Legality of BBV Practices/BBV terminology

[nothingspecialatall]

Hello everyone, and before you all start flaming my post; I tried in earnest to search through the past threads for answers and the illumination of terms, but failed - should my thread encompass said items, my apologies, please forgive and bear with me.

Firstly, could we have a little terminology confusion settled for me.
CSR: customer service rep
MOD: manager-on-duty
DM: district manager
Compass: store software
A-: assistant to whatever

These are about all the terms I constantly see, and understand - I was curious about all the other terms I constantly see, and don't understand.

I am wondering if your employees more officially titled at your branches. I am in a franchise, and perhaps they run a leaner staff to cut costs?

Also - is it just part-time employment in the states that allows us to never have a lunch or break - because we're not always working full 8 hr shifts? People, of course, eat while at work, but never punch out, and never really, really, stop working. If one employee hangs back to eat a sandwich while the other runs the register, he still might answer the phone, or step up to the other register if the line got too long. I have worked for the franchise for years, and never technically punched-out for so much as a break.

Is it within their right to allow a single person to run the store for hours at a time? Certainly every day this happens at least a little as one person opens and runs the store for the first few hours, always - sometimes 4 hours on a rare occasion. How is one supposed to use the bathroom when you're the only employee - and isn't that a little dangerous with regard to store robberies? As a side note - our sensormatic is never on, really never has been, and frequently people are negligent of swaping the security videos - let alone rewinding them before changing them, forever risking that a tape will conclude mid-recording, rewind, possibly during a theft of somekind.

Does our store have the right to rent out pornography? I know GGW doesn't sound that hardcore, but if you've ever been desperate enough to peruse one, there are definite side-scenes of literal, 'old fashioned' if you will, porn. The titles are certainly not receivable from our 'family store's' inventory - so that had to be over-ridden. It always just rubbed my rhubarb that we are forced to watch hannah montana for the sake of decency during store hours, on account of the chain's "family values" kick, but we rent out legit porn, sell playboy, and even stock (hold your breath, I know!) documentaries and the like actually SUPPORTING Pres. G W Bush! That alone is offensive to just have resting on our shelves, let alone all the smut.

Lastly, and again, I apologize if it was merely my fault for failing to search properly, but where are you guys on finding loopholes and gags you can run through the computers for entertainment at work? All the 21111111111, and 26666666666, etc are fun - but pretty amateurish - haven't any of you professed 'haters' made any headway on this? Like overriding over employees' passwords? That could be fun. Figuring out ways to crash the computers - perchance getting to go home early? Masking credits in cust histories - or, better still, altering account histories in general?

All these questions were the first that rushed to my lips when I discovered a forum of online BBV employees, and yet none of the seem directly or thoroughly discussed.

How long can people endlessly, futily bellyache about stupid things stupid customers say to stupid employees? I stopped laughing about that stuff the first year in. I get it. The customers don't care to pay enough attention to how the titles are organized, or the nit-picky details of how coupons function, or fully understand how a restocking fee is "not" a late fee. Who cares? They don't because it's not anyone's hobby to waste their time of such triviality, unless you work at a damn BBV.

Where is the pranksterism and innocent desire to shake things up a little at work to better pass the time? The manager is not your friend, BBV is NOT a career, and you AREN'T working on a commission - so quit caring about that crap. I know some store managers and the like post here, and I suppose that's an okay way to eek out a living, and they naturally would be concerned about such things, but MOD and below - I'd at least hope you had higher expectations. So perhaps they might care about (ugh) "up-sales" and the figures on the latest PVT pull - by why the hell would the rest of you?

Anyhow - that's all I really wanted to say. Didn't mean to come of so condescending, sorry. Just a little curious.

Oh, and this one time, this customer came in, and complained about these totally legitimate and outlined in detail fees the he accrued, and then complained about it like a child and was predictably refunded/credited. End of boring lame story, for the millionth time.

P.S. Who still uses emoticons? Are all the posters here still in high school? (Sigh) Admittedly, hopefully. I, at my ancient age of mid-twenties-dom, literally have no business MODing at a BBV - at parties and gatherings, I hang my head and avoid the "what do you do?" question like the plague.

[Effigy of the Forgotten]

Also - is it just part-time employment in the states that allows us to never have a lunch or break - because we're not always working full 8 hr shifts? People, of course, eat while at work, but never punch out, and never really, really, stop working. If one employee hangs back to eat a sandwich while the other runs the register, he still might answer the phone, or step up to the other register if the line got too long. I have worked for the franchise for years, and never technically punched-out for so much as a break.

