Are we expecting too much?

Taliesin71 · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 32

I've read a lot of posts on here about various rental companies turnaround and what disks they send out, and it has left me wondering if these people would be pleased whatever service they received.

Turnaround
Most rental companies I have used (with one noteable exception) send disks out the following day after receiving the previous ones back - which, with a reasonble postal service means 20-30 disks a month or 50-75p per rental (with first class postage each way eating up 42p of that - I assume that these companies get the full 30% discount from Royal Mail) you can hardly blame them for leaving it overnight to allow themselves a slight profit.

Position in list/disk availability
No company has yet been unable to find a disk to send me from my list (I usually have 50-100 titles some popular, some more obscure) I don't always get them from the top of my list - although I've had 3 out of the top 5 in the last week - but as I want to watch what's on my list I don't worry about it too much. If I'm in a hurry to see a particular title, then I'll go to my local Rental Store and select it myself. Remember, the latest blockbuster is going to be at the top of a hell of a lot of lists!!

IMO most of these rental companies offer exceptional value for money and decent customer service (although possibly not when dealing with complaints)

ruggedtoast · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 32

I agree with that. ive only tried 2, lovefilm and screenelect.SS is ok LF were bad and not worth the money.

Some people do seem to have very unrealistic expectation of how many discs they can reasinably expect for 15 quid a month. 10 to 15 is fair IMO.

Taliesin71 · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 32

You have to temper that with what the companies advertise, yes 15 disks a month is still VFM (compared to high street rental), but if the company is blatantly taking the p*** then it's no wonder people complain.

So long as the post takes a day or occasionally 2 each way and the disks are processed and despatched within 24 hours, whilst it may be that the company is stretching things out a little, I don't see that we have much to complain about.

LaZ · Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Posts: 58

Jiltz · Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 164 Location: UK

Some good points there Taliesin........ Wink

I sometimes wonder myself how they can make decent profits, because there is also the cost of renting a warehouse, packaging, website costs, staff wages etc.....
As postage obviously bites into the profits, it would probably be in their best interests, if they were to send ALL the discs in one envelope.
Picture this.....
Someone on a 3 disc package gets sent 3 discs from their list in 1 envelope, then when they have been watched......they all get sent back in the same envelope. I would have no objections to this and it would certainly cut down on some of the expenditure.

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However, to use the term "exceptional value" in my opinion greatly depends on the service that the company provides.
For example, let's look at someone receiving 12 discs for their £15; they are paying £1.25 per disc (this could also be for older titles from the bottom of the list).
The last time I visited my Blockbuster store, I paid £5 for 3 discs (older titles) and this worked out at £1.67 per disc.
As you can see, there is not much in it, for someone renting from their local store (choosing the films themselves and not having to wait) or paying an extra 42 pence for someone to give them a lucky dip.
So is 12 discs for £15 really exceptional value?

Taliesin71 · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 32

Jiltz · Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 164 Location: UK

Taliesin71 · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 32

Big Jock · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Warrington

I still think that online renting is the way to go, In reference to jiltz comments, can anyone name one high street rental store that offers the same range ie. General Interest, Music, World cinema, Documenteries and not to mention the extended back catalogue of titles?

I think that some of us out here are trying too hard to get blood out of a stone!

Marty73 · Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:33 am Post subject: Online renting...

I agree, Online DVD Renting is still the way to go. A lot of us have been doing this for some time, when I started renting back in 2004 the service and free trials were really good with most companies.. but it seems these days, such good service is now hard to come by. We now need to be a lot more patient with the service they do provide these days and not expect too much but not all of us can be, especially if, as per comments, they are taking the p!ss.. which they do. It really is a case of 'trial and error' when deciding which DVD company to stick with..

Hello everyone, I'm back in London.. and what lovely weather.