What's On Your Mind? Hollywood Video, Sirus-XM, Best Buy

Hollywood Video was a victim of Netflix and the changing way consumers get their videos. The video rental chain went out of business last year, but former customers still haven't heard the last from the defunct store.

Since last fall consumers have reported getting calls from bill collectors who say they still owe money on DVDs or games that were returned late, or never returned.

"I found out by refinancing my home that Hollywood Video's collection agency has put a charge of $116 on my credit report," Debra, of Albany, N.Y, told ConsumerAffairs.com this week. "When the store closed in Albany I know that I did not have any late fees. I also never received any letter from the collection agency and they stated that I received six letters, but I never did get anything."

One company but two products

When Sirius and XM satellite radio merged, they became one company. However, they remain two separate satellite radio services, as Joseph, of North Massapequa, N.Y., learned the hard way this week.

"In March of 2009 I was sold a lifetime subscription for Sirius Satellite Radio which was installed in my 2007 Volkswagon. I was told at the time that I can transfer this membership to another vehicle when I decided to change vehicles," Joseph said.

After the merger, Joseph bought a new car.

"So when I purchased my new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, which comes standard with XM Radio, I was confident that my subscription would be transferred to my new vehicle. Boy, was I wrong! The customer service woman assisting me was lovely. But did explain to me that Sirius lifetime subscriptions ($400.00) could not be transferred to a XM Radio vehicle."

Joseph was unable to negotiate an exception or refund - company policy is company policy. His only alternative is to replace his XM radio with a Sirius receiver so that he can continue to receive his lifetime subscription in his new car. Consumers should realize that, though Sirius and XM are now the same company, they are still two separate products.

Payday loan scam

The scam in which a caller claims to be a debt collector for a payday loan company is still going strong. Angelika, of Bloomington, Ill., says she is getting regular harassing phone calls from three of these characters.

"Their claim is I defrauded on a online payday loan and they are going to have me arrested for Internet fraud among other charges if I did not fax them a promise to pay right away," she told ConsumerAffairs.com.

Legitimate debt collectors are not allowed to make these kinds of threats, nor are they allowed to call you at work. What makes this scam disturbing is the scammers somehow have the victim's personal information, including Social Security numbers. No one has yet figured out how they have managed to do that.

Insurance has to be renewed

We've never been a big fan of insurance policies for cell phones and other consumer products. The chance you would ever need it doesn't seem to justify the cost, and even if you do file a claim, there's usually a deductible or some loophole.

J.T. of Los Angeles obviously does believe in these policies. He says that while purchasing a new cell phone from Best Buy, a little over two years ago, the sales rep convinced him to switch over to the phone insurance plan Best Buy provides.

"He said my Sprint coverage does not provide a loaner phone during long term phone repairs, and that their insurance service does," J.T. told ConsumerAffairs.com. "I was OK with my Sprint coverage, but a loaner phone was a good idea, and the only reason I switched over."

A year later, J.T. said he opted for an upgrade phone, and tried out the newest model of same brand name as the phone he previously had. Not being satisfied with it, he switched to another that claimed to be very reliable.

"Now, after several months, that phone doesn't work, and after bringing it to Best Buy to have it looked at, I find out I'm not covered by any insurance," J.T. said. "The Sprint insurance I'd always had on my past phones never seemed to lapse, or have to be re-offered during each new purchase, so I didn't think to even ask the next Best Buy sales person to insure my newest phone, and none of them had offered a plan during my new purchases."

Insurance policies are actually service contracts that should be read carefully before signing. Better yet, read our Five Reasons Not To Buy The Extended Warranty.