Netflix vs. Blockbuster

[krayziebone33]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

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

This statement is too true but does not apply to me because I'm such a movie buff. I love watching movies and dissecting them and whatnot.

I use the local library for free movies but they rarely have all the movies that I want to see.

[poundwise]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster


I respectfully disagree that Blockbuster is a better deal.

I have neither service but have been considering both for a few weeks now. At present, I plan to go with Netflix. Mainly because they are both priced the same (except that Netflix has the 1-at-a-time, 2x a month plan for $4.99 while Blockbuster is $5.99) and I do not care at all about the ability to return/rent in-store. In fact, the whole reason I am looking at doing this is to avoid having to go to a store.

When you consider it that way, Netflix has a larger selection and has begun some bonus online offerings (depending on your level of service) so I don't see what Blockbuster offers to make it the better deal. If you don't mind going to the store location, etc. for the bonus bits then Blockbuster may be the better choice. Otherwise, Netflix looks better to me.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

blockbuster is better because you can go in store and switch it up.

[cicy33]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

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

This is something that cracks me up. If I were to do these activities I would have to spend a fortune on fuel. The nearest museum of any kind is more than 2 hours away. and hiking is about an hour. Not to mention not everyone likes these activities. Personally I find art exhibits BORING! I do read books however, alot! but I hate being interrupted so dont' get much of that done lately. For the record we don't rent movies, I think one in about a year. Generally we buy, used. I think one would save money just buying but some people like variety.

[sweeps]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

Netflix has a larger selection and has begun some bonus online offerings (depending on your level of service) so I don't see what Blockbuster offers to make it the better deal. If you don't mind going to the store location, etc. for the bonus bits then Blockbuster may be the better choice. Otherwise, Netflix looks better to me.

I've heard about the difference in selection, but I've found everything I've looked for at BB online -- even some pretty rare titles.

Also I have a negative attitude toward Netflix because of the increasingly slow delivery times. When I was a new customer my DVDs came amazingly fast (2 days). By the time I was a customer for a year, it was taking 6-7 days for me to receive my rentals. Not cool.

[tinapbeana]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster

personally, i have neither. we have digital cable with on demand movies, the majority of which are free. in the rare instance something hits the theaters we want to see, we wait about 2 months for it to hit the 3.99 on demand, (as opposed to $16 for two theater tickets), or wait it out another month or two for the movie to hit the free on demand.

[poundwise]

Re: Netflix vs. Blockbuster


Ultimately, I think it's one of those 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' type deals. I can certainly see how the Blockbuster offer could be appealing, especially to people who use Blockbuster already or who don't mind/have easy access to a store location. When just considering movies by mail, I lean towards Netflix, however, if my delivery times failed like Sweeps referred to, then I'd change that tune very quickly.

Ultimately, I think both services are doomed. Movies will stream into our homes via our TVs and computers (which will be closely linked or, even, one and the same device, in a manner of speaking). I don't think this is as far in the future as one might think. While Netflix and/or Blockbuster may evolve along with those changes, I don't believe movies by mail, and especially physical movie rental locations, will survive much into the next decade. Of course, I don't have a crystal ball or anything. And the future has let me down before. I'm still miffed that I don't have a flying car briefcase (like George Jetson).

[daphneg2006]

I have Blockbuster and I love it. There is a Blockbuster 1 mile from my house so it is easy to go to. I get my 3 movies in the mail, watch them and return them to Blockbuster, get 3 more movies of my choice and have 3 more being sent my way in the mail. Right now we also get a free game rental each month. I read tons of books but art shows are boring to me and to far to go to. I am getting Day of the Triffids from Blockbuster and can't be happier. To go to the movies its outragious here and parking in Seattle for anything cost a lot.

[motherof1child]

Blockbuster for sure

[disneysteve]

we have digital cable with on demand movies, the majority of which are free.

Yes, and exactly how much are you paying each month for your digital cable to get those "free" movies?

We have basic cable. It costs $11.10/month. Add in Netflix for $18.18/month and we are spending a grand total of $29.28/month for countless hours of entertainment. Not a bad deal IMO.

As for Blockbuster, I have absolutely zero interest in being able to do in-store exchanges. The whole reason we got Netflix was because going to the store was too much of a hassle, so I don't see the appeal of their new system.

[krayziebone33]

I think that I am definitely going to go with Netflix. I must admit that being able to have six movies at a time like some of the Blockbuster subscribers have talked about is so enticing, but I would prefer not to have to go to a location. I just want my movies to come in the mail while I take care of my other responsibilities.

[sweeps]

Just to clarify, with Blockbuster you don't have to go into the store if you don't want to. You can do everything by mail if you like. So you get everything that Netflix offers, with the added bonus of exchanging your videos at the store (and temporarily doubling up on videos), if you so choose.

One valid negative about Blockbuster is that Netflix reportedly has a larger selection of videos than Blockbuster Online. Although I can't confirm this.

[krayziebone33]

Just to clarify, with Blockbuster you don't have to go into the store if you don't want to. You can do everything by mail if you like. So you get everything that Netflix offers, with the added bonus of exchanging your videos at the store (and temporarily doubling up on videos), if you so choose.

One valid negative about Blockbuster is that Netflix reportedly has a larger selection of videos than Blockbuster Online. Although I can't confirm this.

Yeah sweeps, I do understand that I would have to go to Blockbuster if I did not want to, but the temptation to go would be there if I subscribed to their program. Being able to temporarily double up on movies would be too enticing to pass up. I would find the constant trips to be a waste of time and gas. This, and the fact that Netflix does have a larger selection, are the two reasons why I am deciding to go with Netflix.

[krayziebone33]

To all the current Netflix users, how fast or slow have you been getting your movies?

[disneysteve]

To all the current Netflix users, how fast or slow have you been getting your movies?

I don't specifically keep track, but its probably about 3 days. Mail one on Monday. Get the new one by Thursday, sometimes Wednesday.