Blockbustup!

When a reader emailed us wondering why his local Blockbusters store was refusing to stock the Oscar-winning Training Day because it didn't agree with a particular policy that AOL/Warner Bros had implemented... we have to admit our curiosity was a little piqued. So we went into investigative mode and soon discovered that quite a rift has opened up between the video chain and the film giant. It seems that Warner's decision to release videos for rental and retail on the same day (while maintaining the price hike for the rental copy) has upset the video company just a little. 'Renting a movie has always been the most affordable option for customers,' Blockbusters told us today. 'AOL Time Warner has made the decision to price DVDs and VHS copies available for rental at a higher price than those available for retail. We believe this limits consumer choice by forcing customers to purchase their movies. In response to AOL Time Warner's most recent decision, Blockbuster will... not be stocking selected movies released by AOL Time Warner, to rent or buy on both DVD and VHS in any of its stores.' Mark James, the Assistant Manager of Blockbusters at Walton on Thames told us that he had received a number of customer queries about the issue, but stressed, 'It's nothing to do with us