Netflix versus Blockbuster

[farscapesg1]

Just curious here. For those that use Netflix, why?

I've been a customer of Blockbuster's for several years now and have never had any major issues other than an occasional unreadable/scratched/cracked DVD. With their recent addition of being able to return the movies to a local store to rent one the same day, plus the 1 free rental per month coupons, I just don't understand what Netflix has over Blockbuster.

I'd just like to know what Netflix has to offer over Blockbuster that has gained them such a large portion of the online-rental market, in case I want to switch.

 

[Kaido]

Price and availability. Anything I want for $15 a month. That's about it. The only thing I miss is being able to pick up a movie I'm in the mood for that night, but I don't really like Blockbuster's existing online/pickup plan.

 

[Queasy]

Netflix was first out of the box and well-established by the time Blockbuster got around to rolling out its online rental service.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

I used Blockbuster for a while, and at the same time my roommate had a Netflix account. At that time I noticed that Netflix had a better selection and availability, as well as a quicker turnaround time.

That was over a year ago. So I don't know if those things have improved with Blockbuster, and I am aware of their new in-store support for online customers.

 

[Triumph]

Because Cockbuster B&M broke our balls and bank accounts for long enough, and I'm happy to support anyone who gives them some competition.

 

[archiloco]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Because Cockbuster B&M broke our balls and bank accounts for long enough, and I'm happy to support anyone who gives them some competition.

ding ding ding

 

[dawnbug]

We signed up for Netflix first and haven't had any problems or reason to change. They've got a really nice selection of dvds available.

 

[FoBoT]

i live in BFE, no blockbusters anywhere
we got netflix and it is good, so why would i bother to change?

 

[Jeeebus]

I was fed up with Netflix's throttling, and had a free 1 month code for Blockbuster's service about six months ago, so I tried it out. During the time, I received about 12 DVDs from blockbuster. I'm not exaggerating when I say that 5 of them were either scratched beyond recognition or cracked right down the middle. I've been grumbling along with Netflix ever since.

I also found that BB had a much slower turn-around time than Netflix, even with the throttle. I would send a movie in on Monday, BB would receive on Wed, and they would get next movie to me on Fri/Sat (and I live around DC with a distribution center just as close as Netflix).

I figured if BB was that bad during their promotional month (I remember Netflix treating me like a god during my free two weeks way back when), then I didn't want to see how it was normally.

 

[Murpheeee]

Netflix usually send you your first choice if its available, Blockbuster send you whatever the hell they want

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've been a Netflix customer since 1999 without any problems, 4-5 years before BB started its competing service.

Netflix has had a much better selection of unrated / director's cut, foreign, indie, and TV show discs than BB, though I've heard BB selection has improved.

 

[dullard]

Just curious, how did the whole in store return thing work out.

When it was first announced, I was in a thread discussing the deal. People all said when you returned the movie to the store you got (1) a free rental at the store instantly, (2) a movie shipped to you, and (3) an in store coupon for a free rental all at the same time.

Basically, the idea was every movie you return, you get 3 more. Logically, that didn't make any sense (you'd return those 3 and get 9, return those 9 and get 27, etc). But, I was beaten and broken and I lost that debate.

Do you really get 3 movies for every 1 you return to the store?

<- Not a Blockbuster user.

 

[xboxist]

Because Bastardbuster fvcked us over for long enough, and I'll be happy to support their competition, even if BB has the "better" deal.

1) forwarding my balance to a friggin collection agency after 30 days?? ($3.49, to boot)

2) demanding to see my drivers' license every time I rented a movie, even though they knew me by name and I had my membership card out... it was just such an unpersonable, retardo-corp thing to pull. The employees were just doing as told.

 

[Murpheeee]

Originally posted by: dullard
Just curious, how did the whole in store return thing work out.

When it was first announced, I was in a thread discussing the deal. People all said when you returned the movie to the store you got (1) a free rental at the store instantly, (2) a movie shipped to you, and (3) an in store coupon for a free rental all at the same time.

Basically, the idea was every movie you return, you get 3 more. Logically, that didn't make any sense (you'd return those 3 and get 9, return those 9 and get 27, etc). But, I was beaten and broken and I lost that debate.

Do you really get 3 movies for every 1 you return to the store?

<- Not a Blockbuster user.

No when you return one to teh store, you get 1 free rental right there and your next one shipped....no extra coupons

 

[yowolabi]

I had heard things about Blockbuster's lack of movies. Seeing how a good half of my movies are independent/foreign/older, I didn't want to take the chance. I'm now happy with Netflix and don't see any reason to go through the hassle of switching and recreating my queue.

Also, I got an online service because I don't like going to the video store. So blockbuster's b&m support does nothing for me.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: dullard
Just curious, how did the whole in store return thing work out.

When it was first announced, I was in a thread discussing the deal. People all said when you returned the movie to the store you got (1) a free rental at the store instantly, (2) a movie shipped to you, and (3) an in store coupon for a free rental all at the same time.

Basically, the idea was every movie you return, you get 3 more. Logically, that didn't make any sense (you'd return those 3 and get 9, return those 9 and get 27, etc). But, I was beaten and broken and I lost that debate.

Do you really get 3 movies for every 1 you return to the store?

<- Not a Blockbuster user.

When you return a movie you rented online to the store, you can exchange it for a free rental. 1:1 relationship.

Blockbuster also offers up to two free rental coupons as part of their online service though.

It works out great for me. I can rent 3 extra movies in the store and use the rental coupon on games.

