Netfix vs. Blockbuster
Posted on Friday, July 8th, 2005 at 12:46 pm under Movies.
Although I usually have a strong brand loyalty (Apple, Sony, TiVo), this week I’m putting to test one of my favorite brands, Netflix. Yes, I’m doing the unthinkable, putting my Netflix account on hold to try Blockbuster Online. Although I still have a bad taste in my mouth from Blockbuster’s late fees over the last two decades, I’m ready to give their online store a try. At first glance Blockbuster Online seems almost identical to Netflix’s core features. Unlimited rentals for a flat fee, have three at a time, star ratings, customer reviews, huge catalog of DVDs etc. Why would I switch you might ask? For one thing it’s $3 cheaper. Not reason enough if their service is not as good as Netflix but a good plus. Second, 2 free rentals a month at my local store for those immediate cravings you might have to see something NOW as opposed to LET’S SEND SOME MOVIES BACK, UPDATE OUR QUEUE AND HOPE WE STILL WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE WHEN WE GET IT IN THE MAIL A WEEK FROM NOW. So here I am, I’ve put my Netflix account on hold and giving Blockbuster a try. I heard they censor movies in the same way Walmart censors their CDs so I will have to put that to the test by renting Pulp Fiction (the ultimate test).
P.S. I am referring to Blockbuster’s Online store that offer DVDs via mail like Netflix, not their brick and mortar stores that offer the flat fee rentals.
Jul 8th, 2005 at 1:17 pm
Do let us know how it turns out. Been thinking about signing up for one. I would like netflicks would have a larger selection. What are numbers on that?
Jul 8th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
When I first realized that Blockbuster edited movies (because they cowtow to the Bible Belt, and they’re too lazy to make different versions for those markets who can stand a swear word or a boob), I decided never again. I believe in the artistic vision of a movie and those who made it, and even though the original vision may have been muted by all the parties involved (producers, backers, whatever), I still think they’re more of an authority than some suit in an office at Blockbuster.
I was once a Blockbuster fan. That was the early 90’s.
Jul 8th, 2005 at 2:14 pm
Be interesting to see how your experience compares to mine … I have used Netflix for a long time, and have recently tried Blockbuster, and Netflix ended up the winner. The two in-store rentals are nice, but their mail distribution system sucks. When I used Netflix, I lived in San Diego and their distribution center was in San Jose (a distance of 460 miles) and I still, with VERY few exceptions, got new movies within 2 business days (if I mailed them Monday, I’d get more Wednesday) … occasionally it would take an extra day, and a few times I miraculously got new discs the VERY NEXT DAY after returning some … contrast that with Blockbuster, whose distribution center is a mere 15 miles away, and yet I always have to wait, minimum, twice as long (i.e. 4 business days, and frequently a day or two more) to get new discs. It’s ridiculous, and in my opinion it’s either a horrid example of ineptitude and incompetence, or it’s part of a well-planned strategy to save the company money by making it impossible for people to rent as many movies as they plan to upon signup.
Jul 8th, 2005 at 2:38 pm
blockbuster censors their movies. boooo!
Jul 9th, 2005 at 10:53 am
I was thinking of trying this, BUT the wife likes Netflix because she likes to just drop it in the mail and consequently, never wants to go to a movie store again. We’ve had Netflix for about 6 months now and I love it. I’ve watched several seasons of “24″ (cussing and violence included) and it’s so much better to watch something like that when you can watch it in succession and then just mail them in. And I get away with renting a lot more of the stuff my wife would never let me pay $5/ea. for at B-buster store (movies I’ve already seen). Now the only decision I need to make is if I stay with the Netflix 3-at-a-time or jump to more movies. No wonder no one goes to the movies anymore!
Jul 9th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
As soon as I move to a place with a locked mail box I will sign up. Right now I live in a two flat with open mail boxes. I don’t want someone running off with my movies.
Jul 10th, 2005 at 8:30 am
If they censor it, eww….
Jul 10th, 2005 at 9:29 pm
hope the savings make up for the parts of the movies you wont be seeing. I would recommend the very excellent film Withnail and I, just rented it from Netflix and had a ball.
Jul 11th, 2005 at 11:59 am
you should try the program ‘Netflix Freak’ for macs - wonderful!
I prefer Netflix because of the selection they have, lots of independent film, and in vast quantities.
Jul 11th, 2005 at 12:15 pm
que vendio, no loyalty….
