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Netflix BD disc rental discussion thread - Page 2

post #31 of 8499
1/5/08 at 7:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thuff13 View Post

Blockbuster used to be a good option. I signed up when it was $17.99 for 3 movies and unlimited in store exchanges. Then they made you pay more to keep the unlimited exchanges and then they raised it another $10. So I have gone from $17.99 to $34.99 in less than 6 months. It is no longer worth the price. And like Sax said, the wait wasn't any better. I rarely got BDs in the mail and at the store they only had one copy of most movies, so I usually couldn't get them right away at the store either. I would not recommend Blockbuster anymore.

$34.99? I had the $17.99 plan and now it's $24.99. Where did you get $34.99 from?

I had nothing but problems with NetFlix, but I think the USPS was to blame. Blockbuster is a freaking joy compared to my experience with NetFlix. Most of those Blu-rays mentioned in the OP I've rented in-store. I've been with Blockbuster about 11 months now and I've been very happy with them. It sucks they raised the price though. I usually rent a minimum of about 24 DVDs/Blu-rays a month.
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post #32 of 8499
1/5/08 at 9:35pm
What I heard is that studios are limiting copies to Netflix in order to force consumers to buy instead of rent.
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post #33 of 8499
1/5/08 at 10:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikonosis View Post

Is anyone upset with Netflix like I am right now?

Yes! I have 15 blu-rays at the top of my queue and I routinely only get sent something from #s 12 or further down the list. 80% of my current shipments have been DVDs for the last couple months, and that wasn't my choice.

Brandon
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post #34 of 8499
1/5/08 at 10:49pm
I don't want to get too far off-track, but I have a work-around for the "we don't want you to wait" excuse from Blockbuster. Whatever movie is most important in your queue, put it #1. Make #2-12 all long wait or very long wait movies. This basically forces their system to send out #1 even if it's from another warehouse. Personally, I'd much rather have my movies in order of preference rather than shipping convenience and will wait the extra day or two.
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post #35 of 8499
1/6/08 at 1:13am
wow i always get what i want only movie im waitng on is ocean13.it also depends on where you live thats what i was told because thats where it will be shiped from if your location dont have it you just have to wait
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post #36 of 8499
1/6/08 at 1:53am
As a college student home for summer break with an excess of free time last year I experimented a lot with getting the optimal yield out of my Netflix subscription. I too was experiencing frustrating wait times for new releases until I stumbled upon this neat little trick/glitch/who knows that resulted in me getting every single BR I wanted on release day for the rest of the summer! Note: this only works for movies that have yet to be released, not for movies that are already showing as long wait.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Add the movie of interest to your queue - availability column will show as "Releases on Blu-ray on XXX, 2008" (almost always a Tuesday)
Step 2. Figure out the transit time in number of days that it takes for a full Netflix "return-cycle." Your goal is to figure out on which day of the week you need to mail back a disc from your house so that Netflix processes and ships it one day before the release date.

Confusing? Yes! Example: "The Rock" is set to release Tuesday, January 8th. This means (at least for my Netflix distribution center) that Netflix will ship the movie to customers who request it on Monday, December 7th (so it arrives on release day - nice!). It takes 1 day for movies to make it from my house to a distribution center and be processed. So if I mail out the movie on Saturday, the 5th, Netflix will process it Monday morning (no mail on Sundays) and ship a new movie from the top of my queue that day.

Step 3. When the release date of the movie you're interested in comes along, bump the movie to the top of your queue.
Step 4. Return a disc from home as outlined in step 2.
Step 5. Enjoy!

Notes: It's been a while since I've tried this, and it's possible Netflix has caught on, but this worked flawlessly for me for three months and just worked again the other day, so I think it still works. I am fairly confident that I am not receiving preferential treatment because I have several long wait titles that refused to ship for months despite being on my queue for ages.

Good luck!
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post #37 of 8499
1/6/08 at 2:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by getmyrunon View Post

As a college student home for summer break with an excess of free time last year I experimented a lot with getting the optimal yield out of my Netflix subscription. I too was experiencing frustrating wait times for new releases until I stumbled upon this neat little trick/glitch/who knows that resulted in me getting every single BR I wanted on release day for the rest of the summer! Note: this only works for movies that have yet to be released, not for movies that are already showing as long wait.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Add the movie of interest to your queue - availability column will show as "Releases on Blu-ray on XXX, 2008" (almost always a Tuesday)
Step 2. Figure out the transit time in number of days that it takes for a full Netflix "return-cycle." Your goal is to figure out on which day of the week you need to mail back a disc from your house so that Netflix processes and ships it one day before the release date.

