alix1929 Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 I've seen several posters comment that they have rented movies via Netflix. I've seen pop-ups about Netflix, but honestly haven't checked into it. Could someone who's used the service explain how it works, and whether or not it's a good way to rent movies? I find it practically impossible to rent a classic movie I haven't seen at Blockbuster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venerados Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 You pay a monthly fee and you get a set number of movies out at a time. Once you're finished with each, you send it back in a prepaid envelope and they mail you the next one on your list. The usual turnaround for me is 2 days (I put one in the mail on Monday and the next one comes on Wednesday, though sometimes it is slower). I've found Netflix invaluable. It's cheaper than any brick and mortar rental store if you watch the DVDs the same day and the selection is far better. I've also tried Greencine and even though they have some movies not available on Netflix, they also have very limited resources and it can be weeks before any particular movie becomes available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moviejoe79 Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 I also use Netflix, and since joining I'll never set foot in a video store again. Not only do they have a TREMENDOUS selection of classics, but they allow you to have three at a time, and you can keep them as long as you want. When you return them in the pre-paid envelope, they send you a new one as verenados mentioned. And Netflix is SO good, that I just received an e-mail from them yesterday stating that they are LOWERING their monthly fee for the service from $22 to $18 dollars a month. They had recently increased it, but received so many complaints that they lowered the fee back down, which is highly unusual for a company to do. Because even at $22 dollars a month it is well worth it. I urge everyone to join, because there really is no other way for us to see the classics on DVD, unless you can afford to buy every one that's released. I've found it a great way to see DVD's that I would normally never buy, like some of the expensive Criterion releases (Sullivan's Travels was great) and the Kino releases. I just reserved two rare Gloria Swanson films that Kino has released. And Netflix also allows you to create a list on their website that they call a "queue" - and they mail you your movies from this list that you create. So everytime I hear of another great classic on DVD, I add it to my list, and this way I won't miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 Joe, there's another reason that's led Netflix to lower their monthly fee--competition is emerging in the near future, most likely, according to the Wall St. tom-toms, from Amazon, who appear to be poised to enter this niche market that Netflix innovated. Netflix's stock, BTW, has been taking a royal beating of late. The somewhat inflated value of the stock lost 41% of its value a little over a week ago when this news leaked out. I hope that they can recover and stabilize their company for the future. I'm not a subscriber, but it sounds like a fine little biz with an affordable service. Now that I've entered the New Millennium by acquiring a dvd player, I might even be a customer eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithFromKC Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 I am another satisfied Netflix customer. I noticed my local Blockbuster started a similar rental program, but they don't have anywhere near the selection Netflix does. I too, may never set foot in a video store again. I would get charged late fees when I brought my videos/dvds back the day before they was due! It's just not worth it to me. Especially when their foreign section consists of about two dozen discs, and finding a 'classic' film is almost impossible. At least that's how it is at my local Blockbuster. You are lucky if your town has a good Independent video store. Also, I rent discs from the aforementioned GREENCINE (Greencine.com). They specialize in some of the more obscure films and also have many classic films, including many silents, which I love. If you love foreign films, Greencine's selection is top-notch! But as mentioned, it may take some time to receive certain discs. I still like it better than Blockbuster! On my Netflix plan I can keep three discs out at a time, and two at a time on my Greencine plan, and overall, it's not that expensive. What sold me on both plans is, again, the selection. Many great films from all over the world, from all eras and genres. It's almost like having an intensive Film Studies course at the click of a mouse! Try the free trial on Netflix, or stick with them for a month or two. If you don't enjoy it, well, you can always go back to Blockbuster....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithFromKC Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 Forgive my typo. I meant "they WERE do" instead of "they WAS due" in the first paragraph...DOH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moviejoe79 Posted October 27, 2004 Share Posted October 27, 2004 moira - I had no idea that Netflix was getting competition. But it doesn't surprise me - the company has garnered so many subscribers that you would expect a bigwig like Amazon to jump on the money train. And I'm very happy to hear that you bought a DVD player! Videos are like dinosaurs compared to the clarity and quantity of material that DVD's can give you. Granted the transition from videos to DVD's is a little tough at first, especially if you're like me and have "taped" so many movies off of T.V. But you'll grow to love the DVD's - they're so much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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