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This isn't about the use of disposable income. It's about having a huge increase in cost with absolutely nothing in return. Now, if they'd said that they'd finally ripped their DVD collection to streaming, or even somewhere near it, I'd listen. Or perhaps they're finally going to get more recent titles in line with Blockbuster or Redbox. But they're not.

This is a pure, unadulterated money grab. So I'm grabbing mine back before they get the chance. Canceled my service yesterday. And per http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2011/07/new-pricing-poll-what-are-you-going-to-do.html, I'm not the only one. Over 1/3 say they are quitting. Explain that to the shareholders, NetFlix execs.

someone needs to tell that to Netflix who's rolling out a new backend powered by Amazon's AWS

You should try the profiles feature. It solves that exact problem.

There is still a non-revokable 8 computer license limit per account (http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2007/09/watch-now-limit.html)

The main limit though, is the meager selection of available movies.

for Netflix to have an automated system to throttle.

Flash is already soaked in the mainstream, so it'll be tough for MS to uproot Adobe from that position.

As long as you're using Windows and IE, Netflix's Watch Now offering is superb. It's worked 100% of the time for me. Though I'm no fan of DRM, Netflix took Microsoft's DRM and built something superb. If you want to see what it looks like, you can watch this video

As a followup to my previous post, lots of people have also been posting netflix addresses on this page (some as recent as this year):

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2004/09/help_compile _a_.html

1. They lied about what day they received a DVD back from me (adding 1-2 days to the time it takes for the DVD to show up as being returned on their site)

2. They lied about the availability of new releases (I would see "Very Long Wait" while a new subscriber would see "Available Now" for the exact same DVD)

3. They lied about what day they shipped a DVD back to me (for example, saying they shipped the DVD on Monday but actually shipped it on Tuesday or Wednesday).

Check out http://www.hackingnetflix.com/ for more information about NetFlix throttling.

A useful link to add perspective on this story. This guy has been following Netflix, their practices, and their industry for some time. Of note is his opinion and the fact that renting from Netflix is still a good deal even if you are throttled. http://www.hackingnetflix.com/ Thanks to The Economist for pointing me to this site in a somewhat prophetic manner.

I too have been looking for data about this practice. I found hackingnetflix where there were plenty of complaints. One person sent back 5 DVDs in the same return slip. When Netflix got them, they sent an email saying the first DVD arrived. On the next day, a second email arrived saying the second DVD was received. On the third day a third email was sent even though all 5 DVDs arrived on the first day. I will check out the link you provided to see if more of this deceptive behaviour is documented. Netflix is free to run their business in any way they see fit, but they should not lie about limiting the rentals through these throttling techniques.

I can personally testify about how slow they are now compared to the first few months. Last week it took them over 7 days to record the DVDs I sent back. I actually reported one of them as lost and they sent an email acknowledging receipt of it a few days later. This compares to the overnight delivery I previously saw.

This bait and switch tactic seems to be well documented. During the trial period, the service is great and the expectations rise. After a few months, they decide you have been getting too many DVDs and the service slows down. Now the DVDs come two or three days late. I wonder if the account is permanently tagged or if we can hold the DVDs longer to return to the previous higher quality service ;-)

This stuff about Netflix has been known for a long time by their actual customers. I first read about it when I was comparing Blockbuster and Netflix and read this site. (I went with Netflix)

Blockbuster didn't have the same selection as Netflix and the free in-store rentals don't appeal to me, living 30 mins from the nearest Blockbuster. And Blockbuster is slower to deliver your rentals in general, not just when throttling.

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Okay, I am at least half wrong, they have updated their policies to lie about it if asked:

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2005/08/netflix_vs_b loc.html

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2005/10/variety_bloc kbu.html

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/059230.htm

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Okay, I am at least half wrong, they have updated their policies to lie about it if asked:

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2005/08/netflix_vs_b loc.html

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2005/10/variety_bloc kbu.html

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/059230.htm

With Netflix, you're also essentially "getting DVD's in who-knows-what condition, in who-knows-how-much time from who-knows-who" when you consider the fact that after who-knows-how-many people have already had the dvd, you aren't guaranteed that it will be playable, and if you return it as unplayable, you will likely be throttled.

And even after throttling, you won't know which DC (distribution center) is sending your next flix, so it will arrive in who-knows-how-much time after the fact. Of course some of them arrive next day or 2 days, but it's not guaranteed. Plus, you don't own the movie (unless, of course, you burn copies... which is illegal and immmoral and hurts the artist and their families and who-knows-who else) ^_^

Streaming, on-demand video is the future.