Confusing? Yes! Example: "The Rock" is set to release Tuesday, January 8th. This means (at least for my Netflix distribution center) that Netflix will ship the movie to customers who request it on Monday, December 7th (so it arrives on release day - nice!). It takes 1 day for movies to make it from my house to a distribution center and be processed. So if I mail out the movie on Saturday, the 5th, Netflix will process it Monday morning (no mail on Sundays) and ship a new movie from the top of my queue that day.

Step 3. When the release date of the movie you're interested in comes along, bump the movie to the top of your queue.
Step 4. Return a disc from home as outlined in step 2.
Step 5. Enjoy!

Notes: It's been a while since I've tried this, and it's possible Netflix has caught on, but this worked flawlessly for me for three months and just worked again the other day, so I think it still works. I am fairly confident that I am not receiving preferential treatment because I have several long wait titles that refused to ship for months despite being on my queue for ages.

Good luck!

I do it every week. Well more like every other week, when a new release is coming out that I'm interested in. Send back on Saturday, they receive on Monday. I've only gotten a big-time new release shipped to me by Tuesday roughly 20% of the time.

Brandon
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post #38 of 8499
1/6/08 at 8:14am
I had to switch blockbuster I was having same problem with netflix, I have found blockbuster to be way better you can rent BD DVD right from within the store and thru the mail. Good luck with netflix
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post #39 of 8499
1/6/08 at 8:18am
Renting BD's is now impossible for me. Flat out impossible. And I cannot rent locally because there are no local vid stores.
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post #40 of 8499
1/6/08 at 8:28am
Probably my fault. All 3 of my HD titles at home gathering dust is on your list. Sorry about that.
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post #41 of 8499
1/6/08 at 8:35am
I'm having the same problem with Netflix. 10 movies in my queue (8BD, 2 reg dvd) and all of them have long or very long waits on them.

I'm about ready to knock my 3 rentals down to 1 (or just cancel) since they never send me a disc anyways. I went to a local Blockbuster that rents BD--but their selection was pathetic (about 100 movies with 1 copy of each--most were rented.) There just doesn't seem to be a good option right now to rent HDM.

I've received about 3 movies in the past 2 months, which really makes Netflix a rip-off.
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post #42 of 8499
1/6/08 at 8:38am
Netflix has gotten really bad for me lately. All of the BD and HD DVD's are listed as long or very long wait. It's gotten to the point where I'm having to put stuff in my queue that I really have little interest in just so that I'll have something.

On top of that, lately I've been getting a lot of "The title you requested is not available from your local distribution center", they're sending movies to me from California instead. Clear on the other side of the country, so there's an additional 3-4 days shipping time. Netflix is getting real close to losing me as a customer.
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post #43 of 8499
1/6/08 at 9:28am
I haven't seen any complaints about NF deciding not to stock some BDs (and HD DVDs for that matter). Rush Hour 3 and Mr/Mrs Smith come to mind immediately. Neither is available to rent in BD format. WTF is up with that?
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post #44 of 8499
1/6/08 at 9:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bplewis24 View Post

I do it every week. Well more like every other week, when a new release is coming out that I'm interested in. Send back on Saturday, they receive on Monday. I've only gotten a big-time new release shipped to me by Tuesday roughly 20% of the time.

Brandon

Looks like they're catching on What am I going to do next summer?
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post #45 of 8499
1/6/08 at 10:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

I haven't seen any complaints about NF deciding not to stock some BDs (and HD DVDs for that matter). Rush Hour 3 and Mr/Mrs Smith come to mind immediately. Neither is available to rent in BD format. WTF is up with that?

I've complained about it, but I doubt it does much good. They don't have Shoot 'em up either. I "think" BB has a exclusive on a few titles for awhile, but I don't know which ones.

I guess they simply don't have many copies of the titles they do have. Whether its Netflix's fault or the studios cannot be sure, since they won't just come out and say. The information the CSR's give out when someone calls in, who knows how accurate it really is.
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post #46 of 8499
1/6/08 at 10:11am
GetMyRunOn, I followed the same practice. It worked well but over the past few months it does not work at all, even for movies placed in queue weeks before their release date. At least that is the case here in Illinois.

