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Questions about Netflix

post #1 of 74
12/29/05 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
I just signed up for this, and I have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to on their website.

-Do they send widescreen or fullscreen versions of movies, and can you specify one or the other

-Do they rent unrated versions of movies

-if you want to rent a season of a television series, does each disk count as one rental

That's just off the top of my head. Any other experiences you folks have had with them, good or bad, I'd like to hear about.
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post #2 of 74
12/29/05 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob Singer
-Do they send widescreen or fullscreen versions of movies, and can you specify one or the other
You can't specify, but every movie I've rented so far has been widescreen, that I remember.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob Singer
-Do they rent unrated versions of movies
Yes. Just watched the unrated version of The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob Singer
-if you want to rent a season of a television series, does each disk count as one rental
Correct.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob Singer
That's just off the top of my head. Any other experiences you folks have had with them, good or bad, I'd like to hear about.
I'm happy with them. Turnaround is about 2 days (one to mail the DVD back, one to get a new one), and I've never lost a disc. Haven't yet received a disc that was damaged (occasional scratches, but nothing to prevent playback). They seem to have enough copies to go around, as well. Initially, The 40-Year-Old Virgin had a "short wait", so I missed getting it the first time it was at the top of my queue, but one disc later it was sent promptly.
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post #3 of 74
12/29/05 at 1:57pm
Thread Starter 
Cool. Thanks!
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post #4 of 74
12/29/05 at 1:58pm
And if you send two back at the exact same time don't worry if one makes it back before the other. I'm not sure how that happens but it does. I once put two in the mailbox and the second got there a whole 6 days later than the first.
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post #5 of 74
12/29/05 at 2:37pm
Netflix has really gotten their act together in the past year. The speed in which they can get stuff back and get stuff out is so much better than it was when it started.
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post #6 of 74
12/29/05 at 2:58pm
JT is right. It's vastly improved in the last year or so (and I was satisfied before). Competition from Blockbuster seems to have improved Netflix though, and that's good for consumers.

Oh, and I've been a customer for years, and I have never gotten a fullscreen movie from them.
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post #7 of 74
12/29/05 at 3:13pm
Yeah, let me sing my praises for Netflix also. I have watched over 100 movies through their service now, and I have about 170 movies still in my queue. An awesome selection to choose from.

I'm using it to catch up on all the cinema classics, some underground stuff, as well as a few anime series. All kinds of television specials and video collections are available too. This place is just awesome. The only fullscreen version of a film that I got was Friedkin's Sorceror, and that was only because it's the only way it was released.

Keep in mind that any "extras" discs count as a separate rental as well.
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post #8 of 74
12/29/05 at 3:23pm
I've been a member since the first year they opened and it has improved 100 fold. I get 2 day turn around service and the few times the mail has lost my disc, Netflix has been forgiving and not charged me.They have a really great selection (I've seen so many foreign films I probably wouldn't have been able to see anywhere else) and caught up on a lot of TV shows. I also reserve one disc for crap movies I wouldn't pay $10 to see in a theater, but are curious about anyway.

The friend section is a new feature and I've been able to recommend some really great films to friends. Most recently I told people to see Primer and the next day it was on all of their queues. I like that you can see what they recently watched, but the feature that lets you see their entire list is a little creepy. Seems like an invasion of privacy.

Anyway, I can't rave enough about Netflix. I haven't been to an actual rental store since 1999.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JGButler
And if you send two back at the exact same time don't worry if one makes it back before the other. I'm not sure how that happens but it does. I once put two in the mailbox and the second got there a whole 6 days later than the first.
If you are sending back two discs on the same day, its best to put them in the same envelope. I actually got the tip from the Netflix FAQ.
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post #9 of 74
12/29/05 at 3:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy Jankis
Oh, and I've been a customer for years, and I have never gotten a fullscreen movie from them.
Same here. They are very good in sending the widescreen when it is specified.
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post #10 of 74
12/29/05 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal
Keep in mind that any "extras" discs count as a separate rental as well.
It's usually best to leave the extra discs off of your queue unless you are very gung-ho about watching the extra stuff the studios package with their releases.
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post #11 of 74
12/29/05 at 4:12pm
I stay away from extras discs altogether, it's just a warning to whomever is going to start using Netflix and might not know that.
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post #12 of 74
12/29/05 at 4:29pm
I got the bonus disc of Lost, Season 1. I watched all the shows on tv, and haven't seen them on dvd, but I wanted to see the special features. I'll probably get the special features disc for the new Big Lebowski at some point too, since I'm not planning to double dip that. So the special features have a place, but as a rule, I don't rent them.

