Your Take Re: Online DVD Rentals??? Good or Bad???

[MAXIMUS01CAN]

Howdy All,

Anyone done any research or use these services. Being from Canada it looks as if it's around $25/month for online orders to your door rentals. Just wondering if anyone's used this service or is it a burn......

Cheers,
Max

[bill7621]

I use both Blockbuster and Netflix here in the states. Blockbuster seems a little slow in the turnaround time and for this reason I'll probably drop them. They also seem to have a lot of defective discs that get shipped out and that tends to tick me off. They're always good about sending another, but that takes time that I'm paying for. I just signed up with Netflix and they are quicker to send discs - so far. They both have good selections of movies I have yet to find in the video stores. I think Blockbuster is $14.99 and Netflix is $17.99 and they both have different plans you can get. I have the one where you can have 3 out at a time.

[thephreak]

I have blockbuster, so far they've been good. TA isn't bad, but I think I live fairly close to one of their distribution centers. 3 DVD's at a time unlimited for 14.99/Month.

[bill7621]

I live about 70 miles from a distribution center. If I post a return in the morning, they send me an email by the following afternoon saying they have recieved it and will remove it from my queue. It takes another "business" day (it's in their terms) to select another one and send it. Then I get a message saying I will receive it in three to four days!! I usually get it in three, but not always. Now my "problem" is this - If they get my return in one day (and it's always been less than 24 hrs.), why does it take three to four to get another one? Maybe I'm just being too picky, but I think it's their way of making more off you by increasing the turnaround time. Netflix (which is more expensive) probably does the same thing, but I'm too new there to notice it yet.

@ MAXIMUS01CAN, I don't think any of these services "burn" you, it's just they have issues too. But like I said, they have titles you'll never find elsewhere, and I don't think any video store has the selection they do. They also have coplete Seasons of titles like say... Star Trek: The Next Generation. You name it, they probably have it so give it a try. Youcan cancel at any time if you don't like them.

[The Doctor]

MAXIMUS01CAN,

I live in Canada and belong to Zip.ca. I've been with them for about a month now and have to say I've been fairly impressed with the service so far. I was pretty skeptical at first, having read some horror stories, but it appears they got their act together and have really tightened up their operation.

The website and list of DVD's available is quite impressive. There is usually no problem filling your list. I joined for the older, harder to find movies and they havent disappointed yet. I have the 4 dvd - $24.95 plan, which I think is not bad. Im sure your wondering about turnaround time. I live in the same city as the distribution centre, and my turnaround time is pretty good. If I mail a DVD on monday to be returned, it will be off my list first thing tuesday morning, tuesday afternoon they will have shipped out my next DVD and usually I will have it in the mail thursday. Thats average. There has been several times where I will get my new dvd by wednesday. I also spoke to a friend of mine who lives in Toronto, and apparently his turnaround time is the same there as it is in their distribution city, so it seems pretty consistant. One freak incident, I brought my DVD's to be returned right to the Canada Post sorting/distribution centre and by the same afternoon they had already sent my new ones, the next day they were in my mailbox. That was awesome turnaround, but not common. Right now im averaging about 20 - 22 movies per month, at $24.95 a month is not a bad deal. I all depends on how fast you watch the movies and get them back in the mailbox.

As far as I know, they still have a 2 week trial of the service. ITs the best way to tell if your going to like it or not. Its free, so whats to lose?

Hope that helps a bit!

The Doc

[photo_angel2004]

I do not think that the mail rentals are worth it.
They only send either 2 or 3 DVD’s then you have to mail them back, once they receive them they send out 2 more by mail with all the mailing days you do not get that many DVD’s to rent when it is unlimited you really only get so many and that’s it. Also any time you mail any thing there is no guaranty that mail will arrive. I had a few friends do the net Flex and one of my friends mailed her 2 DVD’s back and for what ever reason they never made it back she was charged $30.00 for each DVD and she doesn’t even have them, they were lost by mail. Every one think s that the post office is flawless I have seen a mail truck crash and start on fire all mail left in that truck was burned, things happen. Buyers beware.

[blutach]

Here in Oz, we have "fast return", where you simply click on, "I've returned them" and they send you replacements out the next day. If they get lost in the return (or incoming) mail, the service writes them off. Also, my service gives 1 week's refund for every damaged disk - haven't paid much for months

Regards

[photo_angel2004]

seems like you get better service there then we do here.

[blutach]

If they dreamed charging me for DVDs lost in the mail, I'd leave them immediately (and wouldn't pay anyway).

Regards

[photo_angel2004]

I hear ya there my friend cancled after paying the $60.00 for missing DVD's. And I never joined. LOL

[NascarLady]

I joined Blockbuster Online about 3 weeks ago and I luv it. The Worcester, MA DC is about an hour from me and my TA has been 2 days. So if I mail on Monday, I have the next one by Wednesday. I was thinking of doing Netflix but tried BB because it is cheaper AND you get 2 in-store rentals each month as well. I also use a rebate site that gave me $18 back for trying BB.

I have used Walmart.com rentals, but they have discontinued that service and gave the accounts to Netflix.

It is true that mail gets lost. If you report the problem to the rental company, they will send you another disc. If they notice you report A LOT of lost discs, then of course you look guilty and will be charged.

Use the free trial periods and compare!

[nwg]

I have just started using Amazon.co.uk rentals. For £9.99, I can rent six DVD's per month and at 3 at a time. There is also an advantage that they will also DVD's from boxsets to be rented. Postage is free both ways as well.

The DVD's from the local Blockbusters cost £3.95 each so, it is quite a saving.

[mastercontrol]

I've been with zip.ca for a couple months now and my experience has been fairly decent. I get my discs within 2 days of them sending them out. My only problem so far is that so many of the discs are in pretty bad shape, but this is because so many other customers don't give a damn about caring for the discs.

As far as I know, Zip only has a distribution facility in Ottawa, so the further you are from there, the longer it takes to get them. In your case being in Calgary, it might take longer than you care to wait, but you can try them out and see how it works for you.

[BlagRipper]

This just in.....Is it real?

http://www.intelliflix.com/

I dont see any comments on it.............................

[BR7]

I think its worth it I use Netflix and you cant beat unlimted 3 movies for $17 month deal compared to a video store they charge you about $4 a movie and as many movies as I get its a bargin.And I have been getting my rentals 1 day after shipping it has been very nice.So far I have not had to wait to get the New releases