Good or bad experiences with NetFlix.com?

Question

I'm on my trial period for NetFlix.com, I would like to know how other users of NetFlix have found the service to their liking, or disliking. My first 3 DVD's were delievered quick enough, but one was so scratched and dug up that it wouldn't play. Is this typical with NetFlix ?

Answer 1

Its a mixed bag. On one hand I've been fairly happy with Netflix in that they always send the correct next film and the turn around isn't too bad. However I have been the subject of throttling (see the article listed in sources below) and find that there is a limit to how many movies they'll send me a month. The faster I go through the movies - the more of a lag there seems to be in the turn around. While if I'm busy and don't get around to a movie for a while, they send me the next one pretty quickly.

The good side is that their website is easy to use and it is simple to manage your lists and add new movies. I have no complaints about user interface or ease of use for the subscription in general. Also, their selection is amazing!

As for the quality of the DVD - I have had a number of scratched ones. For the most part they were still watchable but I have had a few that needed to be sent back. I'd guess that about 5% are scratched 1% of which were unusable. At least they are good about resolving this issue since if you report that a DVD is damaged, they will send you the replacement without waiting for you to return the damaged one so you usually don't have to wait long for the replacement.

On the plus side, I did try out the blockbuster DVD subscription and found that I liked Netflix much better. I like the ability to use profiles to have different members of my household have different accounts. Also, I don't like how blockbuster will automatically skip your next movie on your list if it isn't available (which seems to happen often) and send you the following movie off your list. This makes it impossible to manually juggle list. (i.e. my husband finished his movie and want his next choice. He sends the movie back and expects to get the next movie on the list which is an action flick. His movie isn't available - so they send the following movie from the list, which is one of my chick-flicks. He now has to wait until I send both of my movies back until he gets his next one.)

So, overall:
The Bad - I'm very unhappy with the throttling. The quality could be better.

The Good - Their selection is great. The site is very easy to use. They seem to be better than the competition. (And unless you are getting throttled, the turn around isn't bad).

Bottom line: I would recommend them.

Answer 2

Netflix is much better than Blockbuster. That being said, I've been experiencing an A/V sync issue for over a year now with the instant streaming. They don't seem to have a clue when it comes to offering manual settings with which to adjust playback to cater to your bandwidth etc. Hulu never once has had a sync issue. Same laptop, same scenarios.

The mail-a-dvd service has always been ok, but now that Redbox is out at nearly every grocery store you can essentially take care of pickup and return of new release movies without the hassle of waiting for the mail. Also, Amazon Instant Video is offering more and more new releases and you can rent those for approx. what the old video stores used to charge and you don't have to handle grimy dvds.

Answer 3

No, in fact, I have never recieved a such a scratched DVD that it didn't play.

The downside of Netflix is that after I've been a member for awhile, lately I havn't been getting DVDs as fast, and it's about three times slower now.

I heard that you have to have 3 times as many movies in your que as the ammount of DVDs you are signed up for, because when they say "Available," sometimes they mean that it will be available soon, and they will send it later.

Answer 4

Netflix was involved in a class-action lawsuit that came up due to its "throttling" techniques. Read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix#.22Throttling.22_and_the_Chavez_lawsuit.

I use Blockbuster online, it has a 2-day shipping time (on most items), does not use throttling, and gives you a weekly in-store coupon to use at your convenience. All those together make for a much better experience for online renting--at least, until Blockbuster goes bankrupt.

Answer 5

I never had any trouble with NetFlix. The DVDs were always in perfectly watchable (if not pristine) condition, they were very prompt in delivering me movies at the top of my queue, and in general courteous and professional. I believe if you mention the damaged DVD they might extend your trial membership, or offer a discount if you become a subscriber.

Answer 6

I've friends that live in the South that have had lots of trouble with Netflix.

I live on the West Coast and have had excellent service and quality media for the past year.

Answer 7

hey MY FRIEND nothing under your bed.lol!
netflix should be straight.as for the scratched 1 contact them and let them know asap.just have to watch them quickly to get your moneys worth each month.other than that its cool.if u get scared tonight pull the covers over your head,or just sleep with the light on lol
thanx-a-million
nate

Answer 8

I used to do Netflix but switched to Blockbuster. I'm much happier with the latter.

Answer 9

we have had it for awhile most of the time it is OK some scratched some broken but over all its still good

Answer 10

very very good if you got a few scrached just send them back and repot it scrached they send another