By the way, movies on 2 discs (like LOTR, Das Boot, and The Godfather) count as one rental.
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post #13 of 74
12/29/05 at 5:12pm
The two-disc system's a little weird, though. I rented Schindler's List last month (yes, ladies and gentlemen, I'd never seen it.), Disc 2 arrived on a Wednesday along with the other movie I rented, Disc 1 didnt arrive till Saturday. Why not put both discs in the same envelope?

But that's a nitpick. Aside from that, it's been total bliss with this service since I joined. And I can't help but laugh walking past empty Blockbusters all over the place.
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post #14 of 74
12/29/05 at 6:22pm
I don't know which Netflix you guys are dealing with, but mine sucks. It often takes it days and days to get me a new movie (I live in DC) and then if it's a popular movie, I end up getting random crap instead of what I actually wanted. It's so frustrating.

The worst part is that since I'm wasting $20 a month on the service anyway, I feel dumb going to Blockbuster and renting movies there.

Last summer I did the unlimited rentals at Blockbuster. 2 out at a time for $20 a month I think, and it was great. You can rent like 4 movies a day if you take the other ones back. Sure the selection isn't good (which is Netflix's main selling point) but to not deal with broken discs, things getting lost in the mail, being able to rent the movie when I want it and being able to pick an alternate right then and there if it isn't, is a huge benefit.

Plus, being able to watch an entire season of a show in a weekend by grabbing 2 discs a night, is awesome.

Netflix is OK, but my selection process for renting a movie doesn't really work to well with their methods for delivering.
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post #15 of 74
12/29/05 at 6:25pm
If you are having problems with it, then let Netflix know even if it takes multiple complaints. They can't try to fix something unless you speak up about it. I vocalized my opinions around a year ago and they finally got their act together.
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post #16 of 74
12/29/05 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
I just found out that one of the Netflix distribution points is like 15 minutes from where I live. That couldn't hurt.

Some good info in this thread, thanks.
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post #17 of 74
12/29/05 at 6:46pm
It might depend on the mail circulation but yes, it probably couldn't hurt things.

Good viewing!
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post #18 of 74
12/29/05 at 6:53pm
You won't be disappointed, Jacob. I've been a member since 2002 and I couldn't be happier. The best thing about the service is working on your queue. All those movies that you fleetingly think, "oh yeah... I wanted to see that," you just add to your list whenever you're near an internet-connected computer. Their selection of foreign films and indy stuff is great. They even have the movies that Film Threat did their little DVD offer with. Just remember: they have a 500 title limit on there.

Then, months later after you've forgotten you added it, that little envelope is in your mailbox. It's like Christmas a couple of times a week.
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post #19 of 74
12/29/05 at 7:09pm
Nachos,
Maybe your mailman is stealing your discs. I live in NOVA and have had similar experiences to others on here, quick turnaround, good quality. The only problem I have with netflix is that I have 476 some-odd discs waiting, with all the TV series I'm catching up on.
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post #20 of 74
12/29/05 at 7:18pm
I have only two tips. I don't know if this is how it works for everyone, but:

1.) If there's a new release you're interested in, Return your DVDs on Friday or Saturday. If you do that, they'll ship the new release out on Monday and you'll get it in the mail on tuesday. If you don't do that, you'll probably have to wait a month or two to see that "new" release.

