1st Netflix, 2nd Walmart, 3rd Blockbuster, 4th Amazon.com

[Brent212]

To all you people that think Netflix is great: Wouldn't the
mature thing to do be to simply take the high road and leave the disgruntled Netflix customers alone.

To all you people that think Netflix is a POS: Wouldn't the
mature thing to do be to simply take the high road and leave the happy Netflix customers alone.


Spot the difference

I see it (the difference)! The first is happening, and the second isn't. At least, I'm a happy netflix customer and I can't recall having any unhappy customers bother me... maybe I'm just desensitized... there is a lot more violence in movies these days.

The first statement is about people wanting to be able to complain about something. I'm all for complaining. I love complaining. If I'm happy with brand/service X, I could care less if others complain about brand/service X. However, complaining about complainers is pretty lame. It's amusing how many people feel they need to write pages about why others shouldn't complain about something. I know there's always the "but they're giving brand/service X a bad name!" argument, but seriously... cry me a river. I guess if you want to whine about people "wrongfully" (am I the only netflix fan who doesn't need proof to believe these claims are totally possible?) accusing netflix of doing what seems to make good business sense, go ahead, but you've got way more time on your hands than the netflix bashers.

I have a lot of time on my hands also... work will do that to you.

[Brent212]

What I am wondering is how do you think Amazon.com would do in the online dvd rental service.

I've always had excellent experiences when buying things from Amazon, even a few returns that all went better than could be expected. Hopefully they will handle their rental service as well as they handle their retail service.

[soloredd]

I've been with Netflix for almost 2 years now and I have yet to see a major problem with shipping/receiving my movies. The difference with my girlfriend and I compared to alot of people here (assuming) is that we don't have time to watch 60-odd movies a month. What happens is we have 3 movies out (like we do right now). We both work nights and go to school during the day, so we might watch one Thursday afternoon, which we send back on Friday. We probably will watch the other 2 over the weekend, which we send out Monday. In other words, we keep it staggered so that we get at least 1 movie almost every other day. If it's a movie will both really like, we might hold on to it for a week or so to watch a couple of times, but the other 2 we will keep circulating. Blockbuster is about $3.00 for a rental. That's about 7 movies per month to equal what we pay Netflix, not to mention the price will be at $18 on 11/1. I would say we probably go through 15 or so movies per month, which is still about a $20 savings PLUS we don't have to make a trip to Blockbuster (which sometimes is difficult because of work/school hours). And Netflix simply has a better selection of older titles, which is mostly what we rent (new releases, if we really want to see it, we hit up Blockbuster).

[lordsmurf]

What I am wondering is how do you think Amazon.com would do in the online dvd rental service.

They'll follow the Netflix model because it works. Easy as that.

[bugster]

To all you people that think Netflix is great: Wouldn't the
mature thing to do be to simply take the high road and leave the disgruntled Netflix customers alone.

To all you people that think Netflix is a POS: Wouldn't the
mature thing to do be to simply take the high road and leave the happy Netflix customers alone.


Spot the difference

I see it (the difference)! The first is happening, and the second isn't. At least, I'm a happy netflix customer and I can't recall having any unhappy customers bother me... maybe I'm just desensitized... there is a lot more violence in movies these days.

The first statement is about people wanting to be able to complain about something. I'm all for complaining. I love complaining. If I'm happy with brand/service X, I could care less if others complain about brand/service X. However, complaining about complainers is pretty lame. It's amusing how many people feel they need to write pages about why others shouldn't complain about something. I know there's always the "but they're giving brand/service X a bad name!" argument, but seriously... cry me a river. I guess if you want to whine about people "wrongfully" (am I the only netflix fan who doesn't need proof to believe these claims are totally possible?) accusing netflix of doing what seems to make good business sense, go ahead, but you've got way more time on your hands than the netflix bashers.

I have a lot of time on my hands also... work will do that to you.

No, you misunderstand me, or I didn't make it clear what I intended by that post.

Taking either side of an argument is equally valid. Anyone who posts claiming that a particular business has rubbish service or is a load of crooks (or whatever) is perfectly entitled to say so. The person who then replys that they think the sun shines out of said company's a*** is equally entitled. Neither is going to change their opinion. Neither is entitled to abuse the other. Both posters have the same right to voice their opinion or feelings. Trying to argue your case is usually pointless in these cases, so saying that only moaners/complainers should be allowed to post is just as stupid as saying only those that praise a company/product/whatever should be allowed to post. Get it!