I think both of these formats have an uphill battle against the fact that we aren't far away from a subscription service with access to a library of HD-quality movies and shows...

This for example, was most recently in the news.

The screen capture also has the name of the new device: Netflix Player.

Mikek / http://www.hackingnetflix.com/

The company stores usually buy the "rated" vs. "unrated" editions of movies, such as Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle.

Your store is probably a franchise. Ask the next time you're there.

- MikeK

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/

Walmart is probably getting paid very each time someone subscribes to Netflix (Netflix pays $20 or more for each new subscriber). This could be a lot more profitable than doing the service themselves.

Netflix gets a bunch of new subscribers and the blessing of Walmart. While Netflix isn't predicting a huge amount of revenue from the deal, it's very strategic: Walmart is actually recommending Netflix.

I have more info and pictures of the Netflix and Walmart ads on my blog: http://www.hackingnetflix.com/.

MikeK

www.HackingNetflix.com

This is as good a time as any to cancel my subscription. I really wasn't getting my money's worth anyway. Before it was choice between convenience and how much their sight design sucked but wal-mart is just evil.

I know I'm replying to flamebait, but don't you get it? YOU WON! WE WON! Wal-Mart didn't buy out the little guy. Instead, Wal-Mart decided they couldn't beat Netflix, and decided to cut their losses and make a deal while they could still pretend they didn't get their hind end handed to them.

Potential downsides abound -- Wal-Mart is notorious for its bullying of its suppliers. But Netflix has shown the determination to survive, so I think they'll make it. But I'll be keeping an eye on Hacking Netflix to see what happens next.

Up to 20% of stores are franchises and many revolted against the "No More Late Fees" program, causing customers to be totally confused. "No More Late Fees" commercials running on all channels and yet my local Blockbuster still charges late fees?

I've been covering this story and more at: http://www.hackingnetflix.com/

- MikeK @ HackingNetflix.com

Um...

Oops, sorry, MPAA won't release that information. I guess we'll never know...

Hi Alan,

Thanks for your inquiry.

We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback and comments. I sincerely apologize for the difficulties you've experienced and have forwarded your feedback to the appropriate department. Please be assured that we are continually striving to improve our service.

I have provided below some details of how we ship and process DVDs so that you can understand how our service works at this time:

We receive rental returns Monday through Friday, except holidays. We process nearly 100% of returns the same day we receive them. When we check-in a return, an e-mail is automatically and promptly sent to you to let you know that we have received your DVD.

Our goal is to ship you the DVDs listed highest in your Queue. We try to ship you DVDs from the distribution center closest to you so that you get movies quickly. Often, on the same day that we receive a DVD from you, we will ship the next available DVD from your Queue. In certain instances, your next available DVD will not ship until the next business day following our receipt of your returned movie. This can occur, for example, when your top choices are not available to you from your closest distribution center or the number of shipments to be processed by the distribution center on that day has been exceeded. When this happens, your DVD will ship on the next business day and may come from an alternate distribution center.

In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may experience next-day shipping and receive movies lower in their Queue more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Thanks,
[name withheld]
Netflix Customer Service .

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/

I noticed a significant decline in shipping speed in the 3rd month and have filed a complaint with my states attorney general.

"In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our service. As a result, those members who receive the most movies may experience next-day shipping and receive movies lower in their Queue more often than our other members. By prioritizing in this way, we help assure a balanced experience for all our members. Those that rent a lot of movies get a great value and those with lighter viewing habits are able to count on our service to meet their limited needs."

Check out this site

I have been a netflix subscriber for about 6 months now. They advertise unlimited accounts, but hold your shippments even when they are in stock to slow you down if you start getting too many. This is my last month. Can anyone recomend another?

I hope they do get tossed out on there butts. They deserve it.

Items sold by Amazon.com LLC, or its subsidiaries, and shipped to destinations in the states of Kansas, North Dakota, or Washington are subject to tax.

Hardly a handful.

An interesting tidbit. I saw speculation over at Hacking Netflix that while rumors abound that Amazon will acquire Netflix, we'll never actually see that day because Netflix's massive network of distribution centers in all or nearly all 50 states would give Amazon nexus everywhere, thus making ALL purchases on Amazon.com within the US eligible for applicable state sales taxes.

Right - and meanwhile, Netflix said (at their recent quarterly earnings call) that their online movie download service will launch in 2005.