Which rental service do you use?

SiD the Turtle

SiD the Turtle

SiD the Turtle

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Hi guys,

I'm looking at different rental services at the moment, the only two I've found are LoveFilm and Blockbuster. I'm worried about the former due to the talk of the 'throttling' of their service if you rent too much and I can't get a straight answer off the latter's website on how much the service costs! Everyone else I've found seems to be LoveFilm re-badged.

What service do you use and are you happy with it? I'm thinking of going for such a service to get through the IMDb Top 250 (link in my sig), so I'd be looking at around 150-200 films I don't own off that list over the course of one year.
 
I've been using lovefilm for over a year (signed up to blockbuster too for the free trial, they were just run by lovefilm). I've never had 'throttling' from lovefilm, in my uni days i used to send the dvds back the same day i received them ;)
 
Generally with lovefilm if I send a disc back 2 days later the next one arrives. Although this weather has stuffed that a little.

Still getting 2 batches a week though. 3 discs at a time too. Keeps me occupied.
 
I've been with lovefilm (formerly screenselect) for over 5 years now. Don't think I've been throttled but then I don't really go crazy watched about 300 movies in total from there. Delivery has always been good. More DVDs went missing a lot more regularly when I was a student in London than out here in the countryside in Berkshire... that was the only problem i've ever really had.
 
I use lovefilm. Only been with them a few months (2 months free trial and now paying). Cant say I've had any issues really, they even gave me a bonus disc due to the postal strikes, even though I was on free service already.

On the 3 discs at a time, unlimited service, as it was only another few quid over two. If I ever start to feel Im not getting what I should from the service, I'll cancel. Had quite a few recent blu-rays recently though so can't complain, just wish they'd send me true blood but I guess that's popular!
 
Send a disc back, usually get a new film a couple of days later.

Sent some back on Friday and two new ones have been despatched already, hopefully they'll arrive tomorrow. I'd guess on average its usually a 2-4 day turn around. They usually seem to despatch either the day they'd be expected to recieve your old discs, or the next day. Can't really complain. Got a load of obscure stuff I'd never have got round to watching overwise stacked up for me and my brother (who seems to be having a love affair with my account as I can get him anime).
 
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TurbotH said:
How were they about that? Ever charge you for any?
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You have to fill in a form/sign something from RM that says they were genuinely lost and you didn't steal them. If too many are lost within a short amount of time, they'll say that the postal service in your area is too unreliable and they can't continue to provide you with the service.
 
I am with Tesco (lovefilm under a different name), been there years and love the service. Most films I watch now are on Bluray, it is a good system.
 
I've been with Lovefilm for over 4 years now, guess that shows I'm a happy customer but not tried the others. If I send a film back on Monday I'll almost always get the new one on the Wednesday.
I also like how Blu Rays are not priced extra (Netflix in the USA do charge more)
Not experienced them slowing deliveries down but I'm not ripping 3 films and sending them back the same day!
 
SiD the Turtle said:
What's the turnaround on discs been like?
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Pretty good
if you watch them fast it seems to be (say 12+ a month)
Monday - post
Tuesday - receive back
Wensday - They post
Thursday - you receive

Otherwise it seems to be
Monday - post
Tuesday - receive back, They post
Thursday - you receive

They also send/receive on Saturdays so theirs only one day lost a week.
I don't know if they actually have a rule like this or if it's just coincidental.

Looking at the figures I've seen 164 films in 20 months at £15.99 a month, so roughly £1.95. But like the 3 films I have at the moment I have had them for just over 4 weeks due to Christmas and other things, 2 are ready to be sent back tomorrow. It really depends how fast you turn them around and how much you watch.

IMO it's a bargain, compared to things like blockbuster were even crappy selection is 99p for 24hours.
 
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Yeah tell me about that feeling, I had Iron Man for best part of a month as could never get the family to watch the end. Was frustrating me loads because it was wasting my free period haha
 
You can always get holiday slots (up to four weeks a year I think with Tesco), so if you know you won't watch them for two weeks you don't have to pay.
 
I have been with Lovefilm many times, on many resubscriptions and many fresh starts to get the 3 months offers, and they definitely throttle your account.

But it all depends on how many you get out, someone on another forum once posted that there is a set amount that the system feels you should be allowed to rent per month, if you go over than your account gets throttled.

The service starts out as a 3 day service, you sent yours back, the next day they got it and send one out the same day, you got it day number 3.

Then all of a sudden it drops to a 4 or 5 day turnaround.

One time a few years back, I actually signed a second time whilst one was still active (by mistake) it was to do the free 3 months trick.

And the disks I was putting in the same letter box were getting back a day or two earlier on the new account than the other ones on the old account.

I have also had instances where relatives have posted theirs in the same post box and they have got them back faster than mine too.

To get your account back to normal, you need to cancel and leave it for a few months and rejoin.

So I would suggest alternating between Blockbusters and Lovefilm so neither can throttle your account.
 
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