Comments on: Netflix vs. Blockbuster: Which is Best?

By: pooneej

pooneej — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:37:11 +0000

I have blockbuster online and up until about 4-5 months ago was happy with it. – It used to be that if I exchanged a DVD in store it would trigger the next movie in my queue to ship. This no longer happens. The movie I exchange is what counts against my 3 out at a time plan. That was the first negative thing about them that I kind of got used to but now it takes 2 business days to ship out available DVDs… It was never that slow. . . Not sure whats going on but I’m looking into maybe trying out netflix.

By: shann934

shann934 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:49:43 +0000

NETFLIX, NETFLIX, NETFLIX!!!!!! They ship the day they receive your movie. Blockbuster gives up to two days.

By: switched

switched — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:18:46 +0000

I found out today that Blockbuster’s exchange disc no longer counts against queue, which is a big plus for Blockbuster.
And even for a one disc plan, there are 5 exchanges per month.

By: switched

switched — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:13:07 +0000

One more advantage for Blockbuster now:
Netflix raised blue ray price several months agao no matter you rent one or not, Blockbust doesn’t charge extra for blue-rays.

And now you don’t have to return exchanged discs to store before you recieve regular plan discs.

I rent a lot blue rays, so 5 ins tore exchanges with less subscription fees for Blockbuster than Netflix makes my choice very clear: Blockbuster.

By: G. Massey

G. Massey — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:41:23 +0000

Reading this was like a scary case of DeJa Vu. Did I write this myself?????

I agree 100% with everything you have said. I will say that the prices are actually equal considering folks with BluRays pay an extra 3 bucks for Netflix, while it is included in the more expensive BlockBuster Plan.

In regards to RedBox, the idea is good, but the selection will never really be there besides new release type movies.

And on the topic of Kiosks, BlockBuster has officially entered the market with their own. Hoping to have half the Number of RedBox Kiosks by the end of 2010.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:26:06 +0000

I’ve never been a member of Blockbuster, but one of their biggest selling points, imho, is the store exchange. We don’t have a BB anywhere near us, so that point is moot.

My husband and I became members of Netflix about two months ago, give or take, and I LOVE it. I can not only get dvds through the mail, but I can also stream them onto my laptop. Their streaming selection could improve some, sure, but it saves me time and money. The only video store in my town is a Hastings and they charge over 3.50 per new release, and I’m terrible about remembering when they are due back. So, I always have late fees and they add up fast!

I was doing a bit of research, and considering in switching to BB for a while to see if they had a bigger selection, but after reading many different things, such as this one. I think I will stick with Netflix, and I will do so quite happily.

By: My Compuer Coupons

My Compuer Coupons — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:16:32 +0000

I have blockbuster’s total access with the three out at a time. For the most part I have been pretty happy with it, but now with the in-store rentals counting against the queue (as mentioned by several others) the turn around time is getting pretty slow and it’s definately hurt the service.

Recently, however, they decided to make it even worse. Apparently, if you have a movie at the top of your queue that has a wait, blockbuster will wait 2 or 3 days to ship your next movie to see if that top movie becomes available. I hadn’t gotten a movie for a few days and checked my queue the other day and found that they hadn’t even sent a new movie, though I’d turned two movies in three days before at a store. So, my queue actually had no movies checked out. I asked customer service why and they explained about waiting to see if the top movie becomes available and told me I should have all available movies at the top of my queue in order for them to ship them quickly. WHAT? I don’t have a queue so I can log in every day and manually update it. I wrote them back about how stupid their policy is and they sent me what was basically a copy/paste of the first response. This isn’t the first time I’ve had less than satisfactory customer service.

So, JDB, you wanted to know about the customer service of these two. Well, I don’t know about Netflix, but blockbuster’s customer service sucks.

Anyway, I was thinking about switching to Netflix and after reading this article and everyone’s comments. I think I’ll switch. See ya blockbuster. You sank your own ship.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:26:00 +0000

I was with Netflix when it first came out, then switched to Blockbuster. Liked it at first, but loved the streaming movies and quicker, nicer service of Netflix. My Blockbuster queue was always telling me movies had a “long wait” or “unavailable.” Really common popular titles. Netflix gets my movies out so much faster, and had lots of problems exchanging my mail rentals in store, which is the whole reason I went with Blockbuster!!! Netflix is on top of it and I am switching over to them again. Whoo hoo! GO NETFLIX.

