Netflix... Opinions???

[Disneyland Fan]

Hey gang...

I was looking into getting Netflix, just wondering if anyone here had any experiences good/bad with the service. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

~Disneyland Fan~

[protostars]

when your new, they give a good turnaround time, however, they seem to get a little slower after a few weeks.
I switched to blockbuster and found them to be quicker + you get free instore rentals. however there selection is not as big. so If you looking for current new stuff blockbuster, if you want a big sellection of older stuff, netfilx.

but thats just my 2 cents.....

[xfkirsten]

I've been using Netflix since Jan/Feb, and I love it! I'm on their cheapie plan ($9.99/month) so it's only one DVD at a time, and it works out well. Protostars is right, though, it does seem like the turnaround time has gotten slightly slower. I think it's added maybe a day or so on mine since I got the account. Not a big deal to me, really. I love the selection and some of the more obscure titles that they have. Service is great - I had a disc that didn't arrive once (I've read recently that the USPS is having problems with postal workers recognizing the characteristic envelope, and taking the DVDs themselves along the way) and I reported it and I had a new copy in my mailbox ASAP.

Bottom line: I love it, and definitely reccommend it. My parents are big movie watchers (rent 2-3/week, at least) and when they heard I liked it, they tried it out too and are very happy with it.

[disneyguy]

I have been using netflix for the past 4 1/2 years, and I think it is great! It works well, and is very convenant.

- DG

[Mortimer]

I've used both. And I have to say that Netflix is far superior to Blockbuster. NetFlix not only has a much broader selection but the availability of their movies seems better as well. And their customer service is more helpful and much more responsive.

I definately recommend going with Netflix. I left Blockbuster for Netflix and it was absolutely the right thing to do.

[TimmyII]

Yeah, Netflix rocks. I used to work for Blockbuster Video and I tell you, not having to go to their stores anymore is awesome! Why drive to get a movie when it's mailed right to your home? It's sweet!

[Piglet]

I love Blockbuster Online!! I have had nothing but good experiences with it and love how you don't have to go into the store, you just order online and they mail it to your house, then when you are finished with it, you drop it into any US mailbox and it is returned to them. Not only is it $10 for the first month for 3 out at a time, but you also get a weekly coupon to go into your local Blockbuster store for 1 free movie rental!! What a deal!! Personally, I am wary of Netflix so I doubt I would try it.

[Neo]

I got netflix with 2 out at a time. It is awesome you can even make seperate lists so that more than one person can get a movie out at a time.

Turn around time for me is still the same but they dont deliver on sundays (go figure the post office is closed) and that is the only time I get a bad turnaround time. usually just a day longer. No biggie. but yea i would just try one or the other I believe there is a 30 day trial offer or a 2 week trial offer.

[ALSil103092]

In my opinion, I used to have Netflix but my parents felt pressured to watch the DVDs because they have very little time on their hands but at blockbuster it's the same situation. A lose-lose situation is in your hands once you think about it. I'm not sure. I didn't have any complaints with it though.

[k_peek_2000]

I've had next flix for the past year and a half and let me tell you its wonderful! There are so many movies that you never get to see that you can watch with net flix. I loved net flix so much that I got Game Fly. Which also rocks!

[Mortimer]

Regarding Blockbuster's coupons, yes it is really neat to print up the coupon and take it to the store for a free rental. And if Blockbuster Online had a larger library and better customer service those coupons might even make it worth it.

But Netflix has more reliable service and you can't beat the selection. So I have to say that the difference between Netflix and Blockbuster is considerable. I noticed that with Blockbuster Online a lot of their titles were unavailable. So not only did they have a much more limited selection than Netflix, but the wait for many of their movies made it unacceptable overall.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

How anyone has enough time to watch enough movies at home to merit paying $20 a month is something I simply do not understand.

-- PMM

[DaddyB]

Thanks for that, Matt. A big help.

Seriously, I've had Netflix since 2001. I love the service. For a short while when I was on disability I bumped up to 5 discs at once because I was home all the time... and I probably watched 15 films in that month's time. The turnaround has always been very good. I'm not too uptight about getting the next disc in the next day or something. When you've got three at a time (which is the plan we're usually on) having the replacement back in my mailbox in 3-4 days is plenty. I sent in a movie just last Tuesday and the replacement was at my home Friday. We watched it last night and it'll go out Monday. I still have 2 discs that have sat around for a week or two, but that's how it goes. We had 3 movies to choose from, and we chose that one that just came in. Interestingly, it wasn't a new release, but a movie with Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee from 1965! I doubt Blockbuster would even have carried it because it's pretty well unheard of title.

Another nice thing is that I can rent the latest hot kiddie title (Disney or otherwise) and tell my girls it's "from the library". They can watch it all they want, but usually after a week or so, they'll switch back to their favorite "Barbie" or "Disney" movie and forget about the netflix one... so I quietly just send it back in. If they ask for it again after a little while, I'll tell them I sent it back. If they ask for it a third time, I usually go out and buy a copy (unless it's a Disney theatrical release, which I buy eventually anyway). Obviously I couldn't do this renting from a store. The late fees would kill us.

In fact, in an attempt to tighten our budgetary belts around the house, we cancelled all the premium channels we used to get thru directtv and only subscribe to Netflix now. So many of the movies on HBO and Starz were already on DVD by the time they hit the satellite anyway, it's not a big loss, other than having to wait for Deadwood to come out on DVD (maybe they'll make it downloadable).

SO around the Casa De DaddyB household, we give it 8 thumbs up!

oh, and netflix sells some of their movies too. I recently bought a couple decent titles for only $5 each +cheap shipping. It comes with the plastic case and original cover, but no insert... and both movies are in pristine condition, so netflix must discard the heavily abused ones. ...So I recommend the purchase side of things as well.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Originally Posted by daddyb

Thanks for that, Matt. A big help.

I detect a slight hint of sarcasm in your words. I guess that was necessary.

-- PMM

[DarthTortoise]

My wife and I use Netflix and love it! We do the 3 movie package: she gets 2 chick flicks and a movie for me. We havent had a problem with the srevice, and the turnaround time is fantastic.