Netflix as a gift?

[branv]

I was thinking about getting my sibs a 6-mos subscription to Netflix for Christmas (using a PP idea of making a movie gift basket). But I can only really afford the 1-at-a-time subscription. Does anyone know, if they decide they want to get the bigger packages (or add more time), when they go to sign up, will Netflix let them upgrade the subscription, using the gift subscription as a credit?

Also, anyone give these as gifts before? How well were they received?

Thanks!

Edited to add: is the only option for the "gift subscription" to print out the notice or have it emailed? Can you order real gift cards, or is there a place that sells them as real gift cards? If not, any good ideas for making the print-outs look nice?

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Gonna be brutally honest... I got a gift subscription 2 years ago and I have yet to use it. I don't even think it's still valid. I'd make sure it's something they will definately use first.

I think the movie gift basket idea is good but I'm not sure Netflix is the way to go. Some movies can have long waits. Depends what they like.

 

[Rachie]

If you want to give them movies then go to a Salvation Army, buy a basket then go to Wal-Mart and pick up a few of the $5 movies and put some popcorn in the basket and there you go....

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I disagree with the other posters, but only if you know the recipient likes renting movies. I would have really appreciated that gift.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We were the recipients of a Netflix 6 month subscription. We would have never tried it on our own. Now, we love it and have renewed (for several years now). Are they the type that like to rent movies? I know the gift would be wasted by several in my family. You have to trust that they would give it a try.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I think it would be a great gift idea too!! I didn't even know they offered this. Details!?!?

 

[Ava]

I had Netflix for several years, and was on the 1-at-a-time plan for a while. Honestly, I didn't like it much. Especially if they are avid movie watchers, they won't get as much value out of the 1-at-a-time since they'll have to wait for each movie to get back to Netflix before Netflix sends out their next one. How close they are to disturbution center is also a factor in how quick their turnaround time is. If I were going to sign up for Netflix again I'd want at least the 2-at-a-time plan; that way you still have one movie to watch while one is in the mail.

 

[Dizneydaz]

If they are the type of movie viewers who like to watch new movies as they come out but rarely watch them more than once, then I think NetFlix is a great idea. My Dsis and her DH have had a subscription to NF for years now. They love it! Sometimes she'll bring us one of the movies before she mails it so we can watch it.

I think starting them off with the one at a time deal is good. Very few people have the time to sit and watch 2 movies at a time and NF is really fast at getting them mailed out.

I would be very happy to get a gift subscription to NF. Especially when most of the tv shows go into repeats.

 

[JandJ]

If the recipient loves movies it's the best gift We got the 1-year 1-at-a-time subscription for DH's parents last year and they absolutely love it! We're renewing for them this year. It's an easy gift for us and they are thrilled with it. JMHO - for real movie buffs it's better than a selection of DVDs you buy for them because they get to choose a new movie (or TV series) every month. I do believe they can choose to upgrade when they sign up, but not 100% sure.

The only down-side is that you give the recipient a piece of paper that basically says "here's your gift" and it doesn't look like much of anything. I printed it out and dressed it up with ribbon, glitter, etc., placed the piece of paper in a gift box and wrapped it. They laughed, but it made more of an impact that just a printed out receipt

 

[HelloChum]

We thought it was a great idea--we had never used NetFlix before. I honestly cannot remember if you could upgrade the subscription, but we certainly could extend/renew it. When we registered the subscritpion, we had to enter a credit card number (I'm sure to cover the cost of dvds potentially not returned). I would bet that you could upgrade the subscription using the gift as a credit toward the upgrade.

The certificate came in a movie gift basket with candy, popcorn, Christmas cookies, hot choc., candy canes, etc. I thought it was a great way to give a family gift in a "budget-friendly" way. For us, definitely a great winter gift idea--We didn't have to worry about driving to rental store to rent movies. Yes, we had to wait for the dvd to be returned before getting the new--not a big deal--came within 2 days--for us, much easier than driving to the video store, parking, walking around for 20 minutes to figure out what you wanted, etc...

