Do you prefer blockbuster online or netflix for renting HD-DVD releases?

I'm undecided. I had Netflix for almost 6 weeks now, and I'm getting throttled badly. I'm in MD, and DVDs have shipped from IL & CA. All of my HD DVDs have shipped locally from MD, tho.

I've only had Blockbuster a few days. So far they shipped all 3 movies. I have received one (a day early), and am waiting on the next two (due Monday).

Both companies carry a lot of HD DVDs. Blockbuster has a few titles that Netflix doesn't (Friday Night Lights for one). Seems like Netfix has more of each title (currently my Netflix queue is all available now). My Blockbuster queue has about 60% now, 30% short wait, and maybe 10% long wait.

Also, Blockbuster has the in-store coupons (no HD DVD instore, tho). And I think Blockbuster might ship on Saturdays (according to their TOS: ... "including circumstances generally affecting service times of the USPS (for example, there are no USPS deliveries or pick-ups on Sundays and federal holidays, and heavy mail usage times such as Christmas may result in slower delivery times)," ...) but I'm not sure about that.

-John

PS> if you try Blockbuster, make sure to go in store and ask for the offer. They give you a month free trial. It's only 2 weeks free from the website.

netflix has been great for me. I am out in Colorado. All HD-DVD's (except the few they dont carry like enter the dragon) are available now for me and the shipping has been verry consistent. Put one in the mailbox Monday and a new one is here Wen. I have not tried BB though. They are probably great as well.

I've had Netflix since HD DVD hit the streets. I'm considering switching to Blockbuster though. I haven't really had any problems with Netflix per se, but I am disappointed in their lack of adding some titles without explanation. I've emailed them 3 times now yet they've still not added Enter the Dragon, Friday Night Lights, or Pitch Black. These 3 titles have been out for some time now and I have no idea why Netflix refuses to carry them.

I've tried both several times in the past, but I've been with Blockbuster since I got my HD-A1 in June and have been able to add every single HD DVD release thus far along with a decent number of pre releases. Better yet, almost every one is "Available Now" and every disc I've gotten has played flawlessly (no freezing or glitches)

Whew, from the title I thought there was a rumor that Blockbuster was buying Netflix. :)

I've been using both (And will keep using both).
So far I prefer Netflix due to its faster service.



Their nearest shipping facilities are close to each other (Both about 7 miles away from my house):

Netflix = Flushing NY 11354
BlockBuster = Flushing NY 11356


NOTE: I return all my Movies on Mondays around 9:30am (Collection time is 10am).

____________________________________________________

DELIVERY TIME:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1665/blockbustersmxs6.jpg 19 movies (19 HD-DVDs)

1 day = 7 movies
2 days = 4 movies
3 days = 6 movies
4 days = 2 movie

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7708/netlfixsmkk7.jpg 22 movies (18 HD-DVDs - 4 SD DVDs)

1 day = 18 movies
2 days = 2 movies
3 days = 2 movies
4 days = none

____________________________________________________

RETURN TIME:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1665/blockbustersmxs6.jpg
1 day = 14 movies
2 days = 4 movies
3 days = 0

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7708/netlfixsmkk7.jpg
1 day = 15 movies
2 days = 3 movies
3 days = 1 movie

____________________________________________________

SCRATCHED DISKS:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1665/blockbustersmxs6.jpg = 3 movies

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7708/netlfixsmkk7.jpg = 2 movies


No lost / broken / wrong disks yet from both.

.

Whew, from the title I thought there was a rumor that Blockbuster was buying Netflix. :)

yeah, i screwed up the title of the thread. Anybody know how to edit that? I can edit the post but can't seem to change the thread title.

I've been using both (And will keep using both).
So far I prefer Netflix due to its faster service.



Their nearest shipping facilities are close to each other (Both about 7 miles away from my house):

Netflix = Flushing NY 11354
BlockBuster = Flushing NY 11356


DELIVERY TIME:

Netflix - 14 movies so far (13 HD-DVDs - 1 SD DVD)

1 day = 10 movies
2 days = 2 movies
3 days = 2 movies
4 days = none


Blockbuster - 14 movies so far (14 HD-DVDs)

1 day = 4 movies
2 days = 4 movies
3 days = 5 movies
4 days = 1 movie


SCRATCHED DISKS:

Blockbuster = 3 movies
Netflix = 2 movies


No lost / broken / wrong disks yet from both.

Wow, it is nice to have a little objective data here. Of course as you mention it will probably vary depending on a person's distance from distribution centers but would be greatly appreciative if you updated this post every once in awhile. Thanks!

