For the last couple weeks I have been thinking about signing up for an online video rental service and yesterday I investigated some options. We probably watch (on average) 4-6 movies a month and in the winter that figure might even be a little higher. We are big Redbox fans (and other cheap alternatives) and normally take advantage of the $1 new releases they offer.
While this is a great option, each rental requires two separate trips to pick up and return the movie. The convenience factor of the online services got me thinking about them.
Netflix
Netflix is the original online video rental service who really turned the whole video rental industry up-side-down a few years back. Over the years the subscription prices have dropped and are finally (in my opinion) at a reasonable rate – if you watch at least a few movies each month.
Plans and pricing
Netflix has 3 primary rental options…
- $8.99/month – Allows 1 DVD out at a time.
- $13.99/month – Allows 2 DVDs out at a time.
- $16.99/month – Allows 3 DVDs out at a time.
Each option allows you to exchange the DVDs as many times as you want in a month and also allows you to stream many movies to your computer for viewing.
Blockbuster Online
Blockbuster Online is really the only other major player in the online rental game. There are some smaller companies, but they seem pretty small and weren’t really viable options for me.
Blockbuster’s Total Access plans have the advantage of being able to rent from the store. For me I don’t really care too much about this, but some people like to know that they can get a movie whenever they want – without having to wait for it to arrive in the mail (as with Netflix).
Plans and pricing
The standard prices are exactly the same as Netflix’s pricing. But for the Total Access program – which allows you to get 5 in-store exchanges each month the prices are as follows…
- $11.99/month – Allows 1 DVD out at a time.
- $16.99/month – Allows 2 DVDs out at a time.
- $19.99/month – Allows 3 DVDs out at a time.
Blockbuster Online doesn’t offer the option of streaming the video to your PC as part of these packages. They have a separate on-demand video rental program which allows you to do this after paying $3-4 to rent the movie.
Comparing the two…
Like I mentioned, we are okay without having the option of having a physical store to rent from. Waiting for the movie to arrive in the mail is no big deal. And when you pair that with the online streaming, it seemed to be a pretty good option for us. Since we have our computer hooked inline with our TV, it makes watching TV or movies online very convenient.
So last night we pulled the trigger and signed up for a free-trial with Netflix. The first thing I noticed was that the number of movies available for streaming is much smaller than the number available for delivery. I guess I should have expected this – but either way, we were still able to find a few movies to add to our queue.
On the delivery side, they really do have a huge selection of movies available. We filled up this queue as well and we are awaiting the arrival of our first movie.
So we are going to continue testing out Netflix for a while – if I have any other observations, I will add them to this post…
Have you used Netflix or Blockbuster Online? What did you like/dislike?
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
My family has been a long time user of Netfix. I have no complaints other than once and a rare while they do not send the first movie in your queue. Getting a movie to you fast takes priority over your choices. Again, this is rare. I like that we can set up multiple queues. We rent three at a time and my wife, my kids and I each have separate queues. As you might expect, the newer releases are hard to get, but I don’t mind waiting. In most cases I have bypassed seeing it in the theater so waiting a while longer is not a problem.
One big praise is that in all the years we have rented from them, I can think of only two or three times where we have gotten a damaged disc or wrong title. That’s an amazing track record.
Interesting post. I especially liked the comparison. I personally like Netflix because of the recommendation technology and how easy it is to automatically manage movie rentals. Netflix’s customer service is excellent, you can even tweet your customer service requests and receive help, pretty cool. I haven’t had as much experience with Blockbuster and I probably won’t until they can compete with Netflix on their prices, which is a hard catch-up game.
We used Netflix for a while, since we do not have cable. Their instant streaming movies are, for the most part, pretty awful. I used streaming to our Xbox 360 and was able to watch some TV series that I liked and a few movies, and they had some movies for my daughter to watch. We never really had a problem with receiving wrong DVD’s except for once – and THEY sent ME an e-mail apologizing and allowing me to rent an additional movie (other than the 2 we had out at the time) for free. We only cancelled because we weren’t using it much anymore and wanted to cut costs, but I am thinking about seeing if we can sign up again.
Great write up, but if you have one close — Redbox FTW! Or the Blockbuster Express kiosk. $1 rentals. Always lots of coupons floating around for free rentals.
Based on one of your posts about watching TV free, I disconnected my cable and started using PlayOn (interfaced with our PS3) along with a subscription to Netflix. Along with a few changes to our phone and high speed internet services, we’ve cut our bill by $100 per month! We get our local news via HD antenna, and we can stream (older) movies from Netflix AND get our one DVD at a time – it works great!
