Blockbuster Online $14.99/month until Jan. 2006

Legolas813

Legolas813

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I saw the commercials for the lowered price on Blockbuster's online rental service, so I decided to sign up. The price is now down to $14.99/month for 3 movies out at a time, if you sign up now (good until Jan. 2006). You also get 2 free in-store rentals a month, in addition to the 3 out at a time by mail. Seems like a good deal because I think the regular price used to be at least $19.99/month.
 
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It's been $14.99 for a little while, I considered switching over from Netflix until I heard their turnaround is supposedly about 2-3 days slower.
 
I've been thinking about doing one of these (Netflix or BB) but I heard that Netflix has a more impressive selection over BB's service. Any truth to this? Because I'd rather pay $15 a month over $18.
 
I tried Blockbuster once (for 2 months), and the turnaround time really sucks. Sometimes it can take up to a week for them to receive my dvd's. And netflix has a much wider selection than blockbuster, especially in anime and foreign dvds.
My advice: pay the extra $3 - it's worth it!
 
According to comparions by other cag's there are basically 3 advantages to Blockbuster over Netflix
1.)2 free in-store rentals per month
2.)Blockbuster is much more likely to carry double-dips of dvd available to rent [Lord of the Rings: EE, Fifth element: Ultimate edition, Predator 2: SE, etc.]
3.)Easier to get new releases, unless you time your queue right to have a movie ship on monday or tuesday when it is released, you will probably be waiting a week or two before you get a new release at netflix.

Netflix has a much broader selection and a quicker turnaround time.
 
Blockbuster is not bad. You have 3 movies out at once so you can have at least one circulating at all times while you are watching the other ones. And if you don't want to wait for a certain movie, you can always use one of the two free in-store movie rental coupons you receive each month.
 
i've gotten 12 dvd's in the 2-3 week free trial which isnt bad, not including 2 free rentals. i live in vegas and the movies ship from tx return to az. i usually get new releases the same week or the next week. and the 2 instore coupons can be used on games so that basically pays for itself
 
^ You can use the in-store coupons on games?!? I wonder if they still do that, because the game rentals are like 8 bucks now where I live.
 
Yes, you can use the instore coupons on games. They let you use them at the same time too, which is always nice. I've had blockbuster online for abouit 5 months now, and I love it. They always have what I want, and if I am on wait, I get it as soon as it comes in. I'd reccommend this to anyone who is thinking about signing up.
 
hmm, i am paying 17.99 a month since i signed up in december, is there any way to get the new lower price? do they lock you in for a year and that is why you get the lower price?
 
fuck being cheap, support netflix - who would you rather see running the movie rental world? guys who care about selection and quality, or a corporate entity?
 
[quote name='dracula']hmm, i am paying 17.99 a month since i signed up in december, is there any way to get the new lower price? do they lock you in for a year and that is why you get the lower price?[/quote]

No, I read the fine print and I didn't see anywhere where it says you are locked in. You can cancel anytime. Maybe in your case, if you cancel and then sign up again you will get the cheaper rate, who knows.

I think they are trying to get more people to use the online service since there are no late-fees now and tons of people are using Blockbuster and the B&M stores can't handle it. I know my location is chaos now that they have no late fees. It took me over 10 minutes to park and 20 minutes to check-out last week.
 
I love Blockbuster....

1. Fast Turnaround for me...2-3 days
2. Good selection
3. double-dips (SuperBits!)
4. Cheaper
5. Two coupons to use on games IN-STORE ($14 value)
 
