This week’s episode is an in-depth review of SmartFlix.com, a DVD rental service for how-to woodworking videos (and other hobbyist videos, as well). If you’d like to try out the service, use the coupon code MODERNWOOD when you check out to save $2!
The subscription-based sister site that I mention during the review is Woodturner University.
Nice review and I did check-out the website. A week is not a long time but reasonable for individual videos a bit much for sets as I like to watch them several times and take notes. Interesting in that you mentioned the smart pen, which I also checked out. This would be a great thing to use with the DVD rentals as one can take notes and also capture all the audio – almost like the real thing without the cost of the DVD.
The other thing I was wondering is that if you choose to keep the dvd, as in not return it, do they charge you the list price for the dvd in additional to the rental price or in addition to the rental price?
> Nice review and I did check-out the website. A week is not a long time but reasonable for individual videos a bit much for sets as I like to watch them several times and take notes.
John,
First, if you want to keep a DVD longer, it’s just $2.99 per additional week. We don’t have any extra shipping expense, so we can lower the price by 70% for additional weeks!
Second, a lot of customers have asked if we’ll offer a subscription plan, so they can pay a flat monthly fee and keep DVDs as long as they want. We’ve launched two programs: Woodturner University and Woodcarving University. Each sends you three DVDs each month, picked out from all our titles based on great customer reviews. These are organized in an ascending skill order (beginner, intermediate, then advanced). You can send back one, two, or all three DVDs and get new DVDs, all for just $22.95 per month … and no late fees. If you compare three DVDs are our regular prices for one week, to four weeks for this program, you can see that it’s a huge win!
Also, we offer a full money back guarantee – try any of our universities, and if you’re not thrilled, cancel in the first month, and get a 100% refund.
We’re also working with Mark Mazzo of thecraftsmanspath.com to come up with some additional “universities” aimed at wood working with handtools, building furniture, etc.
> The other thing I was wondering is that if you choose to keep the dvd, as in not return it, do they charge you the list price for the dvd in additional to the rental price
We prefer that folks always return DVDs, but if someone does not return a DVD, we charge them based on our actual purchase price. We will always be helpful and tell you where you can buy your own copy, though!
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info (at) smartflix (dot) com.
Hi Dave,
I just listened to your Smartflix review this morning and wanted to thank you for making the effort to identify the additional shipping costs for Canadians. We Canucks sometimes get overlooked when it comes to reviews, contests etc so thanks. I also got a real kick out of the Craftsman Nextech saw being in the top ten innovations. Maybe there’s hope for a Black and Decker saw yet. I’m looking for a picture of the craftsman saw but haven’t been able to find one yet. Would you mind posting a link?
Thanks for the review, Dave. I would love to see an international option, and hey Travis – that hand tools university would be awesome!
Hi Dave,
While I have used SmartFlix in the past, I am troubled that the creators of the DVD’s don’t see any benefit from the rental. Since hobbyist videos don’t sell in the numbers that “movie” videos do, I see this as a longer term issue for hobbyist DVD producers.
As the popularity of SmartFlix increases, the profitability of the DVD producers decreases. In my opinion, there needs to be some acknowledgement of the intellectual property created on the DVD. (for example, a small fee paid to the DVD producers). Otherwise, the business will not florish and DVD production will be impacted.
Perhaps it’s a moot point since on-demand video will likely replace DVD’s at some point in the not too distant future – we’ll see.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Chet
Thanks for the review but Chet makes a very good point. It’s not right that smartflix makes money from somebody’s intellectual property without having to pay a fee or royalty to the creator of the dvd.
@Aaron:
I understand what you’re saying, but the situation isn’t as black and white as you’re making it out to be. Let me play devil’s advocate for a minute.
Current US copyright law says that SmartFlix’s business model is perfectly legal. This is a fact. So we would have to change the law. The problem with changing the law is the huge number of unintended consequences that would spring from it. Do you think you should pay a royalty to Toyota every time you rent one of their cars? Do you think you should raise your property taxes to pay royalties to authors every time their book is checked out of the library? I could come up with these scenarios all day long. You see… once someone sells me something, it’s mine. They are not entitled to a continuing revenue stream every time I use it.
Now, having said all that, small content producers have a legitimate beef with Smartflix. Personally, I think the real solution here would be for them to join together in some sort of guild or organization that would negotiate a deal with rental companies for them. Something similar to what the movie studios do with Blockbuster, etc: the rental company purchases DVDs for some amount over retail as compensation.
But… you’re right. If the current situation makes you uncomfortable, then you should vote with your pocketbook. That’s the free market in action!
Dave
Smartflix did not satisfy me, but they cleverly got out of their 60 day, 120% money back gaurantee by shipping part 2 six months later, long after I’d forgotten that there ever was a part 2. And then charged me a late fee. Not impressed, and won’t ever go near the site again.