I have been saving the mailing sleeves and mailing them back two in a mailing sleeve. that way when they send me one like once from Hawaii!!! I can send it back to my local center instead for faster turn around. just a tip for other Netflix renters :)

Noticed NETFLIX has been delaying receiving or shipping my stuff by ONE extra day lately. instead of the 1 day turn around they advertise as normal (one business day) so I get 2 buisiness day turn arounds

I ahte blockbuster. They are just too big and corporate. They put all the little renters (who had all the odd rare movies) out of buisness whent ehy built around 5 blockbuster within 2 square miles of my house. Ive been using Netflix for a year 1/2 now and no problems. Im glad they are around b/c otherwise Iw ould have no options!

I definetely think I'm switching to Blockbuster. I just noticed 4 more titles that Netflix does not carry.

Tomb Raider
Sahara
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Sleepy Hollow

I definetely think I'm switching to Blockbuster. I just noticed 4 more titles that Netflix does not carry.

Tomb Raider
Sahara
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Sleepy Hollow
Netflix carries those titles in HD. Do a search, as they may not be in the HD DVD section.

I ahte blockbuster. They are just too big and corporate. They put all the little renters (who had all the odd rare movies) out of buisness whent ehy built around 5 blockbuster within 2 square miles of my house. Ive been using Netflix for a year 1/2 now and no problems. Im glad they are around b/c otherwise Iw ould have no options!
Aww boo hoo.

And I'm sure all of the mom-and-pop video stores around you carry all of the HD DVDs and BR titles as well.

-John

I definetely think I'm switching to Blockbuster. I just noticed 4 more titles that Netflix does not carry.

Tomb Raider
Sahara
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Sleepy Hollow


I rented all of those on HD DVD from Netflix. However, they don't show up on their HD DVD page. You have to search for them.

I rented all of those on HD DVD from Netflix. However, they don't show up on their HD DVD page. You have to search for them.

Thanks Chris. I found them after jgantert posted above about searching. It doesn't appear that Enter the Dragon, Friday Night Lights, or Pitch Black can be found this way either however.

Thanks Chris. I found them after jgantert posted above about searching. It doesn't appear that Enter the Dragon, Friday Night Lights, or Pitch Black can be found this way either however.
Those are (so far) the only HD DVDs that Netflix doesn't carry. I'm not sure if they are going to carry the BCI titiles (Galaxina, etc) either.

-John

Aww boo hoo.

And I'm sure all of the mom-and-pop video stores around you carry all of the HD DVDs and BR titles as well.

-John

Like I said, all the mom-and-pop stores are gone. Oh, and my local BlockBusters dont carry any HD movies, blu-ray or HD-DVD. So yea, Ill base my choice on my past experience and overall view of the company. You?

Blockbuster was taking forever to ship HD-DVD titles but they seem to be coming very regular now. I'm digging it.

I'd like to vote in this poll but I've never used Blockbuster's service and don't want to mess up the poll...I've been a Netflix customer for about 3-4 years, now.

I prefer Netflix because the discs usually arrive the very next day after they're shipped and because their selection is far better than Blockbusters is.

I've been using both (And will keep using both).
So far I prefer Netflix due to its faster service.


Do you also keep track of the return time, ie., how long it takes for them to acknowledge your return after you put it in the mailbox? That is also a key interval to determine whether they are throttling you.

And I think Blockbuster might ship on Saturdays (according to their TOS: ... "including circumstances generally affecting service times of the USPS (for example, there are no USPS deliveries or pick-ups on Sundays and federal holidays, and heavy mail usage times such as Christmas may result in slower delivery times)," ...) but I'm not sure about that.

-John


Blockbuster does not currently accept returns or ship dvds on Saturdays. This is explicit in their online FAQ. If I return a movie on Thursday, there is a significant chance that they won't process the return until Monday, which turns a 2-3 day turnaround into a 5-6 day turnaround. So the key to Blockbuster is to try get your returns in on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

Do you also keep track of the return time, ie., how long it takes for them to acknowledge your return after you put it in the mailbox? That is also a key interval to determine whether they are throttling you.

Yup I've noticed Netflix has done this to my account from time to time. Even still I get more bang for my buck with Netflix than I do for Blockbuster.

If you do a Google search for Netflix calculator you can find several websites that will determine your threshold before you get throttled. I haven't had any problem with it since I started using those calculators.

