Netflix Frustration!! I dont understand!!

[The Mystery Machine]

I used to use Netflix, but I've been with Blockbuster Online for about 2 years now. I thought about going back to Netflix for the streaming, but when I looked at the sparse selection of titles available for streaming, I decided it wasn't worth it. This 28 day agreement is just another strike against Netflix and one more advantage to BB.

The other big advantage of BB is the ability to exchange online rentals for an in-store rental.

Get 3 movies in the mail.
Watch all of them.
Exchange them in-store for 3 more movies.
Watch all of them.
Return them to the store.
Wait 2 days.
Get 3 more movies in the mail and repeat.

If I had enough free time, I could easily watch 12 movies a week for the $18 a month I pay.
And I could watch them when they first come out, instead of having to wait a month.

Even with that it is not enough of a draw for me to switch. I am not a serious movie watcher and I do not want to step foot in a Blockbuster store.

Although the deal with Time Warner is going to hurt Netflix and RedBox, that is certainly guaranteed for people who want new releases right away.

 

[mill4023]

Even with that it is not enough of a draw for me to switch. I am not a serious movie watcher and I do not want to step foot in a Blockbuster store.

Although the deal with Time Warner is going to hurt Netflix and RedBox, that is certainly guaranteed for people who want new releases right away.

I don't watch movies every night or anything. But we've got 5 kids (4 of whom are old enough to want to pick their own movie when we rent). So between me, DW, and the kids, we probably rent 5 movies a week.

Without the in-store exchange, I see Netflix and BB as being pretty evenly matched until this 28 day delay went into effect.

Is there a reason you prefer Netflix? Just curious.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

The turnover time for Netflix amazes me...is blockbuster the same? I can put a movie in the mailbox to return to netflix @2pm, and I have an e-mail at 8am the next day saying they received my return and are shipping my next movies. So, I return a movie on Monday, I have a new movie on Wednesday. Does BB do that?

 

[FireDancer]

I wonder if the studios really believe that making people wait an additional 28 days to see new releases is going to actually translate into increased sales. There are very few movies I want to see so badly that I will go out and buy the DVD just to see it sooner. In those cases, I usually see the movie when it's in the theater.

Not from me. I have not purchased a DVD since the Bourne Trilogy came out and I have no desire to purchase any at the moment. I would rather wait for the convenience of steaming then rush for the inconvenience (and unnecessary expense) of renting or purchasing.

You'd have thought that the movie studios would have learned something from the music industry and realized that it is ridiculous to make your product easier to pirate then to consume legally. I guess not.

 

[mill4023]

The turnover time for Netflix amazes me...is blockbuster the same? I can put a movie in the mailbox to return to netflix @2pm, and I have an e-mail at 8am the next day saying they received my return and are shipping my next movies. So, I return a movie on Monday, I have a new movie on Wednesday. Does BB do that?

It probably varies depending on where you are located.
If I return an online rental to the store, I get an email with a few minutes saying they've received it. It's usually about 2 days before I get my next movie.

If I exchange an online rental for an in-store rental, they don't send the next movie until I return that in-store rental. But as soon as I return the in-store rental, I get an email saying they received it and they ship the next one in my online queue within a day.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I used to use Netflix, but I've been with Blockbuster Online for about 2 years now. I thought about going back to Netflix for the streaming, but when I looked at the sparse selection of titles available for streaming, I decided it wasn't worth it. This 28 day agreement is just another strike against Netflix and one more advantage to BB.

a month.

from my experience Netflix has an AMAZING selection of stuff to stream...

also Netflix works better for me because with BB to take full advantage of their program you still need to utilize the store and driving all the way across town to a BB location to exchange movies is pointless when I can just wait for all my NEtflix movies in my mailbox. Waiting 2 days for my next disc isn't a big deal when I can watch tons of movies and tv series online in between. Plus I just can't stand BB. Joining netflix was the best thing to happen for us since we are HUGE movie buffs and I find BB's selection pretty crappy most of the time.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

from my experience Netflix has an AMAZING selection of stuff to stream...

also Netflix works better for me because with BB to take full advantage of their program you still need to utilize the store and driving all the way across town to a BB location to exchange movies is pointless when I can just wait for all my NEtflix movies in my mailbox. Waiting 2 days for my next disc isn't a big deal when I can watch tons of movies and tv series online in between. Plus I just can't stand BB. Joining netflix was the best thing to happen for us since we are HUGE movie buffs and I find BB's selection pretty crappy most of the time.

