Netflix vs. Blockbuster!!!!!

[speakerman39]

Blockbuster still allows in-store exchanges. However, the exchange policy changed at the beginning of March. Previously, in-store exchanges did not count toward your mail que. So if you have a plan that gives you 3 movies out at a time and you exchanged one of the mail-in movies in the store, the in-store exchange did not count toward your 3 at a time. Blockbuster would mail you another one in addition to the one you got from the store. You still got three movies at a time by mail regardless of whether you had exchanged one of them in-store. That changed in early March to now when you exchange a movie in-store, the exchange counts toward your que. Meaning if you have three movies out and you exchange one in-store, you are still considered to have 3 movies out and the do not mail you another one until you return the in-store exchange to the store.

I see. Thanks for taking the time to explain this policy change to me. Most here seem to prefer Netflix. I plan to do a bit more research before making my final decision. I appreciate you posting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[the grunt]

I have both Netflix and Blockbuster. The Netflix is the 8 at a time unlimited. And the Blockbuster is the 3 at a time unlimited, I just ditched the in-store turn in because they ran out of things I wanted to see and not enough new releases are coming out to justify 3 turn-ins a week. So far I’ve noticed the following:

Netflix:

Pros:
- Incredibly better selection than Blockbuster (huge anime selection)
- Faster turn-around time (Phoenix has a distribution center and I get new movies in 1-2 days if they are in Phoenix. If the next disk is shipping from across the country they often ship a 9th disk from Phoenix to make up for the delay)
- Have up to an 8 at a time unlimited plan though 3 at a time is the sweet spot
- Much easier site navigation
- More disk info on website (things like sound format 2.0, DD 5.1 etc…)
- Rating system really helps finding other things you might like.
- Better customer service (until recently 0 missing disks out of over 400. 2 weeks ago 8 disks all went missing the same day (weekend letter carrier put them in the wrong apartment’s mailbox. Reported them missing. Received an email saying my account was flagged. Called and explained and the customer service rep unquestioningly reset my “missing” limit and all 8 replacement disks shipped that day)

Cons:
- None

Blockbuster:

Pros:
- In store trade-in
- Immediate exchange for bad disk if it’s in stock.
- Store clerks can be helpful in suggesting movies or finding one you can’t remember the name of. (real hit or miss here)

Cons:
- Everything listed in the Nexflix “pros” column
- New internet movies don’t ship until the distribution center receives your turn-in from the store.
- Spotty customer service. (store doesn’t always scan in drop box returns or post your turn-in in the mail promptly)

If you are worried about not having in-store turn in to get new releases Netflix lets you “save” movies to your queue before they release. I use this site to see what’s coming out:

http://www.themovieinsider.com/movie-releases/march/2009/

I already have the new “Star Trek” movie saved. When I save movies far enough ahead of time the ship on the day of DVD release and I get them the next morning. OTOH I didn’t select Wall-E until the day it released and it took over 5 weeks to ship.

Hope this helps,
Dean

P.S. I voted for Netflix.

 

[speakerman39]

I have both Netflix and Blockbuster. The Netflix is the 8 at a time unlimited. And the Blockbuster is the 3 at a time unlimited, I just ditched the in-store turn in because they ran out of things I wanted to see and not enough new releases are coming out to justify 3 turn-ins a week. So far I’ve noticed the following:

Netflix:

Pros:
- Incredibly better selection than Blockbuster (huge anime selection)
- Faster turn-around time (Phoenix has a distribution center and I get new movies in 1-2 days if they are in Phoenix. If the next disk is shipping from across the country they often ship a 9th disk from Phoenix to make up for the delay)
- Have up to an 8 at a time unlimited plan though 3 at a time is the sweet spot
- Much easier site navigation
- More disk info on website (things like sound format 2.0, DD 5.1 etc…)
- Rating system really helps finding other things you might like.
- Better customer service (until recently 0 missing disks out of over 400. 2 weeks ago 8 disks all went missing the same day (weekend letter carrier put them in the wrong apartment’s mailbox. Reported them missing. Received an email saying my account was flagged. Called and explained and the customer service rep unquestioningly reset my “missing” limit and all 8 replacement disks shipped that day)

Cons:
- None

Blockbuster:

Pros:
- In store trade-in
- Immediate exchange for bad disk if it’s in stock.
- Store clerks can be helpful in suggesting movies or finding one you can’t remember the name of. (real hit or miss here)

Cons:
- Everything listed in the Nexflix “pros” column
- New internet movies don’t ship until the distribution center receives your turn-in from the store.
- Spotty customer service. (store doesn’t always scan in drop box returns or post your turn-in in the mail promptly)

If you are worried about not having in-store turn in to get new releases Netflix lets you “save” movies to your queue before they release. I use this site to see what’s coming out:

http://www.themovieinsider.com/movie-releases/march/2009/

I already have the new “Star Trek” movie saved. When I save movies far enough ahead of time the ship on the day of DVD release and I get them the next morning. OTOH I didn’t select Wall-E until the day it released and it took over 5 weeks to ship.

Hope this helps,
Dean

P.S. I voted for Netflix.

Wow, very informative post. Another vote for Netflix. This seems to be the consensus around here. To be honest, I was leaning towards Blockbuster. That is, until posts like this. As a result, I am looking into Netflix a bit more thoroughly. Thanks for taking the time to type this up. It is most helpful.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

This is still confusing as I am not sure which way to go. It looks like most here prefer Netflix. However, there has been some support for BB. Perhaps, it may just come down to which one is more affordable. Anyone have any thoughts on that in terms of affordability? Feel free to speak your mind.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Cavediver]

I saw this headline on CNET news today. "Netflix to hike up monthly Blu-ray fee by up to $8" http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10207302-2.html?tag=nl.e703

 

[GlocksRock]

I love blockbuster, the instore exchange is the big deal breaker for me, plus they don't charge extra for instore blu ray exchages.