I have been using Netflix for over a year now and have loved the service. I try to get 5-6 movies a month and I really like the streaming video options.
We just started using Netflix also and I have been really really pleased. Fast delivery, incredible selection, and very convenient. Good choice.
Hands down, Netflix. Blockbuster has been nothing but a headache…inability to deliver DVDs promptly, smaller movie catalog, changing terms of service, you name it, they’re terrible. Surprisingly though, searching for movies on their website is easier. Netflix is better at everything else, price, disc turnaround, streaming, service, and did I mention streaming?
I was so dissapointed in NetFlix’s streaming options! That being said, I like their website and prices much better.
Actually just found out (on 12/24) that you can easily give netflix as a gift without them seeing how or what you paid for it! I did this for my younger brother, and it prints out a nice little gift certificate with a number that they redeem.
I used to have the Blockbuster deal, but then they changed it and limited the amount and frequency… and if I remember correctly the price went up too. So as much as I hate boycotting (haha I’ve written about this a couple times actually), I’ve ended up boycotting Blockbuster. (Actually, this is the first time I’ve really realized how inconsistent that move is.)
Anyway, like you, I’m a huge Redbox fan. I have one on the corner street that I turn out on each day, so the getting and returning isn’t much of a problem for me.
HOWEVER, I did just receive a gift card for Netflix from my uncle, so I’ll try that out soon. Who knows… maybe I’ll get attached to it.
Thanks for the write up. I hadn’t really considered my movie budget lately (it’s crammed into my entertainment category).
-Marshall Jones Jr.
We just got the Roku HD XR for Christmas, and it’s main function is to stream Netflix movies to the TV. We promptly picked up the $8.99/month package and the movies we’ll get in the mail are really going to be secondary to the streaming option. We’re even planning to cancel our cable (or cut back to just the basic channels). The Netflix streaming selection is okay, and I expect that it will only get better.
Bob – Great review of Netflix and Blockbuster! My dad used to have an account with Netflix and he loved it! I’m not quite sure why he stopped, but I’ve been thinking of getting either Netflix or Blockbuster recently.
Glad to have this inside look on the two! (PS-I love the RedBox too!!)
Great Review! I would just like to say that I’ve had the service with Blockbuster for the last few years, I wanted to address the price issue. Blockbuster did indeed raise their prices. In the beginnig I was paying 19.99 a month with UNLIMITED in-store exchanges which my husband loved.
Now, I pay 25.00 with only 5 in store exchanges a month, anything over 5 is 1.99 per rental if I’m not mistaken. To make things worse they have closed just about all of the Blockbuster stores in my area so there goes the in-store exchange option which was the only reason I chose Blockbuster to begin with. It’s definetly time to make a switch.
I have used Netflex for several years now and really enjoy the service. During the summer I opt to receive more movies at a time due to less TV shows worth watching . The online movies are usually older movies, but I do not always get to watch the newer ones as they come out.
We have had Netflix since 2001 and really love it. The turnaround on movies is so fast, and we love that they have Blu-Ray options on most new releases, something that our Redbox doesn’t offer.
One thing that people fail to mention about Redbox that makes it not a viable option for us as the sole source of movie rentals–they don’t get everything. Netflix has every single movie I would ever care to watch, Redbox gets some, but not all. Also, the frustration with going there and having the movie you want to watch out reminds me of the old days of renting videos from the video store.
We definitely supplement our Netflix watching with movies from our local library. Since we can put them on hold, it might take months before we get a new release, but I love the option for kids’ movies and ones that aren’t necessarily “must see” movies but ones we’d like to view eventually.
My husband and I pulled the plug on DISH several months ago in order to cut back expenses. We signed up for the Netflix through a free trial (one DVD at a time) a couple of months later and stream movies and series through the XBox. We love it! Needless to say we signed up for the monthly membership. You can’t beat the value and we’ve watched numerous movies. My husband even commented last night that he hasn’t missed the DISH! I am totally hooked on a TV series, McCleod’s Daughter’s that was filmed in Australia. It is wholesome entertainment without swear words every other word! The first season is instant view and susbsequent (8 seasons) are DVD only. I’m currently on the disc 5 of Season 2 and have the remaining seasons in our DVD queue. Another series that is great is Legend of the Seeker. Season 1 is available on instant view in it’s entirety and Season 2 currently has the first 6 episodes available. These are released weekly after they are aired on TV. I hope that you enjoy Netflix! Have a blessed day!
I was enjoying watching McLeod’s Daughters too, but it seemed to be getting more and more raunchy as the seasons went on. I finally made the decision not to watch any more.
