Review of Netflix
Score: 95
Sub-Section: Misc
Date: Jul 2, 2006
Netflix was the first site to offer a mail-based delivery service for renting DVDs. It was, and continues to be the most successful company to offer these services. How it works is simple. You create an account, select what plan you want, then start creating a que of movies you'd like to see. Based on what plan you choose, they send you a number of movies in the mail, with a resealable envelope that you simply place in the mail and ship back when you are done watching.
They offer several plan choices. So allow for a certain number of rentals each month, others allow you to have unlimited rentals each month with a certain number of movies out at a time. The most common plan is probably the one for $19.99. It gives you the ability to have three movies out at a time and offers unlimited rentals per month. With any plan, you may keep the movies as long as you like. However, I assume most people send them back right after they have watched them, in order to get the next film in their queue.
I have been a subscriber to Netflix for a couple years now. I have had no problems with it whatsoever and highly recommend it. The library of movies is enormous. If it exists on DVD for the US market, they probably have it. Delivery is very speedy and easy, as is sending them back. There is usually no wait for the movies, and they are shipped as soon as they receive the movies you return. Fortunately for me, I live in MI and their hub is in Lansing. This makes my delivery time extremely fast. If you live further away, you may have to wait longer. Also, they are starting to carry HD-DVD's and probably will start carrying BluRay aswell. I think they will carry both until the format war is decided.
Netflix is a great deal if you constantly watch movies, but if you go through a dry spell and don't have time to watch movies, the price becomes less attractive. At 19.99, you would need to rent 5 movies a month to have the same cost as renting at Block Buster. IMO, even if you did this, the service, ease of use, and selection make Netflix better than Block Buster. I watch a ton of films, but there have been times where I went months without watching movies. My $/Rental is less than the Block Buster rental cost, but it isn't as cheap as it would seem. Of course, there may also be periods of time when you watch ridiculous amounts of movies. When I first got it I probably rented more than 30 in the first month. During these periods of time, Netflix really shines.
Overall, I am completely satisfied with Netflix and recommend it to everyone. I have never not been able to find a movie and I have yet to run out of things to watch. If you have a decent amount of free time and loves movies, I highly recommend it. If you don't have a lot of free time and loves movies, I highly recommend it. No matter what. If you enjoy movies, get Netflix. You won't be disapointed.
To visit the official website at Netflix.com.