Netflix Anyone?

[jyl]

My wife signed us up for Netflix. So far, she loves it. Since she set up our wish list, we're only getting "chick flicks" but I'm going to bribe the password out of her so that I can order a real chick flick like Kill Bill :-)

Question 1: Does anyone here have Netflix? Anyone like it? Dislike?

Question 2: Any opinions about Netflix the stock? My wife and I were talking about it over dinner, and my question was, why does this company have a long-term future? In 2004 we're seeing physical CDs decline as more people buy or rent music online. In 200?? won't we see physical DVDs decline as more people buy or rent movies online? Bandwidth, last-mile, and anti-piracy are the obstacles, and being technological obstacles, they seem likely to be overcome. Why isn't Netflix the Blockbuster of 2004?

[RANDY P]

It's good if you want to see something that isn't at the Blockbuster or big chain stores. If you like foreign, rare, older or indie stuff, it's miles ahead of the corner shops. Other than that it's a waste if you're just into mainstream.

Been renting for 2 years now..

Stocks? Don't know a thing about rental biz... Therefore, no.

rjp

[bell]

i used it for a few winter months last year...........was pretty convienient, they only mailed the wrong movies a few times.

[MBAtarga]

JYL,

There was an article on the net late last week about Netflix - maybe on Marketwatch? Anyway, from the sounds of things, I wouldn't spend a dime on the stock. Seems that they are losing money on many customers, as with the set monthly fee, the more movies these folks "rent" in a month, the less Netflix profits. The article discussed likely price hikes and a not-so-positive outlook, at least near term anyway.

[campbellcj]

I "was" a very satisfied customer and the value proposition of not having to travel to the local Blockbuster (a few miles away) and not having to deal with late fees is what sold me.

Lately...I am still subscribed but don't really have time to watch movies any more. With a 2yr old at home, any TV that is played is more of the Clifford/Thomas Tank Engine/Dragon Tales variety.

If you watch at least 4 movies per MONTH and want more variety and schedule flexibilty than afforded by pay-per-view, then NetFlix is well worth it, IMHO.

As to investments -- in the medium-term I would fully expect pay-per-view or on-demand video technology to crush any DVD based services.

[nostatic]

they are killing Blockbuster, but will be killed by new versions of MovieLink and expanded digital cable/sat/broadcast. I wouldn't go near their stock. Right now the only advantage to DVDs is the expanded content, and that will be supplanted by online distribution and even richer offerings.

That is until piracy kills the industry. Although there are some interesting technologies coming around the bend to address that (and they aren't traditional DRM). Once cinemas move to digital projection and films are distributed via the network things will get interesting, and piracy will be given a run for its money.

[84porsche]

I was one of Netflix's original members and have my membership currently on hold because haven't had time to watch movies but great deals- I have movies the next day, their hub is in Santa Ana so I am in the next city to them. Their selection is pretty good but Blcokbuster had some $.99 coupons this week so I cut back a little. Their stock on the otherhand had gone through the roof and still has a lot of room for potential growth. Blockbuster is for the videowatcher who wants the movie here and now as is PPV. I can wait the extra day and I can watch the same movie several times if I want without late fees.

[banjomike]

We had it for a while, and always seemed to be getting movies that we weren't in the mood to see anymore even though the turn around time was usually 2 days. Not a bad idea, but just didn't match our view habits. We cancled.

[BobS]

I've been a member for over two years and have zero complaints. I hated driving to Blockbuster to return films. I hated walking around BB for half an hour trying to decide. I hated waiting in line. I hated paying late fees. I haven't walked near a BB since joining and have absolutely no regrets. You can easily get new releases, old films, and art stuff. We occasionally have the problem of having a Netflix film around the house that we decide we don't really feel like watching (rare). When this happens we just put it back in the mail and wait for the next one (another of their hubs is in Denver so we get films next day, too). They bill my credit card and I don't even think about it anymore. It was certainly an interesting business idea but, as others have said, I'd stay away from their stock.... YMMV

[goat]

Day late..
Have Netflix for about a year love it. For turn around time and not having to go to a store to rent and no late fees.
Others like Green cine are are good too, and a little better for foreign films.
Blockbuster will soon follow you can be assure of that. Even so Blockbuster does censor if you do not already know this.(Bad)