rocksolidaudio: Netflix is a corporation as well. And i agree with you, if the choice was between netflix and BB B&M, it wouldn't be a choice at all. But BBO appears to have at least as big a selection as Netflix, and the couple times I've asked them to add a title, they have done it.
I've been with Netflix for four years, and have loved them... There have been a few quirks and a few mistakes, but overall, I've been very pleased with the service. I've talked them up on various message boards, and directly gotten at least two new accounts signed up with them.
But last couple of months, they've done a couple of things I don't like. I'm on the 'old' 2-out plan, 2 out, no max per month. The current plan is 2-out, 4-max a month which is silly. So I'm grandfathered in, which is good.
When NF raised prices last year, my price went up, though my account type didn't change. Okay, fine.
But when they dropped prices, my price didn't drop. I wrote them an email, and they said 'Your plan's price didn't drop.' I was like, duh, that's why I'm writing.
I'm paying 14.99/mo with netflix for 2 out, no max. With BBO, I can get 3 out a month, and 2 game rentals a month, for the same price, and the selection and speed is equivalent, if not better.
Had NF lowered my price along with everyone else's, I might still be with them. BUt I'm cancelling them this Friday before my renewal date.
I think I've only found one title that BBO didnt' have, and I wrote in to see if they could get it.
I'm not a BB fan or shill by any means, and I have long lauded Netflix, but it seems like they are doing what they can do punish longtime customers and heavy users. So be it.
My only concern is what the price will go up to in Jan 06. I think a lot of people are still 'I hate blockbuster!' so NF will still stay in business, but the question is will they lower prices to stay competitive, or raise prices to \
make up the money?

One current concern about BBO is where they ship from and their inventory statuses. Most if not all of my NF disks for the past year have come from Greensboro NC, about 2 hours from me. My PO is good, I get things to and from Gboro pretty quickly.
My BBO disks have come from DC, MD, TX, OH, PA, and maybe somewhere else. Since I can have 3 disks out instead of 2, I think I can deal with a slightly longer shipping time, and sometimes BBO sends something out before they receive the first one, but this randomness of distro centers is somewhat bothersome.
 
I've been with Netflix for a year or two now. My only complaint is when they raised prices for tha short time. Other than that, service has been great.

I don't have any experience with BBO, but the BB B&M new no late fee policy is a load of crock. Check out their web site. Basically, a day or two late is ok. After that, you bought it. That's why there's no late fee. You can return the movie for a refund, but they'll charge a restocking fee.
 
[quote name='akanoid']Basically, a day or two late is ok. After that, you bought it. That's why there's no late fee. You can return the movie for a refund, but they'll charge a restocking fee.[/quote]

The no-late fees is great. You have 7 days after the due date, which means two weeks total if you have a week long rental. And if you don't return it on time, the restocking fee is only $1.25.

The main reason I've switched to BBO is that my B&M store is chaos. There are so many people there you can barely walk in the door, let alone park. The guy at the register said that they found out that our location is on the list as being one of the most popular locations in the country. Plus, I'm using BBO now because I want to rent TV Box Sets, but that is way too expensive to do in-store.
 
[quote name='rocksolidaudio']shaq-fu being cheap, support netflix - who would you rather see running the movie rental world? guys who care about selection and quality, or a corporate entity?[/quote]

Blockbuster is a lot better.
 
[quote name='Superstar'][quote name='rocksolidaudio']shaq-fu being cheap, support netflix - who would you rather see running the movie rental world? guys who care about selection and quality, or a corporate entity?[/quote]

Blockbuster is a lot better.[/quote]

I don't know about that! I think it really depends on where you live and how good your post office is. Netflix delivers and receives movies faster (1 or 2 days) than Blockbuster (3 or 4 days) online in my situation. The funny part is the distribution place for both are in the same metro area as me = Atlanta.
 
i find this inretesting..... Well i place my next three movies in the base

a WWE show
The Grudge
Jackhammer killer

and all of them was to be here by 2/7

grudge came saturday (2 day shipping) Jackhammer came yesterday (3 day shipping but no WWE SHOW. I called them up and complained about the shipping times and was told That if i want to I can use THE REPORT DVD PROBLEM on the 4th day (what i did this morning) and they will send the next movie out. THe wwe show came today 4 days shipping BUT THE next movie already shipped today

So long story short they told me if my MOVIES Dont show in the 3 shipping days allowed to report and Issue to have the next movie shipped. HOpefully this will speed up their times.... If in time i get banned from doing this i will just go to netfilx or another online place.

