address (car registration in your name works, as does a bill or something official in the mail.)

As far as rentals, you can have up to 9 items out at a time... though when I worked there they had the old late item policy, so I'm not sure how easy it is now to run late with 9 items checked out...

Prices are by store. At my store it was $3.98 for a new release or DVD rental, $2.04 for an old movie, and $6.25 for a game rental.

Be very careful with Blockbuster's new policy on late fees or you'll find yourself turning your bank account into store credit. Blockbuster is evil.

Well, has anyne ever used Gamefly?

http://www.gamefly.com

This is an online game rental service. It's a $21 monthly fee, but how much does it actually cost to receive and send back 1 game with shipping and everything?

Shipping is paid for, you don't pay anything except the $21. When they mail you it, you mail the game back in the same package, with postage and everything ready to go.

Works just like Netflix, in that sense.

they direct withdraw from my checking account for the movie pass.... last week they called cause my tax return didn't get in the bank til the next day. no problems so far...nice being able to watch movies, knowing i can take them back the next day and get more without paying more.

Haven't had any problems over here.. there is practically no late fee's.. I've taken all my stuff back like 2 months late and pay like $2 extra.

To sign up for an account you need to be 18 years old. You need to be able to provide provincial/state ID that includes an ID number (such as a drivers license). No other forms of primary ID are accepted, you need the number or else you can't create an account.

The second form of ID needs to verify your address, like unopened government mail, vehicle registration or insurance information. Social healthcare cards, gun registrations, liquor licenses and other such forms of ID are not acceptable.

You can take out up to 9 movies at a time, although every responsible Blockbuster has a 2 new release limit for probationary accounts (less than 30 rents).

You have a full 7 days to return a movie after it's due back. If you don't, the price of the movie (minus the rental cost) is charged to your account. If you still don't return it 30 days after that, the movie is yours and you're screwed.

Personally I don't like this new policy. Blockbuster has had a bad record of running out of movies in the middle of a weekend before, but now people come in to rent on a Tuesday and don't return their movies until the following Tuesday. It's basically impossible to keep our customers happy.

I like the no new Late Fees policy. See, Blockbuster has the movies I want to see with my friends on the weekend. The Movie Gallery at home doesn't (because they don't get enough of the new releases). So when I'm in the city, I'll rent a movie at Blockbuster...and even though its a 2 or 3 night rental, I don't pay late fees (much to my friends jealous) so I take it with me over the weekend. Enjoy, return it afterwards on Monday.

Unless I keep it for more than a week after the due date, I pay nothing. If I kept it an extra day, but I bring it back within a month, I pay a $1.50 restocking fee.

On Gamefly, does anyone know if it's ok to cancel an account on the 29th day of the month (or 39th with the 10 days free) even if I still have games that I need to send back? I only really want to try a few games and not be charged for a 2nd month.

I really severely highly doubt it. You can cancel your account, sure, but they'll keep charging you until everything is returned.