DVD rental services ratings/reviews

[Dartful Dodger]

There is a "late fee" topic that I was going to hi-jack, but decided to start a new thread since I want to add up real scores.

I'm thinking about joining one of those mail in DVD rental services, and I wanted to know what you use and how well it works.

If you

[JackTucky]

Had Walmart, too slow delivery, rated 4
Now using blockbuster, 2-3 day delivery, rated 8.  I think I can only keep 2 out of each.  9 for me would be awesome, 10 would be free 

I play in all different types of DVD players.

Art

EDIT:  Both were mail services

Bonus:  Blockbuster includes 2 free in store rental coupons a month.

[pointdablame]

regardless of date of cancellation your service at Blockbuster is still there, no matter what that guy at your store told you.  If you buy the pass on June 1st, you can cancel on June 2nd, and still rent movies until July 1st.  I've done it before, and that is nationwide policy.  Just an FYI.

My girlfriend uses Blockbuster.com and is pretty happy.  Shipping time is about 2-3 days normally, and she gets 3 out at a time. 

I'm not sure why you need to know dvd players and programs tho They send normal DVDs in the mail so they will play on anything.... unless of course.... well......  

I've played them in my ps2, xbox, an old (3years +) Sony player, as well as numerous PC DVD drives

[Chris]

I tried Blockbuster for a couple of months, but one particular DVD I kept ordering over and over was always wrong and I could never get anything other than canned responses to try ordering it again out of customer service, so I cancelled.  Then they claimed that they never received back my last two disks and charged me almost $60 in fees.  Eventually after several E-mails and phone calls they "found" the movies I sent back and refunded me the money, but it left a really bad taste in my mouth.  The movies I did get came fast, but many of the things I was looking for they didn't have.  You couldn't rent games there either, only buy them.

I haven't used any other services, so I can't make a fair numeric comparison.

[Trenchbroom]

Netflix--9 out of 10

I've had really good success with them.  I get the 5 DVD's at a time for $30 deal.  I rarely have a problem with unplayable discs (less than 3% of my rentals if I had to put a finger on it--MUCH better success than the local video store), I've never had a movie lost after it was put in the mail, I lost one DVD somewhere (maybe it was sent, maybe not...was drinking pretty heavily that weekend.  I'll probably find it someday) and they didn't charge me for it!

The best part is their TV DVD selection--AWESOME.  I watch many more TV releases on DVD then actual movies and they are always in!

The only problem I have is that I am two days away from the nearest distribution center so it takes 4 days to get the next disc.  Most people only have to wait 2 days to get the next title. 

If you want to do the DVD mail thing I highly recommend them.

[shmokes]

I use Netflix.  Selection is amazing.  They have nearly everything ever published on DVD.  Like 20,000 titles to choose from or something crazy like that.  Shipping is really fast because they have many distribution centers.  They don't charge for lost DVDs (unless you make a habit out of it). 

On the other hand, Blockbuster gives you two brick-and-morter rentals per month which is really nice for when you suddenly get in the mood to see some specific movie (so long as it isn't remotely obscure).  Plus, from what I understand, you can rent games too with those free brick-and-morter rentals which is a pretty big plus.

I've never used Blockbuster.com, but from what I've read they aren't as fast as Netflix as far as shipping and turnaround times on average, but that also depends on how far you are from a distribution center.

Oh yeah....and I use an Xbox, a Toshiba and a Sampo DVD player, though I have no idea why that matters.

Oh yeah....again....when you get a scratched/unplayable disc from an online rental store it is SOOOO much worse than B&M cos it'll be days before you can actually watch the movie, rather than just having the hastle of jumping in the car and zipping over to the store.  Sometimes you'll be 4/5 the way finished watching a movie when it suddenly freezes up and trust me.....it's infuriating.

[ChadTower]

I use Netflix.

[chasmosis]

I'd give Netflix 9 out of 10. 

If I drop a movie in the mail at work on Monday, I've got the next one in the mail at my house on Wednesday (its an extra day if I mail it from my house).