I tried netflix two years ago and it took on average 7 days from claimed day of shipping for movies to arrive at my house from a distribution center that was less than 15 minutes away from my house. Typical USPS mail turnaround in my area is 1 day. It was so outrageous that I had to cancel. Now I have blockbuster online and while it is far from perfect, it has several significant advantages. First you get the one in-store coupon per week, which guarantees you can get at least 4 movies per month for the $18/month in addition to any DVDs they mail you. Second when a movie doesn't arrive in 3 days after they ship it you can report it missing which means that they will send you a new movie immediately. If it takes them too long to receive your return, you can also report that which means they will send you a new movie. If you stay on top of your queue, you can ensure that they don't throttle you too badly. Third they have a good selection of HD-DVDs and the availability is good. My major complaint is that they don't process returns or ship movies on Saturday (or Sunday) so you have to get your returns in by Wednesday to keep your queue flowing. Also the user interface is poor and the recommendation system is downright aweful.

Personally I am very glad that Netflix and Blockbuster are fierce competitors because without that competition I would be stuck paying $5 per rental from the local blockbuster with a severely limited selection and no HD-DVDs. I wish that Walmart was still competing in this space as well!

Wow, it is nice to have a little objective data here. Of course as you mention it will probably vary depending on a person's distance from distribution centers but would be greatly appreciative if you updated this post every once in awhile. Thanks!

I'll keep updating the post regularly. :)



Do you also keep track of the return time, ie., how long it takes for them to acknowledge your return after you put it in the mailbox? That is also a key interval to determine whether they are throttling you.

Here's what I can remember (been using both about 4-5 weeks)

Blockbuster:

8 movies took 1 day - More like 10 (read below)
6 Movies took 2 days - More like 4 since 2 movies were returned around 6 pm when the Post Office was closed and obviously shipped the next businees day taking just one day to arrive at Blockbuster.

Netflix:

1 Movie took 3 days
2 or 3 movies took 2 days (I'm not sure)
all the rest 1 day



So, at this point you guys can clearly see that Blockbuster is throttling me.
I even sent an email to Blockbuster complaining about their poor shipping time. Got a BS reply. ;)

Anyway, I really don't mind having the Blockbuster titles taking 3 days. I usually send all my movies back (from both) Monday morning. The Netflix Movies arrive Wednesdays/Thursdays. So I can watch them first and wait for Blockbuster Movies to arrive Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays... :rolleyes:

Blockbuster is playing the 24hr. game. They claim that they have 24hr after the disc return to ship a new one. So after a disc is returned assuming it takes overnight to reach the distribution center you'll get a new on the 4th day during weekday and 5th day on a weekend. That comes down to 2 shipment a week if you send the discs out the following day of receipt.

So far all of my replacement shipments for HD DVD from Netfix has come as SD DVD. Both Cinderella Man (unplayable) and Animal House (missing) replacements came as SD DVDs. So if you want a replacement, DONT let them ship it. Just add the HD DVD back to the top of the queue. Ugh.

-John

I like netflix for its turnaround speed but I get many scratched and even cracked disks. They use flimsy sleeves and mail envelopes. Makes no sense at all. Maybe my post office dislikes netflix

I ahte blockbuster. They are just too big and corporate. They put all the little renters (who had all the odd rare movies) out of buisness whent ehy built around 5 blockbuster within 2 square miles of my house. Ive been using Netflix for a year 1/2 now and no problems. Im glad they are around b/c otherwise Iw ould have no options!

Just to note, Netflix would have had no problem putting all the little renters out of business to. This part of it I don't consider, otherwise I'd be throwing rocks around saying unga-boonga. Welcome to the Brave New World.

My theory is simple. Netflix is trying to kill BB, after BB dies, the price will increase. Look at their profit/operating margins, you will know what they are doing now.
So I opt BB, plus it has some local benefit. Local store will finally stock HD DVD/BR soon as I was told.

My theory is simple. Netflix is trying to kill BB, after BB dies, the price will increase. Look at their profit/operating margins, you will know what they are doing now.
So I opt BB, plus it has some local benefit. Local store will finally stock HD DVD/BR soon as I was told.
Where are you located? In Houston I was told maybe a year. :eek:

I just signed up for a free month of each so I only have a week to compare. Personally I've had no problems with either yet. In my past experience with both it takes about a month of heavy usage before they start throttling. And it looks like BB is finally about to revamp their website. About damn time if you ask me!

I've been with Netflix for about 5 years and have close to 400 movies in the Que. I occasionally have a slow delivery problem with them but overall I'm hooked on the selection and service. Netflix is very willing to work with their customers when problems arise. On the HD DVD side, I've rented about 5 titles and have had no problems whatsoever. I've never thought of going to BB or any other competitor because again overall service is good.

Well, 2 weeks into my Blockbuster Online trial, and I'm sold on Netflix.

Blockbuster has yet to deliver an HD DVD in less than 3 days (except my very first one). It's always 3-4 days shipping. They always receive the HD DVD the day after I mail it, tho.