I use Netflix streaming and find lots of things to watch. They have documentaries and nature programs as well as movies. I think, since they changed their rental policy, that they have put more on their streaming agenda. I don’t want to pay more so only have the streaming portion now.
We have used Blockbuster and was really pleased with their service. At one point, we returned a movie, but it was never received by Blockbuster. We contacted customer service and they adjusted the status of the movie so that the next pick in our queue went out. Right now we are out of the subscription, but if we would happily return to Blockbuster in the future.
I’ve been using Netflix for the past 2 1/2 years, I pay the $16.99 a month. I have no complaints, it takes about 2 days to receive a new movie once my returned movie is received. I homeschool and have been able to order movies for history lessons, very useful.
My wife and I have been members of Netflix for quite a while. We decided on Netflix after trying the Blockbuster thing. Blockbuster has a funny way of making new services that cost you more in some way after three months (I have tried several blockbuster deals). I do not have any complaints for Netflix, the movies are always on time and the price never changes:)
ps…If we can’t wait a couple days for a movie, we usually head to the Red Box, this is a new video vending machine. The movies from this machine cost 99 cents per day.
Having used both, Netflix is BY FAR the better choice. Besides being cheaper, their delivery speed is much faster. Getting newer movies from Blockbuster was always a headache for us and we’d never go back.
Hi, we were Netflix members a few years back and our only complaint was that, at the time, we were trying to get “caught up” with 24 seasons. (the TV show) We didn’t start watching the series until season 5 and quickly realized there was a lot we had missed. So we started with Season 1 (had the one at a time membership) and at first, we got the DVD’s quickly then it slowed down significantly. I did some research about Netflix when this started and apparently, that was a common complaint. We were in suspense about the next 4 episodes, you see, so waiting was not fun! We finally started renting some season DVD’s “in between” (had to guess at that, of course) at the local BB store. Anyway, after we DID get caught up, we were rarely renting anything and it was an expense we just couldn’t justify. The only time I rent movies is when the grandchildren come over. There is quite a bit we DON’T want to watch, at all, to be frank here. Even 24 had some scenes that were too much (had to leave the room due to the violence – yes, I am a wimp!). Good deal if you watch a lot of movies, really!
Some of the complaints here are really not specifically problems with Netflix, but more seem to be personal preference, Internet connection, or issues you’d get with any rental service. For example, I have over 200 movies/TV shows on my instant queue. If you can’t find a lot to watch, you’re either just too picky, or you haven’t spent the time to browse. Once you spend some time browsing, you’ll see that there are actually many great movies on instant play. Although most are older movies, Netflix has been working on adding newer movies to instant play more quickly. The person who said they had an issue with Netflix streaming over Xbox probably just has a slow Internet connection, because we rarely have an issue with that. And Steph’s issue with the later TV seasons arriving at a slower pace is simply because most people have already seen the earlier seasons, so there’s more demand and a longer waitlist for later seasons. So, the issue really has nothing to do with Netflix. The same thing happens with wait lists on popular books/DVDs at the library. When I send DVDs back, I get new ones in 2 days, whether they’re next on my queue or a fee down the list.
I just switched from Netflix to Blockbuster. The streaming from Netflix is really no big deal as the titles for streaming are limited. The biggest complaint with Netflix is that on New Release’s you will wait for a long time to get them shipped. Just started with Blockbuster and they seem to have a better delivery time on new release’s. The monthly price is the same as Netflix….
I’ve had Blockbuster Online for years. Even high-demand new releases only take a couple days. In store exchanges fulfill the instant gratification that most get from Redbox. Plus, Blockbuster doesn’t charge extra for Blu-Ray, which is all I watch. The Netflix streaming would be nice, but I’m on a grandfathered BB plan that gives me a free game rental every month (and unlimited in-store exchanges), so I could always opt for the cheaper Netflix plan in addition to BB and still come out even.
I recently joined Netflix myself. I prefer the lower pricing and love the quick turnaround. Hopefully more streaming titles will be available over the next year. I wonder how this service works for Blockbuster when it keeps customers away from their brick and mortar buildings.
I have netflix and i love the service. I wish there was a direct streaming of new release DVD. I have a samsung Blue ray disc player and would love to have the streaming right to my TV rather then mailng and getting a physical disc.
