DVD Rental Services - Blockbuster vs. Netflix
Blockbuster has recently moved into the Online DVD Rental scene, but is this new service really what it appears to be? We uncover the fine print behind the Blockbuster Total Access marketing campaign...
| Service Provider | BLOCKBUSTER | NETFLIX | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Promotion | 50% OFF FIRST MONTH | FREE TRIAL! | ||
| Payment Plans | Unlimited rentals: Starting at $8.99 for one
DVD out at a time Limited rentals starting at $4.99 |
Unlimited rentals: Starting at $8.99 for one
DVD out at a time Rental + Download plans starting at $4.99 |
||
| Distinguising Feature | Can also make in-store rentals and return online rentals at local stores. | Instant Online Movie Viewing (number of viewing hours increases with plan). | ||
| Pros | Can also rent video games in store | Better online browsing and customization
features Can have more movies out at one time. More foreign titles |
||
| Cons |
In store rentals subject to late fees and must be returned at store $4.99 1 DVD at-a-time price does NOT include in-store exhanges |
No video game rentals or in-store exchanges | ||
| Late Fees | No | No | ||
| Selection | Over 60,000 titles | Over 65,000 titles | ||
| Best Buys Choice | If you will take advantage of the in-store rental options, and don't like watching movies on your PC then blockbuster is the best buy for you. | If in-store rental options aren't important to you, NetFlix is your best buy due to their larger selection, superior website features, and instant online viewing packages!. | ||
| Sign up | Sign up for Blockbuster now! | Sign up for NetFlix now! | ||
Blockbuster vs. Netflix – The Fine Print Behind the Marketing Campaign
The biggest benefit that Blockbuster promotes is the ability to return movies to the store unlike Netflix that only offers mailbox service. While this is a definite perk, it’s important to note that in-store rentals are subject to the same return rules as any regular in-store rental from Blockbuster. If late fees apply at your local Blockbuster, your in-store rentals are also subject to late fees.
If you rent by mail and want to exchange in the store, you can only return movies received by mail to a “participating store.” If your local Blockbuster is a participating store, then this is a nice perk, but if not, you’ll be waiting for your movies anyway since you can only have a set number of flicks out at one time.
Blockbuster however does offer one free in-store rental each month in case your movies are in-route and you want to watch a movie that night. Again, this printable coupon must be redeemed at a “participating” Blockbuster location.
Cost: Blockbuster vs. Netflix – Apples to Oranges?
Most of the marketing material online shows Blockbuster as costing less per month than Netflix, but these marketing pieces may not be comparing apples to apples. The most popular plan – unlimited movie rentals with 3 DVD’s out at a time, cost the same $17.99 per month at Netflix as it does at Blockbuster. In fact, Blockbuster actually costs more than Netflix because Blockbuster charges taxes on the monthly rate while Netflix does not.
Lifestyle: Blockbuster vs. Netflix – Which is Right for You?
If you’ve got a participating Blockbuster in close proximity to your home or office, Blockbuster Total Access may serve you well. However, if your local Blockbuster charges late fees for in-store rentals, you may start racking up charges that you didn’t anticipate. After all, isn’t one of the main benefits of ordering DVD’s online the flexibility to keep movies for as long as you want?
If you’re a very busy person or are prone to returning movies late, Netflix may be the right choice. If you go for the 3 rental plan, the cost is lower because Netflix doesn’t charge taxes on the monthly fee as Blockbuster does. Plus, if you have a computer that you can enjoyably watch movies on, the Instant Online viewing that Netflix recently began offering makes Netflix the obvious best buy, especially with those plans starting at only $4.99 per month!