Online DVD Rental Services

[Ro]

In anticipation of seeing the new Coen Brothers movie "No Country For Old Men," I've been trying to track down one of their first movies, "Blood Simple," at a DVD rental place here in Sudbury.

So frustrating. It's like searching for the Holy Grail (not the movie). I hate Blockbuster, and every other cookie cutter corporation like it that caters to the lowest common denominator.


So, I'm listening to a completely unrelated podcast today, and the hosts are talking about Netflix. I decide that this kind of service/program is perfect for me, as it will enable me to see all kinds of movies I've wanted to see that I either missed or have been unable to track down.

Does anyone here have any experience with Netflix or another similar company? Would you recommend it? I've heard some horror stories about DVDs going missing- what happens in that situation? What were the pro's/con's?

Cheers CP, THX in advance.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Use it, love it.

They have an outstanding website that offers everything I've ever tried to find, a wide range of plans to fit any entertainment budget and they get the DVD's to you PRONTO. Best of all, they are NOT blockbuster!

Absolutely approve!

As for your horror stories, we've probably had at least 100 DVD's shipped and returned and not one has ever been lost.

The great thing about Netflix is that if you use it a lot you can afford to watch movies you've already seen and not feel guilty about it.

Again, LOVE IT!

[McG]

i use zip.ca...the canadian version.

we have been on there for almost 2 years...and yah..we like it alot.

we had a "missing movie incident" but i suspect that they found the movie because they never mentioned it again and restored our quick ordering without saying anything. so that bugged me.

if you can find the fastest pickup canada post spot, you will be able to turn the movies around quickly.

recommended if you have a lot of movies you want to see...but you don't have preferences for when you see them.

[Montana Moe]

Netflix is great. They just built a new distribution center in Butte, MT so my turnaround time on movies is 1 day.

Lost movies? I've never had it happen. Netflix claims they will report a missing DVD and sent you your next movie, hoping the missing DVD shows up. If there are a number of missing DVD's on an account, they will put the account under review.

They do have Blood Simple, If I ordered it right now, and placed it at the top of my queue of movies, I would have it most likely on Monday, allowing for no mail service on Sunday.

I can have 3 movies out at a time, but you can pay for as little as 1 out, or up to 8 out at a time.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I use Rogers Video Direct, which is powered by zip.ca. It's slow on new releases, but I have used the service for over a year without much fuss.

I had a DVD arrive that was cracked and unplayable. I submitted a remedy ticket and followed the website instructions and the replacement arrived with no problem.

I'd recommend an online service to anyone without qualms.

[JiriHrdina]

I use zip.ca and enjoy it - kinda fun to get a new envelope from them and not know which movie it is.

And heck if you can't wait to see a new release right away one can always just get it on VOD.

[Ro]

Cool guys, appreciate the info/advice. Sounds like it's a fit for me. If any of you guys have a "refer a friend" thing PM me and I'll sign up through that.

[Ro]

Just joined Zip.ca and had no problem selecting 50 or so titles in an hour or two.

Everything was there! I think I can get used to this. Easy to use site, simple to select the movies you wanna see. A little worried about having 3 DVDs laying around for a week before I watch them or send them back, but hey, that's my own issue. I chose the 3 months for $25/ea, 4th month free option, so far that kind of money I'd better make use of the service. I figure 6-8 movies a month is more than worth it, especially since they are ALL ones that are hard to find here.

Once I've used the service for a couple months, I'll dig this thread up and post a review about the site/service. Thanks again for the rec's.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

I use Rogers Video Direct, which is powered by zip.ca. It's slow on new releases, but I have used the service for over a year without much fuss.

I had a DVD arrive that was cracked and unplayable. I submitted a remedy ticket and followed the website instructions and the replacement arrived with no problem.

I'd recommend an online service to anyone without qualms.

Wish I'd seen this post a little earleir... but maybe it will help someone else that has not already joined... mostly I agree with TurnedTheCorner... couple of points though.