Hi, I enjoyed your posting. We actually use both right now. I can tell you there are two things that are pros for the services. On the blockbuster side, you can trade in at the store. This means you get a movie immediately after you are done. Also, if you choose to just ‘drop off’ your used movie at the store (vice swapping it). BB will send you one as soon as the store scans it to check it in. On the Netflix side…the online (‘watch instantly’) is a big plus. Yes, the movies are limited. However, there are two big attractions to this (for me). There is a chance for me to watch a bunch of TV series (like Dexter, The Sheild, Friday Night lights, etc). Without having to swap out 10 DVD’s etc. The second thing is workout videos (on Watch instantly)…there are a bunch of shows on fitness, yoga, 10 min workouts, etc. My wife loves this. We have been trying to make a decision which to stick with…right now we enjoy them both…Thanks
I loved Netflix until we receive a few movies in a row that were unwatchable, so many scratches it wouldn’t play through. Has this been an issue with Blockbuster? I would like to start some type of mail services. We don’t live close to any Blockbuster so instore return isn’t an issue. Suggestions?
I think that Netflix has the advantage in the following areas:
1. Online streaming – Though the selection is still much smaller than you’d hope for…they’re constantly adding.
2. Website design – Their system is smarter and better designed than Blockbuster. Most people think their recommendations are better overall.
3. Selection? I think that Netflix technically has a larger selection, but no one ever notices.
Blockbuster has the ability to exchange in stores.
BUT…I choose Blockbuster because their exchange center is located closer to my house than Netflix’s. Netflix takes an average of 3-4 days for a selection to arrive. Blockbuster takes 1-2. This is a point that nearly no one considers, but for me is the most important one.
I’ve been a Netflix customer for a couple of months already and I absolutely love their service!
Their catalog is simply outstanding. Everything I’ve looked for, I’ve found! Music documentaries, live concerts, TV shows, old movies, new movies… anything! Even a Cuban animated film from the 80s called “Vampires in Havana”. I mean, I couldn’t even find that if I went to Cuba. It’s just crazy.
The streaming selection is really good, too. Thanks to it I got into what it is my favorite TV show right now, The Office. They have Episodes 1 through 5 and I’m sure 6 will be there as soon as it comes out on DVD.
My plan is the 2 DVDs out at-a-time with Blu-ray and I always get them the next day. I used to go to RedBox all the time but they don’t seem to have blu-ray movies (at least in my area). So far, Netflix has had every single blu-ray movie that I wanted to see.
I highly recommend Netflix!
I used t have Blockbuster but I switched to Netflix. Netflix has better prices and instant streaming. Block buster takes a long time for the movie to come whilst Netflix takes around two days. With Netflix you can easily get Blu-ray too. I have a PS3 and I can use that to watch instantly from netflix. Now they have ton’s of Blu-ray players that, connected, to internet can also stream from Netflix. They may not have the best movies but they have alot of great ones. Every once in a while, Netflix will send you an extra DVD. Say you have a 3 a month plan they will after a few weeks give you an extra. NETFLIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have a roku player connected to your TV you can watch instantly on your TV and use Amazon on Demand with that. You can store movies on that too.
BLOCKBUSTER IS HORRIBLE. I just canceled my subscription and switched to Netflix about an hour ago. I finally got fed up with blockbuster for all the DAMAGED, UNREADABLE discs they kept sending. I was probably on the 6th cracked disc, and I couldn’t even properly give them a “damaged disc” report because the website said that there was “an unusual number of reports” from my account. I agree, it is unusual that I would have to make that many reports because I keep getting damaged discs from them. After several complaint e-mails with nothing but automated apology responses and coupons for free in-store exchanges (which doesn’t help me since they’ve closed all the stores around here), I decided to cancel. I hope Netflix does a better job!
The real reason not to use Netflix is because you can’t get high-demand new releases! Everything in my queue that I wanted to see (e.g. Hurt locker, 9, surrogates) I ended up renting from blockbuster. After 2-3 weeks you get tired of seeing no changes in the “Very long wait” status. Sure Netflix has a million old movies, but you’ll be waiting forever for the new ones.
Just changed to Netflix after years with Blockbuster. They didnt even try to keep me as a customer. I dont know what the complaint is with the selection of streaming movies with Netflix. there are over a 1000 and all free. it is great, actually amazing, and the price is good. The company is aiming for 100% streaming into the future and has always been the bugaboo to big bad blockbuster who is now reeling in stock price.
I had an unpleasant experience with Blockbuster Online. A DVD movie arrived cracked. I returned the disk and reported the problem to Blockbuster. About ten days later I received another disk of the same movie. It too was cracked. I again returned the disk to Blockbuster and again reported the problem. Blockbuster then advised me they would not send me another DVD of the movie “due to the unusual number of problems reported on my account.” Apparently Blockbuster decided to solve its problem simply by telling me that it was my problem. I couldn’t switch to Netflix fast enough. [Netflix vs. Blockbuster]
Blockbuster is faster plus it has more movies, the prices have changed since you posted this. Both Blockbuster and Netflix have the same prices for the mailing feature, Blockbuster does charge more for its Total Access plan which allows you to change movies in the store 5 times a month.
