Rambling Cell

Blockbuster versus Netflix - Netflix Wins

I have had some experience with Blockbuster online and Netflix.  For years I would have rated Blockbuster the better value without any hesitation.  Now, I think Netflix is clearly the better value for the buck.

When we started with Blockbuster years ago I thought it was a good value.  Our plan included 3 movies out at a time, 2 game rental coupons, and unlimited instore movie exchanges.  Almost all of that has changed and the price has increased.

The first change came with the discontinuing the instore game coupons.  Frustrating to our kids but not that big of a deal.  Next the monthly price increased and the number of instore exchanges changed from unlimited to a limit of 5.  Never a good thing when the price goes up and features go down.

Just recently Blockbuster announced the exchanging of a video at the store will not result in a new video being sent by mail until the store video is returned.  I consider this a major reduction in service. 

So why Netflix?  Over this same period of time Netflix has added streaming video that can be sent to any computer, networked video box, or xbox 360.  Initially this was limited to a certain number of hours a month.  About a year ago Netflix changed this to an unlimited amount of streaming video.  They actually increased their service but did not increase the monthly fee.

Blockbuster wait times for popular movies has also increased dramatically.  Netflix seems to purchase enough new releases that they can provide them without waits.

Blockbuster has been sneaky with fine print over the last couple of years so be careful if you choose Blockbuster as your movies by mail option.