Netflix vs. Blockbuster
Four years ago, I signed up for a free tryout of a new DVD-by-mail service called Netflix. You went on-line to set up your list of movies, and the first three available were sent to your home. You watched them at your leisure, with no late fees. When you sent back a movie in a pre-paid envelope, the next movie on your list was sent to you. Despite the fact that the local Blockbuster had tons of movie titles available, I found myself relying on Netflix for all my video needs. Why? Well, the no late fee aspect was attractive, and the $20 a month fee was reasonable. I usually averaged 12 to 15 movies a month. Even at the then $3-a-title rental price at the Blockbuster, that meant I was getting $39 to $45 worth of movies for the monthly fee. (These days the fee is $18 and movies at the local video store are $4.50 a title so the savings are even greater.)
However, the best part about Netflix was the selection of titles. The service offered a ton of independent features, foreign films and documentaries. They also had a fabulous search engine. You could look up all the latest Australian movies, for example, not just by title or actor. As you rate movies, you received excellent tips on what you might like, although as a film critic, I have a pretty good idea of what I want when I add titles to my queue.
My loyalty to Netflix has been tested the last two weeks. After being bombarded by the TV ads for Blockbuster’s new mail service, I had to check out the free two-week trial. Blockbuster had Little Miss Sunshine available immediately (Netflix had me on the “long wait” for that title), and when I was done watching the movies, I could take them over to my local Blockbuster and trade them in for three titles from the store. The instant gratification was nice. This was on top of the store sending my mail titles back allowing me to receive my next three titles from my online list. In other words, getting six movies, instead of three. Of course, it had been so long since I had been in a Blockbuster, I had to sign up again to get the in-store flicks.
One drawback in the Netflix system is that sometimes it has been so long since you selected a movie for your list, you’re not in the mood to watch it when it arrives three months later.
So, I bet you’re thinking that I’m switching to Blockbuster. Wrong, Carnack-breath! The biggest reason I preferred Netflix to the local Blockbuster was their selection of titles beyond the big name flicks everybody wants. The local Blockbuster is carrying more indie flicks and foreign titles, but as usual they only have one or two copies of the less popular movies. The outside walls of the local Blockbuster are dominated by multiple titles of the same hot button movies.
Yes, the Blockbuster system gives you twice as much to watch, but I sometimes have trouble watching three movies in a week, let alone six movies. Netflix was there for me four years ago, and old-school movie fan that I am, I’m not switching sides.
Next up for me is a visit to the Blockbuster site to give them the bad news.
Later