[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Netflix Raises Blu-ray Rates: Time to Switch to Blockbuster? here

[hockeytown007]

I think I'm going to switch to Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video's new plan, PowerPlay! $39.99 a month, 3 at a time, ANY RENTAL. including video games. It sounds more to my liking, plus the stores are open 365 days a year.

[ZetaZeta]

All the movie galleries and hollywood videos are closing around my house. :(

[GraysonPeddie]

No big deal. I've been paying $8.99/month + $1 for Blu-Ray access, so $10.99 is not a problem.

[thyleullar]

Your article does not make a fair comparison of Blockbuster vs. Netflix. The prices quoted are for the Blockbuster Total Access In-Store Exchange Program without discussing the value or advantage/disadvantage of the movie rentals you can get in-store. If you want to make a fair comparison with Netflix, you should use the Blockbuster By Mail pricing:
* 1 DVD at a time, limited to two per month, with Blu-ray
Netflix: $5.99

Blockbuster: $3.99
* 1 DVD at a time, unlimited per month, with Blu-ray
Netflix: $10.99

Blockbuster: $8.99
* 2 DVDs at a time, unlimited per month, with Blu-ray
Netflix: $16.99

BBV: $13.99
* 3 DVDs at a time, unlimited per month, with Blu-ray
Netflix: $20.99

BBV: $15.99

[tgourley]

One of the justifications Netflix has given is that now 10% of their users have the Bluray option. Their answer is to charge users over $1 for the number of potential Bluray disks they might have at home at one time. This assumes you can receive them in time.
Many people I know still get the DVD of a new release because if you flip it over to the Bluray version the availability goes to "very long wait". Waiting times for Bluray for a new release could be at least 2-3 weeks at times.
I removed my Bluray access. If Netflix was looking to add capital to allow them to buy new Bluray media, this may have the reverse affect. They will have fewer people signing up for Bluray access, and more existing customer dropping it.

[whattheruck]

I agree with thyleullar.

Here's an idea, sign-up for the Blockbuster Total Access and if you find a movie which has its Blu-Ray listed as "long wait", just swap it at the store for the Blu-Ray version.

Personally, I watch older movies and not that many a month, so I'd rather save the $60/year and just stick with BB.

[GraysonPeddie]

I'm now a Blockbuster enthusiast, even if I'm getting rid of my subscription from Netflix (don't forget to empty your queues and wait until Netflix receives the movies before you cancel!).

[JimH443]

It seems to me the question isn't "Should you switch to Blockbuster" as much as it is "Why should I spend hundreds of dollars for a Blu-Ray player when I can save money sticking with regular DVD?"

[techtimmy]

I don't really see the value in Blu-ray either. Or physical media for that matter. I think everything is going to digital. I bought a VUDU box and am quite happy with it. Now that Netflix has raised their Blu-ray prices, I could rent the comparable movie on VUDU for less money. And not wait for them to arrive in the mail.

[mpheadley]

Sigh. I don't subscribe to Netflix, but I have to say, why, as companies get big, do they constantly shoot themselves in the foot by F'ing around with their prices, making them and the options along with those prices extremely complicated?
Netflix became popular because of its simplicity. What's going on?!
And I must say, Netflix started out when brand new dvds cost more than current new releases.
Brand new Blu Ray releases are coming down in price, right?
This is all about some executive being shocked that they aren't making as much money when there wasn't a recession going on. God forbid they lose a small percentage of their income for a year or so until the economy recovers!
Now they are screwing around with the prices and they are going to lose customers and they will never recover! Blockbuster stores were losing money and so raised their rental fees long before Netflix became popular. Now look where Blockbuster is!

[JimH443]

While I do believe the move is to digital rentals, I also believe it'll be at least 5 years before it accounts for more than half of all non-instore rentals. There isn't yet enough broadband coverage to support it. There eventually will be, no doubt. But it won't happen for quite a while yet. I'd bet that by the time it does exist, Blu-Ray will be considered obsolete.

[wolfing]

Digital download has nothing against Bluray. There's no comparison really. You're removing all the extra content that Bluray provides. Also remember that ISPs are introducing bandwidth caps left and right.
Back to the original topic, I decided to switch to Blockbuster, it's now much cheaper. The 'Movies by mail' plan of 3 dvd at a time with included bluray option is only $15.99, compared to Netflix's new price of $20.99 (or is it $21.99?)

[free2speak]

I will stick with Netflix streaming on my Xbox 360.

[photonemesis]

Also, as Blu-ray prices start to go down will Netflix adjust accordingly? I doubt it.

[kdogg8173]

I just canceled my blockbuster. They changed their in-store return policy. It used to be that you could get in-store rentals on top of the mail rentals, now in-store go against the number of dvd's out under total access. When your only getting 1 or 2 at a time, paying extra to exchange 2 or 3 movies at the store a month doesn't really add up to the extra cost vs. netflix. My biggest complaint though is that the turn-around time for blockbuster is terrible.