I completely agree with John. I have 19 movies in Que and all have a Very Long or Long Wait. If i want to see new movies while they are still “new” i have to go to the local video store and rent them.
John February 16, 2010 at 9:35 am wrote…
“The real reason not to use Netflix is because you can’t get high-demand new releases! Everything in my queue that I wanted to see (e.g. Hurt locker, 9, surrogates) I ended up renting from blockbuster. After 2-3 weeks you get tired of seeing no changes in the “Very long wait” status. Sure Netflix has a million old movies, but you’ll be waiting forever for the new ones.”
Blockbuster cons:
- Blockbuster has the same price as Netflix and they don’t charge $4/mo. more as Netflix does for Blu-Ray option.
- In general they both get the movies releases at the same time, but in some cases Blockbuster gets way before than Netflix. (Sometimes 2 weeks before)
Netflix cons:
- Free streaming option
- They have a shipping speed a little bit faster than Blockbuster. (But they have fewer discs available than Blockbuster, so it can take longer if it is a new release)
I have just an example of what I’ve mentioned above –
“The press release simply confirms that Blockbuster is now offering The Blind Side — and Sherlock Holmes next Tuesday — four weeks before Netflix and Redbox owners can check out the flicks.”
(Source: Motley Fool – fool.com)
Netflix has the advantage in online streaming. The movie selection isn’t great but the TV show selection is! I went on a kick of renting old horror movies and got a few scratched and unplayable. They sent out the new discs immediately and the customer service was terrific.
Blockbuster has the advantage if you are a gamer like me. You lose online streaming but you gain discounted game rentals. If you don’t have a store near you the hands down Netflix is the way to go. I’ve had a few issues with rentals and the customer service, like Netflix, was outstanding.
Another thing to factor is Blu-Ray costs an additional $1/month with Netflix and is included with Blockbuster. It’s only $12/year more but something to consider if you are trying to save every penny you can.
Andre, Netflix signed deals with multiple studios to delay new releases by 28 days. The studios hope it will stimulate DVD/Blu-Ray sales (so far, it hasn’t helped). Several articles on it: http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=netflix+new+release+delay&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
I’ve had both, currently I’m happiest with the Blockbuster All-Access 3-movie deal. The convenience of 5-in-store exchanges at brick and mortar stores cannot be understated—we live near the store and swap movies out all the time. In fact, dropping a mail-back DVD there also saves one day of shipping/delivery. Netflix has a great idea with the online streaming, but the selection is severely limited to B-movies and you’ll exhaust most of the good films in a few months, leaving you with just older films and independent films/documentaries….you’ll wish you could just drive down to the block and exchange it for a newer flick late one weekend night. Also, you’ll need to wait several weeks before a “newly released” film is delivered by Netflix the wait times are horrendous, Blockbuster Online delivers the new films faster. It’s almost as if Blockbuster keeps a larger stock in warehouse because they can sell the surplus later in the stores. Blu-Ray is also free with Blockbuster, which is awesome. And they have games. Blockbuster by a long shot, I’ve had both.
This choice is easy for me. Netflix all the way. I tried Blockbuster about 4 years ago, when they had this program where you could go into a physical store and rent all the movies you wanted, just swap , I think it was 3 for 3. Then I went to the online program. I found that, as a guy who loves classic movies, their selection lacked badly. Sure they have all the new releases, but Netflix selection of classics, is the winner hands down. I watch more movies on the streaming from Netflix, then I get through the mail. TV shows, some from years ago, classic movies, and they are adding these all the time. It is, though sad they don’t have a better selection of current movies for streaming, but I think that is a issue from the Movie Producers trying to get more people to buy the DVD’s.
The deal with the waiting 28 days, is not a big deal with me. I usually don’t see movies in the theaters unless they are just really fantastic, so waiting an additional 28 days doesn’t bother me, I waited this long, what movie is worth worrying so much over? If I have seen it in the Theater, and really liked it and want to see it again, then the 28 days wait is still no big deal. I loved “Inception” saw it twice at the theater, I will get it again, but it comes out in Jan. 11 for Netflix, If someone who has Blockbuster, on line purchase through their cable company or Redbox, gets it before me, I’ve seen it, so what is the big deal? Just seems kinda silly, to cancel Netflix, just so I can get a movie 28 days earlier. Patience is a virtue. And Netflix is the best at what they do.