You need to look at your state labor laws, they'll have the answers you're looking for. From my understanding, most states require a 15-minute break after 6 hours and 30 minutes after 8 hours. Some states (California) give you even more. If your employer is violating these laws they can get in a ton of trouble.

I've never worked for a franchised BBV location, so I can't say what the company line is on these issues, but as far as running the store alone and renting out pornography, there's no legal issue there.

[nothingspecialatall]

Appreciate the thoughtfulness of your reply. Couldn't really complain. Pretty much reminded me what I already knew, which is that it's my own damn fault for not properly researching my questions, and that it was equally lame of me to expect any one word answers to any of my probably threaded ten-times-over questions.

All the same, thanks Effigy

[Effigy of the Forgotten]

Lastly, and again, I apologize if it was merely my fault for failing to search properly, but where are you guys on finding loopholes and gags you can run through the computers for entertainment at work? All the 21111111111, and 26666666666, etc are fun - but pretty amateurish - haven't any of you professed 'haters' made any headway on this? Like overriding over employees' passwords? That could be fun. Figuring out ways to crash the computers - perchance getting to go home early? Masking credits in cust histories - or, better still, altering account histories in general?

It's also worth noting that I'm sure the reason that this type of thing is not discussed on here is that (from my understanding) there are corporate lurkers on here and posting about exploiting the computer system is kind of a risky game, even on a fairly anonymous messageboard.

[nothingspecialatall]

So the fear is that the corporate lurkers are going to patch the glitch before if can be exploited 1 million times? Who cares - got to play with it a million times! Is the fear that the corporate lurkers are out to get you as an employee fired? Ha! How? And wouldn't that maybe be a blessing in disguise?

I guess I just don't understand what people are afraid of? Besides the wrath of a few long time posters - notably Antithesys (Antithesis? - oh, I get it, like 'anti-the-system'? Odd, 'cause that guy is very pro-system from what I've gathered) the otter-picture-zoo-guy and the like.

I've been flamed before, and I shall be again. No biggie.

[MissHailstorm]

It's also worth noting that I'm sure the reason that this type of thing is not discussed on here is that (from my understanding) there are corporate lurkers on here and posting about exploiting the computer system is kind of a risky game, even on a fairly anonymous messageboard.

There's been a million topics devoted to glitches in the system and little known options and commands. I think it's not so much that we don't talk about it, just that most of the long-term members are bored of the subject. Much like drop-box threads et al.

I would say search for an old topic, but most of them have been deleted now. In all honesty, there's nothing particularly exciting - trust me on that - or else it wouldn't be such a 'secret'.

[MissHailstorm]

So the fear is that the corporate lurkers are going to patch the glitch before if can be exploited 1 million times? Who cares - got to play with it a million times! Is the fear that the corporate lurkers are out to get you as an employee fired? Ha! How? And wouldn't that maybe be a blessing in disguise?

Sorry, but with comments like this, I think I can see perhaps why you were flamed. See above in answer to your question.


I don't think the company are going to fire you for pointing out system glitches, btw. Also, most of value our jobs, and would certainly not see being fired as a "blessing", from any job.

[nothingspecialatall]

"Blockbuster Ing", eh.

You'd have to be a special breed of retarded to accept a coupon that looked like that.

A random flame, AbandonedDreams.

Just being high and mighty on all things BBV and enjoying an air of superiority as you reign as prince on the throne of inane trivia. Worked with a guy like that once. Took all the scans-per-minute on inventories very seriously, and was first to show how to lower the tone of the ckin station, and so on.

Also, if you're saying the posts have been deleted, then that should at least exonerate me from 'note searching.'

And since when has f***ing up a co-worker's account STOPPED being funny. And I doubt one among you knows how to edit an account history by anyway other than adding to it.

Just looking for a little fun here guys - remember? All the 'hate'?

Also...can we REALLY not curse on these boards? I almost find that more offensive than the predictable-to-a-certainty slew of graphic diatribes set to ensue if the ban was lifted - but I just had to hit the asterisk key 4 times for the first time in eight years. That...that is sad for me AS WELL as the board, no?

