Netflix vs. Blockbuster (online)

Sgt PSN · February 11, 2006, 09:19:01 AM

You gotta love it when a business casts aside their established customers to make room for someone else's moolah.

DirecTV is notorious for that. They're always running promotions for new subscribers which give them cheaper rates than current users. When I wanted to add a reciever to another room in my house they were wanting to charge me some outrageous figure like $50-$100, plus the cost of the new reciever. Then a couple of weeks later I saw them advertising (for new subscribers) 4 free recievers, set up and installation. And all you had to do was sign up for Total Choice Premier which is just basic cable. No HBO, Showtime or Skinemax.

I called them up and bitched about how I'd been a subscriber for 5 years and can't even get them to add a single reciever for me but they'll give a new customer 4 of them. After a few minutes or arguing I got my free reciever.

I understand that businesses need to run specials to attract new customers. That's the whole point. But at the same time, if they'd like to keep their existing customers it would be nice for them to throw a promotion our way every now and then too.

PoopyfaceMcGee · February 11, 2006, 10:50:44 AM

No evidence that Blockbuster "throttles"?

Even if they do, the extra in-store rental per week is a nice way to get those new movies.

ice grillin you · February 11, 2006, 11:37:23 AM

i found blockbuster to be the same speed as when netflix 'throttled' me....at least you knew what you were getting with blockbuster...where as netflix builds you up to tear you down....and youre correct the in store johnson is defintiely a nice plus

PoopyfaceMcGee · April 08, 2006, 05:03:08 PM

Netflix suing Blockbuster online for patent infringement

mussa · April 09, 2006, 01:26:55 PM

i am happy w/ blockbuster. i consistently get my movies 2-3 days. never longer.

PoopyfaceMcGee · April 09, 2006, 01:38:31 PM

Blockbuster just added a dist. center in Charlotte. Previously, they had been routing most of my stuff to Gaithersburg... so my turnaround went from 4 mail days to 2-3 total. I don't get movies on top of my queue much, but it also doesn't much matter, because we can go to the store once a week to pick one out.

PoopyfaceMcGee · November 02, 2006, 08:30:39 AM

Interesting change in Blockbuster online's plan...

Now, instead of getting one free movie coupon a week (which has worked out great for us) along with the 3-at-a-time unlimited rentals for $17.99/month, they are reducing to ONE movie coupon a month. HOWEVER, instead of putting the online movies back in the mail, if you take them to the Blockbuster store, you can get a free rental... AND it will also trigger the next available movie in the queue. Basically, every movie from BB online now equals a free in-store rental. Pretty cool.

ice grillin you · November 02, 2006, 09:18:41 AM

i just joined netflix again....its the best thing ever....probably because i live 25 minutes from gaithersburg

PoopyfaceMcGee · November 02, 2006, 09:46:54 AM

Not during rush hour you don't.

PhillyGirl · November 02, 2006, 09:56:32 AM

Quote from: FFatPatt on November 02, 2006, 08:30:39 AM
Interesting change in Blockbuster online's plan...

Now, instead of getting one free movie coupon a week (which has worked out great for us) along with the 3-at-a-time unlimited rentals for $17.99/month, they are reducing to ONE movie coupon a month. HOWEVER, instead of putting the online movies back in the mail, if you take them to the Blockbuster store, you can get a free rental... AND it will also trigger the next available movie in the queue. Basically, every movie from BB online now equals a free in-store rental. Pretty cool.

I was about to say, "THAT SUCKS!" and then I read the rest of your post.

That's way cooler.

ice grillin you · November 02, 2006, 10:08:53 AM

bb stores are going out of business with the quickness around me

mussa · November 02, 2006, 10:08:54 AM

Yea that is cool. So you can take your watched movies in the envelope, back to the store and exchange them for movies.

PoopyfaceMcGee · November 02, 2006, 10:26:15 AM

Quote from: ice grillin you on November 02, 2006, 10:08:53 AM
bb stores are going out of business with the quickness around me

New ones are still popping up here in NC. The yokels aren't much for fancy internets.

OK, that's not really true at all. There are actually a ton of tech savvy people here, but BB still does a healthy business.

MURP · November 02, 2006, 10:37:45 AM

It's a brilliant strategy by Blockbuster to get more schlubs in the store to purchase the candy, soda, and $22 DVD's. It seems everytime im in there some mom with 4 loud mouthed kids is spending $40 on a couple rentals and a trashbag full of candy.

Wingspan · November 02, 2006, 10:53:01 AM

my reason for being a netflix customer is so that i never actually have to set foot in video rental store.