 

[speakerman39]

I saw this headline on CNET news today. "Netflix to hike up monthly Blu-ray fee by up to $8" http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10207302-2.html?tag=nl.e703

Yeah, that is a big jump. However, I just rented (2) BR movies which were from the "New Releases" section and it was over $10!!!!! With that being said, I guess the $8 spike is not looking so bad. Thanks for the link.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

I love blockbuster, the instore exchange is the big deal breaker for me, plus they don't charge extra for instore blu ray exchages.

Yeah, this is one thing that is making my decision tougher. My local BB BR selection is still "in the works" so to speak. They just do not have many selections and very few copies of the ones they do. It does look to be getting better though. Just will have to take it all in stride until I make my final decision. Hope all is well Glock.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[lsiberian]

Yeah, that is a big jump. However, I just rented (2) BR movies which were from the "New Releases" section and it was over $10!!!!! With that being said, I guess the $8 spike is not looking so bad. Thanks for the link.

Cheers,

Phil

Mine went up 4 a month.

That's only 50 dollars a year so not big deal.

 

[Robo72]

Netflix

+1 for Netflix

I've been a Netflix member for a few years now and have never had any issues. I've had probably 3 or 4 movies get lost in the mail over the years and have had no issues with them shipping the next movie out that day. Extremely convenient. The only downside that I can see is that I still have to walk out to the mailbox which forces me to pick up the bills

 

[davidtwotrees]

I have both services. There really is no difference in their mail in service. You can blah blah blah all you want, but basically, you order the movies, watch them, and send them back. If you are in a large distribution area, your turnaround time is amazing. Rural areas might be slower.
I am single, so it might be odd that I have both. To me, there is one reason to pick each service. Blockbuster for the in store exchange. And Netflix for the streaming video. My Samsung BD2550 streams netflix and I like it, and can't wait to watch that grow. And I live about 1000 feet from a Blockbuster........so I have the one at a time rental plan and can walk over and pick up a new movie.
If I had to cancel one, BB changing it's return policy would be the deciding factor. Netflix with streaming is the kicker. You say you're not interested in that. Then I would say it is a no brainer. BB. Having a Bricks and Mortar store backing up the mail ins makes it a much better service. BB for you, imho.

 

[speakerman39]

I have both services. There really is no difference in their mail in service. You can blah blah blah all you want, but basically, you order the movies, watch them, and send them back. If you are in a large distribution area, your turnaround time is amazing. Rural areas might be slower.
I am single, so it might be odd that I have both. To me, there is one reason to pick each service. Blockbuster for the in store exchange. And Netflix for the streaming video. My Samsung BD2550 streams netflix and I like it, and can't wait to watch that grow. And I live about 1000 feet from a Blockbuster........so I have the one at a time rental plan and can walk over and pick up a new movie.
If I had to cancel one, BB changing it's return policy would be the deciding factor. Netflix with streaming is the kicker. You say you're not interested in that. Then I would say it is a no brainer. BB. Having a Bricks and Mortar store backing up the mail ins makes it a much better service. BB for you, imho.

Hi David. I agree the in-store exchange is great. My local BB is about a mile away from my home. To make it even more complicated, the manger is a hottie...........LOL!!!!! We been talking a lot lately too as I am a single guy. However, right now I kinda have a gf. Still never hurts to flirt some if you know what I mean. Appreciate your viewpoint.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[allargon]

Blockbuster Online is now $7/mo cheaper by mail for Blu-Ray's than Netflix, if one elects the 3 at a time plan.

 

[mperfct]

To make it even more complicated, the manger is a hottie.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

After consideration, I'm sticking with Netflix for one simple reason: I get the movies A LOT FASTER!!!

If Netflix sends out the movies today, I get it tomorrow.

If BB sends out the movies today, I get it in 2 or 3 days!!!

If I send in the movies to Netflix today, they get it tomorrow.

If I send in the movies to BB today, they get it in 2 or 3 days!!!

Time is money.

 

[speakerman39]

Blockbuster Online is now $7/mo cheaper by mail for Blu-Ray's than Netflix, if one elects the 3 at a time plan.

Interesting, care to be more specific? Can you break it down between the plans? I was thinking (2) at a time would be enough for me. Thanks for posting the info.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

LOL.......okay she is cute. Is that better?

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

After consideration, I'm sticking with Netflix for one simple reason: I get the movies A LOT FASTER!!!

If Netflix sends out the movies today, I get it tomorrow.

If BB sends out the movies today, I get it in 2 or 3 days!!!

If I send in the movies to Netflix today, they get it tomorrow.

If I send in the movies to BB today, they get it in 2 or 3 days!!!

Time is money.

Time=Money and quickness=convenience. You summed it up quite nicely there. Thanks for your input.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

Dude, why not just give the 2 weeks free trial a run with Netflix? Then at least you can get an idea of whether or not you like it. Hollywood video is only 1 block from me too, but it isn't as close as my mailbox I did and was able to get in about 4-5 movies in that time.

 

[speakerman39]

Dude, why not just give the 2 weeks free trial a run with Netflix? Then at least you can get an idea of whether or not you like it. Hollywood video is only 1 block from me too, but it isn't as close as my mailbox I did and was able to get in about 4-5 movies in that time.

Chances are I will John. Right now, a lot is going on with my Mom and her cancer. She just got out of the hospital yesterday and will be going back in early next week. It seems like one test after another with no ending in sight. I am worn out and can NOT even begin to imagine how my Mom feels. I will get around to giving it a try. Thanks for your help my friend.

Cheers,

Phil