They just shipped a disc to me today (Monday), but it wont arrive till Friday! Yikes, I'm smack in the middle of Baltimore-Washington metro area. I would hate to see the delivery times out into suburbia. Do you guys have to wait like 2 weeks for a movie to get delivered? It's HORRIBLE.

Here's my current shipments:
Movie Title Rating Ship Date Estimated Arrival
1 Bone Collector: Special Edition [HD] R 08/22/2006 08/25/2006 3 days
2 Caddyshack: Special Edition [HD] R 08/24/2006 08/28/2006 3 days
3 Million Dollar Baby: Special Edition [HD] PG13 08/29/2006 09/01/2006 3 days

-John

If I have to search for a HD titles on netflix when all HD disk should be in one catagory Blockbuster gets my vote.

If I have to search for a HD titles on netflix when all HD disk should be in one catagory Blockbuster gets my vote.


Netflix has a HD-DVD category just like Blockbuster.

Netflix!!! BB is the evil.

If I have to search for a HD titles on netflix when all HD disk should be in one catagory Blockbuster gets my vote.

If you are not a member, I think you don't get the same web page at Netflix when you select the HD-DVD genre that you do when you are logged on as a member. But, when you are a member, the HD-DVD genre page is very good. It shows only HD-DVDs and all of them. It also lets you add to your queue and indicates if you already have the title in your queue. It's really a very good user interface. It's too bad though that you have to be a member to see this since I think it is confusing to those that are not already members and are just checking out the site before making a decision on which one to join. The only complaint I have about Netflix is that they still don't have some HD-DVD titles. But, they do have almost all of them and their turn-around time is very good.

Here's an update for those interested




NEAREST SHIPPING FACILITY (Both around 7 miles away from my house):


Blockbuster — Flushing NY 11356
N e t f l i x — Flushing NY 11354

--------------------------------------------------------

DELIVERY TIME:


BLOCKBUSTER — 37 movies (29 HD-DVDs / 8 SD DVDs)
1 day = 15 movies
2 days = 13 movies
3 days = 6 movies
4 days = 3 movies

N E T F L I X — 34 movies (26 HD-DVDs / 8 SD DVDs)
1 day = 28 movies
2 days = 4 movies
3 days = 2 movies
4 days = none


--------------------------------------------------------

RETURN TIME:


BLOCKBUSTER
1 day = 28 movies
2 days = 6 movies
3 days = 0

N E T F L I X
1 day = 27 movies
2 days = 3 movies
3 days = 1 movie


--------------------------------------------------------

SCRATCHED DISKS:


BLOCKBUSTER = 3 movies
N E T F L I X = 2 movies


--------------------------------------------------------

UNPLAYABLE HD-DVD DISKS:


BLOCKBUSTER = 0
N E T F L I X = 2 movies


--------------------------------------------------------

LOST DISKS:


BLOCKBUSTER = 1 movie
N E T F L I X = none





No broken / wrong disks yet from both.

.

I recently joined Blockbuster online, and I was disappointed to see how many Blu-ray movies weren't on their website. Some of the titles, Disney's The Wild and Annapolis, are only available on regular DVD, but ironically they use the Blu-ray cover art on their webpage. No sign of Covenant either which came out a week ago.

The distribution centers of both Netflix and Blockbuster are just a few miles away from me. Netflix ALWAYS sends the next available movie the same day it gets my returns. BB ALWAYS delivers 1 or 2 days after. Last Thursday I mailed back a Netflix movie and Blockbuster movie. Both acknowledged receiving the movie Friday morning. Netflix shipped the next movie that afternoon. BB did not ship anything.

There aren't too many HD-DVD's left that I really care to watch so I will cancel Blockbuster next week.

The big advantage of BB is returning movies to the local store and picking up a DVD. However, it seemed to always take 2 days to get credit for the return. In that time, I could have gotten another Netflix movie so I might as well keep Netflix. I also really dislike BB's online system for picking HD-DVDs.

I'm so disappointed in Blockbuster Online. Its seems their high definition titles are shrinking. Half of the new stuff saids coming soon especially with BD titles. The wait times are just as bad as netflix for the hot titles yet they wait 1 to 2 days after they receive your movie to ship the next one out.

