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Netflix vs. Blockbuster

post #1 of 20
6/28/06 at 1:18am
Thread Starter 
Hey all,

Apologies in advance if this is in the wrong thread, or if this is a repeat thread (I tried searching for a similar thread, but the MB Search function turned up empty).

I was just wondering if anyone here uses either of these services (or even better, has used both before), and what their experience has been with them, particularly with turnaround. I am aware that in general, the closer you are to a distribution center, the faster the turnaround is, and I am aware that throttling (i.e. slowing down the turnaround) is common with Netflix if you've been a long-time customer. I also know that with Blockbuster, you get bonus rental coupons that last each week of the month.

In other words, I know what all the advantages and disadvantages on paper are. I was just wondering about people's personal experiences, or other intangibles, that a person of moderately intelligent person wouldn't be able to get from reading the websites. Any reflections, or recommendations for which one I should stick with, would be greatly appreciated.

They both have a 2-week free trial, but I thought I'd ask you guys before I took the plunge. Thanks!
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post #2 of 20
6/28/06 at 1:23am
do another thread search because i know that there's all ready one discussing this. try looking for just netflix or may just blockbuster. also, in answer to your question, go w/ netflix. its great and depending where you live, the turnaround time is pretty short.
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post #3 of 20
6/28/06 at 12:46pm
Do both trials, decide for yourself.
They're free.
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post #4 of 20
6/28/06 at 1:55pm
I say go with Netflix. I have been a customer for just over 4 years and have been extremely happy. I've only had one cracked DVD and one wrong DVD in the envelope during that period.

Plus, while I have heard that Blockbuster is experiencing diminishing returns with its business, I still think of Netflix as the winner, as BB has one leg up on their business with all their stores around the world in addition to their online business clone.
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post #5 of 20
6/28/06 at 7:00pm
I'm bitter. I send the discs back quickly with Netflix and get throttled and wait-listed pretty badly. Increase in # of discs out at a time on your account does not really increase your monthly consumption that much. I'm trying Blockbuster for the past month or so and all of my queue has a wait (discs in the BB queue are discs on my Netflix queue that have a wait as well... let's see which ships first).
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post #6 of 20
6/28/06 at 7:09pm
Netflix all the way. The only problem I've had with them was a damaged version of "The Outlaw Josey Wales".

The turnaround is incredibly quick. I usually get the new discs two days after I send the old ones back in. And the closest distribution center is in Pittsburgh, about three hours away.
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post #7 of 20
6/28/06 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Magner
Netflix all the way. The only problem I've had with them was a damaged version of "The Outlaw Josey Wales".

The turnaround is incredibly quick. I usually get the new discs two days after I send the old ones back in. And the closest distribution center is in Pittsburgh, about three hours away.
Just curious, how long you been a member? I had pretty quick turnaround up until my year and 1/2 to 2 year anniversary last year (member since Nov, 2003).
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post #8 of 20
6/28/06 at 7:43pm
Being an employee, I'm gonna say Blockbuster. One of my favorite things to do with friends is to go out and rent a movie. Often looking at asinine DTV movies and arguing about what to rent is more fun than actually watching it, and with Blockbuster Online you get that free rental a week.

Also, the more Blockbuster Onlines that we sell, the bigger our bonuses. I hold no such connection between my bank account and Netflix.

/End of Shill
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post #9 of 20
6/28/06 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8
Just curious, how long you been a member? I had pretty quick turnaround up until my year and 1/2 to 2 year anniversary last year (member since Nov, 2003).
Only for about six months, so I guess I'll enjoy it while I can.
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post #10 of 20
6/28/06 at 9:46pm
Well fuck, I guess there's a first time for everything. I just got the first wrong disc from netflix. Asked for disc one of battlestar galactica, but they sent me disc 4 instead. I suppose you could call that an oops on their part.
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post #11 of 20
6/29/06 at 8:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8
Just curious, how long you been a member? I had pretty quick turnaround up until my year and 1/2 to 2 year anniversary last year (member since Nov, 2003).
I've been a member of Netflix almost since they come out (a little over 5 years). They still have lightning fast turnaround, although the distribution center is in Lansing, which is only a little over an hour from Detroit. Almost next day shipping and receiving, although some of the rarer titles come from elsewhere, and take a few days in transit.