IMO location makes a big difference to the Netflix experience. Bottom line is Netflix must do better at matching their HD inventory with the demand at each distribution center or they will continue to see a decline in their customer-base.

If the studios are placing artificial constraints on the Netflix model, Netflix should be more vocal about it. If this is the case we all need to step up the pressure in any way we can because HD VOD over IP is a way practically for most broadband subscribers and there are only so many BOGO deals to take advantage of!
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post #47 of 8499
1/6/08 at 10:20am
Maestro, lol I thought I was going crazy when Rush Hour 3 turned up on DVD. I assumed Netflix substituted SD for HD. I had to go and check my queue before remembering that they only have it on DVD.

It's crazy the Studios are still so blinkered. Screwing with the distribution channel is pretty poor practice for content-based providers in this age...darn Luddites.

I view movies on Netflix, if I like the movie I will buy it. I am a freak, but I am sure I am not that unusual. The quicker I can 'sample' a movie, the quicker I will buy it. Unless the Studios believe they are churning out crap, their strategy makes no sense.
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post #48 of 8499
1/6/08 at 11:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by getmyrunon View Post

As a college student home for summer break with an excess of free time last year I experimented a lot with getting the optimal yield out of my Netflix subscription. I too was experiencing frustrating wait times for new releases until I stumbled upon this neat little trick/glitch/who knows that resulted in me getting every single BR I wanted on release day for the rest of the summer! Note: this only works for movies that have yet to be released, not for movies that are already showing as long wait.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Add the movie of interest to your queue - availability column will show as "Releases on Blu-ray on XXX, 2008" (almost always a Tuesday)
Step 2. Figure out the transit time in number of days that it takes for a full Netflix "return-cycle." Your goal is to figure out on which day of the week you need to mail back a disc from your house so that Netflix processes and ships it one day before the release date.

Confusing? Yes! Example: "The Rock" is set to release Tuesday, January 8th. This means (at least for my Netflix distribution center) that Netflix will ship the movie to customers who request it on Monday, December 7th (so it arrives on release day - nice!). It takes 1 day for movies to make it from my house to a distribution center and be processed. So if I mail out the movie on Saturday, the 5th, Netflix will process it Monday morning (no mail on Sundays) and ship a new movie from the top of my queue that day.

Step 3. When the release date of the movie you're interested in comes along, bump the movie to the top of your queue.
Step 4. Return a disc from home as outlined in step 2.
Step 5. Enjoy!

Notes: It's been a while since I've tried this, and it's possible Netflix has caught on, but this worked flawlessly for me for three months and just worked again the other day, so I think it still works. I am fairly confident that I am not receiving preferential treatment because I have several long wait titles that refused to ship for months despite being on my queue for ages.

Good luck!

This method worked for me last month with the Simpsons. Unfortunately I was very disappointed in the movie, but I didn't have to wait for it! I'm trying this method with 3:10 to Yuma, I sent back a disc on Saturday...

My experience with this problem is mixed, sometimes it will say long wait in the queue, but it is sent out when they receive my returned disc. Not always, though.

My local Blockbuster doesn't carry Blu-ray. I asked the manager about it and he said that particular store is one of the busiest in the nation, so they choose to carry only SD (not sure I understand his logic). The BB near my work carries Blu-ray, but it is a small selection and I hate making special trips to return a movie. I read somewhere Netflix has over 400 BD titles, so I'll stick with them for now.
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post #49 of 8499
1/6/08 at 11:40am
So basically it's all our fault. Netflix only has so many copies of HD movies and we are renting them like crackheads.

So let's take turns! We all stop renting for a week and let one of us rent that week. How about you all stop renting so I can get my movies

Joe
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post #50 of 8499
1/6/08 at 12:02pm
If I put my movie in the mailbox friday night or sat morning, and there is a new movie due Tues they ship it out almost without fail every single time (one out of like 9 times they didn't) with blockbuster i did the same thing and it did not happen, and before that when i had netflix it also didn't happen for some reason. I make sure to return the blu-ray discs and high demand disc day after I watch it tho so they can give it again to another customer as soon as possible.
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post #51 of 8499
1/6/08 at 1:23pm
I have no problem get BD from them...but I only have BD in my que so maybe I get preference?
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post #52 of 8499
1/6/08 at 2:09pm
This is frustrating to say the least, I switched from BB a few months back and the first couple months with NF were great. Now I got 2 weeks without getting a movie even though I have 20 in my queue.

