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Netflix Reduces Physical-Disc Processing, Keeps Prices the Same
Nom du Keyboard writes: After seeing a drop in my DVD service from Netflix I got a customer service representative tonight to confirm that Netflix has ceased processing DVD returns on Saturdays nationwide. And that they did this without notifying their customers, or reducing prices to compensate for the reduced service. Given that the DVD selection still far outstrips their streaming selection, this may be news to others like myself who don't find streaming an adequate replacement for plastic discs. My experience up until recently, unlike Netflix's promise of a 1-3 day turnaround at their end which gives them lots of wiggle room to degrade service even further, had been of mailing in a DVD on day one, having them receive it and mail out my next selection on day two, and receiving it on day three. Now with them only working 5 days and many U.S. Post Office holidays, they're still getting the same money for significantly less.
The Netflix shipping FAQ confirms the change, and a spokesperson said, "Saturdays have been low volume ship days for us."
Time will tell, if customers really care.
Alternately, you could claim that they cut Saturday processing instead of raising prices. I'm hardly outraged about this.
Most of the Netflix subscribers I know (including myself) are paying that monthly fee mainly for the privilege of having that red mailer sit on the shelf next to the TV and gather dust.
In any case, I doubt the typical Netflix subscriber will think this change impacts them in any significant way.
#DeleteChrome
Why would anybody want to wait for a day or two for a piece of plastic when they can access the data instantly online?
Nobody would, except perhaps for those with inadequate Internet bandwidth.
However, for a large number of movies you can't currently "access the data instantly online" (at least, not via Netflix). Netflix's primary focus should be on getting their streaming catalog to match their DVD catalog.
I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
netflix listened to customer feedback when they tried to spin off their disc rentals to another company. so call them and give them feedback. they are easy to reach by phone. if you dont complain to them please dont whine on slashdot
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Problem is you can't get all of their stuff streamed. Some of their titles are DVD only. Stupid, I know.
Netflix is probably trying to save money by cutting costs. It kinds of sort of sucks but life goes on. Compared to some of the other antics large companies are up to, I have a hard time getting worked up about this.
Of course the reason you can't get some of the stuff on streaming is the idiotic licensing practices of the copyright holders. They say "no streaming" so Netflix has to do those ancient plastic discs.
For something that is after all, only data? Why would anybody want to wait for a day or two for a piece of plastic when they can access the data instantly online?
Because some things aren't available online (legally).
Because you don't have enough bandwidth to get it online.
Because you lack the equipment to stream movies to your TV
Because some DVDs have features not available to streaming versions.
Because you may not have an internet connection at point of viewing
Because Netflix's streaming catalog has more holes than shotgunned swiss cheese.
They may not apply to you but there are reasons why someone might prefer a DVD in some cases.
I wouldn't live in a place with inadequate bandwidth for a simple video stream.
I think that is the very definition of a First World Problem.
Actually, as the proper name they chose for their company it's only one word.
Rules of Conduct:
#1 - The DM is always right.
#2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
I don't have any issue with this. Netflix did the smart thing and under promised and over delivered. They said it would be between 1 and 3 days and strived to always be 1 day. Now, there will be a limited time when it will be more than 1 day (really, this only affects if they get a disc on Saturday as they would have went out on Monday and now will go out on Tuesday). This is still within the limits they promised. Sure, it's not ideal, but I just don't see any reason to get outraged over a change that will only affect 1 day out of 6 and still keeps them within their promised timelines.
"Information wants to be expensive" - Stewart Brand, the same guy who said "Information wants to be free"
Unless the movie you wanted wasn't available on the streaming service, ONLY on a physical disc. Yes, there are movies out there like that ("Tim's Vermeer" being one that I know of). Besides, if I'm not in a huge hurry to watch something, with a disk I can get extras easily, and not worry about
buffering...
Everything you know is wrong, Just forget the words and sing along.
Did you check Pirate Bay? Their prices are better too.
Statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work isn't "better".
OMG, people want to get paid for their work
Is there any service with a library on par with TPB, streamed or otherwise?
I also wouldn't use a service that does not provide a library at least on par with The Pirate Bay.
That's a pretty ridiculous bar to set.
I think it's a very reasonable bar to set. TPB proves that there is no technical reason why we can't provide everyone with near-instant, free access to basically every last bit of media on Earth. It's up to the pro-copyright faction to justify withholding that access to suit their own material interests.
"The state is that great fiction by which everyone tries to live at the expense of everyone else." - Bastiat
As I have taught my children from the time that they first learned what money is.... If you have to give someone money to get their offer, it isn't free.
What is in Netflix's FAQ about their delivery times is only relevant when faced with a court of law. From a consumer's perspective, what you get for your money is what matters. When I go into a restaurant, they don't promise to bring my food hot, or in a timely manner. No where do they make that promise. If they have been doing a great job of bringing me my food hot and in a timely fashion for a decade, I will be a happy customer. If they make a decision to cut staff so that my food comes out cold and I have to sit for an hour waiting for it, then I will complain about the business. I will stop being a customer, and I will recommend others avoid the business as well. It doesn't matter whether what they promised.
Google "First Sale Doctrine". You own a copy. Software is tricky because it comes bundled with a license to install it/run it. But the actual disks that contain the installer? Yours.
Yeah, but that won't happen. In fact, the studios are pushing for per-device fees, separating TV/Computer/Mobile rights, and going more towards a "per-view" model.
Even if they were willing to, even if that didn't cause all kinds of problems with residuals, even if it didn't impose a perpetual and unbounded cost on the studio... what happens when the studio goes out of business? How does fulfillment actually happen
You could ask them ahead of time and plan ahead. Or you could carry a hundred disks in a relatively small wallet. Or, depending on where you live, you may be able to copy the DVD to a hard drive for transportation.
Did you use your legal right to make a backup?
But personally, I find the times I am without access to stream, a la ton a plane, in a tunnel, or just with a lot of peopel using the Internet at my house, where ever, make me want a local copy. And that means a physical copy, in general, if I want it on a device I control that doesn't need to call home or self-destruct. It also means I can resell it, loan it to a friend, etc.
Your ad here. Ask me how!