If you’re not looking for a small company or specialty service like CleanFilms, then you need to compare the major DVD rental services. There used to be three such services, but Wal-mart conceded the battleground on June 16th, 2005 to form an alliance with Netflix. That leaves two companies locked in a fierce marketplace battle: Netflix and Blockbuster. Here’s a quick survey of what the two companies have to offer.
1. Netflix
In general, Netflix has an excellent reputation for speed of delivery (though this may vary depending upon your location). Netflix now also offers a profile feature that makes it possible for each member of your family to maintain his or her own list on one account. So, for instance, if you have a three-out-at-a-time program, you, your spouse, and your child can each maintain his or her own list of movies. When an individual returns a movie, the next movie on that individual’s list will be sent out. This gives each family member an incentive to return his or her movies promptly, and it keeps things organized.
As of June 2005, Netflix’s prices were $14.99 for two movies at a time, $17.99 for three at a time, $23.99 for four at a time, and $29.99 for five at a time. Netflix also has programs for six ($35.99), seven ($41.99), and eight movies ($47.99) at a time.
2. Blockbuster
DVD rental services do have some disadvantages over traditional bricks-and-mortar stores. The biggest one is that, because you have to return and receive movies by mail, you occasionally find yourself without a DVD. And if you are sans a movie on your day off, you may be tempted to make the journey to the video store anyway. So it’s nice that Blockbuster’s mail order DVD rental program also includes two free in-store rentals each month. As of June 2005, Blockbuster’s prices were $14.99 for three movies out at a time ($3 less than Netflix), $27.49 for five out at a time ($2.50 less than Netflix), and $37.49 for eight out at a time ($10.50 less than Netflix). So, if you require a large number of movies out at a time, Blockbuster may well be your preferred choice. If, however, you only require two to five movies at time, the price differentials are not significant, and you will likely consider other factors.
Blockbuster seems determined to level a blow at Netflix. In June of 2005, Blockbuster was offering a special deal to customers who canceled their Walmart or Netflix accounts to sign-up with Blockbuster: two free months and a free new release DVD to own. Like Netflix, Blockbuster usually offers a free, two week trial.