I am looking into joining one of these online movie things. I was wondering what, if any, experiences any of you have had with either. Any insights would be appreciated.
We have had Netflix for , oh, over two years now. We love it! At one time, we thought Blockbuster might be better since you get free in-store rentals each month as well, but we honestly never go to the video store anymore anyway, and the turnaround time with Netflix is so fast that we're pretty much never without a new DVD to watch. They're alos great about re-sending something if we recieved it damaged, and they've even accepted that one we sent back got lost in the mail (we sent it back, but they never recieved it, so they wouldn't send us a new one, but we let them know via the website that we did send it back, so they just moved on and sent us the next movie on the list). I would call this great customer service, but it's even better than that--we've been able to solve every problem quickly through their website without ever having to actually call and speak to a person (some people don't like this lack of personability, but it's convenient for us to be able to deal with things outside of normal business hours).
I am a HUGE fan of NetFlix! I've used them for 6 years, and have never had a problem that was not easily fixed via e-mail or website. (My favorite way to do stuff since I have little kids who love to take the phone from me LOL) We've had a few problems with DVDs not getting to us or back to them (maybe 10 in the past 6 years- 5 in one year when we were putting our mail out to have the mailman take, anyway, I think one of the kids in the neighborhood was taking them....a couple times they were returned, but like 3 weeks later LOL)
I have thought about going over to Blockbuster since they have the free in store rental, and that might be nice for those times when we have friends come over and want to watch something....but I don't think I'd actually use it, it's just nice in theory LOL So I'm sticking with Netflix, they rock!
Blockbuster is a better deal because they give you all of the free ones, plus the turnaround is even a day faster when you turn the movies in the store. They do have a slightly smaller selection, but unless your interest is in the extremely obscure, it shouldn't be a problem.
That said, I chose Netflix. I'm really bad about turning videos in late, and the in-store rentals are subject to late fees. Less temptation.
Last edited by rubberlegs; 04-30-2007 at 04:47 PM.
Oh, and another thing:
You're able to request DVDs before they are even out.
Season One of The Tudors hasn't even ended, but I will be in line to get it. I don't think Blades of Glory was in the theaters before I added it. If I don't add movies when I first hear about them, forget it. And then I never wanted to go to the video store because there wasn't anything good.
Just think - it's like having a video store with 60-70,000 titles to choose from!
I couldn't believe they had Nowhere Man (a series that was on UPN in the early 90s for one season).
I'm canceling my cable subscription. Besides the fact that TV rots the brain, Netflix is cheaper and at least you know you will be getting something good. They let you rate movies and then they make suggestions based on the ratings. That's how I got up to 200+.
I love Netflix I haven't had cable in many months. I buy some DVDs I really want and rent others. I rent TV shows instead of having to watch them on TV.
They are both really good, but if you have a local Blockbuster, it's the better deal. We only do the one movie at a time option, and we have more movies than we can keep up with. You get one from your queue, and return by mail or at the store. If you turn it in at the store, you get another free one right then. So while you are watching that, the next one gets ready to ship. And then they email you a couple of free coupons for use in the store each month. It's an incredible amount of movies to keep up with. We've never had one lost, and they come really quick.
I vote for Netflix for all of the above mentioned reasons. They really are great if a movie gets lost in transit or is broken upon receipt. And no lengthy times on hold. Blockbuster might be a better deal in theory, but I can't get my butt to the video store to rent and return. Netflix's turnaround time is 1 day out - 1 day back.
Maybe I live farther away from my Netflix center, but it takes me 2 days... as in I mail it out on Mon, they receive it on Tues, I get the new one on Wed. Still pretty fast, though.
They do have a slightly smaller selection, but unless your interest is in the extremely obscure, it shouldn't be a problem.
ha, I can't say that I was previously "interested" in the extremely obscure, but with our Netflix plan, we get unlimited DVDs per month, 3 at a time, so we get a LOT of DVDs. Once we'd filtered through all the "popular" and mainstream stuff, we started renting things we'd never even heard of just based on the descriptions. Of course, it's hit or miss this way, but it is fun, plus I feel that I've seen a LOT more of a variety than I ever would have before. We've watched some French films, lots of Japanese movies, I think even a couple Spanish flicks. We've seen animated features, low-budget independents, and tv series from channels we don't pay for on cable. To anyone who likes movies (or even tv) that maybe not everyone else in the world has seen, I HIGHLY recommend Netflix
Maybe I live farther away from my Netflix center, but it takes me 2 days... as in I mail it out on Mon, they receive it on Tues, I get the new one on Wed. Still pretty fast, though.
That's what she said...1 day out, 1 day back. It's not possible to get it the very next day after you send it out--they haven't even recieved it back yet
Definitely the Blockbuster, but that's mostly because there's a store right on my route to work, so I'm able to take advantage of the free in-store rentals.
If anyone is interested, they can PM me and I can give them a link for 1 month of free Netflix - you can get up to 3 videos at a time free and usually their trials only last for 1 month. The offer expires on the 16th, though.
NetFlix of Blockbuster??
