BlockBuster lowers price again

[ForeighFilmlover]

They have been selling 3 for $25.00 in Florida for some time now, I can remember as far back as 8 months ago. when I bought 6 movies for $50.00

[dartboard]

Mr. Bass, thanks for your comparison.

I am just finishing up trying all 3 "major" services free period. My experience was a little different from yours. I live in Northern VA so that may affect which service works best. Also I have not been with any long enough to experience the declining quality of service many have complained of.

I would have to say that netflix was best for me. All the movies I requested were available. this was a mix of new releases and some older favorites I hadn't seen in a while. The distribution center was 20 miles away and I got 9 movies in 2 weeks. Some of the disks were scratched but none was unplayable or caused problems playing. Walmart was 2nd best. Initially most of the movies I asked for were wait listed, but after 3 days they all became available. The turn-around was slow but it is the Christmas mail season and so slower service is to be expected. Still 6 days turnaround from Williamsburg VA to DC is not great. Walmart provided the cleanest disks. Blockbuster was by far the worst. While everything on my list was available, what I actually got semed to come randomly off the list. Several disks were scratched to the point of unplayable and one disk was cracked. Turnaround from Flushing NY was very slow. They do allow you to rent 2 disks for free from your local store and I did this. The store selection outside of new releases was quite poor.

If someone were going to do use this service I would recommend Netflix despite the higher price because the turnaround was much faster. I would not expect to get more than 8 discs a month from blockbuster or walmart, but this probably differs by where you live.

[Tbear]

The local store here closed in November. When they lowered the price first time. And the next closest is 35 miles away. And a local chain closed the year before. Only have FAmily Video and Hollywood Video in town now. Get everything from online rentals.

[handyguy]

Thats no surprise since BB wants to buy Hollywood Video, or has.

[maxpower2078]

Just a side note here but, if someone is trying to get a cheap rental, we all may be overlooking something. I use to do this and noticed it again recently, but grocery stores always have cheap rentals Sunday - Thursday. I was in Albertsons (Washington State) and saw the sign hanging that said any movie .99c Sunday - Thursday. That would be you could get 18 movies for the price of a month at netflix. Obviously they don't have the selection and so forth, but for new releases and popular old ones this is a good choice.

[mrbass]

I would have to say that netflix was best for me.

Blockbuster was by far the worst. While everything on my list was available, what I actually got semed to come randomly off the list.

If someone were going to do use this service I would recommend Netflix

It looks like that's gonna be my recommendation too. Blockbuster seems to list it available but it's not really like it says. At least Walmart and Netflix have the guts to tell the truth.

Netflix just 4 to 6 months ago raised prices, started screwing longtime customers (ok maybe not eveyone but at least to me) I couldn't get a new release from netflix even if I waited 3 months. Now with the competitive landscape it seems like Netflix is forcec to cater to their customers and perhaps they're realizing that it makes no sense to blow tons of money attacting new customers only to lose them to poor service. Isn't the name of the game residual income for these companies in the long run.

[lordsmurf]

Something else interesting is that at some Blockbusters, maybe all, they are "price matching" Hollywood Video. For ages Hollywood Video has had their used DVDs 3 for $25. Just the other day I saw at a local Blockbuster that they were selling used movies 3 for $25 "for a limited time."

Blockbuster owns Hollywood Video, as well as Movie Trading Company.

[ForeighFilmlover]

HI All,
Just to follow up on my post from 12/23/04
Posted: Dec 23, 2004 22:30

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently joined GreenCine, they are located in San Francisco, with only 1 distribution center ( In San Francisco) they fared better than walmart, it took 4 days to receive my first order. I just dropped them at the post office this morning, considering this is the busiest week for snail mail, lets see how long it take for them to show recieved
=================================
Well I just received notification, the 3 films I dropped in the mail on the 23rd were received. today, not bad considering it was the busiest week for snail mail.

[mrbass]

I had greencine for about 4 months. They are great...especially their website with member's lists and reviews overall....nice community. Really good place if your looking for alternative movies with just a few new releases sprinkled here and there. Greencine is pretty decent.

[sullen]

Something else interesting is that at some Blockbusters, maybe all, they are "price matching" Hollywood Video. For ages Hollywood Video has had their used DVDs 3 for $25. Just the other day I saw at a local Blockbuster that they were selling used movies 3 for $25 "for a limited time."

Blockbuster owns Hollywood Video, as well as Movie Trading Company.

