Amazon may raise Prime prices.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No search function on which website? I can search for movies, actors, directors, etc. on either Amazon or Netflix.

I think you can only do a search if you are logged into your account. I logged out of mine, and there is no search option available.

Netflix does give the first month free, so a person can sign up and cancel before the end of the month. Here's the link to the US signup page:

https://www.netflix.com/getstarted?l...=header-WiHome

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Based on some of the comments, I decided to take a look at Netflix to see what Netflix offers vs. what Amazon offers. Are they kidding? No search function on the Web site? I'm supposed to just browse endlessly through genres and subgenres? Can't search by director or actor? Instant dealbreaker!

I have Netflix and I can search.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I think you can only do a search if you are logged into your account. I logged out of mine, and there is no search option available.

Ah... that must be it.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No search function on which website? I can search for movies, actors, directors, etc. on either Amazon or Netflix.

Netflix. All I see are options to browse by genres and subgenres.

ETA: I'm glad there's a search function if you're a member, but it's pretty stupid not to have it for everyone. What doofus decided that? I don't like the idea of signing up for something, even free, that is going to automatically renew, before I can even find out if they're offering movies/TV shows that I'm interested in.

[speakingtohe]

I cancelled my Canadian (free) prime membership as for me it is not worth the 88.95. But I appreciated the free trial although I only ordered one item. If Amazon.ca had half as good selection and prices as the US website I would sign up again in a heartbeat.

Helen

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Netflix. All I see are options to browse by genres and subgenres.

ETA: I'm glad there's a search function if you're a member, but it's pretty stupid not to have it for everyone. What doofus decided that? I don't like the idea of signing up for something, even free, that is going to automatically renew, before I can even find out if they're offering movies/TV shows that I'm interested in.

I find the Apple website a lot like that. It's very hard to browse to see if I want to join their bookstore or music or whatever. Thankfully I don't watch movies, so that is one less thing for me to worry about!

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Netflix. All I see are options to browse by genres and subgenres.

ETA: I'm glad there's a search function if you're a member, but it's pretty stupid not to have it for everyone. What doofus decided that? I don't like the idea of signing up for something, even free, that is going to automatically renew, before I can even find out if they're offering movies/TV shows that I'm interested in.

You can search directly from a url like this:
http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=spiderman

It does seem it would have been sensible to put a search box on the main page, but I'm not sure I really agree with your point. You would make a recurring monthly subscription decision by individually searching for specific things available at this moment?? It seems far more people would make such a decision by browsing for the KIND OF STUFF they are interested in to get a sense of whether there will be a volume of stuff to watch.

If you are searching for one specific thing, it seems it would be far cheaper to seek that one thing our for a much cheaper one-time price elsewhere.

I totally agree with the point in Apple's case, though. If you want to purchase one book or one movie, and you don't have an Apple device, it appears you have to install iTunes first even to search for it. That's just stupid.

[mrmarlowe]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

The more I stand waiting in line at a local store for the privilege of paying higher prices, often after being greeted by an empty shelf where one of the products I came to purchase had been

[sadievan]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Netflix. All I see are options to browse by genres and subgenres.

ETA: I'm glad there's a search function if you're a member, but it's pretty stupid not to have it for everyone. What doofus decided that? I don't like the idea of signing up for something, even free, that is going to automatically renew, before I can even find out if they're offering movies/TV shows that I'm interested in.

Hulu Plus is like that too. You can't search for anything by name, etc.

Carol

[MeSue]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I don't like the idea of signing up for something, even free, that is going to automatically renew, before I can even find out if they're offering movies/TV shows that I'm interested in.

You may find this of interest:
http://lifehacker.com/tv-streaming-h...-pr-1536006625

They compared the most popular shows on Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu.

[Blossom]

We have both Netflix and Hulu Plus and I think Netflix is what we use most of the time. Hubby has just finished off the entire series of Eureka. The best way to go for streaming shows is get a Roku. Netflix will never be current you have to wait months for new seasons to be added but Hulu Plus makes up for that as that's where the new stuff is added each week then there is Amazon Instant Video that sells pretty much all TV shows episodes for $2 NonHD and $5 for HD. Netflix and Hulu Plus both have a PayPal option while Amazon uses the Card on your account but you can add gift cards to your Amazon account and it will come off of that. Other places like Vudu or M-Go which uses Ultra Violet which has the walmart program where you can take your DVDs to walmart and they add the digital streaming version to your account for like $5 bucks a video.

I find Amazon Prime very seldom has anything that Netflix or Hulu Plus doesn't always have. Sometimes they have exclusive content but it's rare to not find it on one of the other services for free.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Blossom

We have both Netflix and Hulu Plus and I think Netflix is what we use most of the time. Hubby has just finished off the entire series of Eureka. The best way to go for streaming shows is get a Roku. Netflix will never be current you have to wait months for new seasons to be added but Hulu Plus makes up for that as that's where the new stuff is added each week then there is Amazon Instant Video that sells pretty much all TV shows episodes for $2 NonHD and $5 for HD. Netflix and Hulu Plus both have a PayPal option while Amazon uses the Card on your account but you can add gift cards to your Amazon account and it will come off of that. Other places like Vudu or M-Go which uses Ultra Violet which has the walmart program where you can take your DVDs to walmart and they add the digital streaming version to your account for like $5 bucks a video.

I find Amazon Prime very seldom has anything that Netflix or Hulu Plus doesn't always have. Sometimes they have exclusive content but it's rare to not find it on one of the other services for free.

Did you say you do or don't use the lending feature (for books?)

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Did you say you do or don't use the lending feature (for books?)

I sometimes do if I remember but seriously almost all the Prime Lending books are available through through Kindle Lending and there really isn't a limit like there is with Prime Lending. You can use a site like Lendle or some threads on the Amazon forum to get someone to loan you the book you want to read. One book a month really isn't a perk to me.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I sometimes do if I remember but seriously almost all the Prime Lending books are available through through Kindle Lending and there really isn't a limit like there is with Prime Lending. You can use a site like Lendle or some threads on the Amazon forum to get someone to loan you the book you want to read. One book a month really isn't a perk to me.

Thanks. Hadn't really thought about most of them being at lendleme, although I do use lendleme all the time.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by ApK

You can search directly from a url like this:
http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=spiderman

It does seem it would have been sensible to put a search box on the main page, but I'm not sure I really agree with your point. You would make a recurring monthly subscription decision by individually searching for specific things available at this moment?? It seems far more people would make such a decision by browsing for the KIND OF STUFF they are interested in to get a sense of whether there will be a volume of stuff to watch.

I am looking for the "kind of stuff"--I like generally like older movies and shows with certain actors, for example, so I might want to look and see if there's a good selection of movies with those actors. It's not that I'm looking for a specific film or show right now, but if I were to key in a few names and get only a handful of hits, I would decide Netflix is probably not for me. And vice versa--if I found a lot of the kind of material that generally appeals to me, I might well sign up for the trial.

P.S. Thanks for the search link.