Saturday, February 18, 2006
Impressions: Blockbuster Online
My two week trial with Blockbuster Online is about to end, so I thought I would share my impressions of their service as it compares to Netflix.
Online tools
BB's website leaves a lot to be desired. Feels very old school. Advantage: Netflix.
Availability
On the first day that I joined, which happened to be after their Super Bowl ad blitz, almost all of the movies I added to my queue were unavailable. I don't know if they don't reserve part of their inventory for new customers (like NF does) or if their reserves were depleted by the flood of new members those ads must have brought in. BB did ship me my first movie the next day, though. Advantage: None.
Delivery times
As with the early days of Netflix, BB was able to get my movies to my house the day after they shipped. And returns were processed just as quickly. So compared to how NF *used* to be, they were the same. Advantage: None.
Selection
I can't really speak to this point because I went for popular, new releases during my trial period. Advantage: Unknown.
Overall, Blockbuster was a decent experience; however, nothing special. I think Netflix' online tools, especially their emphasis on community (user ratings, friends lists, etc), give them a big advantage.
Because I haven't been with BB long enough to experience their version of smoothing/throttling, I can't comment on if they are better or worse than NF in that regard. So, for the time being, I think I am going to stick with Netflix.
My two week trial with Blockbuster Online is about to end, so I thought I would share my impressions of their service as it compares to Netflix.
Online tools
BB's website leaves a lot to be desired. Feels very old school. Advantage: Netflix.
Availability
On the first day that I joined, which happened to be after their Super Bowl ad blitz, almost all of the movies I added to my queue were unavailable. I don't know if they don't reserve part of their inventory for new customers (like NF does) or if their reserves were depleted by the flood of new members those ads must have brought in. BB did ship me my first movie the next day, though. Advantage: None.
Delivery times
As with the early days of Netflix, BB was able to get my movies to my house the day after they shipped. And returns were processed just as quickly. So compared to how NF *used* to be, they were the same. Advantage: None.
Selection
I can't really speak to this point because I went for popular, new releases during my trial period. Advantage: Unknown.
Overall, Blockbuster was a decent experience; however, nothing special. I think Netflix' online tools, especially their emphasis on community (user ratings, friends lists, etc), give them a big advantage.
Because I haven't been with BB long enough to experience their version of smoothing/throttling, I can't comment on if they are better or worse than NF in that regard. So, for the time being, I think I am going to stick with Netflix.
¶ 9:07 AM 
Comments:
I believe you've made the correct decision. Long live Netflix!
posted by 
Erik Eckel : 3:53 PM
Erik Eckel : 3:53 PM I like the fact that we can go into BB and get a movie if we want it that day...can not do that with Netflix. Netflix has been nice though.
posted by bigmammy : 7:27 PM
bigmammy : 7:27 PM Thanks for the review, Shawn. I've been thinking about jumping away from Netflix, too, but we'll probably stay for the meantime. What I really want, like Amy mentioned, is the option of getting a movie NOW, even if it's not in my qeueue. That's what appealed to me about the BB option. If, however, Netflix can one day get a download service off the ground, I'll be hooked for good.
posted by Scott : 12:51 PM
Scott : 12:51 PMblog comments powered by Disqus
About Shawn Morton
Experienced web product manager, social media strategist, professional blogger and speaker, startup entrepreneur & father of 4.
View complete bio.
View complete bio.
Recent Blog Posts 
I love to buy domain names Does Hollywood hate you? Business Week article on homeschooling More problems w/ HD-DVD & Blu-Ray? 2nd QOOP poster arrived today Fiona Apple iTunes Original 35 Public service message from Make 2 great films finally on DVD Using Harmony 880 with XBOX 360Blog Archive
June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008