Netflix vs. Blockbuster

[mom-from-missouri]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

Guess I am too cheap. I'd rather just see what we get on TV, from our collection, or the library. Or, if all else, play a game or read. Is my age showing?
This is one of those expenses that 1 or 2 generations (depending on your age) our parents did not have, and a lot of people now feel they can't do without.
When my parents were growing up, their 'entertainment' section of their budget was about $10 for the year. That paid for the nickle movies every 3 months, and the county and state fair. But, according to my dad, if they kept their eyes open and collected and turned in pop bottles from the road, they could get a penney each for them and afford to go to the movies a little more often. Now, you hear people complain how broke they are, but they still have their movies, cable or dish, internet, ipods,cd's.....
The older I get, the wider my generation gap is becoming

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

we "rent" ours for free from the Library!

And if we want to see a movie we just buy it when it comes out, it's cheaper than going to the theater.

[Fern]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I gave up on Netflix becus they ap0parently couldn't 'process' a damaged disk that i returned to them, and i never got another movie from them after that, but they were still charging me $6 a month (for 2 a month) so i cancelled. Very frustrating experience becus at least at that time there was no means of contacting them via phone, and my situation did not fit one of their standardized online forms.

I havent tried BB but don't want to spend that much on an ongoing monthly basis, altho i do love movies.

For those of you who like Indie and foreign films like me, there is something called www.filmmovement.com; for about $13 a month you get a film once a month but you get to keep it.

[jodi]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

We've been very happy with Netflix, but are considering switching because of BB's return policies. It's good to read the opinions here - seems like BB is pretty well liked.

[cicy33]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

we never rent anymore. Now if we want a movie, we buy it! sometimes I get a bunch for a good price on ebay. I never know what I want to watch so mail order would not work for me, and the store is bad cuz I am terrible at returning on time. It just became more cost effective to purchase new! or on ebay

[kealina]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

we don't rent or buy new... we simply buy them used at the flea market... going price for DVD's around here is $3-5 dollars... not bad at all... sometimes we'll buy them, watch them, and sell them for around the same price... even if we lose a dollar we usually come out ok and we get to watch movies too.... =)... of course, we rarely get to see new releases while they're still new but that's ok... if we want to see a new release really bad we go to the $1 theater...

[LuckyRobin]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

We have been with Netflix since the beginning of Netflix. We live 25 miles from the nearest Blockbuster and the people that run it are so rude that after a month of renting there we swore never again, plus the instore rental was horribly priced compared to the other rental places in the same city. I have been extremely happy with Netflix, only having one incident with them in several years time where they sent me the wrong disk but their computer said it was the right one and it didn't get credited back into the system. It took some diligence but it got worked out, they do have a way to direct email them if the standard forms don't work, you just have to hunt for it.

I have found the turnaround time to be very fast, myself. But we have a distribution center in Tacoma, which often means I can mail the movie one day and get the next one the next day or two days later. Now if its old stuff, they don't have as many copies on hand and so it might come from a distribution center in another state across the country and that will take longer. I think the selection is enormous at Netflix, compared to what Blockbuster online offers. Way more foreign films and oldies. I guess its what you are into. We like the wider selection.

[rags2riches]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I"ve had Netflix for about a month and I like it so far. It takes about a day for them to process returns/shipments.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I like Netflix. Blockbuster isn't an option for me; I made a decision to not use them when they made a decision to not carry NC17 movies.

[scfr]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I've been with Netflix for almost 5 years and I love it, both for the convenience and because their selection (foreign, indie, PBS series, etc.)

I subscribe at the cheapest level ($5.99 per month for 2 movies) because I only use Netflix for what I can't get from the library.

The in-store aspect of the Blockbuster subscription doesn't appeal because there is not a store near me. But trying to keep an open mind, I visited the Blockbuster web site to check it out. Nowhere could I find information on the different subscription levels available! It seems you have to sign up for a free trial and enter your information before you can get that information. Can anyone tell me where on the Blockbuster site to get that information?

[s.saver]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

Thanks to everyone for your opinions. I really appreciate it. So far I am with Blockbuster, but we'll see. I am not 100% sure they are the ones. I really like the library idea. Also I just found out that pawn shops by my house sell them for 6 for 20 dollars. Not to bad, for the same price I could own 6 movies. I was renting more because I can/I had spare time. But....school just started up again and I am afraid I don't have as much loungin' time

[sweeps]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

In case you missed the December promotion... Netflix subscribers can bring in their tear-off address flaps into Blockbuster for free rentals until 2/21. Link

[krayziebone33]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I had Netflix years ago and I was very happy with it. This was long before Blockbuster started doing the online thing and the only reason we cancelled it was because we wanted to save 19 bucks/month. I am now thinking about going back to the online movies since I'm single again and can afford the subscription. I think I may go with Netflix for two reasons: 1) Familiarity. I had their service for a whole year and did not have any problems with them. I know how they work and I'm satisfied with them. 2) I have heard very few complaints about bad discs. I can't seem to remember more than a handful of DVDs that may have skipped or stopped playing. Blockbuster, on the other hand, I have heard many complaints about. I have heard about how their DVDs skip and stop all the time. I heard this from more than two people so there has to be some truth to it. Honestly, that has me a little nervous about them.

It looks like Netflix is the choice for me.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I honestly think the whole Blockbuster thing is the dumbest idea I've ever heard of. If you're going to go to the store anyway, what's the point of the mail service?!? The reason Blockbuster is such a deal now is because it's new. Get past the introductory offers, and the whole deal really isn't that great.

You'd save more money by not renting movies, at any rate. Reading books, going hiking, attending an art exhibit...much more interesting IMO!

[sweeps]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

I honestly think the whole Blockbuster thing is the dumbest idea I've ever heard of. If you're going to go to the store anyway, what's the point of the mail service?!? The reason Blockbuster is such a deal now is because it's new. Get past the introductory offers, and the whole deal really isn't that great.

The BB deal is the exact same as the NF deal, except you get the additional option of bringing movies into the store and getting new ones on the spot if you wish. And for the same price as Netflix. Definitely a better deal.

You'd save more money by not renting movies, at any rate. Reading books, going hiking, attending an art exhibit...much more interesting IMO!

No argument there (although most art exhibits charge admission ).