Netflix versus Blockbuster Total Access... can anyone answer a few questions...?

Question

Okay, here's my issue. I would prefer to get Blockbuster because of the extra free rental per week in the store. But I'm hearing things about their program that are making me hesitant. Can anyone tell me...

Blockbuster has fewer titles, but are they titles that really matter? I mean, I don't give a crap about Japanese animation, so I don't care if that's the difference.

Does Blockbuster generally send the horrid pan-and-scan version of movies instead of widescreen? Can you request widescreen?

Does Blockbuster let you know if you are getting an edited version of a movie?

How is the selection of TV shows on DVD with Blockbuster?


You Netflix fans, thanks but I don't want to hear your testimonials here. I have another question where I ask advantages vs. disadvantages of Netflix. Post there.

Evidently, Netflix fans can't read.

Answer 1

Hi, I can answer your question with some accuracy as I helped to build the physical infrastructure of the Blockbuster online system.

The Blockbuster and Netflix primary systems are simmilar in that they both used regional distribution centers to manage, process and send your movies from, but that is where it ends.

True, Netflix list more titles on there site. In reallity they do not have more movies or titles. Netflix Lists their entire inventory and balances titles based on requests across there distribution centers (17 locations). Blockbuster, list titles based on overall system requests including store location usage. It manages and balances titles going into their online distribution centers based on what is being rented both in stores and online (8000+ locations).

I retired a couple of years ago but at the time we were in the process of integrating the store point of sale systems with the online systems, the result of that is what is being promoted as the Blockbuster Total Access. It allows you to do business online, through the mail, and at the store all with the same account, no late fees and return by the method of your choice. So to say that Netflix has more movies is just an online advertizing claim. Since potentially Blockbuster's entire in in store inventory is integrated and availible to online customers, Blockbuster has at any time vastly more inventory than the few Netflix distribution centers.

Blockbuster adopted the widescreen version of movies when it was first introduced even though it was not popular then due to smaller screen sizes. While there are a few Pan and Scan versions of films that were not availible as widescreen when the titles were released the large majority shipped are widescreen.

As for T.V. series, the online inventory is a representitve sampling of what is renting in the system so popular TV series are availible but you may not find some older series like the British Upstairs Downstairs, or other older series that are not moving in the system.

To be honest, since retiring and moving to Montana, I have used both systems. Today my requirement is not out of loyalty but who can provide me with the most value, (ie. get me the most films per month). It is not convienant for me to travel into the Blockbuster store here so I do not take advantage of the "Total Access" benifits. Even so, for me the turnaround time has been quicker through Blockbuster (my films are sent out of the Seattle distribution center) than from Netflix so I am with Blockbuster. I don't see either of them building a new distribution center closer to me so I don't see the speed of delivery changing, at least for me. So I guess I'll be a Blockbuster user for the forseeable future.

Try them both, see who gives you a better value for the way you use the system.

I can tell you this, the Blockbuster online distribution system was set up much more strategically than the Netflix system. Every Blockbuster Distribution Center is within 15 minutes of the major mail processing hub for the region it serves. Hense the ability to turn your films around more quickly. I know this because I approved the locations of each.

Oh, after reading some of your other answers I thought I would ad this, Blockbuster only carries studio authorized versions of movies. They do not record or edit or censor films. The one guy who answered that way is off his rocker. True, Blockbuster does not carry every unrated edition of every film that is eventually released with such a version, but the rated studio version was what was released by the studio to theaters for public viewing. To say that Blockbuster has some clout or moral standing that they use to censor films is just B.S. It is really giving them more credit than they deserve.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

I had Netflix, then switched to Blockbuster, they never had the titles I wanted and they took a long time to ship and get to me. I had the list of movies I wanted to see, so I always had my top picks, but I usually ended up with something on the bottom of my list. I complained, was told, sorry you don't live close enough to one of our shipment centers, we are hoping to expand in the future. So I switched back to Netflix. I also find the Netflix site easier to manage. With either site, if a movie is available widescreen, it usually comes with a disc that lets you choose that as an option before watching. I don't normally rent TV shows so I couldn't help in that department, but I watch A LOT of movies and with Netflix I have the 3 at a time plan and pretty much always have a movie at home. And Netflix does seem to have a wider variety of movies. I am not into the anime either, but they have New Releases every Sunday.

