Blockbuster vs Netflix

[stiltman]

I'm thinking about finally signing up.

Who do you think has better service

[lordsmurf]

NF has more tv shows, more non-movies. All kinds of things. They respect your queue too. As long as you have old and new releases alike, you'll never have trouble getting a steady stream of DVDs to watch.

BB is mostly movies, and they do not respect queue order. Some movies never seem to be available, even after many months.

Remember to buy a plan big enough for yourself. Do not get a 3-at-a-time plan and expect to watch 9 DVDs per week.

[Bodyslide]

I have had Netflix twice over the past 3 years... Good Variety of Older hard to find TV shows and Movies....

[stiltman]

Wow I expected more turn out than this.

Currently, I have the BB instore pass. In the past few months, I've only rented maybe 8 movies (Dang is it me or do all movies suck lately) so I thought about a 2 out at a time deal. $15 a mon

Like the idea of being able to BB and grab a flick if I want one now. Hate BB because of the queue thing (read a lot of complaints)

[gadgetguy]

I don't use either, but not because I think they both suck. It's just that, for me, it's not a good value. I don't think I spend more than $20 a year on rentals, and I haven't seen that plan from either of them.

[SquirrelDip]

Not using either but also looking into similar service...

Any comments from other Canucks on north of 49 services?

[Dv8ted2]

I use BB. I have no problems with it.

[teegee420]

I use Netflix. Their selection can't be beat. I've found old movies, concerts and even guitar lessons. There have been a couple of times where I received damaged discs, or no disc at all. Netflix was quick to rectify the problems. It's probably the best $20 a month a movie fan can spend, that is if you opt for the three at a time service.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, good point teegee! I recently got some how-to home improvement do-it-yourself videos. Very helpful. There is all kinds of things available. Basically anything but porn.

[fLYtRap]

I have just signed up for a free trial (4 at the time) with Netflix. I think its a great idea. I spended thousands on theatres and I don't even like to go to movies anymore. People don't have respect, they talk, eat, spit, talk on the cellphones, etc. I have no pleasure going to movies and spent $8 just for a movie + ridiculous prizes they charge for snacks and drinks.

[teegee420]

Yeah, good point teegee! I recently got some how-to home improvement do-it-yourself videos. Very helpful. There is all kinds of things available. Basically anything but porn.

You'll never know what you may find unless you do searches. Their "browse" navigation tree really sucks. It's almost like they don't want you to know how much is available.

[stiltman]

Yeah, good point teegee! I recently got some how-to home improvement do-it-yourself videos. Very helpful. There is all kinds of things available. Basically anything but porn.

You'll never know what you may find unless you do searches. Their "browse" navigation tree really sucks. It's almost like they don't want you to know how much is available.

That's what I noticed too

Once I used the search function....wow!

BB has a better browse function BY FAR

[Marco33]

Netflix for me. Had it the last 2+ years. It's so easy. Even if I only watch 4 movies a month, it's still worth it. The best part is you can add movies that have just come out to theatre. When they become available on dvd they pop onto your main list.

[fLYtRap]

Yeah, good point teegee! I recently got some how-to home improvement do-it-yourself videos. Very helpful. There is all kinds of things available. Basically anything but porn.

You'll never know what you may find unless you do searches. Their "browse" navigation tree really sucks. It's almost like they don't want you to know how much is available.

Why they wouldn't want it you to know what is available Your comment doesn't make any sense.
They even have SAVE button for movies not yet available, like for example Hostel 2 which is coming to theatres in 2007.

[teegee420]

Why they wouldn't want it you to know what is available Your comment doesn't make any sense.

Ah, the irony. Perhaps you missed the word "almost" in my statement. I wasn't being serious. I was merely commenting on the fact that the Netflix "browse" function isn't at all intuitive, nor does it make it easy to discover titles you wouldn't have normally searched for.

[zzyzzx]

I voted that the both suck since neither has porn.

[sacajaweeda]

I've only used Blockbuster's service, so I can't say which is better. I've had one or two damaged discs show up in the 2 years I've used them but other than that no complaints. Haven't had the queue issues some here talk about. Turnaround for them has always been lightning fast, too. With their 3 out plan I've averaged about 20 or so a month. They get dropped off at the post office right up the street when I'm done with them and I've usually got an email from them within 24 hours telling me they've received them & shipped my next selection. I've also got their in-store movie pass 1-out plan.

[stiltman]

Just an update.
I decided to go with BlockBuster because of the instore returns now and with the free rentals (1) a month and for every DVD you take to the store to return.

