Blockbuster Total Access
I'm still loving the Blockbuster Online service. In fact, it's gotten even better since I started.
Pros:
- The signup process was quick and simple. In just a couple minutes I was adding movies to my queue.
- The shipping is FAST! If I drop a movie in the mail on Monday, I have a new one by Wednesday. Fantastic!
- The movies come even faster if I return them to the store. I have used the monthly coupon and the free rentals for returns. It's a great bonus over the other services.
- There have only been a few movies that I couldn't find and they were all low-budget independent films. I didn't really expect them to be there anyway.
- I like the "top rentals" section that shows me what other people are watching. There are some online services that don't have this (ie.
Gameznflix.com) - I can now rent games with my monthly coupons! This was one of my biggest complaints, and I'm very happy to see it added in.
Cons/Areas to Improve:
- I still like the Netflix web site better. You can quickly reorder items in their queue. When I reorder on the Blockbuster website, it takes a second or two to refresh the whole page. (I think Netflix is using AJAX technology.)
- I also prefer Netflix for their handling of HDDVD and BluRay titles. I have an HDDVD player and always prefer that format over standard DVDs. With Netflix, I can just say "I prefer HDDVD" and it will automatically place that format in my queue if it is available for the movie I selected. With Blockbuster I have to specifically browse the HDDVD Collection or click "Other editions" for any movie I look up.
I wonder how this is affecting their brick and mortar businesses. It seems like the stores are just becoming places to exercise your free rentals. I'm sure the bean counters have it all worked out.
Kudos to Blockbuster. They're really putting the heat on NetFlix, and they've completely won me over.