In general, unhappy customers moan, happy customers keep quiet. Occasioannly a happy customer will see a post by a moaner and say they disagree. Then all hell breaks loose. Just like this thread,

[Brent212]

In general, unhappy customers moan, happy customers keep quiet. Occasioannly a happy customer will see a post by a moaner and say they disagree. Then all hell breaks loose. Just like this thread,

Okay, I see what you're saying and agree with it. It's perfectly fine to praise a company. If I'm shopping online for a product, I'm always stoked to find a positive review for it. I just think that if a person likes the product/company/service, instead of telling the disgruntled customers to prove their claims or expressing disbelief, he/she should be open to the possibility that not all customers are treated equally by all companies.

[twinches]

Just wanted to say that I'm a happy nexflix customer. Been with them for about 3 years now. At first they only had the one distribution center in CA and I live in Florida. So it took like 5 days. Then the PO had lost like 6 disk over the course of a few months and netflix suspended my account. But after invtigations that were conducted by the Post Office they found that disk were being stolen in Florida. And they setup a sting operation to catch them. My account was un-suspended at that time. then there was a period of time when they were still growing that I would always have long waits for most DVD's in my queue. Most of them were new releases though. So I decided to cancel with netflix and go with Wal-Mart once they opened. Wal-Mart was worse than netflix on there long waits, I didn't stay with them past the intro period cause they sucked so bad. After a few months I saw that netflix was opening up more centers and all so I rejoined them. Service was still a little flaky with long waits on titles and all but not as bad. But for about the last year service has been great. I have the 3 out plan and I normally get New releases sent to me the day of release or even the day before the release date. And even when I return a disk and it says "short wait" for my 1st title choice, It suddenly becomes available later in the day and gets sent to me. Now they have a Distribution center about 10 miles away from me and I never experiance any delays in shipping.

So although there have been ups and downs in the beginning, I think for the past year, there service has greatly improved, at least in my area.

Still a happy customer.

[Gurm]

Blockbuster is about $3.00 for a rental.

Try $4.99 for all DVD's.

[maxpower2078]

I have a comment on the delay issue. I was with walmart for 3 months, 1 month essentially free with paying for the 3rd out, then 2 months after that. I was able to get about 4-5 a week and about 6 weeks in they started drastically slowing down to 2 a week if I was lucky. Then they would send a wrong disc like if I asked for disc 4 of sopranos 4th season, they sent disc 1. This only happened once, but I also had a disc lost in the mail on the way to me as well.

Anyways, I am giving blockbuster a try now as of 10/18/04, so we will see how this goes. I received my first one yesterday, so that was one day, I am hoping the other 2 will arrive today, 2 days later.

[maxpower2078]

Also if anyone is wanting to join blockbuster and get a free iPod while you are at it go here
All you have to do is sign up and then join blockbuster for their 2 week trial or other similar offers and convince 5 friends to do the same and there you go, a free iPod. Just make sure to use the link above.

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. No advertising.
/ Moderator Baldrick

[RabidDog]

screenselect* in the Uk is quite good. postal delays are seldom due to distance ..more like handling delays.. I am 5 mins from a large post Ofice yet still have postal delays. Also slagging off companies on the internet is great for publicity/rumor mill/stock price. Many silent readers, compared to participants, who are supposedly unbiased, ergo more believablel



*They do a dolly parton plan ..two tiltles out

[westlaw]

I dropped my Netflix plan Oct 5. Just today, I signed up at my local Blockbuster for their 2-out unlimited monthly plan, at $15 for the first month.

CAPTAIN'S LOG FOLLOW UP:

Day three: I've rented 12 DVDs from Blockbuster since joining their unlimited program on 10/18/04.

I've been able to get every newly released DVD title I wanted, including Van Helsing, without waiting (unlike Netflix).

No one at Blockbuster has said anything about about my intentional high user rate. No one has tried to TO DELAY MY CHECKOUT at the cashier's register. So far, UNLIMITED seems to mean UNLIMITED at Blockbuster!

I've noticed that Blockbuster carries a full line of Asian import movie titles -- perhaps this is due to the geographics of living in the Bay Area California! I was able to rent the entire series of "Raped By An Angel" on DVD. Netflix only carries the first two DVDs in this series.

