Netflix vs. Blockbuster

We are avid movie watchers and have been with Netflix now for 4 years and have nothing bad to say about them. The biggest issue we have had is receiving broken discs (maybe 5 times in 4 years) but it is really simple to report it and they will send you a replacement before they have received the broken disc back.

I don’t know much about the Blockbuster program but we had so many problems with bad service when we rented from them in store that I probably won’t ever give them a chance.

I’ve used a few free codes for Redbox…and for $1/night, it’s a great deal. I’m not really sure what type of availability you’re looking for. I used to subscribe to Blockbuster online with the free instore rentals, but now I don’t watch enough movies to make it work. The Netflix online option is great, except my home computer doesn’t have a great video card (can’t watch tv/dvds on it)…

Redbox just made it’s way in my area. One the east coast my friends use it all the time. The downside of only having the newest releases is a big one if the writer’s strike continues.

Netflix. No doubt. The “benefit” of going to a local Blockbuster to rent a movie is usually offset by the fact that their good/new movies are almost always all rented out, relegating you to rent something you don’t really want to. Plus, getting off the couch to go rent a movie is just too much. 3+ years of Netflix and I don’t foresee cancelling until a perfect digital distribution system is in place.

I’ve been with Netflix for a little over 2 years on the 4 at-a-time plan.

I’ve had about 4-5 broken/bad discs in that time and usually get a fast turn-a-round on rentals although for being a high volume user I do get hit with their wait for new titles scheme more than lower volume or new users. This strategy basically caters to new and low plan/low user members over people who turn over a ton of discs in a month. Heavy users don’t get dibs on new releases.

There are numerous articles out there that discuss at what point does Netflix actually loose money on high volumes users that make a good read.

Also as far as the instant viewing selection is concerned it is extremely limited with almost no semi-recent films and even beyond that selection is limited (probably due to liscensing rights).

My only real pet peeves with Netflix are:
I have had Playmakers on long wait for 3 months!
They redid their new releases screen to be similar to redbox’s slideshow type that makes you scroll left-right by category and takes longer than the old way.

I really miss seeing the previous easier to read releasing this week and next week pages. You would also see 5x more of the current movies on those pages than the 5-6 per category you can now.

Netflix wins as they have a distribution center about seven miles away. I get new movies about two days after I mail them on average. The only bad thing is I only have time to watch them on the weekends so average 4 a month for 9.99.

Still not a bad deal.

Neither; membership to usenet server, membership to news indexing site (nbz), hellanzb software (free), and a DVD player that accepts USB drives & has DivX support ($60 Philips DVP5982).

Costs ~ $15/mo, ~800MB DivX movie takes about 15 minutes to download over a cable modem (quicker than running to a redbox or ordering from netflix). Copy to USB, watch now or later. Nothing to return.

Might not be as legal as you’d like, but it’s much safer and faster than Bittorrent, and costs alot less than other methods. Feel free to contact me if you need more information

A book?

I went with Blockbuster for one reason only Blu-Ray. I received the Blu-Ray player as a gift and enjoy it greatly, but I am still thinking about canceling the Blockbuster service because we don’t use it enough. I hate to admit it, but there are two moves sitting on my entertainment center that have been there at least two weeks. *sigh* Going to blockbuster’s website to figure out how to cancel right now. Thanks for the reminder…

Another resounding endorsement for Netflix. I’ve been a member for 5 years now in their 3-out plan and have had nothing but good results. A few broken or lost discs here and there but Netflix was always fast to replace the discs — often sent out the same day I report a problem.

I tried the Blockbuster online when it was launched since the prices were so cheap. Too cheap in fact because they kept on jacking up the price and reducing services. When they got more expensive than Netflix I cancelled.

I’ve seen the Redbox kiosks around and although the price is cheap the selection is really poor unless you want the newest of new releases. They also appear to carry the rated versions of movies when an unrated version is also available. Who wants to see the R-rated version of something like Hatchet? Actually, now that I’ve seen Hatchet I’m not sure who would want to see it at all — but at least it was unrated.

I use Redbox all the time. And I’ve only paid the dollar once or twice. I’ve written about how you can save the dollar every time, but you should check out Inside Redbox to get the promo codes.

I’ve never used netflix.
i’ll have to check it out once I get back to the US.I bought several pirated dvds
from thailand. at $2 each, they were a lot cheaper than blockbuster!!!!
damn, I should’ve bought more.

We had netflix for a while because of their huge selection. Compared to Blockbuster, netflix seems to cater more to the eclectic crowd. We cancelled the subscription again after a few months because there is apparently not enough movies/shows made on the planet to watch three of them a week for a few months without running out of choices ;P

When they started, Blockbuster Online was atrocious (I tried them, too). The selection was crap, and they started the price way too low (several price adjustments in the first year). Now, however, their service has improved significantly. I used Netflix for over 3 years, and have only positives. But we switched to Blockbuster Online when we moved last year, since there’s a Blockbuster just down the road. For just a little bit less (It’s now actually $19.99 for 3-at-a-time, the same price I was paying for Netflix in ‘06), we’re getting all that extra stuff. The free-in-store-rental (movie or game!) coupon every month is great b/c regular game rentals are about $7+. Also, the online game-renting services are too pricey for me, since I don’t play that often.
Sad to say, like others, the biggest problem I’ve had is that Blockbuster Online’s in-store exchange means that I have seen almost every movie they have that interests me. My queue went from having about 16-20 movies at a time, to having maybe 2-3 with a dozen or so of the “in-theatres” or not-yet-hit-theatres movies in the “saved” section. I’ve actually started turning to more foreign films.
Overall, I think Netflix has a bigger selection (especially of foreign/special interest/anime), but it’s not a huge difference. Fact is, though, these two services are the only ones online that actually have a *decent* selection. Most only have new releases and a few classics.
Sad to say, I’ve actually got 3 movies sitting on my entertainment stand right now. I might actually scale down to a 2-at-a-time plan…

I’m happy to see that you chose Netflix. I’ve had a subscription for about 2 1/2 years and have never had any complaints with their service. On the other hand, even though Blockbuster’s mail service might be great, I absolutely HATE their store, so I’m not inclined to join their mail program and give them any of my money.

BlockBuster is the WalMart of video stores… they may have a whole lot of stuff but they always leave you feeling dirty. With their annoying, ever-changing pricing schedules, and even more annoying employees, they need to be downsized. NetFlix has a much better business model, and combined with RedBox for new, instant rentals, it’s the way to go. Plus you can get free, legal rentals from RedBox every Monday. Check it out at Reforming Stupidity.

http://www.reformingstupidity.com/2008/01/damn_you_redbox.html

I had blockbuster for 5 years and it was great I used to pay 17.99 for 3 movies at a time and unlimited a month and unlimted in-store exchanges, but recently blockbuster raised my price to 19.99 and only limits me to 5 in-store a month. It felt like taking a toy back from a kid so I lost interest and now I only spend about 2-9 dollars a month using red box at my local Walgreens but i am looking into getting Netflix because of their unlimited online streaming they just announced.

So, did you notice that last week, Netflix announced unlimited streaming for users of the 2 largest plans?

BTW, I have used Netflix for 4 years now and never had a problem with it. It always had the best selection and reasonable service for my needs. I should probably cancel it as I haven’t used it as much over the last 4 or 5 months, but I like being able to keep the movies until I’m ready to watch them.