I signed up 11-07
I put about 20 DVDs in my Que on the 7th
Waited.....Waited.....Waited.....
They say they shipped them out the 9th
They say the DVDs should arrive the 11th
No DVDs came on the 11th
No mail on the 12th
DVDs come on the 12th?

Thats 5 freakin days from the time I placed them in my que

[JimmyJoeBob]

Your just new...slow start up time, like wine it gets better with age. I have no problems with their service except some titles seem to say "coming soon". Most are so obscure that I suspect distributor or release problems. L'Ultima Orgia del III Reich and Le Fils de Caroline Cherie are 2 that have been in my queue for ages. Not your everyday fare for most folks but 2 that I want to see. Total Access has worked, so far, very well for me. Give them 3, pick 3 from the store, get the next 3 from your Queue a day earlier than mailing. Not a bad deal, give them a chance as Veterans day was the 11th and no mail on Sunday.

[JimmyJoeBob]

I voted that the both suck since neither has porn.

Sorry Dude!! Life must be really tough for you if both suck and and porn rules.
Before you reply I was at the Pub and have seen all of your post and I mean all.

[Mr. Dweezel]

I subscribe to both services. They both have their up and down periods
when service is either great or slacks off.

Netflix has a bigger selection and usually has more of the newer DVDs.

I've needed to contact their 'customer service' and both of them replied quickly.

[glockjs]

netflix is way better than BB if you compare mail to mail service. hell even when netflix flagged my account and slowed my turn around they were quicker than BB. netflix does have a way better selection for hard to find/rare stuff. BUT, BB has the edge right now due to being able to turn in movies to get free in store movies @ 1/1. my .02

[shelbyGT]

Netflix for me due to their HDDVD selection.

[lordsmurf]

Just as an update...

I have a lot of time on my hands right now, and I've missed about a year worth of movies and movies released to DVD. So I've opted for the 2-at-a-time in-store Blockbuster plan, where I walk in to a store to rent ($27, including tax). Fits me perfectly right now, no waiting at all, plenty of movies.

Netflix has still never given me anything from the settlement, although I applied for it at least a year ago. I plan to start up NF again, maybe this summer at latest.

[g_shocker182]

Netflix throttled me...no way to prove it but I'm sure they did! Anyways, I ditched that after a few months (took forever to get DVDs), now I'm looking to get that Blockbuster thing.

In other news, that wall street nut Jim Cramer can't say (yell) enough good things about Blockbuster...

[Conquest10]

Just an update.
I decided to go with BlockBuster because of the instore returns now and with the free rentals (1) a month and for every DVD you take to the store to return.

How does that work? I mean, aren't you paying for the service already? How can you get something for free when you're already paying for it?

[stiltman]

Just an update.
I decided to go with BlockBuster because of the instore returns now and with the free rentals (1) a month and for every DVD you take to the store to return.

How does that work? I mean, aren't you paying for the service already? How can you get something for free when you're already paying for it?

Comparing it to Netflix, NetFlix is only online. BB you have online, in store either 1 rental a month or you drop off your online order and get a movie for each one you drop off.

So I get 3 out at a time from online
Take those back to in store and get 3 more movies
I use my one a month coupon to get the 4th movie
Then at the same time they are shipping me 3 more from online

That's having the rare chance of having 7 movies in a couple of days. But I know for sure that if I want to, I can have 6 movies per week. What I usually do is get the older movies from online and get the new releases in store. That way I avoid waiting times for the new releases. And all this for less than NetFlix (at least when I first signed up, as I haven't compared prices since)

[AlecWest]

I don't use either, but not because I think they both suck. It's just that, for me, it's not a good value. I don't think I spend more than $20 a year on rentals, and I haven't seen that plan from either of them.

I'm with you. I suspect I get more DVDs than you do each year ... but most of them are of older movies I get from 3 sources - 2 library districts (I have cards for both) and my favorite local mom/pop store, Mike's Movie Madness Video. Once in a blue moon, I'll get a movie from BB. And, if it's a film I know I'll watch more than a half-dozen times, I'll buy it.

In fact, in 2006, I probably bought more DVDs than I have in any previous year. This year is starting out to be a buying year, too. I have one on order from the U.K., "Children of Men," which probably won't be released on DVD in North America for at least a month or two. The U.K. DVD was released on January 15th and was shipped to me on that day. It just opened up in my local area theaters about a week ago and I've heard good things about it. Can hardly wait until the DVD arrives.