I thought it was a very thoughtful gift!! Everyone likes movies!
Good Luck!!

 

[frannn]

A few years ago, Blockbuster had a special where you get a free month to try it out. I asked DH to sign me up for Mother's Day, and he did. I'm still a member, and love it. I have the 3 out at a time plan. The price and benefits have changed over the years, but still worthwhile to me for the 20/month + tax DH pays for it.

 

[v.t.]

I love this idea. My DM is having double knee replacement two weeks before Christmas. I think this would be a great gift. Does anyone know if you do a gift subscription can you get the free month (or any other discount) for signing up?

 

[soccerchick]

If they are the type of movie viewers who like to watch new movies as they come out but rarely watch them more than once, then I think NetFlix is a great idea. My Dsis and her DH have had a subscription to NF for years now. They love it! Sometimes she'll bring us one of the movies before she mails it so we can watch it.

I think starting them off with the one at a time deal is good. Very few people have the time to sit and watch 2 movies at a time and NF is really fast at getting them mailed out.

I would be very happy to get a gift subscription to NF. Especially when most of the tv shows go into repeats.

This! I would love this as a gift.

 

[branv]

Thanks for all the opinions everyone, both for and against! It was just what I was looking for I know my sister will get use out of it b/c she already uses Netflix -- they subscribed to it and cancelled their cable to save money. She watches movies online and orders them. They're in even more of a money crunch right now due to cutbacks at her DH's company, so I thought it would help them save on a "bill". That's also why I wanted to know if she could upgrade it in case they're used to getting more movies. Now my brother, I'm not completely sure about, so these varied responses really give me something to think about. So I'd say sis is a sure thing, bro is still up in the air.

Personally, I also received Netflix as a gift a few years ago, and I know I liked it but didn't renew it. Now the one at a time was perfect for me, as I just didn't have the ability to watch more than one movie every week, and the turn around time for getting a new one was about 3 days. But I know some people can churn and burn them quickly! I really did like the online viewing though I think I would have renewed it if I had the machine for the streaming content.

 

[4MCMICKEY]

We got my in laws the netflix 2 years ago and they have asked for it every christmas since. They love it. I know it is something they will use and I am not wasting my money. They are happy and I am happy. I normally put popcorn and movie candy and then add beverage of their choice and then create a movie basket.

Kelley

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Great idea....I never thought about gifting it, thanks, just might do that for BIL.

 

[mybestieismickey]

I bought Netflix for my DH last Christmas and he loves it. We still use it and now that the gift part is up I allow myself to stick movies I want in the queue (we're getting the proposal tomorrow!). To "dress it up" and throw him off the scent, I taped the print out to a box of his favorite cereal and then wrapped the box. He was thrilled with both!

 

[mommyto2]

This sounds like a great gift! Is there a minimum number of months you need to buy as a gift? I went to the website, but wasn't able to find much information on gift subscriptions. How does it work?

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Oh I know the answer to the subscription upgrade! We got one last year. It is basically just a credit to the account, so you can upgrade it, but it'll just be the difference they'll have to pay each month (like if you get the 1 at at time it is an 8.99 or whatever credit towards the account that month, whatever the 1 at a time plan is going for). And, they'll still need to input a valid credit card even if they pick the one that you get, there just will not be an amount charged to it until the plan expires, assuming they do not cancel.

 

[dizneechic]

OK so does anyone know how the plans work with streaming Netflix? Is there a monthly limit? We just purchased a new TV and BluRay set up, and have the capability to stream, but haven't set up our 2 week free trial yet. But this thread has me thinking... We also got my mom a BR player and she also has a new TV (same as ours just a bit smaller) so she should be able to stream as well. Could be a great gift for her (she would never drop them in the mail), but if on demand is reasonable and covered by a monthly flat rate (and works well). Anyone try it or have advice there?