By: fluffy8u

fluffy8u — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:30:52 +0000

I have a unique vantage point, so I thought I’d way in. I recieve Blockbuster, my sister (who lives in the same household) gets Netflix. We both have 3 at a time, unlimited (I have no in-store), she pays $1.25 more. She has to pay for Blu-Ray, but I get them free. I can also get free HD DVDs (I’ve never used this service).

The turnaround is about the same so no complaints from that. However, often (and I mean often) Blockbuster would stop sending me dvds. I had to e-mail them about this problem about 5 times (I know, I’m a masochist). The response was always the same “We apologize for the error, we will fix it. Please be sure to keep enough available movies on your list so that we may be able to send you the next dvd” It always sounded like it was my fault. On the 4th time, I mentioned that maybe it would be better for me to switch to Netflix, and they gave me a free month, so that was cool. I also sent them an e-mail asking if I get a free in-store once a month like they used to, the said no, but sent me 1 free in-store anyways.

I have quite a few “very long wait”s on my list (My sister has none). If I’m nice to my sister, she will request an unavailable dvd through Netflix for me. The last one, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog” wasn’t carried through Blockbuster, but had a very long wait through Netflix. She requested it, and it only took a week to come, meanwhile, I’ve been waiting up to 6 months for some Very long wait to change to simply “long wait”.

I know this is a long post, and I’m sorry for that. We, too, don’t have cable or dish. We swap DVDs and watch TV shows on the internet (Gray’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives) or wait for them to come out on DVD. Yes, we sometimes miss TV, but we both prefer our DVD clubs. But I’m starting to think I should switch…

By: Shelby

Shelby — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:30:06 +0000

NETFLIX Defintely! I’ve had them both for the last 6 months and have gotten probably 30% faster turnaround with Netflix which equals more movies! I live in a major metro area with a facility for both very nearby so I’d definitely gauge my experience as an example for your own.

By: shashe

shashe — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:51:04 +0000

I was a Blockbuster user until I rented “Wonder Boys” and noticed that “Blockbuster” edited the film for content. I am not sure what they needed to edit from that film, but when I took it back to question them, the store stated that it was Blockbuster’s policy to edit for content as they saw fit. (This was never advertised on the dvd sleeve).

I became a Netflix girl from then on. In addition, I found that their selection was larger… including films that Blockbuster did not, such as “Wit”.

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:53:06 +0000

Tried both; Netflix is superior on the following: 1) Movie selection, 2) Recommendations based on your rating history; 3) Streaming – movie selection is limited, but the TV series selection is INCREDIBLE; 4) Consistent service for a price that rarely changes like Blockbuster did.

Blockbuster stores in Tulsa are really getting run down. With streaming on Netflix, I can now fill those impulse viewing opportunities.

By: Phinance

Phinance — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:32:05 +0000

Netflix is the future. Pretty soon everyone will have a box that will stream movies from Netflix libraries. I’ve since canceled my DirectTV and only use Netflix and the web.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:33:23 +0000

Netflix also streams to TiVo boxes, with great quality available though our HD Tivo!

I can’t speak for Blockbuster, but Netflix also has Blu-Ray DVD’s. You pay $3 extra for the ability to get these discs, however I have noticed it increases your chances of getting a damaged disc. They get cracked and damaged more easily than regular DVD’s.

Still worth it to us though!

By: Sanctimonia

Sanctimonia — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:34:02 +0000

I’d also like to note that now you can stream those On-Demand Netflix movies to your Xbox 360. It’s great! My fiancee and I use it all the time.

By: Investing Made Simple

Investing Made Simple — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:07:14 +0000

Netflix absolutely rules now that Blockbuster decided to ruin their only advantage(in-store rentals for free). Netflix has much better selection of movies too. I think Blockbuster will be bankrupt by the end of 2009.

By: Nickel

Nickel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:30:49 +0000

Abigail: You are correct. I didn’t mention that because it nearly doubles the price, plus you’re still subject to their new rule about the in-store exchanges counting against your online queue.

As for the comments above about reputation, I didn’t address it directly in the article because there’s nothing particularly notable to say about either one. While many people swear by Netflix, Blockbuster has it’s own share of fans.

