2008 Woodie Awards
Netflix vs. video stores
Deepti Gurung
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Intermission
- Page 1 of 1
Since the arrival of Netflix in 1999, renting a DVD in the United States has never been the same.
Boasting about its 6.7 million subscribers across the United States, Netflix has taken the DVD rental service by storm.
In fact, the world's largest DVD rental chain, Blockbuster, began to follow Netflix's footsteps in 2004 by offering online rental services.
Neflix offers more than 85,000 DVD titles. The company is still the largest and definitely the most convenient and refined online DVD rental service in the United States.
Netflix is both cheaper and more convenient than picking up a movie at a video store.
One benefit of Netflix is not having to worry about late fees that most video stores charge. Also, the shipping method is fast and free when renting and returning DVDs.
The only cost people have to pay is the monthly flat-fee service which starts at $4.99 plus tax, which enables subscribers to rent one film at a time with a two-per-month limit.
The package that costs $47.99 allows subscribers to rent up to eight films at a time with infinite exchanges per month.
The most popular has appeared to be the subscription costing $16.99 plus tax per month, which allows subscribers to rent up to three DVDs at a time with unlimited exchange.
For movie buffs, this deal may seem like a dream come true, especially if they can view all the films they rent while still returning them on time and exchanging them for another.
First time members are given a free Netflix trial for two weeks with complete access to the entire selection of DVDs.
With this trial period, a person who does not wish to continue as a member can cancel their account at any time within the two-week period, free of charge.
When renting new releases, a video store would likely be a better choice, because a movie can be rented the day it is released.
Another video store benefit is when a person rents a film and it is found to be unplayable or damaged; it can be exchanged immediately rather than returning it through the mail and having to wait for another one to be sent.
Netflix would likely require a subscriber to wait in line in a situation like that.
Not everyone can benefit from a subscription to unlimited movies due to hectic lifestyles which make it nearly impossible to watch several movies in a month's time.
The end result of both of these options is the same, but how you choose to rent it, depending on which one is more beneficial, is where the difference lies.
Boasting about its 6.7 million subscribers across the United States, Netflix has taken the DVD rental service by storm.
In fact, the world's largest DVD rental chain, Blockbuster, began to follow Netflix's footsteps in 2004 by offering online rental services.
Neflix offers more than 85,000 DVD titles. The company is still the largest and definitely the most convenient and refined online DVD rental service in the United States.
Netflix is both cheaper and more convenient than picking up a movie at a video store.
One benefit of Netflix is not having to worry about late fees that most video stores charge. Also, the shipping method is fast and free when renting and returning DVDs.
The only cost people have to pay is the monthly flat-fee service which starts at $4.99 plus tax, which enables subscribers to rent one film at a time with a two-per-month limit.
The package that costs $47.99 allows subscribers to rent up to eight films at a time with infinite exchanges per month.
The most popular has appeared to be the subscription costing $16.99 plus tax per month, which allows subscribers to rent up to three DVDs at a time with unlimited exchange.
For movie buffs, this deal may seem like a dream come true, especially if they can view all the films they rent while still returning them on time and exchanging them for another.
First time members are given a free Netflix trial for two weeks with complete access to the entire selection of DVDs.
With this trial period, a person who does not wish to continue as a member can cancel their account at any time within the two-week period, free of charge.
When renting new releases, a video store would likely be a better choice, because a movie can be rented the day it is released.
Another video store benefit is when a person rents a film and it is found to be unplayable or damaged; it can be exchanged immediately rather than returning it through the mail and having to wait for another one to be sent.
Netflix would likely require a subscriber to wait in line in a situation like that.
Not everyone can benefit from a subscription to unlimited movies due to hectic lifestyles which make it nearly impossible to watch several movies in a month's time.
The end result of both of these options is the same, but how you choose to rent it, depending on which one is more beneficial, is where the difference lies.