Blockbuster vs. Netflix

[Wezas]

So, after the whole "No late charges" fiasco Blockbuster's now copying netflix on the "send the movies to your home" idea.

I currently use Netflix, and have had no problems with them at all. $18/mo for 3 movies at a time. Usually send them back once a week, so about a dozen rentals per month.

Blockbuster's now doing $14.95/mo for 3 movies at a time. Also included is 2 coupons each month for in-store rentals (including games). This would have come in handy when I've been waiting for "Ray" to come off the "long wait" list at Netflix.

I've also read in a few places that Blockbuster's online rental is a bit slower (5-7 days usually) compared to Netflix (2-3 days) - It looks like Netflix has alot more distribution centers.

Any opinions?

I've been with Netflix forever. Fuck Blockbuster.

- Arkans

[CrystalTears]

I would be interested in this information as well. I'm currently on Netflix as well and I'm not sure if switching to Blockbusters is worth it right now. I like the faster turn-around, and paying a few dollars more for that doesn't bother me.

Netflix = cheaper for me, more rentals, and faster movies. No contest.

- Arkans

[FinisWolf]

Our household did a comparison. We had both for awhile. Netflix won hands down.

Netflix is:
1) Faster
2) Better Selection
3) Able to get new movies in the que faster
4) There are more reasons, but I can't think of them right now. Sorry.

BlockBuster:
1) We found we did not utilize the in store coupons

Finiswolf

[CrystalTears]

Originally posted by FinisWolf
BlockBuster:
1) We found we did not utilize the in store coupons

Finiswolf

This is what I felt was going to happen to me too. The whole point of us going to Netflix was because we didn't want to go to the store to rent anything. The only thing worth going for is for the games, but I don't play my console enough to really want to take that option.

[The Korean]

Netflix, all the way. I'm doing the 5 at a time plan, because I really want to finish watching a series before I get orders out of the US.

[xtc]

Considering Blockbuster had to be sued for their excessive late fees before they implemented a no late fee policy, I say fuck Blockbuster.

For me it is the Arab guy around the corner who owns a video store. He gives me movies on Saturday that aren't suppose to be released until the following Tuesday.

One of these days I will check out Netflix.

[Tsa`ah]

I say netflix.

We have a rewards membership from blockbuster and regular memberships to a few private and smaller stores.

The no late fees with Blockbuster will burn you if you're not anal about returning, which I'm not. You basically get 7 - 10 days to return the movie or they charge your account for the movie as a purchase. We're not talking 10 - 20 bucks; they charge 45 bucks and up. If you return it after the "purchase", they refund less a restocking fee. After two "restocking" fees, I'm not about to sign up for a home service from Blockbuster.

Netflix is just so damned easy. Pick what you want, they send it to you, you watch it, shove it in the return envelope and Mr Mailman takes it back. I've never had a an instance where the movie I wanted wasn't available, though I have had a disc or two that was damaged and unviewable ... but the folks at netflix have always sent another copy next day with an additional selection if I wanted.

So ya ... screw Blockbuster.

[crazymage]

i just cancelled netflix it was way slow the last 3 months i cancelled, and upped my cable subscription to digital platinum. Ton of on demand movies, but i'll miss the selections.

[Toxicvixen]

I have the ultimate in cable packages, all movie channels and a TiVo. If I want something mega new I bug my roommate that still works at Hollywood. I worked at both Blockbuster and hollywood for a time. With all the unlimited rentals, I'm a bit movied out. I would choose Netflix if I had to though.

[Czeska]

Netflix for sure. Even more sure after I heard about the way BB does their "no late fees" deal. I, too, don't want to go to the store. Much easier to mess with the queue while I'm at work.

[Kuyuk]

I used to have both netflix and blockbuster at the same time; turn around time for netflix was 3 days from sending movie out to getting a new one, for blockbuster, it was about a week.

Netflix = more movies per month = cheaper $ per movie


K.

[Toxicvixen]

Just Signed up for Netflix. I'm weak and the boys wanted Anime.

[Brattt8525]

I just signed up too! I get my first 3 selections n Saturday according to the email they sent me. Thanks for posting about netflix I hadn't heard about it.

[FinisWolf]

Originally posted by xtc
Considering Blockbuster had to be sued for their excessive late fees before they implemented a no late fee policy, I say fuck Blockbuster.


Yea, and then the asshats thought they were SUPER-BRIGHT, and re-named their "late fee" to a "re-stocking charge", umm, dumb fuck, you will re-stock the fucking movie as long as it comes back to your store, and it doesn't matter when.

esh!

(Morons perturb me!)

Finis

[Brattt8525]

I just got my mail, I ordered my movies from netflix yesterday and they are here today! They rock.

[Wezas]

I forgot to send my Netflix back until yesterday. But instead of waiting a few days for the next few discs of the next season of Smallville to arrive, I just went ahead and downloaded the season (~10gb).

[Sean]

Now that blockbusters been online for awhile how do people feel about the two? I'm looking to sign up for one since my local blockbuster gets worse and worse everyweek.

[Edaarin]

I'm using Blockbuster right now, actually. The in-store coupons are good for DVDs or video games, and if my PS2 wasn't a disc-error reading piece of shit it'd be pretty sweet.

So far I haven't tried renting any high-traffic movies (The Critic on DVD, Rocky III, The Natural, Glory, and a few others), but it's taken no longer than 48 hours from the time I change my queue for the movie to arrive. However, their definition of "Short Wait" on the website is defined as 2 weeks.

Yikes.

[Leetahkin]

I had cancelled my Blockbuster Online a month ago because I wasn't watching the movies in a timely manner (didn't think I was getting my monies worth).
Reopened it a week ago, got my selections in the mail the next day, turn around is awesome for me. They just opened a distribution center in St. Louis, which is why I think I get them so quickly. It's only a day or two turnaround for me as long as the post office doesn't screw up.
I normally use the in-store coupons after I've watched all three - normally during the weekend - and want something to watch while I wait for the next ones to arrive. But yeah, it's almost a chore to use those two in-store coupons.