its time blockbuster suffer from scamming all the good customer for charging outrageous fee for late return. they forgot to apply costco rule of customer service and that customer comes first. renting movie from them should alone give us more incentives like rent another one for free once a month or on holidays or whatever…but charging so much money for late return when they customer don’t just do it in purpose rather busy with other stuff. blockbuster couldn’t come up with better way of dealing with late return instead they penalized the customers. now they going bankrupt. its a victory for all the customer who were scammed by blockbuster. if netflix become too cocky and start coming up with more scam later down the road following the path of blockbuster, they are doomed to fail. so far netflix is cheap and convenient and customer service is excellent but the streaming movies are so outdated looks to me like for some reason they don’t want to put more movies available online. so for now netflix is no.1….
I don’t play video games, so I don’t care that Blockbuster offers them. My review is based solely on movie and TV show rentals.
I don’t do a lot of streaming, so none of my review addresses the streaming comparisons other have made, though from what I’ve read, Netflix does that one much better too.
Netflix does everything better. There isn’t a single thing Blockbuster offers that I like better than Netflix, and almost everything side by side Netflix does better.
-Blockbuster costs more. For the same plan, Blockbuster charges more. That’s a negative right off the bat. Why pay more when you can pay less? And, by the way, get less IMO.
-As near as I can tell, Blockbuster only ships/receives M-F, whereas Netflix ships/receives M-Sat. When I return a movie on Thursday, one on Friday, and one on Saturday to Netflix, I get a new one on Saturday, on Monday, and on Tuesday. Without fail. When I return one on Thursday, one on Friday, and one on Saturday with Blockbuster, I may or may not get a replacement on Saturday, and after that I get an email on Monday saying they’ve just received all the dvds I sent the end of the last week, and they are shipping out replacements. This time (today is Monday), they sent me an email saying they received the one I returned on Friday, and the two I returned on Saturday, but the one I returned on Friday was logged in last (so I think it sits on the bottom of the pile while they process all the ones just received), and they still haven’t sent out a replacement. So the one I sent back last Friday I won’t get a replacement for until Wednesday. That’s crazy.
-Their turnaround just seems to be slower by nature. With Netflix, I ALWAYS had a 2 day turnaround. With Blockbuster, it’s inconsistent, the movies are processed through their center later in the day than Netflix, whether or not they mail out a replacement that day or the next seems to be on their whim, and their movies sometimes show up the next day, but sometimes 2 days later, or longer. Netflix is farther away from me, but the movies ALWAYS arrive the next day after they ship them to me, or after I send them back.
-When a movie doesn’t arrive as scheduled with Netflix (which hardly ever happens), they are quick to send a replacement. They don’t care if you end up with 2 copies; you just send them both back. With Blockbuster, not only do you have to wait freaking 3 days to let them know the movie didn’t arrive, but you have to wait 3 days after the day they expected you to receive it, which is *2 DAYS* after they ship it. So even though it should be here on Wednesday, they are giving it until Thursday. If it hasn’t arrived by Thursday, you have to wait 3 days, but that is Sunday, so they don’t send a replacement until Monday, and you won’t get it until at least Tuesday – nearly a whole week later than you should have. With Netflix, you would have already received, watched, and returned the replacement in that amount of time. When the very first shipment they sent me of 3 dvds only yielded 2 dvds in my mailbox, I tried to file a report. It wouldn’t let me. I waited until the next day, and when it didn’t arrive, I tried to file a report. It wouldn’t let me, so I called and manually talked to someone. I was told to wait 3 more days. I said no, that I live only an hour from their processing center, that it should’ve been there the day before, and it absolutely should be there that day. I really wanted that movie first, and asked them again to please send a replacement. They agreed to send me a replacement as a courtesy, but then they didn’t. When it still hadn’t arrived the next week, I called and asked again. They agreed to send a replacement and they finally did. It was a good week after I initially ordered it before I received it.
-The return sleeves for Blockbuster are specific to the title, whereas with Netflix you can return any movie in any sleeve, or even two movies in one sleeve. So you don’t have to worry about keeping track of the return sleeve, and if you lose one, you can send two movies back in one envelope. That is so much more convenient than making sure to keep the title-specific return envelope with the movie at all times. I’m not that organized.
