If you find mail delivery too slow, one of Singapore's largest video rental chains is now offering DVDs the same way pizzas are delivered: To your doorstep, on a motorcycle.

Video Ezy Singapore, which has 23 stores here, has stopped its Netflix-style mail programme to focus on its motorcycle delivery service.

The mail delivery model had flaws as mail turnaround time was too slow, says the chain's marketing manager Swen Yeo. The one day it takes for a disc to travel from mailbox to mailbox means there are two days when no one can use that disc.

This means the online warehouse has to keep more stock to compensate, she says. With bike delivery, stock can be picked up from nearby stores. The chain has over 220,000 members.

The delivery service started last Thursday at its Marine Parade branch. Each delivery and collection trip costs $2.50, but only $2.50 is charged if the customer returns discs on the delivery trip.

There is a rental fee of $6.50 for newer titles and $5.50 for older ones, the same rate for in-store rentals.

Home delivery customers can keep the titles for three days or more, depending on the number of titles borrowed. Users must first register online as members, at a one-time $5 fee.

Late returns cost $1 per day.

There is no delivery speed guarantee, says Ms Yeo. 'Our delivery timing is fixed. They are between 2 and 5pm and 7 and 10pm.'

She acknowledges that bike delivery is a 'premium service' that some may find pricey.

Some other DVD rental shops such as 7frames (www.7frames.com) have been offering home delivery for some time.

This story was first published in The Straits Times Life! on 28 October 2008.