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  • Netflix vs Blockbuster

    Posted on January 3rd, 2008 admin No comments

    Do you like to watch movies? Want to save money and have them delivered to your home with fast, free shipping? Netflix and Blockbuster by Mail are your two options. Now, which option is best for you? Both Netflix and Blockbuster by Mail have the similar starter plans, 2 DVD’s per month (max.) for $4.99/month (Netflix) and $3.99/month (Blockbuster). All plans for both companies have no late charges, no shipping and no hidden fees (Netflix/Blockbuster). Netflix has streaming movies over the internet and Blockbuster has the option to return the movies to a store location and rent games (at a slight additional cost).

    How much do the Netflix plans cost?

    Plan Rentals/month Price/month*

    4 DVDs at-a-time

    Unlimited!

    $23.99

    3 DVDs at-a-time
    Most Popular!

    Unlimited!

    $16.99

    2 DVDs at-a-time

    Unlimited!

    $13.99

    1 DVD at-a-time

    Unlimited!

    $8.99

    1 DVD at-a-time

    Limit 2 per month

    $4.99

    How much do the Blockbuster plans cost?
    blockbuster blockbuster

    Click to see a bigger picture
    Blockbuster has the option to exchange in a store, though you are limited to how many times per month you can do this, the most you would be allowed to exchange is 5 times per month on the highest plan of Blockbuster Total Access. Blockbuster Total Access Premium you can have unlimited exchanges per month. You can drop off movies at the store and wait for the next movie on your list to arrive on any of the 6 plans, though to exchange directly in the store you need Total Access or Total Access Premium.

    In short, both Netflix and Blockbuster by Mail have fast, free shipping and they have similar plans with the same prices. Blockbuster has Total Access and Total Access Premium, which includes the by Mail ability with either a certain number of exchanges per month at a brick-and-mortar store (Total Access) and an unlimited number of exchanges per month at a store location (Total Access Premium). Blockbuster also has the option to exchange your movie in for a game rental (a small fee); Netflix does not have games to rent. Another reason you would want to use Blockbuster Total Access over Blockbuster by Mail, is so you can get a new movie on your list of movies faster. You can drop your movie at the store and if the store does not have the movie you are looking to rent, a movie from your list gets sent to your mailbox, with 1 day less waiting time.