-And this is a really small thing (And I’ll grant that it probably applies to both Netflix and Blockbuster, but I never really noticed it much with Netflix because a)I love my Netflix and want to keep it, so I have several hundred titles in my queue, and therefore never get harassed about it, and also b)Because it wasn’t something Netflix did to me just minutes after opening my account, like Blockbuster did) but it is highly irritating:
EVERY time, including the very first day I opened the account, and had only had it for a few minutes, when I call Blockbuster, the conversation ends with the sales rep chastising me for not having enough movies in my queue. I have deliberately only maintained a certain number of titles in my Blockbuster account, because I’m only using it on a trial basis, but if this is information they feel they must impart to you every time, why not just include it in the message you listen to when you’re on hold waiting to talk to a rep? Then you know it’s a message for everyone, not specific to you, and it doesn’t waste your time because you hear it while you wait. But when I’m ready to hang up, and then I get to sit there and listen to them tell me I need to have more movies in my queue so my service is not interrupted, it annoys me. If they are really concerned about whether or not my service is interrupted, they should be open on Saturday, and process movies faster.
-I have no idea what this is about, but when I tried to go in and change my Blockbuster plan to not include the unlimited store exchange (even though I plan to cancel on the last day of the 4 week plan. Just in case something goes wrong, and they end up charging me anyway, I don’t want to be charged $34.99 when nearly half of that is something I don’t even use.) it wouldn’t let me change it because it kept saying they were unable to process my credit card on file. WTH? First of all, what does processing my credit card have to do with changing my plan? I’m not paying to change it. And secondly, why would they have trouble processing my credit card? The card is valid, and the same card I use for every other online purchase. I even transferred a few bucks into it just in case they were doing that $1.00 feeler to make sure the account was real. But that didn’t help. So now I have to call and talk to someone, which I don’t want to do, because then I get to listen to them chastising me for only having 4 movies in my queue right now…
The things you would think would be better about Blockbuster:
-They have videos sometimes sooner than Netflix. Big deal. I can wait.
-They have B&M locations you can trade your videos in. I like this in theory (except for me personally, the reason I started using Netflix over Redbox in the first place was because I live so far from town), but you can’t return in the mail the videos you get from the store. So if you’re making a trip into town, and instead of dropping your returns in the mail, you take them into the store to get new ones, you then have to bring them back to the store again for exchanges. Which defeats the whole purpose of doing this thing by mail in the first place. and if you want to go back to mail (which stops when you start using the store), you have to go back to the store with your videos, drop them off, not check out new ones, and then wait a few days for your replacements to arrive in the mail. I signed up for a free 4 week plan, and it was for the unlimited store exchange plan, which they otherwise charge nearly double for than they do their regular 3 dvds out at a time plan. I am here to say (IMO) it’s barely worth anything, let alone twice as much as their mail plan.
I am grateful I got 4 free weeks of movie rentals. That rocks no matter what, and I’m not complaining; I am just saying what I don’t like about it, and why I will not stay after the trial is over. I love and will remain loyal to Netflix because it’s a better service at a better price. Period.
Netflix…………… what else is there to say…..
I guess I should have waited to post my review until my 4 weeks free Blockbuster trial was completed, but I thought I had enough information to write a thorough review. Unfortunately, in the last few days of my free trial, an already bad impression of this company, and this plan, just got worse.
I had not used the in-store exchange program, mostly because I live in a remote location, and while it might be convenient for me to bring my movies in one day and exchange them for new movies, it would not be convenient to then have to travel back into town to return them. That’s why I got this mail service. I had based my review of the in-store exchange policy on what I had been led to believe it was. But I was wrong.
I decided, since I only have a few days left of my free trial, and I absolutely do not intend to keep this overpriced, substandard service after the trial concludes, and because their mail service is SO slow, that I would suck it up and travel in and out of town every day to exchange movies, until Sunday, the last day of my free trial. Then on Sunday, after renting the last 3 movies, I would cancel my service, so there would be no charge on Monday. After all, my ridiculously expensive plan boasts “unlimited store exchanges.” That is why they charge an additional $15 on top of their 3-out-at-a-time plan. So I rented some movies, took them home and watched them, and brought them back the next day to exchange. They would not exchange them, because they will only “exchange” the mail voucher DVDs for in-store DVDs. So it’s a one-time shot. You make the exchange, rent movies from the store, bring them back, and then sit on your hands and wait, while they mail out replacements from their mail center. I was pretty mad. What a worthless service. Certainly not worth an extra $15 a month! So I left, movie-less. I still had one movie at home (the replacement for the one I had mailed out the previous Friday, by the way, and they didn’t process it until sometime Monday, sent it out Tuesday, and then I didn’t get it until Thursday! A week turnaround!). So I watched that movie when I got home, and then went out of my way to return it to the Blockbuster store late that night, so it would be processed first thing in the morning, and so a replacement could be shipped out the same day from their mail processing center. But no! By 11am, *3 HOURS* after they opened, it still hadn’t been marked as checked in, so I had to call the Blockbuster store and ask about it. They said they were just getting ready to check it in, and did so on the phone, but by then it was too late for the mail processing center to mail out a new one today (why they can’t mail after 11a, I do not know), so that movie is done. By the time they process it on Monday, I will have closed this account.