Netflix is really screwing up for me. I've had World Trade Center in my queue for two months and I have still not received it, even when it said "Now" for avaliability. What really angers me is that I have about 20 discs in my Q right now and not one, not one single disc is avaliable. Most are "Very Long Wait", the rest are just "Long Wait". So will netflix give me a credit until they have some discs in stock? (I already know the answer is no)

Netflix is really screwing up for me. I've had World Trade Center in my queue for two months and I have still not received it, even when it said "Now" for avaliability. What really angers me is that I have about 20 discs in my Q right now and not one, not one single disc is avaliable. Most are "Very Long Wait", the rest are just "Long Wait". So will netflix give me a credit until they have some discs in stock? (I already know the answer is no)


Well, I just started a thread in the HDTV software discussion complaining about the same thing re: BBonline, so I guess the grass is always greener!

Bruzzi, would be interested in a stat re: what percentage releases are listed as "available" b/t Netflix and BB

I like BB for Total Access. I can order HD/BR movies and return them to the store and get another movie.

Works great if you have kids as you never have to pay to rent them a movie again. :)

...they were a terrible choice for me. You want some objective data? How about:

1) Throttling (it was either throttling or they don't know know how to run a business). If it wasn't throttling, then they're too stupid to spend the necessary money to buy enough copies to meet demand. IMHO, they blew their wad on their advertising budget. Have you seen their advertising explosion over the past couple of months?
2) Sending discs that look like they've been dragged for 20 miles behind a semi down I-35. Their QC is horrific. Try calling to complain (IF you can find their hidden phone# and they'll try to tell you that the disc was most likely damaged in the mail). I highly doubt that a disc properly double packaged could ever receive damage like I saw "through the mail".
3) Replacing damaged copies of HD-DVD discs with SD thinking that the customer would be satisfied. HELLO MCFLY! I didn't spend $400 to watch a SD copy of "The Rundown". Which, surprisingly enough, was decent in HD. It took Netflix over a week, but they sent me (what appeared to be) a brand new copy of the movie in HD.
4) Taking days to acknowledge a returned movie.
5) Stating that a movie had been shipped, waiting for an entire week, never receiving the movie and then seeing a message on their website thanking me for returning the movie.
6) Stating that a movie was "Available Now" for an entire week without ever shipping it to me. EVEN WHEN IT WAS THE ONLY MOVIE IN MY QUEUE!

These were reasons enough for me to cancel my Netflix subscription. Did I also mention that all of the problems began once my 2 week free trial membership ended? It's the oldest trick in the sales book, the old "Bait and Switch".

I have a Blockbuster 5 minutes away from my house that carries HD-DVD and BluRay. I talked to the manager of the store and he admitted that it's on a trial basis. They only have added very popular discs in the past month (MI 3, Superman Returns). I'll be joining their on-line program as soon as a few more HD-DVD releases are available. I already own 21 HD-DVD discs and I've seen every one that the Blockbuster has (except for "Fear and Loathing", I read the book so I can't bring myself to watch the movie).

Two last words concerning Netflix:

Caveat Emptor

I ended up changing to both. I used to have Netflix 6 at a time, but have recently changed it to 3 from netflix and 3 from blockbuster for the same overall price.

That way I can get my HD-DVD's from Netflix since they have less showing as "long wait", and get other regular DVD's from Blockbuster and have the option to return to the store to get more.

Hey guys - I have a question for you Netflix subscribers - if you could check it out here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9673729#post9673729 I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

4 blocks from a Blockbuster........ :D

No Brainer..... rent a DVD from online BB and get a free one at the store!

Next Question?

Most appropriate thread I could find to ask this:

To any Blockbuster Online HD DVD renters, have you tried to get Hollywoodland yet? I searched on Collections --> HD DVD and couldn't find anything. But when you search for it, the page it brings up has Hollywoodland's HD DVD box for a picture. What the hell?

Please, someone set me straight!

I've become very frustrated with Netflix lately. Even movies like Superman Returns that have been out since November are showing a 'Long Wait'. Pretty much any new HD-DVD release us guranteed to have a 'Long Wait' nowadays. I guess the demands for HD-DVD have taken off and they haven't increased their inventory.

If my local BB starts renting HD-DVDs, I may think about switching to Total Access. I would prefer to rent most of my HD-DVDs and only buy the major blockbusters.

Most appropriate thread I could find to ask this:

To any Blockbuster Online HD DVD renters, have you tried to get Hollywoodland yet? I searched on Collections --> HD DVD and couldn't find anything. But when you search for it, the page it brings up has Hollywoodland's HD DVD box for a picture. What the hell?

Please, someone set me straight!

I just watched Hollywoodland other night and it is on its way back to blockbuster.

Searching "collection -> HD DVD" will not reveal all the HDDVD's in the blockbuster.com collection. I usually do a manual search for newer HDDVD releases, like Hollywoodland.

blockbuster.com's interface sucks but I do love the Total Access program, especially now that two of my local Blockbuster stores rent HD DVD's and BD's.