Product Review: Netflix

When I first heard about Netflix, I was a bit skeptical. I didn't know if this whole DVD-subscription-through-the-mail thing was going to work. However, after trying out the service for two weeks, I was hooked. Previously you had to drive all the way to the video store, pay $5 to rent one movie for three days and then drive back "by midnight" to drop it off. With Netflix the movies come to you, which makes checking the mail a positive experience.

The Pros:

1. Selection. You can find everything from 80's TV shows to sci-fi movies to popular romantic comedies.

2. Queue. Your queue is where you keep a list of all the DVD's you want to see. You can order them; reorder them anytime you want 24/7.

3. Convenience. PJ's are a girl's best friend so the fact that you can stay in your PJ's (not getting dressed to go to the store) makes this subscription program all the more fantastic.

4. Price. You chose which plan you like, each works out to b economical. Consider this; you can get about three DVDs a week on the 2-DVD's out plan. That works out to twelve DVDs for about $14.00 a month.

The Cons:

1. Broken/Scratched DVDs. It can happen, the movie you want to see arrives and it's broken. As in cracked-down-the-middle-falling-apart-in your hands. So you have to log online, tell the site and wait a few days for the replacement to arrive.

2. Customer Support by Phone. When you want to discuss an issue with a live person, be prepared to wait and wait and wait. Oh about 20 minutes.

3. Instant View Movies. You'd think this would be a plus. But actually, they can be a pain. You need to have really good high speed to get the best picture quality. Not to mention everything on your computer updated. I got so many "need to update" prompts it took 45 minutes before I could actually watch something. And the next morning my computer had some issues adjusting to the new settings. Also a negative on the instant movies: the selection. It’s nowhere near regular Netflix.

Don't let these cons hold you back. Just be prepared for the occasional unexpected bump. So, I guess the next question is: which DVDs should you rent from Netflix? Stay tuned for some recommendations in upcoming posts!