NOW dont get me wrong if the movies get here within 3 days I wont use the REPORT DVD ISSUE> But if the movies are not here within the 3 days I WILL
 
Occasionally things get caught up in the mail system. That is not the fault of Blockbuster or Netflix. Blockbuster is very nice about it and if you don't get a movie on time they will send you another one, even though you are exceeding the number out that you paid for.
 
[quote name='dtcarson']
Had NF lowered my price along with everyone else's, I might still be with them. BUt I'm cancelling them this Friday before my renewal date.
[/quote]

They will send you a email offering you a cheaper price to stay once you cancel. I've been with Netflix for around 8 months and and in November I was going to cancel and they offered me $14.99 to stay which of course I accepted(I pay $16 and change for the 3 movies out).
I just signed up with BB for the 2 week trial to see how they compare. I signed up Sunday night and today they are barely shipping out 2 of my movies.
 
I haven't had a problem with BBO yet...granted I'm only into my second full month. And once when a disk was delayed past the 'Should Arrive By' date, I reported it, and they sent me the next one in my queue.

I've heard the free-or-discount-offer-for staying with Netflix is hit-or-miss. If they give me free month/s, I'll stay a little longer, otherwise they'd have to drop it a lot, I don't need two memberships, too much money and too many disks.

Shiznit: When I signed up with BBO it took a couple days for my account to get 'activated' and for them to send me my first disks. Not sure why, but don't hold this first round against them.
 
I signed up recently and the service has been great. I live in L.A., the movies at the top of my list got here 2 days after placing them there and the turnaround has been very fast too. Plus having 2 coupons to use on game rentals each month is nice.
 
DONT FORGET: if you got a B&M store that accepts other stores coupons you can use these BBO coupons there. SO if you got 1 store that matches take that coupon ever other week and you will then have 4 Coupons.. If you got more then 1 store then you can do it a lot more.

In Jan i ended up using 6 coupons (2 at BB and 4 at other stores) So i was able to rent 10 DVDS and 6 games for 1 month what was kind of cool.... (I mostly keep thc coupons for weekend i dont have my movies so i can rent them for free instore)

woo cant wait till saturday i should get my SHARK TALE movie woo :)

I will probally stay now till around APril 1 (was going to leave on March 1 BUT There are too many movies that i want to see in March to cancell)

ANother nice thing about BBO is when i do get my movies back to them on weds (I ship them back on Mondays) They always had the New releases for the week still in stock. I never had a problem with getting the New release movies the same week them came out
 
Hmm...a lot of comapnies do take competitors's coupons. And you can always print out another copy of the coupon, it's valid until BB scans it and voids it out...
 
People bitch and moan too much. Honestly....the USPS is the middle man....look at them for the delivery times. I mean, my Blockbuster DVD's ship realyl quick, sometimes the mail takes two days though...which is reasonable.
 
Exactly. I'm surprised the USPS does as well as they do for what we pay and for how much business they do [especially for being a government-sanctioned monopoly.]
Now, if you mailed something back on Monday, BBO or NF got it back on Wed, and didn't send you something till Fri or Sat, *that* would be their fault and worth looking into.
 
Ok, I printed out my E-Coupons for BBO. I want to use them on games, but I've never rented a game before. How long is the rental period? I think it's one week, right? That means you can keep it for two weeks now with the no-late fees.
 
[quote name='Legolas813']Ok, I printed out my E-Coupons for BBO. I want to use them on games, but I've never rented a game before. How long is the rental period? I think it's one week, right? That means you can keep it for two weeks now with the no-late fees.[/quote]

Yep, make sure they honor the NO LATE FEES though...some stores do not I heard
 
Damn, I rented Burnout 3 (Xbox), but it keeps saying that the disc is dirty. This happens at the same spot in the game everytime. The disc is slightly marked up, so I'm hoping it's the disc. I've never had any problems with my Thompson before.
 
