Anyone tried Blockbuster Online?

[bunkerbuster1]

I had resisted doing the Netflix thing, although it seemed like a good idea and a friend swears by the service. Blockbuster is a couple bucks less per month ($17.49), I searched their movie database and it seems like they have anything/everything I'm especially interested in.

so far, so good. Anyone tried it? experienced any problems? do tell.

Also, seein's how this is DU, I guess I should ask if doing business with Blockbuster means I've joined the Dark Side. I can't recall that they're an especially evil corporation (other than having, years back, run many mom/pop video stores out of business, but someone was going to do that anyway, right?) but I'm willing to entertain a case to be made that they're some how eviller than Netflix.

(and no, we never for a moment considered signing up with Wal*Mart's video rental thingie--ptooey!)

[notadmblnd]

1. I've been doing Netflix for about a year and I was sent a letter

telling me their prices are being lowered to 17 something a month. With gas elec and cable all up, this little cut in price is enough for me to remain loyal to Netflix for now.

[bunkerbuster1]

6. Well, silly me, i hadn't checked to see if Netflix had matched the price.

Seems there's no longer a real price difference. Thanks for the heads-up.

I'll have a look through their database; I'm inclined to go for them, just because, well, I've had some mildly crappy Blockbuster retail experiences as well, but I was willing to overlook that.

[Buck Rabbit]

2. Netflix dropped their price to $17.99

I don't know the politics of either, but my experiences with Blockbuster several years ago were completely unsatisfactory. They were dishonest or negligent in their check-in resulting in incorrect late fees. I know many others who had the same experience.

We are satisfied Netflix customers.

[eleonora]

4. they don't have late fees anymore

just letting you know. They're pretty cheap too. 2 movies for $1, and new releases are a dollar off if they're returned the next day.
I haven't made the switch to online services. I doubt I will.

[Buck Rabbit]

5. My belief is that competition from Netflix and publicity

and lawsuits about their late fee practices forced them to drop them. I will never support them as I feel they cheated me and I don't believe their reformation was of their own free will.

[NJ_Lib]

7. Your Blockbuster doesn't have late fees anymore?

Just paid $9 last night at mine, for late fees. I signed up for their moviepass in-store program... $14.95 for a month... Two movies at a time... I thought it was pretty good...

[eleonora]

10. oh yeah?

I go by the movie. They don't have late fees for this, but I don't know about plans/in-store programs.

[MSgt213]

3. I have used Netflix. It's not rocket science. BB should be able to do

the job just as well. I don't know if Netflix has fix this or not but I know their catalog was kind of limited when I used them. Most of the new releases but very few of the older stuff.

[mike_c]

8. isn't there a locally owned video rental that you can use?

Keeping your money in your community pays enormous social dividends. I use a video rental store a couple of blocks from my house that's only open 4-9 daily and RARELY has more than one or two copies of any movie-- I go there almost exclusively despite there being a dozen large and small chain stores within a ten mile radius. The advantages are at least: 1) I can walk there and enjoy the fresh air and my neighborhood, 2) I know all three people who work there and am on a friendly basis with them, and 3) I'm supporting someone in my local community, who's taxes help provide the services I rely on.

Yes, occasionally I have to wait a few days to see a movie that's just been released. That's a small inconvenience, at worst. And in the process of finding out whether the video is available, I get the pleasant walk!

[bunkerbuster1]

14. Kudos for your shopping philosophy.

Alas here in MetroLanta, the traditional shopping areas where you'll find a lot of locally owned stores are few and far between. There is a nice downtown a few miles away where galleries and antique stores have opened, but nothing like the type of video store you describe.

I'll patronize these local places when I can, and I'd encourage all DUers to do likewise this holiday season.

[ooglymoogly]

9. i have them both since i got a free trial at block

they are about the same except block has better envelopes. not hard to deal with like netflix. i will probably drop netflix. i didn't like them raising the price when they had no competition

[CaliVoter]

11. NetFlix Forever!

I've been with Netflix since March, 2002, have watched at least 400 DVD's through them, and have never had a single problem with their service!! I've enjoyed all the new releases, classic movies, concerts, exercise programs, and lots of documentaries, and am never disappointed with the selection. I have a physical disability and have a hard time doing any kind of shopping, so the convenience NetFlix offers is unbeatable. Because of their vast selection, I currently have 347 DVDs in my rental queue :wow: , and am never bored at home! The site is easy to use, and the suggestions they make based on previous rentals and ratings is always on the money.

Best of all, I have saved a ton of money on rentals and late fees (I always racked them up back in the dark ages of store rentals), and enjoy a total turnaround time of 2 days for new DVDs (i.e. mail back Monday before 5:30 pm, receive next DVD on Wednesday). If I mail back on Saturday, I get "Tuesday New Releases" just as though I went into a store to pick them up.

NetFlix is also very good to their customers. For example, I am signed up for the "4 at a time" program, which is no longer offered, but NetFlix has continued to honor this program for those who were signed up for it. And did I already mention how much money I save?

[China_cat]

12. I tried it for the free trial

and cut it off right away when my dvd player crapped out. But, they sent me what I asked for in good time (got it 2 days after I ordered it) and even sent me an acknowledgement when they got it back.

[tx_dem41]

13. I rent from an independent store

Premiere Video in Dallas. Great selection, knowledgeable staff.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

15. Netflix is good. Blockbuster Online can kiss my ass.

Netflix has a better selection, faster shipping times, and more DVDs out at a time. Blockbuster Online doesn't. It's that simple.

[Milo_Bloom]

16. Blockbuster in store is good.

2 movies out at a time, no late fees... I love it. I have too much trouble with shipping and post office services in my life to trust them to reliably deliver a DVD back all the time.

[Keirsey]

17. Netflix is a big Democratic Part supporter

http://www.campaignmoney.com/finance.asp?type=io&cycle=04&criteria=Netflix

25,000 DVDs

at least 20 distributions around the country, so turnaround is fast.

watch 3 a week (beat tv)/12 a month, and the cost is about $1.50 per DVD