Jul 14th, 2005 at 8:07 am
Wow! I have to see how it plays out. Keep us posted Mel. (We do love our Netflix)
Jul 20th, 2005 at 1:54 pm
Yes, please let me know what you decide.
Aug 3rd, 2005 at 10:55 am
stick with netflix. i have 12 free months thru my apartment complex, and ihave to say its working very well for me. but let me know how blockbuster does. since i already have this free plan for a year i won’t be swtiching.
Aug 9th, 2005 at 9:45 am
Netflix deliberately throttles in shipping your DVDs if you’re classified as a “heavy renter”. Here’s a recent msg I got from Netflix:
“In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we
give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our
service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may
experience next-day shipping and receive movies lower in their Queue
more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we
help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that
rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing
habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.”
I do not agree with this policy and I feel that they should have let the users know about this when they first signed up. For this reason alone, I’m switching to Blockbuster.
Aug 29th, 2005 at 11:00 am
“For this reason alone, I’m switching to Blockbuster.”
Well, that’s pretty ignorant.
Mark
Dec 25th, 2005 at 6:23 am
I’ve watched several seasons of “24″ (cussing and violence included) and it’s so much better to watch something like that when you can watch it in succession and then just mail them in. And I get away with renting a lot more of the stuff my wife would never let me pay $5/ea. for at B-buster store (movies I’ve already seen). Now the only decision I need to make is if I stay with the Netflix 3-at-a-time or jump to more movies. No wonder no one goes to the movies anymore!
Jan 2nd, 2006 at 1:34 am
more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we
help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that
rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing
habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.
Jan 4th, 2006 at 12:29 am
In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we
give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our
service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may
experience next-day shipping and receive movies lower in their Queue
more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we
help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that
rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing
habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.”
Apr 2nd, 2006 at 12:41 pm
the huge catalog of DVDs etc. Why would I switch you might ask?
May 14th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
I am trying both as we speak. However I do get my netfix usually 1 day quicker. Also most of the time the Blockbuster return enevelopes are destroyed in shipping, so cant be used for the return. I will be cancelling my blockbuster at the end of my free trial
Sep 2nd, 2006 at 4:19 am
To get around Netflicks heavy user problem, just put 3 to 5 disks in your cue. This requires a little more effort but it won’t let the bastards make you wait for the new release you really want to see.
Oct 13th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Where is the followup? Did you end up with Blockbuster or Netflicks?
Jan 1st, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Blockbuster does not censor movies. This is an urban legend that needs to die.
Jan 20th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
I have both!
Jan 21st, 2007 at 11:27 am
what was the conclusion?
Jan 22nd, 2007 at 10:42 am
I just read that Netflix is offering the choice of watching the movie instantly from your PC.
Oct 21st, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Dude, are u even gion to post a reply or what/ Where is thereply to this pst from 2005?
Oct 24th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Here’s where I’m at after 2 years of writing this. I tried Blockbuster for a while and it was great. Their DVD selection is good and the advantage of getting a movie on the spot at my local Blockbuster was awesome. But I quickly found myself being lured by the new features of the Netflix website. Also, I started realizing how much I really hate videos stores. They never seem to have at hand what I’m looking for but have dozens of copies of the brand new romantic comedy that just came out. So I parted ways with Blockbuster and I am now back with Netflix. Together at last.
Nov 6th, 2008 at 12:14 am
nobody ever mentions the one thing netflicks has over blockbuster, the one thing i can not bear to loose
VEIW IT NOW (UNLIMITED!!!) now what does blockbuster got?
i have roadrunner (cable) and a tv out card i copy movies like mad (dvd shrink and any dvd works flawlessly) but when i send my one movie out i get every three days for 8.99 a month i come inside and watch as many as i want to (on my tv via the tv out card) there not new releases but there are tons of watch them now movies, and tons of series i watch like sliders quantem leap, and heros (with no comertials)
the ones not on watch now i order and the ones i can watch now i watch whenever i feel like it, its like haveing a huge movie collection but useing no storage space. PLUS they have intergrated over to the xbox 360, i dont even need cable anymore its like cable with no comertials for 8.99 a month.
If i want a new release i just rent it from hollywood video blockbuster is to GREEDY, they keep raising there prices, and unless you go on tuesday-thursday you wont get any new releases there always gone. besides 4.99 a rental?!? 10 more bucks and i can buy it from wal-mart.