HOllywood video is going to do something like

2 Movies out at a time NO LATE FEES 9.95 a month (starts either the 15 of FEB or March) Heard them talking about it today might give BBO a run for their money
 
I just got my first set of my movies today. I'm surprised because it only took two days. I guess I'm at an advantage because I live in Orlando, FL and they are mailing the DVD's to me from Miami.
 
[quote name='slidecage']HOllywood video is going to do something like

2 Movies out at a time NO LATE FEES 9.95 a month (starts either the 15 of FEB or March) Heard them talking about it today might give BBO a run for their money[/quote]

Reasonable...although I would think they would charge more, since you don't have to wait for the USPS to ship stuff, you could watch 5 movies a day if you wanted.
The big draw of online versus in store, for me, is fourfold:
* convenience--update my queue anytime
* selection--probably 70% of the things on my queue I've never seen in a rental store
* buffet-style-pricing. I'm more likely to try different things or 'bite' on a blind view with the buffet style, rather than if I had to pay 3 bucks each. Also, I'm more willing to say 'You know, I don't like this' and send it back partially unwatched.
* no due dates. Sometimes I keep a disk for a long time, because I'm just not in the mood to watch it, but other times I watch it and send it right back. It would be a waste to rent something for 3-4 bucks, watch it that night, then either keep it for a week or return it the next day to a B&M.

So those are the things a B&M would need to do to be really competitive.
* Increase selection.
* Increase convenience--drive-through return bins, maybe check inventory/reserve title online.
* Pricing--they're trying, with the MoviePasses and the MVP.
* flexible rental terms. Again, MOviepass and MVP are allowing this, but for the on-demand, pay-as-you-go rental, some flexibility would be nice. BB's No Late Fees is closer, but doesnt deal with the other side, watching a movie the first day you get it.

My BBO movies have taken on average 3 days to arrive [not counting Sun or holidays]. Sometimes they send one out before they receive my return, so that helps.

Anyway, I just cancelled Netflix. BBO gives me equal selection, similar shipping, and more disks for the same price, so it's a no-brainer. If they jack the price up in Jan 06, I'll shop around again.
 
Wow, they are advertising this $14.99 deal like crazy on TV. I watch Comedy Central a lot and they are showing the commerical for BBO every commercial break.
 
Really? Begin the marketing blitz!
Well, around Christmas Netflix was doing the same, and everything in Best Buy was covered with those ticket-ads.
I wouldn't know, I fast forward through commercials :)
...actually, I think the only show I watch that's on commercial TV is the Simpsons.
 
Wow, I am shocked by the shipping speed now. I signed up the 17th. Expecting not to get anything till the next week but got one on the 18th and the other two on the 19th. If they continue this I will not be cancelling. Is there a new distro center in Houston?
 
[quote name='Legolas813']Plus, I'm using BBO now because I want to rent TV Box Sets, but that is way too expensive to do in-store.[/quote]

You can do that with Netflix too. The only problem is that you get 1 disk at a time. Normally, one disk would be 4-5 episodes but the idiots who did Highlander thought 3 episodes per disk would be a good idea, hopefully that changes with the later seasons. How do they do it with BBO?

In general, Netflix has really rocked for us. We get all our DVD's to and from a location less than 50 miles from home. The turnaround from the time we drop the DVD in the mail is usually 3 days, so I can't complain. We've never had anything out of stock by the time it was to the top of our list, but we don't sign up for the newest movies either.

I absolutely hate going to any video store, so the online thing is great for us. They are all a pain in the butt to go to. If its not parking, its not having enough people in the store, or they are always out of anything that I want.
 
yea It will be instresting this week to see this shipping times this week since no mail Monday. So far the shipping been 2 days both ways last week

In mail monday they got them Weds i got my new movies Friday.

if this would keep i would i stay with them until 2006

already got my Q filled in march almost
Feb 22 Zero cube Mr. 3000 [WS] and Anchorman
March 1 Ex-the begining, flight of the ph.. and spongebob
march 8 xmas with the cr. ladder 49 and Incident at Lochness
march 15 Dead birds, the incredables and Fat Albert

so my next 4 weeks Q is already filled
 
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