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Analysis of Netflix's DVD Allocation System
dvd_rent_test writes "Netflix uses the number of movies you have previously rented to determine your priority in getting movies. The more movies you rented during your last billing cycle, the less chance you have of receiving a movie versus an individual who has rented fewer movies. This is why new users have great success getting their movies and older or heavy users have a difficult time getting some movies."
Sometimes Blockbuster doesn't have the movie I want in. Burger King screws up your order 50% of the time. Walmarts are usually filthy. Netflix has a finite amount of movies to rent out, and a desire to lure new customers to their service - hence, new customers that are less active have a better chance at getting the movies they want, which increases the likelyhood that they will remain Netflix customers. Wow, stop the press.