 

[ScottFern]

Originally posted by: yowolabi
I had heard things about Blockbuster's lack of movies. Seeing how a good half of my movies are independent/foreign/older, I didn't want to take the chance. I'm now happy with Netflix and don't see any reason to go through the hassle of switching and recreating my queue.

Also, I got an online service because I don't like going to the video store. So blockbuster's b&m support does nothing for me.

Exactly how I feel as well. Couldn't of said it better. Hard to find movies FTW!

 

[SpanishFry]

1. Blockbuster fvcked us hard enough, the only reason they have this service is because of Netflix.

2. Good selection of different movies

3. Website is powerful, user friendly, and continously improved

 

[farscapesg1]

Originally posted by: Murpheeee
Netflix usually send you your first choice if its available, Blockbuster send you whatever the hell they want

Hmm, never had that problem. They always send me what is at the top of my queue.

I guess I'm not a big foreign/independent film watcher. I've never had a problem with Blockbuster not carrying a title that I want to watch.

I never thought I would make use of the "instore rental" options, but it came in really handy this Christmas when the inlaws were down. We watched the three movies I had ordered online, then took them in for 3 more in-store movies (plus our free monthly rental), and by the time they left I already recieved my next movies from the queue.

Considering I have a Blockbuster right by my work, I can just drop the movies off after I watch them and pick up something new

I guess I never fell into the "Blockbuster fvcked us" group either. Where I grew up (Stillwater OK), there was only 1 Blockbuster within decent driving distance (1 hour). The smaller shops charged just as much and had even crappier selections. Sure, their return policy of Noon sucks, but most smaller rental shops did/do the same that I have seen.

I guess the drivers license thing could be annoying, but I'm asked for my drivers license so often that I don't see the issue. The local "movie shop" by my house where I currently live always asked for ID when I rented movies. They were a small mom-and-pop shop, so I guess I was "fvcked over" by them?

 

[DT4K]

On principle, I'd go with Netflix.

But I'm a cheap bastard, so I use BB. You just can't beat this deal.
$18/month for as many movies as I could possibly ever want to watch, including the ability to get free rentals in-store for those times when I decide there is something I want to watch RIGHT NOW, plus a free game rental ($8 value) each month.

Pros: Turnaround time seems to have improved a lot in the past year and I've always found the selection to be good. I dropped off 2 discs the other day at the local store and I had new discs in my mailbox about 36 hours later. I still haven't come across anything I wanted that BB didn't carry, including unrated versions and director's cuts.

Cons: I feel guilty not supporting Netflix. It is fairly common for BB to have a "long wait" for certain titles. Of course, since I can now go get those at the local store, that's less of an issue.

 

[jdogg707]

Netflix also has a better selection/availability of HD-DVD/Blu-ray movies. Since I got my players I looked at both services and Netflix was far superior in terms of turn around time and selection when compared to Blockbuster. That being said, BB worked very well for me in Richmond, VA for just regular DVD's.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Murpheeee

Originally posted by: dullard
Just curious, how did the whole in store return thing work out.

When it was first announced, I was in a thread discussing the deal. People all said when you returned the movie to the store you got (1) a free rental at the store instantly, (2) a movie shipped to you, and (3) an in store coupon for a free rental all at the same time.

Basically, the idea was every movie you return, you get 3 more. Logically, that didn't make any sense (you'd return those 3 and get 9, return those 9 and get 27, etc). But, I was beaten and broken and I lost that debate.

Do you really get 3 movies for every 1 you return to the store?

<- Not a Blockbuster user.

No when you return one to teh store, you get 1 free rental right there and your next one shipped....no extra coupons

Right, and when you return that in-store rental back to the store, you don't get another free rental from it. You basically get up to one free in-store rental for each online rental. So you get twice as many rentals per month (plus your next online rental gets shipped sooner).

On top of that you get one coupon per month that you can use for a free in-store rental without having to return one of your online rentals to the store at the same time.

I use Netflix simply because I've used it for years, and I haven't really had any complaints. I might consider Blockbuster at some point, but the fact that the store is 2 miles away on a busy road and not on my way to or from anywhere else except my mother-in-law's house is not very enticing.

If one of them came up with a competitive game rental program I'd be sold.

 

[alkemyst]

The blockbuster game on getting the free in-store movie is a winning situation for them since most that subscribe to online movies won't cash them in.

I am using hollywood mostly now, I buy their rent one get one calendar. It gives you 14 free rentals each year for like $6. You can buy as many of them as you want.

They also give rainchecks on any movie on their guaranteed list that isn't in stock. You get it for free. I don't play this game, but if you did you can get about 75% of new releases free in my area with a couple week wait.

I rent about 6 movies a week. They are mostly impulse though, not so planned. I still may pick up an online membership to get the canon fodder coming everyday.

I also buy alot of movies. The great and obscure ones I want to see.

For these your best bet is to pick them up at BB or Hollywood or your hometown center when they go from 100 on the shelf to 1-3 ...perfect movie in retail box for less than 10-20 bucks. If you don't get everything in the original box just return it for another. However; many times they pre-pull everything. www.addall.com has great listings.

I love music and DVD's. Date night, every night.

 

[sswingle]

Dont have a BB nearby so most of the benefits would be null.

 

[quikah]

I subscribed to Netflix 5 yrs ago specifically because I hated going to the video store. BB offering free instore rentals doesn't really mean anything to me, I would probably never/rarely use it. That said I have not had any problems with Netflix aside from the occasional scratched/broken disk, so no reason to change.