So far, Blockbuster is kicking Netflix's butt as far as my needs and as far as employing questionable tactics of "delaying DVDs"

[maxpower2078]

I guess it totally depends on where you are. I am in Seattle, and I too joined on the 18th, I received 1 out of the 3 the next day 19th "opportunity knocks" but am actually still waiting for the other 2 as of today, the 21st. I am not talking about really hot titles either.


westlaw, you must be really close to a distibution center or something. Does anyone know where the closest distribution center is to Seattle for Blockbuster?

[westlaw]

To: maxpower2078

No no my friend, I have the unlimited Blockbuster plan through my local Blockbuster retail store.

[twinches]

maxpower2078, the difference is that Westlaw is actually going to the Blockbuster Retail store. He is not using the online blockbuster program. They are two separate things. Blockbuster has two different programs. One is offered at the retail stores where you pay a membership fee and you get to rent unlimited dvds from the store. The other program is online like netflix where they mail them to you.

I don't see how people can compare the "in store" blockbuster plan with Netflix as they are two completely different business models. Of course you are going to be able to rent more if you physically go to the store 3 times a day as opposed to waiting for them in the mail. But not everyone has a store near by and not all Blockbusters have that great of a selection. And some are very busy and don't always have the new releases in stock. There have been lots of times at my blockbuster where the "guaranteed in stock dvds" were all gone.

I would like to see comparisons about blockbusters online service in respect to netflix's online service with regards to shipping and selection.

[lordsmurf]

If I had to drive to Blockbuster all the time, I just assume not rent any movies. That's too much effort, and for the same price.

[maxpower2078]

yes, yes, my mistake. It should have clicked when you said $15 for the first month, plus 12 in 3 days, that is insane.

[Gurm]

Wow! LOOKIT ME!

I GOT MY PRODUCT IN 20 MINUTES INSTEAD OF 2 DAYS!

BEST BUY IS WAAAAAY COOLER THAN NEW EGG!

You, sir, are a retard.

- Gurm

[ViRaL1]

For those who have the 'All-You-Can-Rent' plan from Blockbuster and rent 5 or 6 movies a week, what do you plan to do at the end of 6 months when you've exhausted all but the crappiest of the crappy and are just waiting for the new releases each week? They don't have near the selection of Netflix.

[skebenin]

That BlockBuster deal sounds pretty good. Kind of interesting too, considering that BlockBuster historically made something like 40% of it's profits from late fees [does anyone else see the irony in this].

Now if they could meld the two approaches, that'd be sweet. Set up a whole pile of movies in a queue, go to your local Block Buster, press a button on a kiosk, and go pick out the title that are available at that location. OR if you don't feel like driving this week, go online and tell them to mail some movies to you. Return them to the store or mail them back when you're done - whichever you prefer.

I do wonder how they're going to handle unlimited rentals considering the per-rental charge they're supposed to pay the studioson new releases. I wonder if they cut some deal to get around it.

Unfortunately there is no Block Buster near me, and I hate browsing the stacks, so (with no melded offering) I'll stick with an online mail service.

[vcdlover]

I just signed up with Netflix yesterday for 3-out plan $18/month. They just shipped me three movies today. Let's wait and see how it goes. If I'm not satisfied, Blockbuster is my next stop. Do you guys know where is the nearest Netflix distributor to western New York?

Thanks
vcdlover

That's quick...
They shipped yesterday and I got the 3 movies today. It looks like the return address is the same city where I live...

[cal_tony]

Surprised to see such continued action on this thread. I posted a comment 3 or 4 days with some cost figures regarding the shipping cost for Netflix and all of the other competitors that use the post office to ship Dvd's. I received the comment that Netflix and the others paid prices far cheaper than the $.37 I mentioned and that even further they received hugh discounts because of being bulk mail. All of this got me thinking so I went to USPS.ORG ,and as best as I can figure, a Netflix envelope categorized as a Flat weights .9 oz and costs them approx. $.30 each way. So, they get a 20% discount. I wouldn't call that huge as I assume they get more than a 20% discount from their suppliers on the disks.
Anyway, I still have Netflix and if their price goes down to $ 18, I'll stay with them for a while longer. I have reconciled that if they send me 10 to12 disks per month without jerking me around, I would be more than happy. I do however still stand by my original comments. The model of shipping disks to and fro is on the downside of technology. At $.60 per disk going and coming, if a customer gets 15 disks in a month, the freight cost to Netflix would be 50% of income going just to pay the postal bill. A bunch of companies are jumping into the mix and the new price seems to be $ 17 to $ 18 per mo. The stock price of Netflix has been in free fall lately. And unless one of these competitors can find a new twist, I think they're all going to loose money or they're going to start giving customers even more problems

[BJ_M]

if there is ever a postal strike -- would be a serious case of problems ..

not sure if in the USA they can strike though -- is there still Saturday delivery ?