I found the Zip.ca service to be lacking... You will get the oldest "worst" movie on your ziplist *every* time... New releases do not happen unless you use the "Gotta have it" button (if its available for that title) and pay extra for it. I would try the Rogers video one if I was to do it again, as at least you get two free new release coupons per month that you can use in their store. As for Zip... I just cancelled my subscription this month... I was tired of getting the movie I added as a lark or an impulse one day and when I finally got it i would not really be in the mood to watch it anymore. If you do end up using either service (as both are really Zip.ca, just the rogers one has coupons for $5.00 more a month) keep your wishlist extremely small... like 5-10 movies max... "Park" everything else, or keep them on a spreadsheet at home and add as needed.

[JiriHrdina]

^You don't pay per movie - you pay a monthly charge (20 bucks) that allows you to have 3 out at once at any one time.

[JiriHrdina]

Mail box works. No contract. Don't know what happens if it gets lost.

Usually takes 3-4 days to get one back from them from when you mail it.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by fotze

How much is it per movie for new releases?

I assume you mean the "Gotta Have it" button.

It depends, it not unfair, its competitive ($3-4 bucks)... but all it does is bump you to the front of the line... so if a bunch of other people "want it now" you will get the first available copy... which could be a week or so... most popular titles do not even have the option. "gotta have it" is only available on some titles... I'm not sure of the rhym or reason behind how it works.

[Flames09]

I dont remember what company zip.ca bought out but they were 10 million times better, I joined zip.ca afterwards and found that it would take 3-5 business days for them to get me my movies, it was frustrating and really annoying. I tried Canflix they dont have that many movies but I got there movies within 1-2 days.. much faster service.

[MaDMaN_26]

Originally Posted by fotze

How long does stuff take to get delivered and sent back? i.e. if it take 4 business days to get to you and 4 to get back, that doesn't give you very many in the month?

Do you have to take them to the post office or in your mail box? Do you have to sign a contract? What if they get lost in the mail?

Assuming you have a good track record (e.g. no lost or stolen claims - reguardless of fault) you can use the zip return function. you tell them you are mailing a DVD back to them and they will ship you next selection in good faith... but only 1 zip return can be in flight... e.g. if you tell them you are sending 4 movies back, they will send you one now and the other 3 when they recieve your 4. I (used to) try and stagger my returns so that i would always be getting zip refills... it is do-able in theory...

I did have one DVD not show up and they tried to remove my zip refill feature... and i told them the only reason their service worked for me was that feature... if they removed it they could cancell my account. and so they reinstated it... but in the end I just stopped likeing ...

I think everyone will like this service until you are familiar enough with it to know what you'd like them to do better and then it will bug you. but no contract... so it won't kill you to try it.

As for mailing times... they have a warehouse in calgary... so depending if that warehouse stocks your movie it can be as quick as a day or two. if it comes from toronto it will take a week. The zip refill makes this not so bad... but if you plan on rippping a DVD and having it back in the mail later that same day - you will find you have to wait. Longweekends and other holidays delay your movies by at least a day... I have a couple time thought oh-oh it must be lost/stolen and it shows up the next day... always due to a holiday. not sure if its canada post or zip's fault.

[gallione11]

Being in the US (not sure if canada has 'em) I use the Blockbuster Total Access. I know one poster already professed his/her dislike for them, but it's really not bad. The best thing about Blockbuster's is the option to return the mailed movies to the store and get more free rentals immediately. So with a three at a time plan, you can technically have six out at a time with this process:

Assume your queue has 10 movies in it.

You get sent three (takes only a day here since they have a distribution center in most major cities)
Watch the three sent DVDs.
Go to the store, pick out three more from the store, and trade in the sent movies for the new ones.
The three mailed ones are flagged as returned the minute you trade them, so the next business day you have three movies from the store and three more in your mailbox.

Very handy.

[Ro]

Originally Posted by gallione11

Being in the US (not sure if canada has 'em) I use the Blockbuster Total Access. I know one poster already professed his/her dislike for them, but it's really not bad.

Yeah, I was referring to the regular old Blockbuster- wasn't even aware they had an online rental service, but it really doesn't surprise me.

And thanks for the honest negative comments about zip.ca- will keep them in mind when I evaluate the service over the next couple months.