One reason that I don’t use Blockbuster’s online service is that I know two separate people who have used it and switched to Netflix because they didn’t like Blockbuster’s service. Beyond that, like I said before, I have no problem with dropping off movies at Blockbuster and paying for some new ones while simultaneously getting films from Netflix. I really don’t feel like I’d be getting much more out of Blockbuster’s service than I do out of Netflix.

Henrik,

I’ve heard the stories about throttling, too, but as a Netflix user, I’ve never had a problem with this. And if anyone should be feeling the kick of throttling, it should be me. I tend to watch a movie a day, so I’m getting about 20 movies a month from Netflix, making me the type of person they would seemingly want to screw over since I’m making the most of their services. In my experience, throttling is just something that people who are on waiting lists for new or hard to find films use as a way to bitch about the short wait.

Also, as far as making the program worth your while, if you have the Netflix deal that allows you three movies at a time and an unlimited number per month, you only need to watch 5 Netflix movies a month to break even or get a better deal than renting the same number of movies from Blockbuster stores. In my case, since I watch so many films from Netflix, I’m paying four times less for my movies than I would be by renting from Blockbuster.

Finally, to each his own, but you really couldn’t be bothered to put an envelope in the mail and wait in the comfort of your home for a new movie to show up?

The only people I know who uses this feature are people who just use it to burn DVDs for themselves.

“I don’t have much faith in my ability to actually package and send the movies back to them.”

Are you serious? It’s that hard to put the disc back in its PREPAID sleeve and stick it in the mail slot outside your house? It’s the same as putting the disc back in its case and on the shelf.

If you’re swinging by your local BB anyway, why on earth are you using Netflix? BB is the same price and you can exchange your online rentals right at the store for free movies in-store and have your online movie checked in immediately so the next one is shipped.

I have NO IDEA why people use Neflix over BB. If you’re way out of range from a store, then I guess it makes sense. Otherwise BB is the way to go (and I’ve used both services). They have they exact same features on their site, but BB offers way more in value and convenience.

MORE TO THE POINT OF THE POST… I think eventually video stores will become a thing of the past, but this is a long ways off. If BB tays in business, they’ll still have small stores in the area for selling DVDs and maybe just as an outlet for the online returns.

Those are two that I know of, although I’m not sure how good either service is.

My biggest issue with Blockbuster/Rogers/etc. is the ridiculously high cost.

But doesn’t the new game consoles offer downloadable stuff ?

I’m with rest of you guys in saying that I’d rather buy dvds than rent them, but there are a lot of people who don’t have any interest in owning movies and this is and has been their solution.

Plus, your forgetting about all the videogames they have. When I was a kid, I loved renting games and I would usually rent a game before shelling out $40-$60 on a game.