I just now got around to looking in to the DVD-Rental-By-Mail services. Netflix, of course, is the pioneer of the business model, but I saw that Blockbuster launched a competing service recently. The Blockbuster one is cheaper per month by a couple of bucks and also includes two free in-store rentals as part of the deal. I signed up with both for their free two-week trials, and I've not noticed a whole lot of difference between them. Both of them get the discs to me overnight and receive my discs the day after I send them back. In my limited queues I've set up on each, I've noticed Blockbuster has more discs with a wait. But with as many movies as I've got on my list that I want to rent eventually, I don't think there will be a time when there's no disc available to send to me. So, I don't know which service to choose. I'm actually thinking I'll keep both for a full paid month and see how it goes and make a decision based on that. As part of my research, I also signed up for the Wal-Mart service. Though the free trial is for a full month rather than two weeks and their pricing is cheaper than the other two, I can't imagine ever going with Wal-Mart. Putting aside all the stuff about Wal-Mart not renting or selling unrated versions of movies, etc., the service itself is horrible. I had two discs shipped on the 10th, and I'm still waiting for them (and the mail has already come for today). So the mailing time (back and forth) alone for the service is apparently going to take up longer than a week, making it difficult to make the service worthwhile from a financial perspective.
Ever since I rented a DVD and returned it in the same day, my service has been really slow with Netflix. I think they're on to me and are purposefully slowing down the mail out of my DVDs!
Let us know which one you choose. I've been thinking about doing that too, but I don't exactly have job yet, so I'd have to wait to sign up anyway. I remember when Blockbuster had an in-store deal like that, but I didn't sign up for that either.
Theese services will definitely slow down their shipping when they notice you quickly return stuff. Also keep in mind that Blockbuster is notorious for editing movies and everything you get from Netflix is uncut.
I read something about the allocation of titles for titles with more demand than supply going to people who rent fewer movies per month, but I've not heard of what you describe until now (not saying I doubt you. It's just the first I've heard). I've only been with Netflix for a week, and they sent out my third shipment today (for a total of 11 discs shipped since I kept The Maltese Falcon a day longer than the other two that came the same day). I've never returned one on the same day I received it (and actually would have difficulty doing that since I get my mail about 2:30pm and the last mail pickup at the neighborhood post office is at 5pm. While not impossible to get a disc back in the mail in that time, it's something I would be unlikely to do), but I do return them quickly. Of course, I would think they wouldn't slow down someone during their free trial since if the service is bad during the free trial, a person isn't as likely to sign up for the pay service. That's actually one of the reasons I wanted to try a paid month with both before deciding.
My parents and my sister both have Netflix, and I have to admit, I always look foward to looking in the mail for a new movie. I say go with Netflix, my dad has stock in it, so it's just the logical choice now huh?
I have seen that as a trait in the past, though I noticed the local Blockbuster has had more unrated versions of movies that also offered a rated version (Eurotrip was an example I noticed when I was in there the other day). A lot of stuff I rent is Hayes Code-era stuff and television shows on DVD, so they're less likely to be cut (and also less likely to be in the stores), but certainly Blockbuster's history with that sort of thing is one of the things I've taken into consideration when deciding between the two. Speaking of cut movies, though, I noticed that with Netflix, the Director's Cut of The Butterfly Effect is the only one they have. Blockbuster (in the store) had the flipper in store that had both versions. Not that it really matters, but I thought that was interesting given that The Butterfly Effect becomes a very different movie depending on which version you watch (since the endings are completely different).
Blockbuster's regional distribution center is in Dallas whereas Netflix's is in Houston. Netflix, I get it the very next business day and my friend's saying for blockbuster, it takes a couple of days. I just signed up for blockbuster's beta program and get a free month trial. I also got two free rentals in store too! For the promotional code, type in <b>cooper</b>
I was wondering about where Blockbuster was shipping from for customers in places other than Dallas. I wondered if they were quicker than they would be if I didn't live in the Metroplex. For Netflix, they're apparently in Coppell for my part of the city (I live in Plano for those who don't know), so the mailing time for both is just a day. That may not be the case with Blockbuster for people in other cities, I suppose.
I rent with Wal-Mart and have been pretty pleased so far. Im not a movie freak who has to have a new movie every night so its cool. Ive had 1 screw up where they sent me Sex and the City instead of Bravehart - that sucked. I usually mail my movies on Monday, and get new ones from my list on Friday so I have a few flicks to watch over the weekend. I dont pay $4.85 for New Releases at Blockbuster, I just have to wait a little for newer movies. To me, its worth the cost. $15.54 a month for 2 movies a week aint bad.
Anyone seen or tried the $1 DVD rental machines? There's one at my Kroger that I think I'm going to try tonight. It's $1 a day, a great deal if you watch it that day or the next.
That reminds me of when I think Netflix sent someone else's DVD rental which turned out to be a porno. He thought it was funny, but my mom didn't quite like it as much. He started out at Netflix, but then tried Wal-Mart as well. He doesn't really like them since it takes longer to receive the DVDs. I think he wants to try the Blockbuster one pretty soon.
I've tried this and it's really cool. Just 1.08 that's charged to your credit card a day. The selection is pretty limited though.
