Elderly Amish Man Caught on Film With Prostitute, Blackmailed
When a 75-year-old Amish widower slept with a prostitute, he -- we feel certain -- felt pretty bad about it the next morning. As if that guilt weren't enough for the old man, the prostitute and her boyfriend demanded $67,000 from him, claiming that they had filmed the scene with wall-mounted cameras and would upload the recording to the Internet. The pair was later arrested and, we can only imagine, the Amish man abhorred technology more than ever.
Bank Robber Gets Away With the Help of Craiglist
In October, a bank robber -- wearing a safety vest, blue shirt, face mask and goggles -- eluded police with the help of Craiglist. Just outside the bank, while the robbery was in progress, stood a group of men who were responding to a Craiglist day labor opportunity. As the advertisement required, they were all wearing safety vests, blue shirts, face masks and goggles.
Nude New Zealander Arrested After Responding to Fake Sexy Text Message
Late in 2007, a Wellington, New Zealand man received a racy text message from two anonymous "ladies," giving him only an address and a request that he show up naked. Well, he indeed showed up naked... at the home of one appalled, unsuspecting New Zealander. Both the nude Romeo and the sadistic texter were arrested, though neither were prosecuted.
Fake Craiglist Ad Costs Man Most of What He Owns
Last Spring, a post appeared on an Oregon Craigslist board stating that the owner of a specific house was leaving all of his worldly possessions (still in said house) to whoever wanted them. When homeowner Robert Salisbury rushed home -- on a tip from a woman suspicious about the offer of a free horse -- he found his house being ransacked by 30 strangers. We suggest he take that horse and collect some vengeance Clint Eastwood-style.
17-Year-Old Jailed for Stealing Virtual 'Furniture'
When a 17-year-old Dutch boy hacked into several accounts on the Second Life-style site 'Habbo' in 2007, the the law got involved. The boy was discovered to have stolen $5,800 worth of virtual furniture and knick-knacks. Apparently, crime -- whether actual or virtual -- does not pay.
Phishers Going After Your Phones in New 'Vishing' Trend
Over the past year, sneaky spammers have begun to forsake the worn-out territory of e-mail in favor of cell phones' fertile frontier. The result? "Vishing." Get it? Voice mail phishing. It might be more ominous if it didn't sound like a James Bond villain saying, "Wishing."
Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?
The quarterly number of Netflix subscribers has gone down for the first time since the online DVD rental company's inception. Though the 6.8 to 6.74 million drop was small, it was enough to push the stock price down 16 percent yesterday from 6.8 to 6.74 million -- egged on, no doubt, by the recent $1 price drop in Netflix's most expensive plans.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
WMass said 11:41AM on 7-24-2007
Blockbuster holds an advantage with all their stores but I stick with Netflix because they are directly responsible for breaking Blockbuster's stranglehold and forcing them to totally change their ways at great benefit to consumers. Everyone should appreciate that fact, no matter which company gets your business.
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Jane said 12:46PM on 7-24-2007
I LOVE NETFLIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I would not have waited so long to start up. I highly recommend it!
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stephen said 12:47PM on 7-24-2007
I prefer Netflix because I feel that they have more of a selection available. Especially under the Gay/Lesbian genre.
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Don said 1:01PM on 7-24-2007
I like Netflix. I get movies through the mail
quicker than Blockbuster. Takes two days
compared to 5 days through Blockbuster. Plus,
I can watch previews of movies with Netflix.
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RL said 1:41PM on 7-24-2007
Blockbuster all the way!!! You actually get extra movies with them. Especially when you have a 2 movie plan...you can wind up with 5 for the month....you get 2 from your query,then 2 when you return them to the store and you get one from the online coupon....all for under $6 now that's a bargin!!
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Barbara said 8:08AM on 7-28-2007
I've been using Netflix for several years now, and they've gone through good and bad periods of customer service. They are next to impossible to get hold of by phone, which is frustrating when you're stuck with the effects of one of their bad customer service policies (think throttling). For instance, if they send a broken/unplayable DVD, they won't replace it until they get a returned DVD. I'll be getting a high def TV soon, and will get tivo at that time. Then Netflix gets dropped.