Answer 3

Good question...and lots of good answers. My answer: It varies. I'll try to answer serious question. I don't get involved with "Who would win a fight in the shallow end of a swimming pool: A shark or a polar bear?" (That was a real question.) Or even most of the "Who would win: Bruce Lee or xxx?" If I do answer, it's usually to point out that Lee is dead and xxx wouldn't have a difficult time beating a rotted corpse. Generally, I don't do much research. I answer questions I know the answers to. I tend to do research when someone is asking a serious question about which gym or dojo looks best. I'll follow the links, look at the websites, and give an answer. As others have said, I'll usually only do research if it'll help me or my knowledge of something. Yes, I get very frustrated when someone picks an answer almost immediately...even when that answer is a really poor one. For that reason, here and on some other sites where I answer questions (Trulia, Zillow--I'm also into real estate), I begin with the newest questions and work my way back. It's not really to get a "Best Answer" award but rather to provide a solid answer initially. If other folks have better answers, great. But by the time a question has 6 or 8 or more answers (ironically, like this one), the odds of my input being considered drops substantially. I enjoy earning points. But--as regulars here probably notice--I frequently provide an answer but begin with "XXX provided a great answer. You should give him the 'Best Answer' award." And I also learn a lot here from reading the other answers. I'm strongest in the areas of BJJ, grappling, MMA, and wrestling. I'm weaker in--have more to learn about--traditional martial arts. So I enjoy the discussions on those topics. Here on Yahoo, I also am fairly active in "Words and Wordplay" and the various business, finance, and real estate areas. I apply pretty much the same critera there. But in those (especially "Words and Wordplay"), a lot of kids are asking homework questions. If they really don't understand something, I'll try to explain it. But I draw the line when someone posts half a dozen homework questions and simply wants someone else to do the work. Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I've tried both. I don't care for blockbuster. With blockbuster, say you have 3 movies in your 1, 2 and 3 spots that your in the mood to see today, and you have 25 movies on your list. Blockbuster will you see movies #8, 2 and 19 on your list, or any 3 random movies from your list with no regards to the order you have them on your list. Makes watching TV shows horrible. Why would you want to start out watching disk 5 of a 7 disk TV show set when you haven't even seen disks 1-4?

At least with Netflix, they send you your movies in order on your queue, and they only skip over movies with short, long or very long wait. Plus you can have multiple lists for different family members or even yourself. One list of nothing but tv shows, one of just new releases and another of older titles and divide up your 3 at a time (or however many your getting) between the lists.

Blockbuster doesn't do that. Plus they have that weird pan and scan crap and all their movies are in wide screen only. For the most part, Netflix lets ya choose between full screen and wide screen if there's that option for the movie.

When a movie comes out unrated, Netflix carries both the rated and unrated version and gives you a choice between the two, or they carry only the unrated version. With Blockbuster, they only carry the standard theatrical cut. Which sucks.

With Blockbuster, I have noticed that it takes about 2-3 days on average after I may my movie back to them to check it in and send me another one. With Netflix, the first business day after they receive my movie, they are mailing me another one and sending me an email that day saying when I'll get it. With blockbuster, it's not until the following day that I get it.

Also, Netflix doesn't ship or receive movies on Saturdays, but blockbuster does. But with how horridly slow blockbuster is at times, it's like they don't even do anything on saturdays.

I'm a Netflix fan through and through, and unless Blockbuster offers the selection Netflix has, and learns to ship movies in the order I have them, I'm staying with Netflix.

Oh, and I find the Netflix site MUCH easier to navigate through.

Answer 5

I love Blockbuster online cause you get more bang for the buck
yes Blockbuster might be slower to send your next DVD but
its a small problem plus I dont think they throttle you either
but what I like is that when you are done with your DVD and its a sunday or a holiday (when is no mail service) and exchange your online DVD for any DVD in the store for free.. so
thats a better deal,. plus you can see what else out there
which gives me idea as what to add to my queue..
also once the store checks in your online DVD -BBV online
will ship your next movie in your queue
another thing i like suppose you are waiting for a movie and its
hasnt come with BBV you can report within 3days -netflix
tells you have to wait 6/7 days before you tell them

Answer 6

Well I personally like blockbuster but I don't know about TV shows I just like to rent the newest releases so theres my opinion

Answer 7

I've had Netflix for 18 mos., I think it's the better of the two.

Answer 8

Just to clarify something Blocbuster does not have edited movies they have CENSORED movies. The scenes that are deleted are scenes they deem un PC and not suitable for you the viewer. I'm in the industry and a little touchy on this subject.

Answer 9

i must say netflix is the best