It gets better. When I called Blockbuster to complain that a new movie had not been processed, and asked if they could get on it, and get it out today, the rep told me it would be processed and shipped out within 48 hours! Netflix would have just said “Of course! I’ll get that right out!” And it gets EVEN better. When I said “but you mean 48 business hours, and you don’t process mail on Saturdays, so you mean it will be processed sometime next week.” He said that was true. I asked why they don’t process movies on Saturdays, and HE SAID!!! “Our warehouse is closed on Saturdays because USPS doesn’t process mail on weekends”!!! WHAT?! I said “Really?! I had no idea! You’re telling me the United States Postal Service doesn’t work on Saturdays? That’s amazing!” And he said yes, that was what he was saying. Unbelievable!
There’s more… /sigh… not about the in-store-exchanges, but just about their terrible service. I found out why I could not change my plan last week – why they kept saying my card was invalid, or something… YOU CAN’T CHANGE YOUR PLAN WITHOUT THEM CHARGING YOU FOR THE NEW ONE!!!!! What the heck is that?! When I first signed up, they said I could change my plan at any time. They said nothing at all about having to pay for the next month when I did so. That is simply unacceptable.
One more thing, and it’s sort of a small thing, but it’s annoying. When you check your account on the phone, it will tell you your next billing date and how much you will be charged on that date, and it’s a month behind. It will tell you whatever you’re paying now will be what you’ll be charged on your next billing date. So right now I’m paying nothing, and even though they will charge my card $34.99 on Monday if I don’t cancel on Sunday, when I call and check the status and details of my account, they say they will charge me $0 on Monday. Not cool. Some people, like me, plan for every penny. In this economy, we don’t have a lot of disposable money. For them to be that inaccurate is unacceptable. In this day and age, I expect better of their account management.
So I guess I haven’t learned my lesson about posting a review too soon, because I’m going to go ahead and post this one now, even though I still have 2 days left of this service. I still have no idea what is going to happen when I try to cancel – if they will let me, or accidentally “forget” to, and then charge me anyway, or some other nonsense. We will just have to see. Let’s hope this is my last review, but otherwise I’ll touch back in a few days and let you know if it got even worse.
I’ve had Netflix for a year, and other than an occasional hiccup here or there, I’ve really had no complaints. Blockbuster’s service just plain sucks. I honestly don’t know how anyone could try them both and prefer Blockbuster. It’s just not worth it.
I love Netflix. I signed up for the 30 day trial so I could watch a TV series I missed. Watching back-to-back was great because I did not have to wait for the next week to see what happens next. I love the streaming for when the grand kids come over! I usually borrow movies from the library to save money, but Netflix has some really hard to find movies and it’s great to see something totally off the beaten path.
I used Netflix for a very long time and because the prices are going up to almost 16 bucks a month I have canceled it and started a Blockbuster account for 12 bucks a month. Aside from loosing the streaming blockbuster has a huge selection! I’m happy with Blockbuster.
After loving Netflix for 4 years (at least!) I’m noticing that they are offering a LOT LESS current movies, which is pretty disappointing. I used to love them so much because their delivery was fantastic & fast, but I’m wondering if I should switch to Blockbuster to still get HBO offerings – and sooner – or at least GET those from HBO. Anyone else feel the same and what should a this frustrated girl do?
I gave two RAVE reviews for Netflix at this time last year, after suffering through an unbearable Blockbuster-By-Mail experience. I can no longer support Netflix after they showed us a few months ago that they repay loyalty with greed, and money is the only thing that matters. That said, I still can’t promote Blockbuster. Do we really need to rent movies? Why decide which to give your business to? Why not just find a new hobby?
If movies are a must, then rent from the library, up your cable plan to include movie channels, look into Amazon Prime (though it’s limited), buy movies, buy your favorite shows on DVD. There are a lot of options that do not include supporting a company that was just plain bad to begin with, or supporting a company that more than doubled its prices last year for no other reason than to make a billion dollar profit that quarter, nevermind the economy or our own financial sufferings. Neither are worthwhile options, and I cannot recommend either of them. I recommend finding something else to do.
I canceled my beloved Netflix when their prices sky-rocketed in September, and I haven’t looked back. If I can do it, anyone can.
Oh, in addition to Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus is another option. Hulu offers a lot for free also.