My views on Xtravision are no secret, so I won’t rehash them now.
Over the past few months the Irish market has been changing and growing so there is more choice for people like me.
I recently signed up for a trial account with ScreenClick.com and am impressed with the concept behind it. The only weakness I’ve found so far can be attributed to the Irish postal system more than the site itself.
Of course ScreenClick aren’t alone in the online DVD rental market, though they’ve been around for several years. A new entrant is Moviestar that seem to have some serious backing, or at least a very good PR and marketing budget. As I haven’t tried the service yet I can’t comment on how good or bad it is, but I like the idea and the fact that we can choose between companies.
Back in the offline world there have also been some interesting changes. Carlow town, which isn’t exactly a booming metropolis, but isn’t exactly a backwater either, now boasts its first automated DVD rental shop. I’ve used these systems in the past and they are really handy. After signing up in person you simply credit your account and then it’s self-service all the way. Want a DVD at 4 in the morning? No problem. The machines don’t care 🙂
Michele Neylon :: Pensieri
Technology, Marketing, Domains, Thoughts
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Whatever serious backing Moviestar have, they certainly didn’t spend it on their website.
I was with ScreenClick for quite a few months. They were quite good, but I found them a bit erratic with the more popular titles. They seem to have a fairly low stock of DVDs at any one time.
Apart from that, they were pretty efficient and we used to get through a couple of DVDs a week [the postage took up the rest of the week]
We were with screenclick for a good while ages ago, one of the reasons we ended up cancelling was problems with the local postal service – quite a few of our DVD’s that were posted back never made it back to screenclick’s offices, when posted in our local postbox they mysteriously went missing, yet when i posted them back from work instead (next town over) they all made it back safely… One of the problems with using such distinctive packaging I guess…
I used to be with screenclik when they were DVDrentals.ie and loved the service but after about a year I found that having DVD’s always waiting to be watched seemed to reduce my desire to see the movies.
I tried Moviestar.ie’s game rental service recently but I was not impressed at all, very poor customer service and well when I was cancelling the service there online system goes through about 6 pages of trying to sell you the service! You have to keep clicking the “No I really wanna cancel” button. they should have included a “Just F$%^ing cancel it already” button 😀
Some very interesting commentary on MovieStar on Boards.ie. Allegations that they’re the people responsible for the “You Have Won” lottery tickets and fake cheques.
http://www.google.com/search?moviestar+site%3Aboards.ie
The automated services can be handy, but they screw you on late fees. The costs rise exponentially (to €60 after 10 days!). I brought back a DVD a day late and was charged €6. The same movie costs €9 to buy in HMV. I really feel that DVD rental is bad value for money. If you can afford it, I think you’re better off to just buy the movie.
Adam – I think someone mentioned something along those lines in comments on my previous xtravision post.
Eoghan – That sounds nasty. I haven’t signed up with the one here yet, but if that is the case I’d be very hesitant
the automated dvd rental services are brill theirs one new to clare , where they only charge 2euro for 12hours or 2.99euro for 24hours and then 13cent per hour late and their 20% off all rentals on tuesdays!!