Great Expectations of a movie lover
For last one year, I am relying a lot on Mouthshut before subscribing to any service / plan tour / purchase of white tune goods! But movies - I am not at all choosy; I will end up in watching movies without any discretion! Caligula to Pather Panchali - Thanks to all visionary friends from Pune Film Institute.
I was always in search of a good DVD Library but alas, none of them could satisfy my necessitate. The major issues I faced were
a) Selection of movie - Majority of the libraries were driven by demand - supply theory. So, you will have many copies of RNBDJ, KHNH -----but Gods Must Be Crazy etc. are never found.
b) Quality - Anything that might affect the cinematic pleasure cannot be tolerated. Low quality DVD, Pirated copies and DVDs suffering from the geriatric ailments that might even spoil your DVD Player
c) Cost - Well, you can keep the DVD with you for a day and you should return the same with in 24 hours. Otherwise, the meter will be on and finally you might end up in paying the price enough to purchase the DVD shop for some crap DVD
d) Customer Care - Well, aspirations are sky rocketing but still, do we expect minimum courtesy?
So - the solution was to purchase DVDs from cross word or JB Incorporated [That is, Juna Bazar, in Pune where you can purchase Lap Top to Dagger and even those movies yet to be released. This market is open only on Wednesday and Sunday. Not recommended :-)]
Big Flix
Finally - someone referred me to BigFlix. Being a Reliance Venture, I had some apprehensions. (With due respect, I never had any good exerience with Anil Dhirubai Ambani Group - Be it Insurance, V - Datacard ---). I checked Mouthshut - so far only 33 pc members recommended the product. Our dear friend Syd Barret also had some horrid experience with them. Still, I have decided to try my luck. I visited the Viman Nagar branch of Big Flix (3 KM away from my home and my regular route).
I was welcomed by a gentleman resembling a giant robot with a morbid aura . When I expressed my desire to be a member, he handed over a pamphlet! I started exploring the various plans as he was in no mood to explain me further. Finally, I have decided to take the "Monthly Unlimited Discs Plan" costing Rs.375/- per month and one time deposit of Rs.300/-
Scheme details
a) You can take only one DVD at a time. On return (on the same day or any other day) - you can take another DVD. - Fair Enough! Who want to take more than one DVD at a time?
b) You can keep the DVD with you for any number of days without any late fee - Well, this is something amazing! I have seen the label "Two days and nights only" for some recent releases but never found them insisting on the same
c) Are you so lazy to go back to the library? There is a way out! You will be given a user name and password. You can select the movie of your choice and queue the same. In any normal situation, the DVD will be delivered at your home on the very next day. Also, there is option to "pick up" the DVD. Once when you are in the queue, there are options to send sms and avail the pick and drop facility!
This is a very cool feature. I have seen reviews were in many members faced problem in pickup and delivery but with me - touchwood and thank god - their service was always prompt.
d) Suppose you are out of station and is not able to return the DVD. No issue - You can return the DVD to any Big Flix centre across the country. Also, you can even take the DVD from any Big Flix centre across the country - Number of Big Flix centres across the country is limited but still, in larger cities, they do have good presence.
In short - almost all the issues mentioned in the beginning of the review is getting addressed!
A bit more -
a) Big Flix got very good collection of DVDs. Hollywood, Bollywood, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, South Indian Languages - You name it, it is there! If you do not find the movie which you are searching for, immediately opt to search the same in their website. The central repository might have the same and the same will be delivered to you. Also, they do have the DVDs of reality shows, sports, documentaries etc.
b) None of the DVDs are pirated. So, if you want to get hold of the latest release - Sorry, this is not the place!
c) Some DVDs manufactured in Asia Pacific might not get played in DVD player with basic setting. So, you need to check whether it is compatible to play on all regions. Otherwise, you will end up in getting the message "wrong region". I have seen many customers raising complaint "their DVDs are having quality issues". But, you can alter the setting of your DVD player and get this problem fixed
d) Except the gentleman whom I meet initially - all other staff members are courteous. Also, they got adequate knowledge on movies. I have selected "Amu" "Khuda Ke Liye" etc. as per the suggestion received from one of their staff member.
Finally - Altogether, I had a very good experience with Big Flix so far. But, request not to consider this review as conclusive as there are many aggrieved customers. I am sure, everyone got a different story to tell and hence request you to focus more on the options they provide. Whether they actually stick to commitment – you need to experience.
If anyone would like to opt their service, I suggest the following
a) Visit the nearest library near your city (Information is available from http://www.bigflix.com.
b) Opt for the most basic plan and have a firsthand experience
c) Please don’t bother about the ultimate cost benefit analysis - something like - I spent Rs.375/- per month, how many DVDs I took on rent, what is the worth ---- if you do so, I am sure - you will be blessed with all agonising figures
Happy cinematic experience for all MSians!