Netflix vs. Blockbuster Online

[El Establishment 1]

Which should I get and why?


Thanks. I'll log off and read.

[madyaks]

I haven't had blockbuster online, but I did use Netflix and it's great.
They have a distribution site close by and I would get three in the mail one day, copy them over night, stick them in the mail the next day, and would have 3 more within 2 days, never more than 3, ever.

Copy? I mean WATCH them over night.

[ItsOnlyTheRiver]

What Yaks said...

I think they are basically the same - although I can not say if Blockbuster is as quick as Netflix, but you can exchange movies in the store I think. That's probably the only difference.

[Mark]

I've got the Blockbuster deal. And, well, I really enjoy it. I used to subscribe to Netflix but dumped it for Blockbuster.

I pay $20 a month. I get 3 movies mailed out to me at a time. I get 5 in-store exchanges.

The mailings are great. Same as Netflix. Same 2 - 3 day delays between them receiving and shipping your stuff out. The only advantage I can see to Blockbuster on the shipping end is that instead of going through the mail, I can turn in my movies to Blockbuster and 2 days later I'll have the next items from my queue.

The biggest difference that I can see between the two is Blockbuster's in-store trade-ins. This is where they kill Netflix. I can trade in five times a month for a free rental. As soon as they process that I've turned in something, they automatically ship my next item from my queue. This is so great for those sudden urges to either rent something specific or for a special occasion. And once I do use up my 5 trade-ins, rentals cost like $2 (although, it's been awhile and it might just be $1) as long as I'm bringing something back in.

I've been able to get new releases mailed to me on their release date. Never got that w/ Netflix.

My wife and I have also been able to get a number of titles through Blockbuster that Netflix does not have.

As I said before, I'm a former Netflix user. I do miss the online movie streaming to an extent, but I don't miss it too much since their service only works for Windows and I primarily use OS X. I was paying $17 a month for 3-at-a-time from Netflix, and I now feel like I'm getting a hell of a lot more for just a couple bucks difference.

[Prngr44]

I didn't use my Blockbuster Online account enough to justify keeping it.

I'll probably either Redbox must rents, or start it back up in a few months once things settle down.

[FatherDemon]

I echo everything Mark said. I canceled Netflix for Blockbuster, because of the in-store trade-in. I am in a cheap plan (2 movies a month, plus 2 in-store movies a month), but if I have a new release on the top of my queue, I get it real fast.

Both services have a St. Louis distro center, so the time difference is about nothing. When BB first started, they didn't have a StL distro, so you will still find people that think that's true and tell you the Netflix is quicker. Was, but not anymore.

[Sheriff Blaylock]

I'm a Netflix guy and I've always been happy with what they offer. I've been with those guys from the start and never felt the need to switch as there are not Blockbusters close by to take advantage of the in store option.

The turnaround is great. I'll drop a couple in the mail in the morning and I'll have two new ones by Wednesday.

[ItsOnlyTheRiver]

I've got the Blockbuster deal. And, well, I really enjoy it. I used to subscribe to Netflix but dumped it for Blockbuster.

I pay $20 a month. I get 3 movies mailed out to me at a time. I get 5 in-store exchanges.

The mailings are great. Same as Netflix. Same 2 - 3 day delays between them receiving and shipping your stuff out. The only advantage I can see to Blockbuster on the shipping end is that instead of going through the mail, I can turn in my movies to Blockbuster and 2 days later I'll have the next items from my queue.

The biggest difference that I can see between the two is Blockbuster's in-store trade-ins. This is where they kill Netflix. I can trade in five times a month for a free rental. As soon as they process that I've turned in something, they automatically ship my next item from my queue. This is so great for those sudden urges to either rent something specific or for a special occasion. And once I do use up my 5 trade-ins, rentals cost like $2 (although, it's been awhile and it might just be $1) as long as I'm bringing something back in.

I've been able to get new releases mailed to me on their release date. Never got that w/ Netflix.

My wife and I have also been able to get a number of titles through Blockbuster that Netflix does not have.

As I said before, I'm a former Netflix user. I do miss the online movie streaming to an extent, but I don't miss it too much since their service only works for Windows and I primarily use OS X. I was paying $17 a month for 3-at-a-time from Netflix, and I now feel like I'm getting a hell of a lot more for just a couple bucks difference.

the only thing I would contest is that when I was shopping around I just went with netflix because it seemed like it didn't really matter (I'm never going to step foot in a BB) and they offered more movies (the number wasn't that far off). I have never wanted a movie they didn't have, but I guess I could be mistaken about their selection.

Also, I really like how netflix's queue system is set up and how they recommend movies based on ratings. Not sure if BB is the same way or not.

[dv6y]

Blockbuster's service would have to be WAY better for me to deal with them. They are like the Charter of video/DVD rentals.

Netflix is very fast.

[Greenmachine]

I dig the Blockbuster on-line. I like the option of be able to go to the store and getting a 1 for 1 trade. I am also on a cheap plan that gives me 3 movies per month with 3 in-stores and 1 coupon all of $10 a month.

[#1 Jimmy fan]

Netflix was good for a few months until we saw everything we wanted to see. Then there was always a long wait for the new releases. So I dropped it. There is a Family Video close by that always has NR in stock so we just go there.

[OldSchoolStroker]

I'm waiting for Family Video to offer on-line rentals...

[Turd Ferguson]

Can I ask a question of anyone who uses the Blockbuster service?

I'm trying out Blockbuster, but only because they are a couple bucks cheaper than Netflix. When you return an online rental to the store, are they supposed to scan it in or something? If not, what is the advantage of dropping it at the store? I dropped a movie at my local store 3 days ago and it is still in my queue...

[hansolo]

Does BB offer movie downloads?

I know Netflix is aggressive in this area and you can even download to XBox.

[Turd Ferguson]

Does BB offer movie downloads?

I know Netflix is aggressive in this area and you can even download to XBox.

They don't, but this didn't influence my decision as I wasn't able to stream movies from Netflix due to a driver issue on my computer.