2.) I fucked up once and sent Netflix a dvd from my collection. Don't do that. You'll never see your DVD again.
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post #21 of 74
12/29/05 at 7:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wadew1
2.) I fucked up once and sent Netflix a dvd from my collection. Don't do that. You'll never see your DVD again.
I did that once also. I just rented the movie that I mailed in, kept the disc and reported it as lost in the mail. I know I'll get shit from you all for defrauding another company, but they have my disc and can use that as the replacement! I honestly don't get why they can't return your personal disc. It's marked by the barcode on the envelope you sent it in so they are able to trace it back to you. As long as you report the disc as soon as it happens, there shouldn't be any reason they can't return it to you. I learned to check the disc before sealing the envelope though and haven't sent in any personal DVDs since.
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post #22 of 74
12/29/05 at 7:41pm
On the plus side, they never asked for the DVD that I was supposed to send them.

Then again, the DVD was ALEXANDER: Director's Cut, so I can understand why they didn't want it back.
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post #23 of 74
12/29/05 at 8:00pm
Oddly, I never thought to keep the Netflix DVD that was supposed to go back. I sent the disc back with my next netflix rental. It must have been a crap movie though, because for the life of me I can't remember what it was.
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post #24 of 74
12/29/05 at 8:45pm
I have been a member for almost 4 years and absolutely love it. Since I joined, the turnaround time for most rentals in my queue has improved quite a bit, as the company has opened a whole lot more distribution centers.

Some helpful tips:
  • Whenever you get discs in the mail, I suggest you open them immediately and verify the right disc is in the sleeve. About 3 months after I joined, I didn't open an envelope until I went to watch something and I had already had the disc for a couple of weeks. I ended up watching the wrong disc as I hadn't seen that particular film in several years, but if you check as soon as it arrives in the mail, you can pop it back in the mail if it is the wrong movie and then you can report it once you are near a computer.
  • Once you've opened the envelope, leave the movie in the sleeve until you watch it. That way, you're less prone to losing envelopes, sleeves and discs. You can send more than one disc back in the same envelope if you lose one, but I've never had to do that because I am so good about leaving them on top of the TV.
  • If you return something and it doesn't show back up at Netflix in a couple of days, hold out for at least 5 days before you report it. Every now and again, the discs get shuffled around in the mail and take a few extra days to get back to the local distribution company. Netflix will usually go ahead and send you the next movie in your queue within 24 hours. And they won't penalize you unless the movies getting "lost in the mail" becomes a regular occurence.
  • If you ever go on an extended vacation and have a valid address while on said trip, update your account and Netflix will send you discs to the other address. I have done this several times when I went to visit a cousin in PA and the discs were at his house when I arrived. Also, don't forget to change your address back before you send those discs back or they'll keep coming to the new address.
  • If there's a movie you really want to see that is in VERY LONG WAIT status, place an unreleased film at the #1 spot in your queue and then place the VLW film in position #2. By doing this, the Netflix system is told that you don't always get your first choice and pushes your request for the VLW film to high priority and you will usually get it sooner than later.
That's all I can think of right now. Hope you enjoy the service as much as I have.
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post #25 of 74
12/29/05 at 10:55pm
Timely thread! Some good tips, too. I just came from there. We received a gift subscription for Christmas. We belonged to Netflix years ago but ended up dropping it for some reason or another. Now we can see the improvements you're all talking about. I've even added a couple of the films that Devin and Dave mentioned in their favorites lists.

One thing I love, is that you can set up separate queue's for different family members, so there's no fighting as to who gets the top picks. Heh. Whew. No need for bloodshed!
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post #26 of 74
12/30/05 at 2:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by moovyphreak
[*]If you ever go on an extended vacation and have a valid address while on said trip, update your account and Netflix will send you discs to the other address. I have done this several times when I went to visit a cousin in PA and the discs were at his house when I arrived. Also, don't forget to change your address back before you send those discs back or they'll keep coming to the new address.
This is so key. I have a friend who moved three times in three months and his Netflix discs were always there when he arrived. They literally had same day turn around. He changed his address online in the morning and the disc was sent out to the correct address that night. Netflix is the best!
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post #27 of 74
12/30/05 at 3:11am
I just re-activated my account a couple weeks ago. Thank you guys for the advice. I love Netflix.