Over the time, only 1 missend, and about 2 actual lost in transits, with 2-3 losts that showed up a week later. I'm still a fan.
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post #12 of 20
6/29/06 at 5:15pm
I've been using Netflix for about 9 months & on the whole I'm pleased with it. They're good for rarer discs. The only real quibble I had was with the original version of The Hills Have Eyes, the disc arrived cracked so I reported that & they sent another straight away. Also cracked. I gave up after 3 cracked copies in a row!

Apart from that, I like Netflix.
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post #13 of 20
6/30/06 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Death Surge
I've been a member of Netflix almost since they come out (a little over 5 years). They still have lightning fast turnaround, although the distribution center is in Lansing, which is only a little over an hour from Detroit. Almost next day shipping and receiving, although some of the rarer titles come from elsewhere, and take a few days in transit.

Over the time, only 1 missend, and about 2 actual lost in transits, with 2-3 losts that showed up a week later. I'm still a fan.
Do you return discs the very next day? I started returning stuff immediately after watching it the day it showed up and I noticed a slower turnaround, wait-listing, and return disc label addressed to centers farther away. Upon this discovery I did a search online to see if anyone else had similar service...

http://www.manuelsweb.com/netflix.htm

64,100 hits when I typed Netflix & throttling into GOOGLE...

I love the selection, but really feel that they are trying to slow down my rents per month. I'm guessing that most Netflix users are casual weekend watchers and they don't wanna lose too much money on me and my voracious habits.
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post #14 of 20
6/30/06 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMITE8
Do you return discs the very next day? I started returning stuff immediately after watching it the day it showed up and I noticed a slower turnaround, wait-listing, and return disc label addressed to centers farther away. Upon this discovery I did a search online to see if anyone else had similar service...
I go 4-6 a week, with a 4-out rental, and the service has stayed the same. That's not same day-in, next day out though.
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post #15 of 20
6/20/07 at 1:12pm
I'm thinking about jumping from Netflix to Blockbuster. I don't use Netflix as much as I should. Have a Blockbuster right by my house. And it's full of crazy fucking movies. Sequels I've never heard of, Jeff Fahey vehicles...That said, I've hated Blockbuster for years. Decisions.
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post #16 of 20
6/20/07 at 1:34pm
Every single Blockbuster i've ever been inside (every ONE) has smelled like absolute shit. Literal poos, I mean. What's with that? Is it the cleaning products they buy or something?
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post #17 of 20
6/20/07 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin Matchstick
I'm thinking about jumping from Netflix to Blockbuster. I don't use Netflix as much as I should. Have a Blockbuster right by my house. And it's full of crazy fucking movies. Sequels I've never heard of, Jeff Fahey vehicles...That said, I've hated Blockbuster for years. Decisions.
Yeah, I've had negative feelings towards Blockbusters for years.

I've heard a smattering of bad things about their online service, but I've also heard good things from a few people as well. It might depend on your location.

I've personally been using Netflix for about four years now, and I have absolutely no complaints. When I mail back a dvd, I usually have the next one in one or two business days, tops. I've only had to wait for then 3 days a few times that I can remember. I'm also on the three a month plan, and I've only had a single day in the apst four years where I didn't have at least one Netflix DVD in the house (because of the good turnaround time they have).

I only set foot in an actual video store about once every 1-2 years, though (a Hollywood Video near my house), so I don't have much to say about the urge to go get something immediately.
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post #18 of 20
6/20/07 at 1:57pm
Blockbuster Online is awesome. But I also have a Blockbuster that's less than a block from my home. Which means I'm awesome too, now that you stop and think about it.

I kept running out of DVDs with Netflix, especially over weekends. With Blockbuster, I've never had less than two DVDs sitting on top of my TV.
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post #19 of 20
6/20/07 at 2:14pm
BB Online only makes sense if you live right next to a store (like I do, which is The Tits). Plus you get that one extra free rental a month with the e-coupon you can print out, which can be used for video games, as well as movies.
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post #20 of 20
6/21/07 at 2:57pm
I only had the free trial of Netflix, then I got Blockbuster Online, and I absolutely love it. You pay $18 a month for a 3 at a time deal, which if you return them to the store for a free rental, really makes it more like a 6 at a time deal. Turnaround time is lightning quick, as they ship your next one as soon as you return it in the store, not when it makes its way back to the distribution center.

Plus you don't have to wait for new releases. If you have a movie ready to return, just take it in on Tuesday and get whatever's out that day. And they give you free online coupons every month too for a free rental.

I've had some obscure movies skipped or waitlisted, but recently they've been getting even better about that. I've yet to go online looking for a movie and not found it.
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