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TEHRON said 2:32PM on 7-29-2007
COME ON BOB!! ITS AN ONLINE STORE! YOU WONT EVEN SEE THE GUY! LOL!
NOW THATS REAL HOMO-PHOBIA :)
THAT ASIDE..
NETFLIX IS GREAT! MAY IT LIVE LONG AND PROSPER.
"BALLBUSTER" STORES HAVE BEEN GOUGING FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND LIKE MANY OF THESE BIG COMPANIES, THEY NEEDED A WAKE UP CALL, NOW, THEY WANT TO PLAY FAIR TO THE CONSUMER.
THERES A LESSON TO BE LEARNED, I REALLY THINK IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHERE WE HAVE TO STRETCH A DOLLAR, WE AS AMERICANS SHOULD SHOW MORE COMPANIES WE MEAN BUSINESS WHEN WE SAY
"HELL NO! THIS IS EXPENSIVE!"
THE POWER IS IN THE PEOPLE.
AND OUR MONEY TO A LESSER EXTENT.
BK RADIO
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Aaron T Noel said 3:12AM on 7-31-2007
I have a great point on the service but quickly I want to comment on "Bob." He is the reason this country is in turmoil with his 1920 way of thinking. Then he thanks God. Actually sir you are going to hell for hating, not the gay guy who made a remark about the gay and lesbian section at netflix. Bet you hate women and people of color too.
It was hard to part with netflix because I was on their bandwagon since they opened. Way ahead of their time. People still don't totally "get it" when it comes to online dvd programs. That said when blockbuster offered where you could return movies to the store and free coupons, I had to switch. Netflix got to the point where they wouldn't ship until they got their movies which was far different than at the beginning. Their prices jumped quickly. Times to get movies got slower. They started to employ the same tactics of the blockbusters of the world once they had the market cornered. Then Wal-Mart came along but didn't pose a real challenge. Then blockbuster. I didn't think anything of them at first because they did not do in store exchange. It was like a separate company(it wasn't of course). I get movies much faster with blockbuster. If I turn in 3 movies at the store for example, as soon as they check them in they ship my next movies. But wait there's more. I have 3 movies in hand already from exchanging them. If I get my movies next day, I can potentially have six movies out, no extra charge. Also I get 2 free in store rentals per month. Add that up and netflix just doesn't come close. I would not buy netflix stock, thats all I am saying. Like them or hate them, blockbuster right now is far superior.
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laney said 3:04PM on 7-31-2007
The point of Netflix is that I don't have to GO TO THE STORE. I haven't been able to understand why that was a "selling point" for the Blockbuster plan.
NETFLIX RULES. IN PERPETUITY.
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lin said 11:07PM on 7-31-2007
I started with Netflix, then switched to Blockbuster. I like that the quantity of movies I get can be, as pointed out by Aaron T Noel, more or less doubled with in-store exchanges. And I love the free rental coupon every month.
Yes, it's all a ploy to get renters out of their homes and back into the stores so they can stay in business, but why is that so bad? Complainy "laney," do you get your groceries delivered to your door, too? I fear the day when Americans tele-everything every single thing from their computers to their homes! And it's not obligatory - you don't need to swap them at the store if you don't want to.
If you like the number of movies you can get each month for the price at which you get them, and you're finding the titles you want, then you have the right company. So why is there even a debate?
*And why does someone always need to hate on gays (or minorities or women or hippies or people who chew cinnamon gum) with every single issue?? Let God deal with all of us when we get there. Let's just all play nice while we're here, and hope we make it in, ok? :)
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cuteburger said 5:49PM on 8-08-2007
I choose Netflix because they did not sell out to SZony. They carry both HD DVD abd Blu-Ray.
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richard said 1:45PM on 11-06-2007
Netflix would be better if it would let you pay by check like Blockbuster.
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Sharon said 2:07PM on 11-06-2007
I don't understand how you get more of anything at Blockbuster over Netflix.