It's the little things in life you have to treasure.
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post #28 of 74
12/30/05 at 11:09am
The only thing I don't like about Netflix is, since they copy all their disc's, it extends the amount of discs they have to send you for a tv series. Like House, which I was getting from them the last week, I finally noticed what was wonky about the main menu's. The second disc's main menu said disc 1, side B and I couldn't quite understand it until I realized they just copied the other other.

Other than that oddity I love Netflix.
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post #29 of 74
12/30/05 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecallahan
The only thing I don't like about Netflix is, since they copy all their disc's, it extends the amount of discs they have to send you for a tv series. Like House, which I was getting from them the last week, I finally noticed what was wonky about the main menu's. The second disc's main menu said disc 1, side B and I couldn't quite understand it until I realized they just copied the other other.

Other than that oddity I love Netflix.
Right. The original DVDs are double sided discs.

I can see why they would make them single layer DVDs.
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post #30 of 74
12/30/05 at 11:45am
They make them single layers because they make mutliple copies of them to send out to people. I mean, I wouldn't care if they were double sided in the least, it's not like have a single sided dvd will make it less scratch-proof. I get some of these dvd's and wonder how they play with the bajillion scratches on it.

What's funny is my two roomies also get netflix so we get a ton of their envelopes every week, I wonder if Netflix thinks we're scamming 'em somehow.
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post #31 of 74
12/30/05 at 12:32pm
I know why they make them single layers but my main point was because it's cheaper to copy to single layer and you are paying for a single disc at a time, not two as what a double layer makes a single disc.

The scratches are quite baffling. I'd like to know what media they are using to copy.
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post #32 of 74
12/30/05 at 1:03pm
The scratching I blame on jerks. I've seen what some people do with their own dvd's and cd's. Throw 'em, info side down on tables, books and other stuff. It's annoying.
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post #33 of 74
12/30/05 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecallahan
The scratching I blame on jerks. I've seen what some people do with their own dvd's and cd's. Throw 'em, info side down on tables, books and other stuff. It's annoying.
No doubt.
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post #34 of 74
2/11/06 at 8:21pm
We've been having a blast with this. It makes it kind of difficult to get anything else accomplished, but who cares! Heh.

Seriously though, it's been great to play catch-up on what we've missed without having to venture out.

Sideways is a good film. I'm glad I finally caught it. I also enjoyed Wedding Crashers, Broken Flowers and Alfie.

We also rented some of the older greats like The Straight Story, Country, The Shop Around The Corner, The Trip To Bountiful.

I give an "eh" to Closer, Little Black Book, 40 Year-Old Virgin and Must Love Dogs.

This week, I'm loading up on more concerts..then back to films where we will continue on this quite enjoyable, but non-productve pattern.
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post #35 of 74
2/11/06 at 8:34pm
I was reading an article today about Netflix customers and "throttling" or basically, being punished for renting heavily. Have any Netflix devotees here had that problem?
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post #36 of 74
2/11/06 at 9:24pm
Check this thread, Matt.

But to answer your question, not a bit. Except for the Schindler's List weirdness I described in this thread, I've had two day turnaround for every disc I've gotten.
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post #37 of 74
2/11/06 at 9:40pm
Yeah, I read that thread, Matt. No problems so far. Maybe because we have a gift subscription we're being catered to as new? Hard to say. I can't see not keeping it once it expires. A wait and see I guess.
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post #38 of 74
2/11/06 at 10:22pm
Ah. I thought that thread was for the previous lawsuit about slow turn-around time, which I attributed to the postal service as opposed to any intent on the behalf of Netflix to limit the rentals of their members.

I was just curious to see how often it occured. I've signed up with and quit Netflix twice because I find that without a due date, the movies will sit on top of my TV for all eternity.
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post #39 of 74
2/12/06 at 12:00am
I'm a long time customer and often a high volume customer as well (except during periods of high travel for work). I've only had a couple of times where a movie was needlessly delayed. As long as I get a movie back to Netflix on a Monday, I can get any new release that comes out on Tuesday (and I actually get in on Tuesday).