I did not know this, learn something new everyday. They have a weird rental program in-store. Much like BBs Movie Pass, but it is all stuff 5 weeks or older and you have to have it back in 5 days instead of unlimited. I live fairly close to a Hollywood video, but BB is a bit too far for the Movie pass to be economical. On the other hand having to wait 5 weeks before I can use their pass to see a newer movie is a pain. For me, renting a movie is more spur of the moment so online programs are a bit too limiting, but I may try the BB service for a month to check out the turnaround time.

[handyguy]

"Blockbuster owns Hollywood Video, "

No, they don't.

Another company is also in the bid to buy HV.

[Nubey]

I signed up for BB in November. In December they emailed me informing me that they were upping the number of DVDs out to four for the same price. Now I get four out at one time plus the two e-coupons. There is a BB about 100 yards from my house so I think it's a pretty good deal. Hopefully when they re-bill me it will be for only $14.99. They don't have everything I want but it will take me awhile to rent what I do want.

Their turnaround time is okay and as far as new releases I don't really care about most of them.

Just my fifth of a dime.

[mrbass]

well in the end I kept netflix over blockbuster (cancel bb 2 week trial). Turn around took much longer. Anyway everyone's situation is different. Had I signed up with my old netflix account 5 years old I betcha I still would have gotten new releases so in that case I'd probably have to settle with blockbuster instead.l

[MerlinMacuser]

If I heard the news correctly, BB just bought Hollywood Video...oops, nevermind.

[NiteLite]

All the major three are reducing costs by limiting shipments. Read the new user agreements. Also do as I did and have a discussion with your local Postmaster friend and show him the bar code info on the shipments from any of them. Mine told me even though I got an email saying X movie was shipped on Monday it / they were actually shipped on Wednesday and Thursday. And all 3 majors were guilty.
I am using all 3 for testing as to which to keep and which to drop.
Netflix will ship faster and the selection cant be beat especially for foreign, Indys and hard to find stock but after a month when their computer flags you as a heavy user you WILL be delayed. My Postmaster has confirmed this and common sense also. When you used to get shipments in one day and now it takes 3, 4, 5 days you know something has changed. And I havent moved. Still a few miles away.
I live within a few miles of the shipment centers for Netflix, Walmart, and Blockbuster.
Walmart just doesnt seem to know what is going on. The 1st week on a 4-out plan I received 2 even though all 4 had shipped according to emails from Walmart on Monday. Roll back in effect.
Blockbuster is also confused as my 1st week with them I finally received 1 on a Saturday even though it stated all 3 shipped Monday. Blockbuster also "forgot" to send any email stating when shipped. Only my queue had the info. Customer Service said they were working on the problem. (?)
Blockbuster also gave me a return envelope to Tampa, FLA even though I'm several states away with a distribution center a few miles away. What the???
They all suck if you try to depend on them for any consistency with shipping.
If not tagged at Netflix I would have to pick them but I quit after my 5-out plan went to receiveng 2 to 4 a week. Come on, if you cant even get your plan once a week...
I also do not order new releases so that is not a problem.
IMO, they all are liars when they claim "unlimited rentals" or "as soon as you return another ships"...pure BS.
But, they all are wise enough to put in their EULAs that they have the right to limit shipments at their discretion.
Of course if you only order one or two a week you'll never know anyway.
Some families enjoy way more and should not be penalized but where would we be without good old american corporate greed. For instance...National news reported gas prices fell average of 3 cents per gallon last week. All stations in my town went up 9 cents/gallon. But thats another rant.
Glad to hear some are doing just fine w/ online rentals. Hope it continues.
Enjoy or like me learn to deal with it. Also complaints to BBB, FTC, State AG's wont hurt. Emails to NF, WM, BB are a waste of time though.
Mainly wanted to thank those that posted alternative sites as a couple sound interesting...the ones with foreign, PAL, etc...
Thanks!
NL

[winifreid]

I cancelled my BB after 6 weeks about a month ago. But after they lowered their prices and promised more shipping centers, I reupped a week ago. I received 2 disks after 2 days, but still have not recieved the third. This was the same problem I had last time. Also, instead of returning my didskd to Charlotte, close, they send them to Tampa, and extra day. It appears they do not do return tracking like the promised. I dump them again at the end of the month.