I stay home (no gas or wear and tear on my car)in my rural setting and wait for the mail man. Waiting right now for 2 movies from Netflix.
I have 3 at a time unlimited. I like TV programs that I can't get without spending lots of bucks and signing a 2 year contract. They send me new movies as fast as I can watch and return.
I often view 6 DVDS per week! These ususally contain 4 episodes each of things like CSI. Thats 180+ minutes per DVD. More if you watch the commentaries.
Tell me how Blockbuster can beat this!
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Sharon said 2:09PM on 11-06-2007
There are a lot of crazy people in this world. They worry me.
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Lori said 6:02PM on 11-06-2007
I'm very upset with Blockbuster right now. I never got notified that they decided to charge more for unlimitted rentals with the return envelope in the store. I went to return my envelopes one day and I had no more coupon and was told I could only get 5 instore rentals a month! I also have two accounts - one gives the coupon and the other does not!! Another mess Blockbuster has created! Just another way of charging me another $10.00 a month! I'm going to be cancelling soon and going back to my local library. Their free! I can get an entire season of any tv show for an entire week - free -and no waiting!
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NetflixSUX said 7:11PM on 11-06-2007
I used to subscribe Netflix. I found out that Netflix has set limit for heavy rental customers. They tend to delay the mail. How did I find out? I called them and ask them why is my mailing getting slower than before. They said I exchanged movie too many per month. I told them go @&$* themselves, and I ended up close my account there. I signed up for online mailing customer at Blockbuster. I love it so much and already double what I got from Netflix per month, even I exchange 2 movies twice in same day! I have been Blockbuster customer more than 2 yrs! Thank god for not being Netflix customer no more! Netflix is piece of @&$#! Netflix belong "rainbow" people!
Now I say, Can Netflix beat this? NO @&#$ING WAY! Netflix customers are SUCKERS! No wonder those "rainbow" people is good at sucking! LOL
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Wayne said 7:15PM on 11-06-2007
Also Blockbuster is right around the corner from my home. It takes me 3 min to walk over there and exchange the movies.
Sharon, you CANT beat this! SUCKER!
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mindy said 1:09AM on 11-07-2007
LACKLUSTER, family guy got it right. They are overpriced and I am so surprised they haven't gone out of business sooner. Netflix rocks!!!
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Matt said 12:47PM on 11-07-2007
We had Netflix for almost a year. The main office for us is approximately 90 miles away. We were getting 6 movies a month on the 1 at a time plan. We watched them imediately and I dropped them off at the post office the next morning on my way to work. Sometimes we would watch them before the end of the mail collection for that day and I would run them up to the P.O. After about 2 months we were getting 1 a week and it never changed. I wrote to Netflix to ask why it was taking a week to get our movies, we were getting them in 4 days at the start. Nothing changed. None playing DVD's take away 1 rental while you wait, plus most DVD's are dirty and you have to clean your player more often. Obviously anyone living in the city where the office is located is going to get faster service. We were disappointed and let them go. Some of the movies we rented we dollar-type rentals so the benefit wasn't there. I believe that anyone trying to get a bunch of movies in a short time is going to get mail delays.
I continue to purchase movies through Columbia House. Yes we would pay more but we own them and if you stay with them (like most people don't after they fulfill their obligation), you get some great specials. You earm Funcash dollars in exhange for free movies, Deal of the day where movies are around $5, sometimes free shipping and double and triple funcash per DVD. We average about $9 for each movie not counting the free ones we will get at the end of the year. That figured in would make them about $7 including shipping. We use this system as opposed to going to the theater. If you don't go to the theater you could own 2 movies for less than the price of 2 tickets and popcorn if you wait for it's DVD release.
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Bill said 2:56PM on 11-07-2007
I use both. While the battle of the DVD titans rages I am enjoying the benefits. I have a Netflix 3 at a time deal at the discounted price. I have the $9.99 blockbusters package. Between the two I always have a movie to watch. I hope nothing changes. I love the flexibility of getting "series" like Rome, The Wire from Netflix and "pop" films from Blockbuster.
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