Broken Rentals

[manuel]

Broken rentals are one of my pet peeves. I haven't received any broken rentals from GreenCine. I attribute the fact to GreenCine's padded envelopes. I was disappointed when GreenCine did away with them. The only problem I've had with GreenCine so far is missing rentals although I know it's only a matter of time before a broken GreenCine DVD arrives in the mail.

I've received 53 broken rentals (32 Netflix, 21 Blockbuster Online). You can't imagine how aggravating and frustrating my experience has been. I've just learned to accept it: It's part of the online rental experience. In 2006, Netflix claimed one of their rentals is used 20 some times before it "cracks, gets lost or stolen." It seems I was always Netflix's 20th customer.

[UpcomingCinema]

I have both services and have never received an unplayable or broken disc in the two years I have been using online rental. I average 5-6 movies a week between the two companies..... it would seem we are at both ends of the spectrum.

[Scott P]

Wow. I've only had two broken discs in the five years or so I've been using the service. Maybe a couple more that were playable but messed up in a small spot that I had to scan past.

[Ruffio]

there is a long thread about this topic. You can join in on the discussion "unplayable disk"

[manuel]

The usual tips like cleaning the DVD won't work on a cracked DVD.

[Knaldskalle]

I've had 1 broken disc (broken in two) and 2 or 3 discs so badly scratched they wouldn't play. I've had two mislabeled discs in the same period. Member since August 2006 on the 3-out plan. I don't think that's bad at all.

[Arcane Pretext]

It isn't part of the online rental experience, though. At least not for most people.

No one I know that uses Netflix has ever complained about broken discs. In the two years that I have been a patron, and nearly 200 discs rented, only one was cracked. That is less than 1%, and that single disc could have been a fluke.

Perhaps it is the local mail carrier in your area that is compulsively mishandling the envelopes.

[Spindaddydad]

I have received very few broken DVDs in the 8 years I've been a member. Broken DVDs are due to mishandling by the US Postal Service. They are not shipped from Netflix broken, they get like that along the way. Since you are getting such a significant % broken discs it's fairly safe to say that your local postal employees are mishandling the discs.

[Knaldskalle]

You're absolutely right. I'd advise the OP, manuel, to contact your local postmaster.

[cynder66]

I think perhaps you should take this issue up with your postal service. There was a period of time back when I had my first netflix account where we'd get an unplayable disc 2 out of 5 times. But we did contact customer service via the telephone (don't even remember where I got the number at the time but i know it wasn't easy to find), after that and investing in a better dvd player it stopped happening. If I can't play a disc on one player, it'll usually work on another. Unless it's cracked of course.... I'm happy to say I don't have that problem very often, with my account now off the top of my head I think i've only had 1 or 2 out of hundreds that I couldn't play.

[manuel]

I've talked to my local post office. They say Netflix DVDs get broken all the time and a nation wide problem. As far as broken and lost rentals, the United States Post Office assumes no responsibility as 1) Netflix refuses to ship rentals in proper packaging and 2) Netflix refuses to ship rentals by registered, express or insured mail which ensures compensation for lost and broken items.

[cynder66]

Hmmm...Since you also have recieved blockbuster flix that have been broken, perhaps you should invest in a PO box (or don't they ship to PO boxes?). What kind of mailbox do you have? I remember someone suggesting a cruel neighbor or some such-I'd look into that. Are all these broken disks cracked or just scratched/unplayable? Do you have more than one dvd player? How do you transport your discs if you do? Are you using a PS2 to play these unplayable disks? (I had to clean mine more than once-they PS2 not the disks.) It just seems that perhaps there is something more going on here.

[manuel]

Please keep in mind I haven't received any broken DVDs from GreenCine. Even a modestly padded envelope with cardboard insert can protect hundreds of DVDs from breaking. Every time a Netflix movie arrives, I go through this ritual of opening the envelope and checking for cracks. I never had to do that with GreenCine.