I just went to check out BB, and signed up for the 2 week free trial. What I noticed, it they charge you another $3.99 to download and watch the movie on your PC. Netflix, you can watch the movie on your PC as part of the member fee you are already paying.

What is curious, is they have a side-by-side comparison to netflix. All the catagories gives the "check" to BB. Why don't they have "watch movie on your PC for no extra charge" listed? Because it would put a check in Netflix's box. LOL

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't watch movies every night or anything. But we've got 5 kids (4 of whom are old enough to want to pick their own movie when we rent). So between me, DW, and the kids, we probably rent 5 movies a week.

Without the in-store exchange, I see Netflix and BB as being pretty evenly matched until this 28 day delay went into effect.

Is there a reason you prefer Netflix? Just curious.

Yes, I paid so many late fees to them before the online stuff and their customer policy back in the day just makes me not want to use them ever again.

Firedancer, I really need to understand the streaming you are talking about. How much are the set up/fees?

Is it like the "on demand" feature on the cable premium channels?

 

[Shyvioletisme]

Yes, I paid so many late fees to them before the online stuff and their customer policy back in the day just makes me not want to use them ever again.

Firedancer, I really need to understand the streaming you are talking about. How much are the set up/fees?

Is it like the "on demand" feature on the cable premium channels?

well you can stream tons of stuff on your computer for free. Just go to watch instantly and play what you want to watch....also if you have compatible devices(like some gaming systems and I think some blueray players you can stream to your tv, but I'm not sure how...) We have a big computer screen so we're happy enough to just stream on our computer.

 

[Experiment_626]

The other big advantage of BB is the ability to exchange online rentals for an in-store rental.

That requires participating Blockbuster franchisees --and not all of them participate. The ones here in my area still do everything to old fashioned way. No exchange with the online program, and they still charge late fees.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

well you can stream tons of stuff on your computer for free. Just go to watch instantly and play what you want to watch....also if you have compatible devices(like some gaming systems and I think some blueray players you can stream to your tv, but I'm not sure how...) We have a big computer screen so we're happy enough to just stream on our computer.

I already know that. I do not have a desire to watch on my computer.

 

[tzolkin]

Without the in-store exchange, I see Netflix and BB as being pretty evenly matched until this 28 day delay went into effect.

Is there a reason you prefer Netflix? Just curious.

Not the poster you were quoting, but...

The nearest Blockbuster is 45 mins away (and not the town I usually go to shop anyway), so there's no way I'd use the in-store exchange.


Does BB offer "Play Instantly"?
We got rid of our satellite service and basically all we watch is Netflix play instantly. The kids have a computer with a nice monitor in their play room and we got a BluRay player that has Netflix, so we can watch whatever we want on our large TV by just using the remote.

The movies we get in the mail are just for whatever we really want to see that's not available streaming.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Yes, I paid so many late fees to them before the online stuff and their customer policy back in the day just makes me not want to use them ever again.

Firedancer, I really need to understand the streaming you are talking about. How much are the set up/fees?

Is it like the "on demand" feature on the cable premium channels?

The streaming is sort of like on demand though it's not always the most current movies. It does have alot of television shows and tons of selection though which I enjoy. I think of it as the movies you always say you'll get to and then it doesn't happen. You can download them(stream) to your computer or television depending on what you use for the televsion.

This past weekend I couldn't go anywhere because of illness and had a Marilyn Monroe festival at the house with the movies I could instant stream. Later that night my husband and I watched Doubt "together." He in his room in GA on his laptop and me in front of the tv at our house.

The streaming is free with the subscription. We have the basic 1 disc out with the streaming option for $9.xx something a month. The streaming has been used alot more than the disc option lately.

 

[FireDancer]

The best over the counter solution for streaming is the Roku player. I also love the Boxee software but right now you will have to build your own server (I recommend using a Mini-ITX board instead of ATX). D-link will be releasing a Boxee Box at some point which will make it easier for the non-techy to take advantage of the service.

If you are adventurous you can also set up a media server to push content to your television. If you get one with ample storage you can convert all of your DVDs to mountable ISO files and stream every movie you already own on demand to yourself.

 

[HM]

It used to be that we were able to get the new movies the day they came out on Netflix. I think I noticed the new method of waiting a couple months ago.