By: Abigail

Abigail — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:06:09 +0000

I feel compelled to point out that you can still get unlimited in-store exchanges with Blockbuster Total Access. It simply costs more. And yes, that sucks, but it is still an option.

I am pretty unhappy about the new method of shipping out the next movie in our queue. It’s definitely slowing us down. At this rate, we may end up switching to mail only. It simply takes us too long to get the movies back, between general forgetfulness and a few health conditions. I’m going to give it one more month before deciding.

Still, for the person who wondered about company reputation, people swear by Netflix. Personally, I’m still partial to the immediacy of the in-store exchange. But I guess I’ll have to wait and see what other changes Blockbuster makes.

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:22:17 +0000

We have belonged to Netflix since 2003 and love it!
We watch lots of old movies and old series so we are very pleased. We recently bought Roku and have enjoyed it too.
We do not have cable and feel we are getting a great deal.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:12:33 +0000

Looks like the writing is on the wall for Block”bust”er

By: Kristy @ Master Your Card

Kristy @ Master Your Card — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:53:11 +0000

Don’t forget that certain Blu-ray DVD players also do the Netflix streaming. I have the Sumsung Blu-ray player and I couldn’t be happier. It has definitely taken my Netflix membership to a whole new level! Not to mention the movie quality rocks!

I thought about switching to Blockbuster for a period of time when they were still offering the free in-store rentals when you returned online rentals (and still shipped the next in queue), but I never got around to doing it. To be honest, I’m lazy enough to not want to go into the store and fuss with all that. I like going to my mailbox and getting my movies. I like that I can turn on my TV, hit the red button and my queue from Netflix is on the TV – well, the ones I can watch from my streaming list. What I think will really put Netflix over the edge is if they set up some sort of kiosk service like RedBox, where people can go drop off rentals and then pick other releases. I think that would put Netflix in almost every home across the country. But, we’ll see.

Great post!

By: jdb

jdb — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:37:43 +0000

I know this is a financial blog, but I’m surprised there’s no mention of either company’s customer service reputation. That’s generally a major factor for me when I have to choose between two competing services.

By: Archie

Archie — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:43:17 +0000

I have been a Netflix customer since 2002, so obviously I’m a fan. I’m on the 3 at a time plan, and go thru about 10-12 dvd’s a month. The selection is what seals it for me. They just have so many more titles than Blockbuster does, which has led me to watch alot of really great movies (and some stinkers too) that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

Oh, and the issue with shipping from centers far away has happened to me about 4 times in the 7 years I have been a member. Maybe it depends on location (I’m in Chicago and was in DC before that), but it very, very rarely happens to me. If a movie takes more than about 3 days to get to me (which happens about once a year, even with the awful Chicago postal service), I just declare it lost and have them ship another movie, knowing that the “lost” one will eventually show up any day now.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:44:34 +0000

I’m much like poster #5, early adopter of Blockbuster. They even used to give out coupoons for free game rentals. Then when they added Total Access it was even better. Later they figured out they weren’t making enough money off people like me and jacked the rates way up, and cut the coupons way down. Switched to Netflix and never looked back. I still get emails from Blockbuster, like an old girlfriend, trying to get me to come back.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:47:01 +0000

Just had to comment about Netflix. I too would get movies from shipping centers days away. One thing I did to speed up the return process was to save local return envelopes. I would always return 2 DVDs in one return envelope, so I always had some local return envelopes handy. Then when I received a movie from a faraway shipping center I returned it to my local shipping center and received my next selection that much faster.

By: DebtGoal

DebtGoal — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:04:03 +0000

Basically, the tech-savvy movie enthusiast should seriously consider Netflix because of the access to “on-demand”-style streaming films, but those with a healthy penchant for in-store visits – or even those that specifically enjoy the in-person film browsing experience – will reap more satisfaction from Blockbuster. Both are excellent antidotes to heavy discretionary spending on trips to the movie theater.

By: Becca

Becca — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:43:13 +0000

I began with Netflix and was quite happy…until they shipped a movie from Pennsylvania when I live in Washington State. It was the first movie on my list but they had always bypassed to the 2nd if not readily available from my own state. I am frugal so I had made it a practice to have quick turnaround so I got the most movies for my buck. So instead of getting the movie in 1 day, it became 2-3 AND it had to be shipped back to PA before they sent the next one. One movie took a week. They did this to me 3 times. I wrote to just please send the next available and got some generic response each time. Not enough bang for my buck so I happily switched to Blockbuster!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:46:34 +0000

My parents live in KY. I once saw a Redbox in a McDonald’s drive thru there. Now that’s what I call service! Food and a movie and you don’t even have to get out of your car!

