Netflix is an online movie rental service that I'm sure you've heard of. But should you try it? Read on to see if this service is right for you.
How it works: The overall concept is pretty simple. You start an online account, entering personal data such as your name, e-mail address, and credit card information.
After that, you browse the titles of movies you want to see and add them to a list (or QUEUE). Netflix then mails you DVD copies of the movies you've selected (it normally takes one business day). When you're done watching the movie, you send mail it back, and once they receive it (again, after one business day), they'll send the next movie in your queue.
COST 1 DVD at-a-time (limit 2 per month): $4.99. This is the cheapest plan available. This allows you to have one rented DVD in your home at a time, with the limit of two total rentals per month. This is good if you plan to mainly rent movies. But if you want to rent the entire season of a TV show (which you can do), this option might not be the best.
1 DVD at-a-time (Unlimited): $8.99. This option allows you to rent as many movies as you want per month, but you can only keep one at home at a time. To get your money's worth you'll probably be spending a decent amount of time going to and from your mailbox. Worth it? You make the call. Again, if you're renting the the entire season of 24 or Sex & the City, those frequent runs to and from the mailbox might make you wonder if Netflix is doubling as a weight-loss plan.
2 DVDs at-a-time (Unlimited): $13.99. This option is good if you're an avid movie watcher. Yes, it's a little pricier, and it's worth it only if you really make the effort to watch at least 4 or more movies every month. If that's the case, you might as well start your own website where you sit and review movies all the time.
3 DVDs at-a-time (Unlimited): $16.99. This is touted as the most popular option. But if you think about it, that's a lot of time to spend watching movies. To get your money's worth, you may find yourself organizing your entire schedule (meals, laundry, work, family, dog-walking, homework, lawn-mowing, snow-blowing, napping, etc) around your Netflix time. Worth it? Again, you make the call.
Additional notes: The prices above do not include taxes. Once you sign up, you get a free 2-week trial. If you don't like it, you can cancel any time.
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The Good: Netflix is an ingenious and very simple method for renting DVDs. With gas prices fluctuating these days, cutting out trips to the video store may add up to some decent savings after a while.
The movies ship free, there are no late fees, and the selection is pretty strong. They've got the latest Hollywood blockbuster as well as a good collection of foreign films. Before renting, you can read customer reviews of movies, and add your own. There's also an online shop where you can buy previously viewed DVDs starting at $5.99.
The interface if the website is very easy to use, and switching plans is very simple too. You have the flexibility of changing your queue any time, and you can easily add and remove film titles instantly. Cancellation of the service is simple, and if you're using a PC running Windows, some movies can be streamed right on your computer.
Every so often, you'll also get special offers in the mail, such as referral discounts, coupons, etc.
The Bad: Sometimes I get a little nervous about the paper envelopes that the DVDs arrive in, and wonder if they're really adequate enough to protect the disc. But for the most part, I've hardly had any trouble with damaged discs.
The written summaries on some movies (particularly foreign films) aren't 100% accurate, and some harder-to-find titles may take an additional day to reach you.
Final verdict: Overall, I think this is a great, convenient service for DVD rentals that offers a lot of flexibility for the customer. As a film reviewer who has to watch movies every week, Netflix has been very reliable and friendly (I only endorse products that I actually use). And on a stormy afternoon, going to your mailbox will always beat going to the video store.
So if you're interested in trying out Netflix, click on the button below or on any banner seen throughout this site:
