Why I'm Never Going into a Video Rental Store Again... well... maybe

[admin]

As a long time Netflix user, I've had little use for Brick and Mortar video rental stores. Occasionally we'd want a specific movie a specific night with no time to order one (need about 3 days to my current location) so we'd pop in to Blockbuster. Invariably, we'd end up with a late fee which would result in a "rental" that cost only a few dollars less than purchasing used/on sale. So I've avoided all local rental shops like the plague. But is seems that Netflix has added on additional services that may make Brick and Mortar stores a thing of the past!

Discuss "Why I'm Never Going into a Video Rental Store Again... well... maybe" here. Read the article.

 

[BMXTRIX]

You know, I've always wondered at the infatuation with Netflix that has prevailed on this site. Not that it isn't a great, cutting edge service, but I've always gone to B&M stores for the reality that I rarely know on the drop of a hat which movies I may be interested in.

Yet, when the time came, I chose to go with one of the Blockbuster online promotions. Now, more than any other time, I appreciate that service even more. Rentals come to our door from our queue, and then I take them back to the store directly and pick up as many movies as I'm returning - on the spot. I'm not sure I've read the AH hype on that feature which does deliver instant gratification for zero additional charge to $17.99 a month and is perfect for that person who has a Blockbuster to/from work or just a few minutes from their home.

I think Netflix may be a better online only service, but the ability I have now to get movies directly from the store, the second I want them, is a huge plus. No, it isn't an 'instant download' service... but I don't want to really watch sub-VHS quality, in stereo, on my 17" monitor either.

As a plus, the last 10 titles in my queue have all been Blu-ray which they have had in stock and delivered without pause. This is hardly an exclusive to BB Online, yet is pleasant to get the titles in HD nonetheless. We are pushing towards a day when the B&M shops will be gone... and I really don't have some personal grudge against them, or big businesses that support my movie watching experience. Late fees or not.

 

[stratman]

I can't comment on the Blockbuster (online) experience, but Netflix happens to fit the bill nicely. As the adm. pointed out no late fees, that's a big plus when you have children as plans are always in flux. My wife and I were members of Blockbuster (or Ballbusters when you're late) after trying out Netflix it's worked out for us.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I love netflix but as BMX stated I do not want to watch movies on a computer. To me, watching movies on a computer is like listening to an MP3; what's the point?

 

[Tom Andry]

With an HTPC or a video out on a laptop, it isn't all that hard to stream a movie to your home theater.

 

[avaserfi]

I just started a netflix service for the first time this past week and so far its great, far cheaper than a brick and mortar store plus they have a far larger selection as I live in a little city with nothing interesting in it...boo ames

 

[gene]

I tried Netflix for a few months but got sick of getting broken or scratched discs in the mail. I also rarely rent DVD's so it was costing me nearly $20/mo for 2-3 DVD's/month I didn't watch either b/c of lack of time or because they showed up broken.

Personally I buy appealing movies on sale and wait for the others to show on HBO or Cinemax.

 

[darien87]

I initially went with Netflix, but then switched to Blockbuster. I also like being able to return movies at the store. It's like getting twice as many movies. Plus with new releases, it always seemed like what I wanted was on a "short wait" with Netflix. With Blockbuster, even if the movie is on a wait on the site, every time I went into the store, they had copies of what I wanted. So no more wait.

Plus, I can use my E-coupons to rent games at Blockbuster. That's not even possible with Netflix. The only negative I've had with Blockbuster, is that sometimes movies take more than a day to get to me. Netflix is literally just up the street from me, so I ALWAYS got their movies in one day. Also, with both services, I find myself trying to watch movies as quick as I can, so I can return them as quick as I can, to get my money's worth.

Sorry Netflix. You're a great service, but in my experience, you just can't compete with Blockbuster.

 

[birdonthebeach]

Sadly, I just discovered that the streaming feature is not available to Mac users....

so sad for me....

 

[gene]

Sadly, I just discovered that the streaming feature is not available to Mac users....

so sad for me....

Serves you right for buying a Mac

 

[Seth=L]

I have been using Redbox almost exclusively. It is a dollar a day plus tax. You can check the movie out at home on the computer and go the nearest Redbox and pick the movie up. At least this way I am not tied down with Netflix or Blockbuster and the nearest Redbox is only a few blocks away. I also like knowing there is a movie in their machine that I want. If you go to brick & mortar stores you may find that the movie you wanted is cleaned out.

If I want to watch something older or something in limited supply I usually just go to Blockbuster. Did you guys know about the guy who started Blockbuster? His first personal business was a dump.

 

[darien87]

Serves you right for buying a Mac

Macs RULE!!! If they weren't so damn expensive, I'd sure as hell would have one.

 

[ajaynejr]

How do on line video stores such as Netflix deal with damage or non-receipt claims, either with movies arriving at your home or movies being returned?

Or for that matter, how do brick and mortar video stores such as Blockbuster deal with scratched disks. Does the customer have to draw a diagram of the disk showing all the pre-existing scratches similar to when renting a car?

Video hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

 

[GlocksRock]

They have a report problem section on their website, I use blockbuster and have never had an issue when receiving a damaged disc, or when not receiving something. I just report the problem and my options are send the same movie again (on a diff. disc of course) or send the next title in my queue. I love the blockbuster service, for Just over $8 per month, tax included, I get the one at a time limit of 3 per month which gives me 3 rentals in the mail which I can swap out for new releases or whatever at the store, which comes in handy since I can just run up to the store on Tues. on my lunch hour. And the in store coupon is a real plus too since I can use it for games, it lets me try out any xbox 360 games I may be interested in purchasing. The cost of a game rental alone is about what I'm paying per month to get the movies as well, so it's really hard to beat the service. And I could care less about streaming movies, if I'm watching a movie, I want to enjoy it on my home theater, otherwise I'll just rip it to my laptop hard drive to watch later where I know the quality will be great.

 

[Micker]

netflix

I had netflix for a long time. I ran out of movies I wanted to burn, errr watch and now I have a nice big list. I will join up again for a month or two and burn, I mean watch all the new ones I want.

I think I might try blockbuster. If I can return the movies at the store and get new ones right away. I could burn, dang I mean watch, a ton of movies in one month.

 

[Nick250]

Personally I buy appealing movies on sale.

That's my strategy. I can almost always find a movie I would like to see in the $5.99 bin.

Nick

 

[niget2002]

My GF and I are big fans of the Blockbuster online. We started using it last summer, and now that they have the "return to the store" feature... It's even better.

We pay the $16 a month and we usually average 3-4 movies a week. We'll watch the two that come in the mail, then go to the store to get two more.

I don't know why people keep mentioning late fees... most Blockbusters don't do late fees any more... or at least the ones we go to don't. They will call about 2-3 days after the movie was due, but we've been known to return a movie a week late more than once.

 

[Seth=L]

So no one likes Redbox eh? Oh, well.

 

[GlocksRock]

So no one likes Redbox eh? Oh, well.

Never heard of it till now... I just checked it out online and I'm gonna try it out with their free rental deal, there is a location very close to my work, and I can drop it off at another location on the way home. This looks to be promising, thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

Never heard of it till now... I just checked it out online and I'm gonna try it out with their free rental deal, there is a location very close to my work, and I can drop it off at another location on the way home. This looks to be promising, thanks!

I find it easy to do, and there is no obligations (perfect for me). If you keep the movie for 20 days or so they will just release the title and bill you for 20 days (or whatever the amount happens to be) then the movie is technically yours.