I can't say enough great stuff about Netflix.

[terrya]

The other day I received a DVD in the mail that came in 2 pieces. I'm not quite sure how that passed the people at the warehouse, but...

All I had to do was send them a report saying the DVD was damaged and they sent me a replacement the very next day. No charge.

Basically, I don't even go to the video store down the street anymore...I rent solely through Netflix. They have a very wide selection of films. Good gay and lesbian selection, also.

[LostinVA]

1. I love it

[Wcross]

2. I use blockbuster.

They now allow you to return the dvd to the store. The minute you return it they clear your list and they send the next one. On top of that they give you a free rental every time you return one to the store.

[CBHagman]

3. As much as I would like to support local video shops...

...the time investment is a problem. We have some very fine independent shops that rent videos and DVDs, but they are in neighborhoods I very rarely visit. Renting from them would involve arranging a trip, time to check the stock, time to watch DVD or video, and of course the trip back. It's simply much easier to use Netflix.

True stories from the corporate video stores:

At Blockbuster I tried for weeks to find Kieslowski's Blue. It was never in. I found later that someone had misfiled it and it was simply sitting on the shelf in the wrong section.

Another time the manager told me that no one would watch either black-and-white or subtitled films. :eyes: On another occasion a clerk gave me a blank look when I asked for the HBO film Truman.

On another occasion I went to Hollywood Video, picked out an item for purchase, and literally had my credit card in my hand as I stood at the counter waiting for the clerk to wait on me. I was the first person there. He was spending all of his time on the phone. I put the DVD back and left the store, resolving to have nothing more to do with that particular business.

[tigereye]

5. we have a few cool independent video stores here

but parking is hellish.

I've had similar experiences of incredible cluelessness and lack of film awareness at the Blockbuster near me (we went since they had games and kid films), although the one we now go to in a more "sophisticated" part of town has a much better selection.

I keep thinking we should do the Netflix thing, since I'm terrible at returning vids on time.

[terrya]

6. Really, I'm not being compensated by Netflix.

I don't want to come off sounding like I'm shilling for them.

But I'm really impressed. I'm currently signed up for their monthly package of $17.99. I can keep 3 DVDS out at a time. And of course, there's no real time limit. They do have an impressive film library.

[tigereye]

11. yeah, we know they have a nice payoff ready for ya, Terry.

he he.

:hi:

the one independent place here that has pretty much everything is a real pain to park near. I love the woman who runs it. But it's a pain to get over there.

[terrya]

13. I'm THIS close to just quitting my job and being a shill for them, tigereye.

:-)

The closest video store to me is some independent store. It's ok and the people there are nice, but it just doesn't have a great selection. If I want to go to, say the nearest Blockbuster, I'd have to get on the CTA Red Line to get to it. Ugh.

[CBHagman]

7. The big advantages are convenience, choice, time, flexibility.

On that last advantage, flexibility, be aware that if you don't watch and return your DVD by a certain date, you may not get the full advantage of your subscription. For example, I'm on a two-movie-a-month plan, and if I don't order, watch, and return the DVDs within the time period, I've lost my opportunities.

But the flexibility means you can stretch out the DVD's stay at your house -- watch it repeatedly, check out the special features, etc. It's great.

And the selection is spectacular. I found things like the Deborah Kerr movie I See a Dark Stranger, which Turner Classic Movies doesn't appear to have or air at the moment, and On Guard, a French swashbuckler starting Daniel Auteuil.

[begin_within]

14. Here is the best independent video store I have seen..

20,000 titles in stock, and if they don't have something you want, they will order it. They recently got "Daughter from Danang" for me. And the people there really know their movies. I asked for "Au Hasard Balthazar" and instead of a blank look like I would have gotten at Blockbuster, they simply walked over and grabbed it from the shelf without even having to look. I asked for "Soy Cuba" and they apologized that they only have it on VHS so far, but will be getting a DVD soon. I'm lucky to live only 4 blocks from this store...

http://www.kenvideo.com/

It makes me sad to think that Blockbuster employees are saying that nobody will watch a movie in black-and-white or with subtitles, because eliminating those films pretty much wipes out all the greatest films.

[CBHagman]

15. That reminds me of Potomac Video in D.C.

The Potomac Video on Connecticut Avenue just below Chevy Chase circle not only has its foreign langugage film section divided by country but even has subdivisions for DIRECTORS. It goes without saying there's also a silent film section. Amazing store.

[begin_within]

17. Now THAT sounds like a real video store!

[SacredCow]

4. It is a good service....

The only reason I cancelled it was that I moved in with someone that also had an account, and there was no need for 2 accounts. If I move, I'd reactivate it in a heartbeat.

[Phillycat]

8. I love love love Netflix.

I've yet to rent an actual movie through them, though. I'm working my way through TV shows!

[BOSSHOG]

9. 60 Minutes had a story about Netflix

last Sunday. Good ole Leslie did a very nice job. Their one minimal future concern, downloads.

[lildreamer316]

10. Yep,I don't see that as much of a threat..

'cause you've gotta be able to get the movie from your computer to your tv. For many people, there are too many steps involved. The covieneince of Netflix will outweigh that for quite some time, I'm sure.

[johnnie]

12. I just started with them

It's been pretty good. I haven't rented a movie in over 11 years, but there were some I wanted to see. I just watched "Stoned" last night, it is a movie about the death of Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones. It wasn't too bad of a film.

[Godhumor]

16. Been using them for nigh on 2 years

I'm also on the 3 rental plan, and I have nothing but good things to say. My wife, who is native Japanese, has found every damn movie she wants to see on the service, and I've been introduced to the freaky, F'd up genre of movies from Japan. If you ever want to really see oddity in an amusing form add "Sharkskin Man and Peach Hip Girl" to your queue. A lot of well known Japanese actos in that one.

[alarimer]

18. I am sort of mad at them right now

Or maybe not really mad but I sent a movie back on Monday and they have STILL not received 4 days later.