I am thinking it would be easier and cheaper to buy new releases from Amazon and then watch them/loan to my friends and the sell them on ebay. Anyone interested in starting a BD and HD DVD swap site?
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post #53 of 8499
1/6/08 at 2:30pm
Blockbuster is just as bad. I'm droping it all together and just spending the $20 a month on one additional BR movie.
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post #54 of 8499
1/6/08 at 3:57pm
Having the same problem - Class action lawsuit.
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post #55 of 8499
1/6/08 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by magicconch View Post

I make sure to return the blu-ray discs and high demand disc day after I watch it tho so they can give it again to another customer as soon as possible.

Thanks, that's very considerate of you.
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post #56 of 8499
1/6/08 at 8:46pm
Well, if nothing else, this thread has been personally useful for me. I had been a Netflix user many years ago, back before the deliberate service degradation was widely known, but canceled when my service started to decline. I've always held a grudge against Netflix for that but recently, had been thinking of signing up with it or Blockbuster just to rent Blu-ray discs, since I don't feel like buying and or dragging myself to the nearest video store, which isn't that near from a Manhattan perspective (it's a couple streets and avenues over from where I live, too close to cab it but too far to walk without it seeming like a chore). But reading this thread, it's obvious that neither subscription services are any good with HD rentals. Oh well, at least this thread has saved me money and frustration.
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post #57 of 8499
1/6/08 at 10:37pm
Hopefully, with the format war winding down, NF will be more inclined to stock additional blu...or the studios will release more rental copies.
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post #58 of 8499
1/6/08 at 11:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oink View Post

Hopefully, with the format war winding down, NF will be more inclined to stock additional blu...or the studios will release more rental copies.

This notion that Netflix is limited in the number of HD copies it can purchase; has this actually been confirmed by the company? I see that someone said a customer rep told them this but I don't trust the word of a customer rep. My personal experience is that some customer reps know what they're doing but many don't have a clue yet those that don't have no hesitation making up the most ludicrous nonsense. Frankly, this idea makes no sense to me. How can the studios stop Netflix from buying as many copies as it wants? Netflix can go to any number of distributors like Ingram that actually supply retailers and buy its copies. It doesn't need any studios' permission or agreement to buy copies. And under the principle of the first sale doctrine under U.S. copyright law, companies are allowed to rent copies of works that they've purchased WITHOUT the permission of the copyright holder.

I'm also highly suspicious of this explanation because it conveniently absolves Netflix of any blame for its service problem: "It's not our fault we don't have enough copies to rent, the studios won't sell them to us!" I think that when a company blames another company for its problem, it's usually lying.
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post #59 of 8499
1/7/08 at 3:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by thuff13 View Post

Blockbuster used to be a good option. I signed up when it was $17.99 for 3 movies and unlimited in store exchanges. Then they made you pay more to keep the unlimited exchanges and then they raised it another $10. So I have gone from $17.99 to $34.99 in less than 6 months. It is no longer worth the price. And like Sax said, the wait wasn't any better. I rarely got BDs in the mail and at the store they only had one copy of most movies, so I usually couldn't get them right away at the store either. I would not recommend Blockbuster anymore.


Ditto on this for BB.


With netflix I should first mention that I have already received and returned a good number of the movies on your list.

I find the easiest way to get a movie is to return on the friday before a movie is released. They usually will ship it out on Monday.

I must admit that I am having some trouble with availability, but it is no where near as bad as Blockbuster and their 'Coming Soon' feature.

I am also down to the 2 a month plan, but that is basically because I downgraded for football season (lack of viewing time). Not sure if I am going to bump it back up or not.
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post #60 of 8499
1/7/08 at 4:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by peterlee View Post

Well, if nothing else, this thread has been personally useful for me. I had been a Netflix user many years ago, back before the deliberate service degradation was widely known, but canceled when my service started to decline. I've always held a grudge against Netflix for that but recently, had been thinking of signing up with it or Blockbuster just to rent Blu-ray discs, since I don't feel like buying and or dragging myself to the nearest video store, which isn't that near from a Manhattan perspective (it's a couple streets and avenues over from where I live, too close to cab it but too far to walk without it seeming like a chore). But reading this thread, it's obvious that neither subscription services are any good with HD rentals. Oh well, at least this thread has saved me money and frustration.


I'm not a heavy renter but I am not having these problems. I always get the first or second choice on my list without fail and they are all HD formats (I have both with my preference set for BD). Maybe it is a throttling issue.
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