I’ve subscribed to both. They both have their pros and cons, but in the end there’s one that I think is slightly better. Both are not too shabby. If your considering subscribing, make sure you get at least a couple week free.
Netflix Plans:
- 3 DVDs – $17.99/month
- 2 DVDs – $14.99/month
Blockbuster Plans:
- 3 DVDs – $17.99/month
- 2 DVDs – $14.99/month
You can see both are the same prices for two of, what I think, are their more popular plans. You can have 2 or 3 dvds at any given moment. There are other plans as well.
Netflix offers a wider selection of DVDs, per their website, over 65,000 titles. I’ve noticed they offer more indepedent and foreign films than Blockbuster. Their customer service also seems to be pretty responsive. Their website is very easy to use. As far as delivery speed, it depends. It depends on where you live, but Netflix site claims:
Our 40 shipping centers across the United States allow us to provide nearly 90% of our members with delivery of their DVDs within about one business day following shipment.
When I lived in the bay area, I could ship a DVD out, and get one back within 3 days. I also “think” Netflix has a bigger inventory of “new releases.” So it takes less time to get the popular movies, but that could just be because I had Netflix during its infancy when it was still refining its system.
Now about Blockbuster. Blockbuster is definitely evolving. Even in the past few months that I’ve been subscribed to Blockbuster, they introduced a number of changes like having “still in theathers” DVDs, a couple new pricing plans, etc. I like their instore coupons which come along with the plan allowing you to rent 1 free movie per week. Not too shabby. Delivery speed is on par with Netflix, again though it depends on where you live. I have noticed that Blockbuster has started using their stores as “delivery centers.” If they do this across the nation, I can guarantee delivery speed will be impressive! Also, surprisingly, Blockbuster’s customer service has been very responsive.
|
Category
|
Winner
|
| Delivery Speed |
Tie
|
| Price |
Tie
|
| Selection |
Netflix
|
| Customer Service |
Tie
|
| Other Features* |
Blockbuster
|
| Overall |
Blockbuster
|
I’m usually a fan of the underdog, but in this case, my vote goes to Blockbuster. The instore coupon is the kicker–sometimes, I just want to watch a specific movie, and I can’t wait to get it shipped to me. Regardless, both are great, and I don’t think you can go wrong. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’ll know my thoughts on buying DVDs. Considering if you just watch 3 DVDs per month, you’ve already got your money’s worth, since a normal rental costs about $5.00.
Quo
August 22, 2006 at 7:20 am
I am a new user, and I chose Blockbuster after comparing the two. I have the cheapest plan, ($5.99 per month + tax). They gave me 2 weeks free, 2 in store coupons per month, and 2 dvd’s per month, (checked out one at a time). That’s 4 dvd’s per month for $5.99. I am satisfied so far.
Young Guns
August 22, 2006 at 8:17 am
I am in Austin and Netflix is faster by FAR here. It really depends on your location.
Also there has been a code out to get a free month of blockbuster online instead of just two weeks: bbstore
freedumb
August 22, 2006 at 10:54 am
Quo, I’ve actually considered switching plans…I’m on the 2 unlimited right now, but I only watch about 4-5 DVDs per month…sometimes I force myself to watch something because I know the clock is ticking…
Young Guns, cool! Thanks for sharing that code…By the way, I linked up your blog. Nice work…It’s in my blogroll now.
Quo
August 23, 2006 at 2:25 am
Another great thing was I ended up getting 4 in store coupons for my first 30 days, as I joined after the first of the month, so in reality for my first month, (which covered part of July/August), I received the 2 dvd’s, (one at a time), 4 in store coupons, and 2 weeks free. That’s 6 movies for $5.99. I am loving it!
S/100/30
August 23, 2006 at 5:18 am
It’s disappointing to hear that you think Netflix has the larger selection of foreign films — we had signed up for Netflix specifically because we mainly watch films that you could never in a million years find at a local Blockbuster, but more than half the time Netflix doesn’t stock it, either (and I’m not talking about anything very obscure!). We were going to drop Netflix and try BB delivery, but it sounds like that might be a waste of time.
freedumb
August 23, 2006 at 6:58 am
S/100/30, Check it out for yourself…Don’t take my word for it, I could be wrong. I based my findings on just a few dvds and what their website reported…
jd
August 26, 2006 at 5:28 am
I am overseas (Germany)and subscribe to both Netflix and Blockbuster. Until recently, I saw no glaring difference in either of the services. That includes delivery time. As a point of reference, I have been using Netflix for a little over 2 years, and Blockbuster for about 18 months. Call me anal retentive, but I use Netflix for movies, and Blockbuster for TV series (CSI-Vegas/Miami/NY, 24, West Wing are favorites) that are not immedately available on the Armed Forces Network. You, in the States, won’t have that TV series dilemma. Since there are no brick and mortar Blockbusters over here, the free in-store rentals do not influence my comparison. What does bother me is that Blockbuster won’t entertain my request to allow a family member or friend in the States to take advantage of the free in-store rentals. The one thing that I have found annoying with Netflix is that, often, I have to stop in the middle of a movie to clean it. Occasionally, its a damaged disc, but mostly its just crap that attached itself to the disc from constant handling. Apparently, they do not have a quality control station at their receiving/returns warehouses. Careful on the foreign films, though. “It’s been my experience” that most “are not dubbed in english” and I (the slow reader) miss quite a bit of the action while I’m reading subtitles. Not my idea of movie enjoyment. My recent setback with Blockbuster is that, even though I have two selections left in my queue, the system would not ship them, OR receive my latest return. The customer service rep replied rather promptly that this will happen if I do not keep at least 30 selections in my queue. This is hogwash!!! In 18 months, I have never had more than 20 movies in the queue. Most of the time, it had less than 10 or 12. I’ve increased my queue to 18. If they don’t start shipping, I reckon I’ll add to Blockbuster’s churn rate when I discontinue its service. Other than these three complaints, I’ve been relatively satisfied with both services.
freedumb
August 26, 2006 at 7:40 am
jd, I’ve actually heard similar complaints about Blockbuster’s shipping methods…often leaving movies in Q for awhile…I think part of the reason is they are trying to get their stores more involved in the whole distribution process…Even in my own Q, I’ve noticed movies not sent for awhile, even though they are at the top and available…I’m not choosy in that arena though, I don’t really care if they send me the 5th movie on my list or the 1st…
Thanks for the feedback!