The bad thing for me, is that I used Netflix as my method of knowing when a movie is becoming available (I put them on my list when they are in the theaters). So, if I was interested in buying one right when it comes out, I'd use my Netflix date to go out and buy it and then delete it from my list. Obviously that is not going to work anymore.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It used to be that we were able to get the new movies the day they came out on Netflix. I think I noticed the new method of waiting a couple months ago.

The bad thing for me, is that I used Netflix as my method of knowing when a movie is becoming available (I put them on my list when they are in the theaters). So, if I was interested in buying one right when it comes out, I'd use my Netflix date to go out and buy it and then delete it from my list. Obviously that is not going to work anymore.

Right now it is only Time Warner that the deal is with as an FYI.

Oh and thanks for the info Lovemygoofy and Firedancer. As it stands now, I have all the premium movie channels so the streaming to the TV sounds like more trouble than it is worth. I have a lot of that "on demand" that I can watch already.

If it costs more money to do, I might not be interested.

 

[mill4023]

Not the poster you were quoting, but...

The nearest Blockbuster is 45 mins away (and not the town I usually go to shop anyway), so there's no way I'd use the in-store exchange.


Does BB offer "Play Instantly"?
We got rid of our satellite service and basically all we watch is Netflix play instantly. The kids have a computer with a nice monitor in their play room and we got a BluRay player that has Netflix, so we can watch whatever we want on our large TV by just using the remote.

The movies we get in the mail are just for whatever we really want to see that's not available streaming.

Yep, the in-store exchange is obviously only a benefit for those of us who live near a participating store.

BB offers downloadable movies, but there's an extra charge. So it definitely doesn't compare to Netflix streaming, which is included at no charge.

But we mostly watch new releases, and very few of those are available via Netflix streaming, so it's not really a big benefit for me. Add the fact that Warner Bros new releases will no longer be available on Netflix for the first month after release and that gives the advantage to BB for us.

But everyone's situation is different, so I'm definitely not saying that BB is the best choice for everyone.

 

[ead79]

Yes, I paid so many late fees to them before the online stuff and their customer policy back in the day just makes me not want to use them ever again.

Firedancer, I really need to understand the streaming you are talking about. How much are the set up/fees?

Is it like the "on demand" feature on the cable premium channels?

I don't know if this helps or not, but you can stream Netflix through TiVo and through xbox 360 if you have one of those (I think you can do it through PS3 as well, but we don't have one of those). I don't want to watch movies on my computer, but I do enjoy streaming them via Netflix through my TiVo. I love that it's included in my Netflix membership.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yep, the in-store exchange is obviously only a benefit for those of us who live near a participating store.

BB offers downloadable movies, but there's an extra charge. So it definitely doesn't compare to Netflix streaming, which is included at no charge.

But we mostly watch new releases, and very few of those are available via Netflix streaming, so it's not really a big benefit for me. Add the fact that Warner Bros new releases will no longer be available on Netflix for the first month after release and that gives the advantage to BB for us.

But everyone's situation is different, so I'm definitely not saying that BB is the best choice for everyone.

Exactly. If you are a new release person then BB is the way to go, esp now.

Should be very interesting to see the results of the deal that was made. I expect RedBox to have big losses there.

Netflix will probably have people jump ship, but how many? It is not a big deal to me. I wonder if I am the average customer there?

 

[mill4023]

from my experience Netflix has an AMAZING selection of stuff to stream...

also Netflix works better for me because with BB to take full advantage of their program you still need to utilize the store and driving all the way across town to a BB location to exchange movies is pointless when I can just wait for all my NEtflix movies in my mailbox. Waiting 2 days for my next disc isn't a big deal when I can watch tons of movies and tv series online in between. Plus I just can't stand BB. Joining netflix was the best thing to happen for us since we are HUGE movie buffs and I find BB's selection pretty crappy most of the time.

Without Netflix streaming and BB in-store exchange, the two services are pretty close to identical. Netflix might have an advantage in selection, but I'm not sure. I can say that I've never run into a case where a movie I wanted to watch wasn't available with BB. BB has the advantage with no 28 delay for Warner new releases.

If you will take advantage of streaming and you don't care about having to wait 28 days for some new releases, Netflix is your best option.

If you have a participating BB store nearby and you like to watch new releases when they are first released, BB is your best option.