[MissHailstorm]

A random flame, AbandonedDreams.
Errr... his posts were quite valid - the coupon was fraudulent, and he was only pointing out an example of how it'd ben poorly made. Most of us find Anti to be quite amusing and intelligent on this board, and he doesn't get drawn into flames and fights that I recall, aside from the occasional sarky comment. Laying into respected board members as a n00b will not do you any favours with this lot, trust me.

Also, if you're saying the posts have been deleted, then that should at least exonerate me from 'note searching.'
I acknowledged that in my post. That doesn't change the fact the topic has been discussed countless times, and another thread on the subject just won't get any contributions made. Because, as long-term members, we have posted all these things before, and have no interest to have the same discussion again. By all means, I couldn't care less if you started a dedicated thread, but I think you'd be rather lonely in it.

And since when has f***ing up a co-worker's account STOPPED being funny. And I doubt one among you knows how to edit an account history by anyway other than adding to it.

Just looking for a little fun here guys - remember? All the 'hate'?

Also...can we REALLY not curse on these boards? I almost find that more offensive than the predictable-to-a-certainty slew of graphic diatribes set to ensue if the ban was lifted - but I just had to hit the asterisk key 4 times for the first time in eight years. That...that is sad for me AS WELL as the board, no?
Yes, we can curse on here - shit piss cunt fuck.

Seems to me like you're a troll, and best ignored from now on.

Ta, ta.

[Effigy of the Forgotten]

Sorry, but with comments like this, I think I can see perhaps why you were flamed. See above in answer to your question.


I don't think the company are going to fire you for pointing out system glitches, btw. Also, most of value our jobs, and would certainly not see being fired as a "blessing", from any job.

I'd like to note that I wasn't really talking about "glitches" per se when I responded, more about this:

Like overriding over employees' passwords? That could be fun. Figuring out ways to crash the computers - perchance getting to go home early? Masking credits in cust histories - or, better still, altering account histories in general?

[rk237]

P.S. Who still uses emoticons? Are all the posters here still in high school? (Sigh) Admittedly, hopefully. I, at my ancient age of mid-twenties-dom, literally have no business MODing at a BBV - at parties and gatherings, I hang my head and avoid the "what do you do?" question like the plague.

All of us. We're all in high school. :cool: I'm a sophomore though, which makes me downright cool.

So why are you here again mingling with us? Is it so at least at the next party/gathering, after revealing your embarrassing profession, you can top it with a story about how you stirred up a message forum full of high schoolers?

[nothingspecialatall]

Yes, we can curse on here - shit piss cunt fuck.

Seems to me like you're a troll, and best ignored from now on.

Ta, ta.

Now you're talking! Get excited! Every board member has to start at the troll fucking (phew, that was nice) bottom somewheres I suppose.

I liked the pithy-ness of the "ta ta" usage. Shows nominal adherence to social etiquette, and yet with that spicy undertone of "I don't really like you." Which is fine, and, drumroll, brings us back to the fun-ity.

I thoroughly apologize for being new to the forum misshail. I'd apologize for being born, too, but usually I just curse my parents and the sky.

And, of course, I 'care' about my job, in so much as it currently pays (barely) the bills, but I don't 'care' about my job like a doctor 'care's about his patients. I am not a doctor - I scan barcodes and take heat from customers for dollars and cents an hour. BBV is not a higher calling - please don't tell me you feel otherwise?

And, also, I duly acknowledge the wit, clarity and encyclopedic knowledge of Antithesys (for example) - my point was simply that it was being wasted by sniping "n00bs" on a message board about a run-of-th-mill retail job. He should be a poet or author, perhaps?

And, lastly, in the spirit of "good fun," if only to humor me - share with me one, tired, old classic that has longsince been deleted. A glitch, or sequence of keystrokes that will ellicit a muffled "heh" from me when at work next. Just one, all powerful 5000 degree reputable Miss Hail. Do for old time's sake?

[Antithesys]

http://www.kennethpwoodruff.com/flying/education/images/flames.jpg

[CarnorJax27069]

And since when has f***ing up a co-worker's account STOPPED being funny. And I doubt one among you knows how to edit an account history by anyway other than adding to it.

Nothing you are to funny. But I don't think it's ever funny to mess with someone's personal account. I mean that is sort of like private property.

As far as how things work and why... I assure you I know things about our operating system you never dreamed of. I know all the key words, yadda, yadda, yadda... Things you never even 'thunk' you could do!!!

You seem like a good kid... But stop being a chode and let the big kids play now!

