Movie rentals: Redbox vs. Netflix

by Ann Hoang

As the cold weather kicks in, it is time to grab your mug full of hot cocoa, your Snuggie, and put in a movie. The twenty-first century gives a few options for movie rental. Instead of driving to your local video store, you can pick up a movie at one of the 23000 Redbox kiosks, which are conveniently located at almost all grocery stores. Alternatively, Netflix mails DVDs right to your door. The choice is yours, but which is the best for you?

Redbox kiosks are available at most grocery and convenience stores and operate twenty-four hours a day. With over 24,000 kiosks around the nation, Redbox is becoming increasingly popular because of its accessibility. It fits into the customer’s schedule: Patrons can rent a movie after grocery shopping, or even during a midnight snack run to 7-11. Kiosks are stocked with about 200 different movie titles ranging from a few classics, such as Grease, to new releases. 

To rent a movie, customers simply walk up to the machine, find a movie, swipe their credit card, and leave with the movie in hand. The cost of renting a movie is $1 per day, and there is no due date or late fees. However, the money is charged to the credit card every day the customer has the movie. To return a video, customers drop off the movie off at any kiosk.

While Redbox may be perfect for those that run errands on a daily basis, the drive and limited selection may deter those who are not inclined to leave the comfort of their home, not to mention the fact that some people have difficulty returning the movie in a timely manner in order to avoid a hefty rental fee. For these people, Netflix may be the best option.

Unlike Redbox, Netflix mails movies right to your home or streams movies online. For $8.99 a month, customers are allowed unlimited online streaming and one home delivery. There are no due dates, and customers are allowed to have the movie for as long as they want.

Movies that are streamed online can be viewed via an Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, or any other device that streams from Netflix, according to the Netflix.com. This is suitable for the impatient movie fan, but unfortunately, Netflix does not currently have all of its movies available online.

However, all movies are available via shipping. If customers want movies to be shipped to their home, a one business day wait is expected. To return a shipped Netflix movie, customers mail the DVD in a pre-stamped and pre-addressed envelope.
Since both Redbox and Netflix are significantly different, which is the best service? It depends on the customer’s lifestyle. So choose your weapon, pop in a DVD, and enjoy the show.