By: Clair Schwan of Frugal Living Freedom

Clair Schwan of Frugal Living Freedom — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:33:46 +0000

I’m a little off topic, but redbox at the grocery store appealed to me more than DVDs by mail when I saw it just a few days ago. $1 per movie. If you only watch movies occasionally, and you live near a place that has a redbox, then this would be the best approach.

Clair

By: Matt @ StupidCents

Matt @ StupidCents — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:33:26 +0000

I’ve done both, but stuck with Netflix throughout the years. Blockbuster’s brick and mortar stores are slowly shutting down (2 in our area have closed up shop this year already) and I would expect this trend to continue. Streaming is the wave of the future.

The only negative of Netflix, being a member for 7 years, is that movies are held up in the queue a little too long in my opinion. I have movies still with a status of ‘long wait’ since January.

Redbox is a thought, but there are no convenient locations in the area.

Stupidly Yours,

Matt

By: teaspoon

teaspoon — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:25:50 +0000

My husband and I were on the Netflix most basic plan (three movies a month, I believe) and were having a hard time watching even that many in a month. We don’t have cable, but there are a few shows that we watch on the internet (Lost, The Office, and the Daily Show, to be specific). About once a month we’ll feel like watching a movie, and then we go down to our local movie store. This is the most economical method for our viewing habits, with the added bonus of supporting a local (and probably struggling) business.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:34:58 +0000

Another vote for Netflix. Using them is saving my wife & I around $50/month vs. rentals & going to the theater.

We’re on the $13.99 2 out at a time plan but probably moving to $9.99 1 out at a time.

I have an XBox 360, so being able to stream them right to my TV which kicks cheek.

By: dogatemyfinances

dogatemyfinances — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:20:14 +0000

We were early adopters of Blockbuster. For that, they responded by changing the price of our plan every other month and adding and deleting features at will.

I try not to do business with companies with no idea what their business model is doing. I hated the idea that I always had to watch what Blockbuster was charging me. That’s why I’m thrilled with Netflix now.

By: Nickel

Nickel — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:05:50 +0000

Heather: Yeah, Red Box would be great, but the nearest location is about 15 miles away. Since they charge by the day, it’s best if you can hit it on back-to-back days.

Blaine: I think you might be right. They’re already struggling, and they have a huge amount of overhead. I think they’ll ultimately have to transition to online-only if they’re to survive, but… At that point they’ll have nothing to differentiate themselves from Netflix.

By: Blaine Moore

Blaine Moore — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:58:07 +0000

I expect that Blockbuster will go out of business in the not too distance future, truth be told.

By: the weakonomist

the weakonomist — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:54:17 +0000

From a business model perspective Netflix is positioned to win in the long run. They don’t have the oveheard of all of those stores that receive little foot traffic. However Blockbuster’s ability to exchange instore is a huge value-add.

Were I to subscribe again I would go with Netflix for the streaming online (for the record Blockbuster has something like that in the works). This will be the future, not DVDs via mail, streaming.

Like the first commenter though, I love me some Redbox.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:31:04 +0000

Two summers ago we had Blockbuster and LOVED it. I bet every month we rented 20+ movies! It was fantastic and we loved returning movies in the store. At the end of the summer they wanted to raise our fee dramatically. So we dropped the service. Since we have cable and didn’t want an extra expense we didn’t pick up another service.

Recently we have been thrilled with Redbox. Every Monday they send you a text with a coupon code for a free movie. Movies are just $1.00 plus tax a day, meaning most days we can get a first run movie for just $1.05. (Sometimes we forget to return it by the next day and are charged more(1.00/day)). We also love the feature that allows you to choose a movie online and reserve it at your redbox of choice, no more running around from store to store trying to find your favorite show!

The last bonus is being able to rent and return anywhere. Hubby and I were curious of the longest distance a movie has traveled. We often rent a movie if we are traveling and then return it at home, which is very handy!

Hoping they don’t get greedy like ol’ Blockbuster and start raising prices!!