[Propoxy]

And, of course, I 'care' about my job, in so much as it currently pays (barely) the bills, but I don't 'care' about my job like a doctor 'care's about his patients. I am not a doctor - I scan barcodes and take heat from customers for dollars and cents an hour. BBV is not a higher calling - please don't tell me you feel otherwise?

You've never heard "any job worth doing is worth doing well"? There are plenty of other jobs out there to help pay your bills if you feel Blockbuster is beneath your skill set.

Employees like you are all such a drag to work with. Plus, customers aren't that stupid. It's hard to mask loathing as obvious as yours. Employees like you make it that much more difficult for the rest of us who actually enjoy our jobs. (Those of us saving the world, one movie rental at a time.)

[zooworker]

Anyhow - that's all I really wanted to say. .
I wish, you just won't quit , will you?:mad:
Oh my god , I did an icon.

[Antithesys]

liek omg im only working here until dec so i can get hsm2 4 free omg vanessa is so beautifle :) :cool: :) :cool: !!!!!111!!

[zooworker]

liek omg im only working here until dec so i can get hsm2 4 free omg vanessa is so beautifle :cool: :) :cool: !!!!!111!!
Dammit, you just made spit my drink out.....:D

[URBAN_COWBOY]

You've never heard "any job worth doing is worth doing well"? There are plenty of other jobs out there to help pay your bills if you feel Blockbuster is beneath your skill set.

Employees like you are all such a drag to work with. Plus, customers aren't that stupid. It's hard to mask loathing as obvious as yours. Employees like you make it that much more difficult for the rest of us who actually enjoy our jobs. (Those of us saving the world, one movie rental at a time.)the thing is, the ones that generally put down this job as beneath them are actually the ones that can't get a better job. Hence the fact that this fucktard is still there and has not moved on. Some people refuse to accept the fact that their own lot in life is of their own doing. They refuse to believe that they are not better than what their current situation has afforded them. Some people accept and admit to their short comings and do what they can with the cards that were dealt.

I'll use myself as an example here. I'm an extremely intelligent person (fuck yes I'm bragging) but don't have the mental focus for anything but retail. While I could do much better in life financially with a desk job, I can't stay focused long enough to sit down and do my job. Retail keeps me moving and thinking all the time. Would I like a better paying job, sure, who wouldn't? However, I would stab my eyeballs out due to boredom if I had to sit at a desk all day. I have accepted the fact that retail management is the best I'll ever do and just work to do my best at it. Not to mention, at the salary I make, I make a damn good living. I support myself and my son on my salary alone.

Some people cannot accept their shortcomings and blame it on someone or something else or put down their current position to make themselves feel better.

[Lomithrandel]

Aaaaaaaaaaaand here comes the donkey punch for the n00btard.

http://www.lookatmeshirts.com/products_pictures/donkey.jpg

[HelloItsMeMOM]

P.S. Who still uses emoticons? Are all the posters here still in high school? (Sigh) Admittedly, hopefully. I, at my ancient age of mid-twenties-dom ...

I use emoticons ... because I am ... and I am more than old enough to be your mother....

You can call me ... MOM ... everyone else does. :) Welcome aboard, sonny. ;) :p

[OzMan]

Also - is it just part-time employment in the states that allows us to never have a lunch or break - because we're not always working full 8 hr shifts? People, of course, eat while at work, but never punch out, and never really, really, stop working. If one employee hangs back to eat a sandwich while the other runs the register, he still might answer the phone, or step up to the other register if the line got too long. I have worked for the franchise for years, and never technically punched-out for so much as a break.

www.state. enter your state here .us

Your state website that will cover things like that for you.

Most states make exception to the break rule for small operations that only have one staff member..... thing is, would you rather get paid to sit on your arse and eat your lunch, only to jump up if a customer came in, or punch out to sit on your arse uninterrupted, and not get paid?

Does our store have the right to rent out pornography?

Pretty much. It's called the First Amendment. First problem is, from your description, you have NO IDEA what porn really is. Nor do you really seem to care. Which is really your business entirely.

However, your "question" concerning playing "family films" whilst renting porn is just..... well, I'm not sure there is even a word for it. So, in a public environment, where children are welcome and even encouraged (after all, the parents' money tends to go where the kid wants to go), you wonder about your right to show Debbie Does Dallas to a group of Fifth graders?

