# Renting videos by mail **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 7, 2001, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277 "2001-09-07T18:34:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/1 "2001-09-07T18:34:26Z")
There are a lot of films I’d like to see, but my local video stores have very limited selections. There are companies from whom you can rent videos by mail, but I don’t know who they are, how much they charge, how wide their selection is, etc. I remember reading about it in an MPSIMS thread, but damned if I can find it now. Any information is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/2 "2001-09-07T18:42:13Z")
We use [Netflix.com](http://www.netflix.com) to rent DVDs and it is an awesome service! For $30/month, we can have 5 DVDs out at any one time, for as long as we want. You create a “queue” of movies that you want to see online and they send the DVDs out as soon as they recieve one in. Turnaround time for us is usually between 2-3 days. All postage is included. They also have a great selection of DVDs. Check it out. I highly reccomend it. [fixed the link] [Edited by bibliophage on 09-07-2001 at 03:08 PM] ---
**Author:** ![bafaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@bafaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bafaa)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/3 "2001-09-07T19:03:05Z")
I’ve been using Netflix for 2 years and it’s very good. I have the 4 dvds out at a time plan which is $20. The only problem I’m having is that I’m running out of dvds to rent. They have a large selection but I go through at least 2 dvds a week and it’s getting harder and harder to find something I want to see that I haven’t already seen. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/4 "2001-09-07T20:08:34Z")
A third vote for Netflix. We have the 5 at a time option, and it’s wonderful. Especially if the only local stores left in your area are Blockbusters staffed by pimply faced rude teenagers. We got a DVD player last Christmas, and signed up for Netflix in January. I haven’t been to a video store since. Truly wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/5 "2001-09-07T20:11:29Z")
Netflix is God. Or at least up there in the choirs. In the just-under-two years I’ve been a customer, I’ve seen more and a wider variety of films than ever previous. Lends itself well to renting things I probably wouldn’t in a Blockwood (even if they had anything resembling a wide selection), which has led to pleasant surprises. ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/6 "2001-09-07T21:00:25Z")
> [@](#): > > [fixed the link] > > [Edited by bibliophage on 09-07-2001 at 03:08 PM] Thank you! 😉 Oh, by the way, we have about 250 movies in our queue. I don’t think we’ll run out of things to watch in quite a while. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/7 "2002-06-17T14:08:19Z")
I just got a DVD player and included in the packaging was a free trial coupon for Netflix. My question is, does the CD package fit in your mailbox? I would hate to have to go to the Post Office to pick it up. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/8 "2002-06-17T14:13:10Z")
Also, does each DVD come with a postage paid return envelope? Eg: If you get 4 DVD’s, do they each come with a return postage paid envelope, or do you have to send them back together in one postage-paid package? ---
**Author:** ![KXL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@KXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KXL)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/9 "2002-06-17T14:27:51Z")
The DVDs come in little sleeves - not DVD boxes. They are 6 inches by 8 inches and are as slim as a DVD. Each disc arrives (and you return it) separately in its own envelope. No problems. And the return envelopes are postage pre-paid. It’s great. You order online, they arrive at your home, keep them as long as you want, and then drop them in any mailbox anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/10 "2002-06-17T14:36:21Z")
Thanks, KXL! 🙂 Sounds GREAT! I think I’ll try it. ---
**Author:** ![islandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8491ac/32.png) [@islandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/islandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/11 "2002-06-17T20:20:48Z")
I love Netflix–I haven’t been to the video store in nearly a year. I love being able to go home and watch a movie without having to go out and get it. It is also nice not to have to remember to bring it back by noon on the second or third day (never could figure out the system–paid a ton of late fees). ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/12 "2002-06-17T21:00:36Z")
OK, the deal I have is unlimited DVD’s for $19.95 a month, but I can only get 3 DVD’s at a time. According to Netflix, they take between 2-4 days to arrive in the mail, and I presume it takes 2-4 days for them to receive the DVD’s when I send them back. They don’t send out your new selections until they’ve received the ones you return. So, in reality, is this actually a good deal? After you count the shipping time on both ends and the time it actually takes to watch the 3 DVD’s, you probably only average 6 DVD’s a month. Or am I missing something? I did sign up for a free 2 week trial though. ---
**Author:** ![islandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8491ac/32.png) [@islandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/islandgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/13 "2002-06-17T21:27:01Z")
I have the same plan–3 DVDs out at a time. I seem to watch about 2-4 per week. I watch one, drop it in the mail, get another one 2-3 days later-by which time I have watched another (or both) and dropped them in the mail. Just depends, I guess… ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2002, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/14 "2002-06-17T21:38:04Z")
Oh, OK…that makes sense! If you drop one in the mail as soon as you’re done with it, instead of waiting till you’re done with all 3, you just get a steady stream of DVD’s. Cool! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![jmpride62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@jmpride62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmpride62)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/15 "2002-06-18T00:39:07Z")
I did netflix too, and liked it until I ran out of movies that I wanted to watch. I still use Netflix but I cancel my membership every few months and then rejoin when the stock of movies has increased. I also use [www.DVDOvernight.com](http://www.DVDOvernight.com) where you pay per rental (4 US Dollars per DVD per week). I prefer it when there are only a few movies that I really want to see. They also provide two way postage, but you have to order at least 2 movies at a time. ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/16 "2002-06-18T01:07:26Z")
There have been a couple of threads recently in Cafe that listed several top 100 lists (along with recommendations from the Dopers). I printed them out and plan on using them, as soon as we buy a TV and DVD player. Netflix sounds awesome! ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/17 "2002-06-18T01:39:03Z")
Seems like it would be easier to just pay for them. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/18 "2002-06-18T01:44:28Z")
Ooops. I meant BUY the DVDs. ---
**Author:** ![ArturoBandini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/50afbb/32.png) [@ArturoBandini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArturoBandini)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/19 "2002-06-18T01:46:55Z")
…During my month and 1/2 with Netflix. I only seemed to average 6 DVDs/month, which isn’t much of a savings (assuming an average of $4/rental at yr local video store). And if yr like me, you don’t have all day to watch all of the extras added on to yr favorite movies, meaning you need to hold on to each disc for a couple of days anyway to enjoy the full effect. Also, Netflix has a weird policy of breaking up double-disc sets into single rentals – I ordered “Fight Club” and ended up with just the bonus disc (luckily, I’d seen the movie) – which means that 2 of yr 3 rentals are the same movie. Luckily, we have a locally-owned video store in my town which offers greats deals on non-new releases (5 for 5 for $5), so I nixed the Netflix. They (Netflix) do have other membership offers, though, e.g. you can pay a little more per month and have (relatively) unlimited movies out at a single time. Personally, I’m just waiting for my next paycheck so I can buy the Mr. Show DVD and The Royal Tennenbaums… ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277/20 "2002-06-18T01:55:22Z")
While for most people, the per disk rental is higher than at the video stores, keep in mind that you’re also paying for the convenience of receiving and returning your DVDs in your mailbox, instead of having to drive to the store. Plus, no late fees. In our house, with two somewhat absentminded people, we have to factor in late fees. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-videos-by-mail/80277.md?page=2)