[NiteLite]

winifreid,
I talked to BB cust service today and inquired about the returns going to Tampa, FLA. and only living a few miles from the Charlotte distribution center.
CS response was , "we just added several more centers." I said but why ship mine back to Tampa when I'm just around the corner from one of your main centers several states away? Her response, "Well, thats because we just open some new distribution centers.
I say but this will add days to my returns and others are waiting for them. She said we have plenty for other customers. I said that would mean never having "wait" in anyone's queue. Right? ...Well not really she replied.
I politely asked again "why should I have to wait a couple extra days for you to receive my returns when you can get them in ONE day at my local center?" Well I just cant answer that, her final reply.
And neither can I.
Amazing!

[Krispy Kritter]

I am currently using DVDbarn (intelliflix). Turn around times have been about average with other vendors. However, they recently added more distribution centers and you can mark a selection after you mail it and they will send out your next selection.

Plus they currently have special, if you pay for a year, it is only $7.49 a month for 3 titles.

[noki]

from their wedsite...
We have 2 subscription plans available. With our Standard Plan you will receive 3 movies out at a time with unlimited monthly rentals from our huge library of movies for $16.95 a month. Want even more from your plan? Our Premium Plan is the Ultimate Subscription Program, as it provides you with 3-out unlimited movies and games (including mature content if you choose) for only $24.95.

where is the info on pre-paying for a year at $7.49/mo??
OPPS...found it. good 'til 1/24

[ForeighFilmlover]

Any one noticed the studios are releasing their films on Double layer disc? I just rented The Forgotten, Ray , and the Grudge and they are all on DL disc. That's got to be costing them some PESOS

[BJ_M]

about 5-8 cents more --

[dvdguy4]

I believe most dvds have been Dual layer-
I believe

[ForeighFilmlover]

I only noticed it since last week in my area,(South Florida)

[boldego]

I used to be really happy with Netflix but lately the turn around time has really slowed down. They recieved three of my rentals today but are only shipping one out today and the others tomorrow. I didn't believe at first that they would be using delay tatics but now I'm not so sure. By the way Hollywood Video was bought by Movie Gallery..........didn't read it but was told by a Hollywood Video employee.

[HatchetMan]

Most every single new release is dual layer. Except Paparazzi, it was single layer but double sided.

[handyguy]

As another note, Ace has 2 for $1 Arm & Hammer baking soda & it has a coupon on the box for a free rental from BB if you buy 2 boxes.

[AlecWest]

I guess I'm not that much of a film fanatic. When I rent, I usually go to a local mom/pop store that rents DVDs for $2. Even with Blockbuster's new low rate, I'd have to rent more than 7 DVDs a month to make mail-rental worth doing. And frankly, there aren't 7 movies released each month I'd consider worth seeing. If I were to sign up, I'd eventually get to a point where I'd be getting more older movies than new just to make it worthwhile.

Besides that, and though I've never been a mail-rental customer of any company, I've heard one horror story that gave me pause. A buddy of mine joined NetFlix. On one occasion, he mailed a DVD back and they kept insisting they'd not received it. On another occasion, he mailed a DVD back and it arrived damaged. On both occasions, they dumped responsibility on him. Finally, after they refused to take the missing DVD off his list of "out" items (meaning he'd get fewer out at the same time) and then "charged his credit card" for the damaged DVD, he quit. And wisely, he reported his credit card lost so he could get a new card with a new number ... because a month later, he got a nasty letter saying they tried to charge his card for the missing DVD but the charge was declined.

He never did respond to them. And, I expect they dinged his credit report.

I think I'll just keep things "local" and in "cash."

P.S. FWIW, I've seen NetFlix return mailing envelopes. They're exceptionally thin and flimsy ... and I can only guess what kind of handling they receive in the mail system. Are Blockbuster and Walmart return envelopes thin/flimsy as well? If so, I suspect most mail-rental customers are whistling past the graveyard in hopes that what happened to my buddy won't happen to them.

[lordsmurf]

And, I expect they dinged his credit report.

Unlikely. They are a merchant, not a credit issuer.

[AlecWest]

And, I expect they dinged his credit report.

Unlikely. They are a merchant, not a credit issuer.

And defrauding a merchant doesn't make it to a credit report? THAT is unlikely.

[winifreid]

I don't think BB or Netflix even check the returned disks for damage. That is why it is somewhat common to recieve one. I even got one that was in pieces and had tape on it. So I doubt they ever charge anyone for the damage since they couldn't tell who was responsible.