Is the fear that the corporate lurkers are out to get you as an employee fired? Ha! How? And wouldn't that maybe be a blessing in disguise?

The fact that you show such open hatred of your job (and your lot in life), and yet lack the courage to actually QUIT and find something better (what is the benefit of getting fired?) says all we need to know......

[nothingspecialatall]

I yield. You guys have literally dropped my jaw. Congratulations!
Wow. Never felt so misunderstood. I do highly respect the preaching all of you have lovingly delivered. It was almost touching how, towards the end of everyone reminding me that any barcode worth scanning is worth scanning right, that some of you actually made an effort to address some of my legitimate questions. Thanks!

You are a proud set of employees, and if I were manager of some shit bbv location somewhere, I'd rest easy with such hardworking loyalists as yourselves beneath me. (A comment I can already envision your many hateful replies to with a deep, satisfied sigh).

Also, I would like to thank you for helping me understand why there is so little information on this forum for fun-tastic play-time on the clock - because, while all of you guys know volumes and volumes of examples, none of them can be shared because you're too bored with them, and they've been deleted, and after working 27 yrs cking in rentals, you have ceased to be amused by anything other than the smile on the customer's face - the same smile you will flip and deride in a moment for yet another astonishingly uninteresting and freakishly lengthy tirade about how they "simply couldn't get it!" about some promotion or system of arranging titles. It truly is astonishing - every thousandth time. Thanks for not being able to name one, let alone volumes - proving what we all knew already: 21111111111 was probably a revelation to most of you.

I am speechless ("if you're so speechless - why'd you write all this - what a n00bz0r chode!"). Right. I'll let you guys and dolls be. Clearly your little internet circle jerk is too enlightened and sophisticated for the likes of me. I promise you (you can thank me sarcastically or however - whatever - later) this is my last post. I really didn't mean to offend, irritate or further lower your brows - honestly. Enjoy your exclusive club - and don't forget to log on daily/hourly to get the latest on bbv employment the globe over.

P.S. Yes - in answer to your question I wanted to play porn for fifth graders - obviously?
P.P.S. Yes, actually, I do possess a rather immense and, factually, sort of depressing catalogued guide to porn in my limited brain - rivaling even that of helloitsmemom - which is REALLY saying something (seriously, she's a total freak - and I am way down with that, emoticon-emoticon-wink-wink).

[zooworker]

P.S. Yes - in answer to your question I wanted to play porn for fifth graders - obviously?
P.P.S. Yes, actually, I do possess a rather immense and, factually, sort of depressing catalogued guide to porn in my limited brain - rivaling even that of helloitsmemom - which is REALLY saying something (seriously, she's a total freak - and I am way down with that, emoticon-emoticon-wink-wink).
Sick fuck on the porn..............:mad:
Glad this is your last post..or is it?:confused:

[OzMan]

Clearly your little internet circle jerk is too enlightened and sophisticated for the likes of me.

From your posts, even something as lame as Girls Gone Wild is obviously too enlightened and sophisticated for the likes of you.

But that's OK. That's the reason Oregon won't let the general public pump their own petrol. Gotta employ the unenlightened and unsophisticated somewhere......

[HardcoreKeith]

I am wondering if your employees more officially titled at your branches. I am in a franchise, and perhaps they run a leaner staff to cut costs?

Yes. We have
CSR: Maybe 6 or so.
4*CSR (four star): CSR with keys. 1. Crappy position to be because you have the responsibility of SL but pay of CSR.
SL: Shift Leader. Part time. 2.
SSM: Store Sales Manager. Bullshit title for "Assistant Manager," which in most stores is really more like "Assistant to the Manager." Full time. 1.
SM: Store Manager. Full time, salaried, 1.

where are you guys on finding loopholes and gags you can run through the computers for entertainment at work?

There's not much you could do unless you wanted to restart the DOS terminals with a boot disk and play Breakout or something. You can surf on the laptop if you have one.

Keep in mind that those fake accounts you pull up show up on the member add detail. But apparently your franchise manager and owner are extremely lax.

Anyway, I think most of us work at much busier stores than you because we always have something to do. That's why you have those shifts by yourself so often.

[powerbait]

But that's OK. That's the reason Oregon won't let the general public pump their own petrol. Gotta employ the unenlightened and unsophisticated somewhere......

That really has you heated, doesn't it?

[OzMan]

That really has you heated, doesn't it?

Oh, you have no idea......

;)