Throttling sucks, and it makes them seem dishonest, but it's still a good deal so I won't compain too much. It's not like there's a real competitor out there. The best thing about Netflix is never having to go to Blockbuster, and I think Wal-Mart gave up on their service.
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post #40 of 74
2/12/06 at 1:49am
I noticed that it's gotten slower. This revelation makes me think about quitting it, honestly.
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post #41 of 74
2/12/06 at 2:07am
Yeah they have been getting slower. Plus, for the first time I haven't recieved movies that were shipped to me. Two of my rentals were "lost in the mail" a week ago.
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post #42 of 74
2/15/06 at 6:30am
I signed up about a month ago to catch up on the seasons of 24 I missed, and I love it. Generally a 1 or 2 day turnaround, and I haven't had to wait much at all for new releases. I actually recieved Saw 2 today, the day it was released, which was surprising. I'm not so happy about it after watching the movie, though.
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post #43 of 74
2/15/06 at 10:45am
My only gripe is waiting so long for a new release. Maybe if they can sell more pre-viewed discs they can start investing in more copies of new releases.
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post #44 of 74
2/15/06 at 11:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobClark
My only gripe is waiting so long for a new release. Maybe if they can sell more pre-viewed discs they can start investing in more copies of new releases.
The secret is timing. If I send a movie out on Friday, Netflix reports receiving it on Monday. Any due to be released movies for that Tuesday that I have at the top of my Queue, I'll get and they'll ship them that day (Monday). If you miss the receive on Monday, then you're stuck with the wait.

I'll actually hold off shipping movies back for a couple of days sometimes to grab a new release the next week.
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post #45 of 74
2/15/06 at 12:46pm
It seems random to me their ship times. I've had stuff returned on Monday morning, the next movie gets into the queue but won't ship until Tuesday. Now, a day's wait isn't that bad but it seems odd they won't ship out the dvd that same day. Like I said, it seems random because I just had two dvd's returned yesterday, and they shipped out the Soprano's disc that day and they're sending out, The Tailor of Panama today (no wait time for it either).

In the end though, it's a good deal, pricewise so an extra days wait isn't that horrible.
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post #46 of 74
2/15/06 at 11:12pm
I put two of my most recent discs in the mail on Sunday, they got picked up Monday, arrived back at the distribution center on Tuesday and I got two new movies on Wednesday.

There have only been a few times where I had to wait more than 2-3 days for the discs I send back to get swapped out for new ones.
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post #47 of 74
2/15/06 at 11:43pm
You must not "abuse" the system. Pick up the pace and, according to their policy (which they published), you'll see some slowdown.
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post #48 of 74
2/16/06 at 11:42am
I use Netflix; watch the movies the day they come in and send them back the next day, and I haven't noticed "throttling" or any slowing down. If I send in movies on Monday I get the next ones on Wednesday or Thursday.

Not sure what the whole "Friends" thing is about but my username is keaneslayer@gmail.com if anyone feels like adding me. I suppose you can then see what movies I rent, recommend movies to me, and ask about movies I've seen - I dunno.
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post #49 of 74
2/16/06 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pagoda
Not sure what the whole "Friends" thing is about but my username is keaneslayer@gmail.com if anyone feels like adding me. I suppose you can then see what movies I rent, recommend movies to me, and ask about movies I've seen - I dunno.
What exactly do you have against Keane? They sound too much like Coldplay for you or something?
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post #50 of 74
3/24/06 at 8:48pm
I've been having a ton of problems lately. My normal cycle was about a week. If I sent out a movie on Wednesday I'd get the next one the Wednesday after. But lately I am having to wait up to 5 or even 6 days before the discs are received... and often just as long to get my new discs. This last week was a perfect example of the almost comedic randomness of the system as of late. I sent 2 discs out Saturday morning, 4 Monday, 1 Tuesday, and 1 Wednesday. As of now Netflix has received only one of the movies, and it was the one I sent out Wednesday.

It's gotten to the point I want to try a new service. My experience with Blockbuster wasn't a very good one, are there any other reputable sites anyone recommends?
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