[only_emo_kid]

anyone have a list of where the netflix distribution places are located? like a map?

[NiteLite]

Anyway to get back to my point, All of these companies are limited by the cost of stamps $.37 x 2 for a round trip, 12 out per mo = $8.88; 15 per mo = $ 11.10. Doesn't leave much money left for any of them to hire employees or buy DVD'S.

Not really...the cost of stamps is a business expense...therfore a deductible liability. Assets minus liabilities equal taxable profit. In effect "stamps and mailing" cost them nothing. These Corporations are not limited at all by "stamps". Even the postage meters are rentable and deductible as an expense. Corps. pay very little of their actual costs of doing business.

btw...I'm looking in to becoming a Netflix member and hoping Amazon steps into the game also.

[popeye1497]

Just to throw my two cents in

I just finished my Blockbuster.com 2 weeks online rental trail period and it was great! I was able to get my hands on about 8 or 9 movies during the 2 weeks. plus they give you a coupon code for two free in store rentals. Most i waited for a movie was a couple of days. Great service thru their site too. Links were very informative. Just wanted to share my experience here.

[cal_tony]

I have seen comments that have made Re. Netflix's mailing costs bandied about by members myself included . I don't know for sure what Netflix pays. Suffice it to say that whatever they pay, it is not a fixed cost like most of their other expenses, employees and disks are fixed in that they don't change much from 1 week to the next. Stamps on the other hand are beyond their control. With multiple shipping locations all the companies using this business model are at the mercy of the post office and the customers desire for disks. At the$ 18 per month level (3 disks out) It would not be unreasonable to make the assumption that every customer has the capability of exceeding that $18 in stamps alone. Last quarter the price of Netflix shares rose 13.6% because the company reported profits rose as a result of customers renting fewer disks(maybe some members comments re. this issue are merited). This month it's stock is down because of talk of new competitors entering the market place. Over the years, Netflix has developed into a company that has found favor with many, but during that period ,I have the sneaky feeling that more and more customers are beginning to copy some of these rented disks onto their computer for later viewing while they are immediately returning the rental so they can get more disks each month.
In essence, unless Netflix(or for that matter, any company using this model) can control the number of disks shipped to its' customers each month, its' stock price and eventually the company itself will become very unstable.
So, if they're jerking you around with shipments, I don't see how they have much choice. If they're willing to cut their monthly fee by $ 4, be assured that they won't think twice about holding your disks for just a little longer.

[Gurm]

Netflix is, in no way, paying 37 cents for a first class stamp for their shipments.

They're getting a HUGE bulk rate discount.

Does each shipment cost them? Sure. But I bet it's more like 10 cents or less. So yeah if you got 50 discs in a month, and they were only seeing $5 profit off of your subscription, then yeah they're screwed.

But in reality I bet that out of your $20 a month they are seeing $10 of it as profit... regardless of shipping costs.

[DereX888]

No matter is netflix good or bad - it is bad for all of us when almost-monopolies like walmart or ballbuster drive them out of business.

I have a message to the dude who is so happy that ballbuster gave him unlimited rentals twice a day etc etc: once they wipe out competition (pardon me - thx to dumbs like you) you will see/hear ballbuster manager telling you with real sorrow in his voice that "the company has canceled this program" or "as of next month unlimited rentals will cost $49.99" ... and where will you go then, since there will be no competition left?

[twinches]

anyone have a list of where the netflix distribution places are located? like a map?

Netflix distribution center locations
http://www.hackingnetflix.com/netflix/ compiled this list of 29 Netflix shipping centers, as of September 29, 2004. (29 on the 29th. Hehe)

Baton Rouge, LA
Chicago, IL
Cleveland, OH
Columbia, SC
Coppell, TX
Denver, CO
Duluth, GA
Flushing, NY
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Gaithersburg, MD
Greensboro, NC
Houston, TX
Kansas City, MO
Lakeland, FL
Lansing, MI
Las Vegas, NV
Louisville, KY
Minneapolis, MN
New Brunswick, NJ
Phoenix, AZ
Pittsburgh, PA
Rochester, NY
Salem, OR
San Jose, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Southeastern, PA
St. Louis, MO
Tacoma, WA
Worcester, MA

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