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DVDs By Mail?
scubacuda asks: "DVD mail rentals are hot right now. Netflix, perhaps the most popular one, costs only $19/month (with free shipping). Since then, a whole new batch of similar DVD rental services have cropped up. What do Slashdot readers look for? Which ones are most reliable, have the best selections, provide free shipping and makes the best movie suggestions?"
Netflix now has a local return address (Tacoma, WA) , so I experiance a very fast turnaround, and I've never run across a DVD out of stock. For the 1 1/2 years I've used them, only one disk has arrived damaged, and one has been lost in the mail. Very satisfactory, overall. I don't know what else I could ask of them.
My wife is a movie junkie, and so far she really likes NetFlix.
The really nice thing about them is that instead of standing around in a rental store trying to decide what to rent, you can sit at your PC and make your list. She already has a 22-item list, so she'll be busy watching movies for awhile.
Also, if you are bad about forgetting to return rentals on time, you won't get tagged for late fees. I turned in a movie to Blockbuster about 20 minutes late due to a snow storm, and they wouldn't wave the late fee. Ever since, I've rented from someone else if I had a choice.
NetFlix aparently have several shipping centers around the U.S. I initially signed up for their 10-day trial to see how long it would take for DVDs to get to us. Our DVD's come out of Houston, and take about 2 days.
I've been using Netflix for about 6 months and been pretty satisfied. My average cost per movie is about $2.29 (under the $19.95/month plan). That's not too bad, considering I live in semi-rural Alaska (shipping each way is usually about 3 days).
I don't care for them splitting up two disk sets though. If a movie comes on two disks (such as The Godfather, Part II), you have to rent each one seperatly.
I like Netflix-- under the '3 movies out' plan it means we always have 1 in transit, 1 for the kiddies, 1 for me and my spouse. And the fact that we never have to worry about late fees is great.
I just ran the numbers, we averaged just under $3.50 per DVD rented. Given that some we watched the day they arrived (then returned), others we didn't get to for a week, this is pretty great.
You can actually calculate your min cost, based on latency. Assuming a 5-day turnaround (i.e. from when you drop it in your box, to when they receive it and process it [typically within 24 hrs] and mail it back. We have around 2 day's travel each way), it's easy to figure out the min and most likely price.
Each 'slot' can cycle at most 30/turnaround_time, so for a 5-day turnaround that's 6 rentals a month. So the 2-DVD program at $15 is $1.25/CD (assuming you're rabid and watch each movie instantly!). 3-DVD at $21 is $1.66.
But that misses the point-- you're going for convenience and lifestyle. The main selling point isn't cost. It's a) no late fees, watch when you want and b) the Queue.
The Queue rules. You can list any movie you're interested in, and they just ship 'em in order. You can change the order at any time. Interested in Farscape episodes? Add 'em to your queue and you'll get them in order. Never got around to seeing "The Godfather"? Toss it in the queue. I'm up to 124 items in my queue, and anytime someone recommend a movie, I can add it (and prioritize it).
So I like Netflix. Alas, they do have aggressive email marketing-- not quite SPAM, but darn close. They partner with a lot of other sites so you sometimes get Netflix junk for unrelated reasons. This I hate, and it's the one thing that makes me feel guilty about using them. [If they started spoofing headers or such, I'd drop them in an instant. Right now, they're just being pushy.]
A.
Netflix has had its ups and downs as far as availability is concerend but I am happy with them and I put my money where my mouth is (I am a subscriber of their $40/mo option).
I've noticed that movie availablility drops around Xmas time (gift certificates?) but last Xmas, they seemed to beef up their inventory quickly.
I often get newly released movies the week they are released.
Since they opened their distribution center in Tacoma, WA my turnaround times have dropped a couple days (I live in Portland, OR).
Jesus saves....And takes 1/2 damage.
I will happily jump on the,"I'm happy with Netflix," bandwagon. I see some posters saying that the number of movies per month doesn't work for them -- Netflix actually has quite a few different plans, 3 at a time for $20 is just the main one they push marketing-wise (no, I don't work for them/own stock):
Netflix Service Ultimate (8 out)
For the ultimate at-home selection of DVDs at an incredible value, choose our Ultimate Program. It lets you have 8 movies out at a time for a flat monthly fee of $39.95.
Netflix Service Plus (5 out)
Ideal for members who want a larger selection of DVDs at home, our Plus Program lets you have 5 movies out at a time for a flat monthly fee of $29.95.
Netflix Service Bonus (4 out)
With variety, value and an extra movie, our Bonus Program lets you have 4 movies out at a time for a flat monthly fee of $24.95.
Netflix Service Standard (3 out)
Enjoyed by the majority of our members, our popular Standard Program lets you have 3 movies out at a time for a flat monthly fee of $19.95.
Netflix Service Lite (2 out)
Affordable, convenient and perfect for the occasional renter, our Lite Program lets you have 2 movies out at a time for a flat monthly fee of $13.95.