As others have said their library of DVD's is amazing.  I watch a LOT of TV shows on DVD from netflix.  They also have a fairly decent library of anime titles.

I generally have 30-40 titles in my queue.  I like how I can "save" movies before they are released on DVD (as soon as they are released in the theatres) so when they do become available they automatically are added to my queue.

[Dartful Dodger]

I'm not sure why you need to know dvd players and programs

This is a quote from the other thread:

I used Netflix for about 6 months before I went with Blockbuster.

[pointdablame]

I'm not sure why you need to know dvd players and programs

This is a quote from the other thread:

I used Netflix for about 6 months before I went with Blockbuster.  Netflix was constantly sending unviewable discs, broken discs, and bootlegs.

My sister uses NetFlix and she says she never had a bad DVD, so I'm assuming it's his DVD player.

By DVD program I meant  DVD rental service.

ahh ok... I've never had a bootleg disc come in personally... at least not that I could tell lol.  And there have been a few discs that are pretty beat up, but they've all played in my players.  I do wish blockbuster would protect the discs a BIT more in those envelopes... I don't expect a dvd case persay, but that thin paper isn't doing much.

[JoyMonkey]

I'd give NetFlix 9 out of 10 too.

I've rented about 200 DVD's from them. I've gotten 2 unplayable discs from them and once they sent me 'Anchorman' when I had asked for the extras disc. I tried out BlockBuster, but their shipping was insanely slow compared to NetFlix; usually I drop the NetFlix in the mail on Monday, they get it and send out my new movies on Tuesday, then I receive them on Wednesday. NetFLix also had more of the obscure titles I was looking for.


This post sponsored by NetFlix.

[ChadTower]

The discs often SAID something like Bootleg on them and had crappily printed graphics.

[JoyMonkey]

The discs often SAID something like Bootleg on them and had crappily printed graphics.  It was weird and sketchy.

And of the discs that didn't work, it wasn't my player.  I would open the envelope and you could tell by looking at a disc it wasn't likely to work.  They'd come in looking like they'd been used as shoe leather.  I'd say at least 10% of them came with cracks and some were even in multiple pieces.

Maybe your mail carrier is purposefully bending the crap out of anything with 'NetFlix' written on it. He either hates your guts or BlockBuster is supplementing his paycheck.

[SirPoonga]

I see netfix is now down to $10 a month for 3 at a time.
I think I will still stay with blockbuster because it looks like they are getting ready to include games.

[ChadTower]

Games, eh... netfilx is $10 now?  That's pretty damn cheap.

[SirPoonga]

That's what it says on their main page.

[ChadTower]

[code]
How do the plans work?

1-at-a-time

[spiffyshoes]

I've had great service from netflix as well.

[SirPoonga]

[code]
How do the plans work?

1-at-a-time

[Setabs]

Netflix
9/10

I have had Netfix for over 3 years and have had no serious issues with the service.
I have over 200 movies in my rental que.  I have had problems with scratchs but i get the same thing from blockbuster stores.  I have learned to just go ahead a clean the disc before I start the movie.

I have only had maybe 3 or 4 dvd's that just would not play. either from deep scratches, cracked discs or from the sticker coming off.

I have never had a bootleg or copied disc.

Anytime the are out of the movie that is at the top of my que it stays at the top until it comes in.  I have on one ocassion recieved an extra movie because of the length of time my first pick was unavailable for.  I have lost maybe 2 or 3 movies in the mail.  Netflix is good about responding to this.  you simply answer some questions and they send out the next movie in a day or 2.

When i first got netflix it took 4-6 days round trip to get the next movie but now its 3 days.  the send you e-mails telling you that they recieved such and such movie, then when they send out the next movie the e-mail you say when to expect it(mine always get there a day before the say its going to be there) and what movie it is.

When i first started i figured out that i was paying $2 a movie w/ netflix.

The reason I haven't tried BB online is because I have not had any devastating problems w/ netflix.  and i like knowing that I have a miniscule part in screwing with their profit.
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