Netflix to Blu-ray Subs: Screw You!

Lee Stewart · 12-18-2008, 07:07 AM

Netflix to Blu-ray Subs: Screw You!

The online DVD rental service confesses that its spendthrift policies are leading to Blu-ray rental delays.

Quote:

By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (December 17, 2008) -- On October 30, I reported here that Netflix was painfully slow in sending new Blu-ray releases to its customers. Time and time again, Netflix tagged new Blu-ray titles with the dreaded "Long Wait" or "Very Long Wait" label, meaning it could take weeks before the title is mailed to you.

On November 20, I wrote an update saying that I had had enough. I was dropping Netflix and signing up with Blockbuster's online rental service. Considering that I paid $18 a month for my Netflix subscription, which allowed me to have three different discs out at the same time, I wrote that you would think that the company would work harder to get my Blu-ray choices to me in a timely fashion.

Particularly since Netflix recently began charging Blu-ray subscribers an extra $1 a month for the 'privilege' of renting high-def discs!

Well, guess what? News.com now reports that Netflix is not only aware of the backlog problem, but they are just fine with it.

Not many Blu-ray releases for the Netflix subscriber.

Steve Swasey, Netflix's spokesman, told the web site that the company simply doesn't have enough Blu-ray discs to distribute. When asked why Netflix doesn't buy more Blu-ray copies -- perhaps with the $1 a month fee they are charging its 500,000 Blu-ray subscribers -- Swasey said the company believes that wouldn't be "efficient."

"There is an expense to that," Swasey told News.com. "These things cost money. We deploy money where we think it's going to be most efficient to keep subscribers and investors happy. It's always check and balances."

Swasey added that the studios have been slow to release enough Blu-ray discs for rental services such as Blockbuster and Netflix. But the Netflix spokesman said his company isn't necessarily interested in buying them when they are available because of the cost.

Swasey also confessed that frequent renters are penalized for watching so many films.

"What we're doing is giving new releases to the person who hasn't rented as much," he said. "We've been doing this for a couple of years and fully disclose this in our terms of agreement. If we have a shortage of titles we do what we think is equitable and give the title to the person who hasn't rented as much or who hasn't gotten as much enjoyment from the service."

Folks, as I wrote in my earlier commentaries, Netflix is ripping you off. If you're a Blu-ray subscriber, Netflix is just taking your extra $1 a month and using it for whatever it wants, be it the company's digital download program or perhaps CEO Reed Hastings' salary. Who knows? It's certainly not going for more Blu-ray discs.

(Note: When Hastings first revealed earlier this year that Netflix would charge more for Blu-ray rentals, he defended the increase by noting that Blu-ray discs cost more at retail -- and he opined that high-def owners are used to "paying more.")

I urge everyone to dump Netflix ASAP and sign up with Blockbuster's online service. Thus far, Blockbuster has been terrific, delivering almost every new release promptly.

So, Netflix, screw you!

http://www.tvpredictions.com/netflix121708.htm

Stew4HD · 12-18-2008, 07:25 AM

I am certainly tempted to drop NetFlix over this business tactic. The statement about penalizing frequent renters really bugs me! WTH is up with that?

Nikopol · 12-18-2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Swasey also confessed that frequent renters are penalized for watching so many films.

it's like an ISP offering "unlimited downloads" and then putting a hidden cap on the account for "abusing" the service. Stupid. If they don't want people to use what they offer and get pay for, they should state so right away.

Stew4HD · 12-18-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikopol

it's like an ISP offering "unlimited downloads" and then putting a hidden cap on the account for "abusing" the service. Stupid. If they don't want people to use what they offer and get pay for, they should state so right away.

Indeed. I guess this is more "fine print" stuff, like the credit card companies are using... cuz almost no one reads it.

Lee Stewart · 12-18-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikopol

it's like an ISP offering "unlimited downloads" and then putting a hidden cap on the account for "abusing" the service. Stupid. If they don't want people to use what they offer and get pay for, they should state so right away.

What? They don't bait and switch over in Germany?

HD Goofnut · 12-18-2008, 09:34 AM

I was wondering why I have had to drop by Hollywood Video recently for titles like Wanted, Step Brothers, and The Hulk. It seems you can't even get a new release shipped to you anymore on the release day. In the last few weeks my queue has been saying Long Wait on the day before the release day. IMHO Netflix needs to shove it and give their attention to the faithful renters. I'll give them another month or so and if it hasn't changed I may cut back my plan.

hatt · 12-18-2008, 09:55 AM

I must be part of only a handful of people in my area that gets BDs, I never have to wait. Chungking Express is currently the only thing listed as "short wait" on my entire queue and it is the first I've seen without "Now" in a couple months. My brother just signed up for the BD service in a different area so I'll have to see how his goes.

Stew4HD · 12-18-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatt

I must be part of only a handful of people in my area that gets BDs, I never have to wait. Chungking Express is currently the only thing listed as "short wait" on my entire queue and it is the first I've seen without "Now" in a couple months. My brother just signed up for the BD service in a different area so I'll have to see how his goes.

I haven't seen the "x wait" on my account either.. yet.

ack_bak · 12-18-2008, 11:23 AM

I dropped Netflix awhile back due to long delays (BD/HD DVD) and billing issues. I was definitely being throttled. I signed up with Blockbuster and had great service. I have since cancelled my subscription plan and rent exclusively in store now at my own pace. It costs a little more, but I have been buying tons of movies lately and did not want to throw away money every month that I was not using.

I did like Netflix's online interface more than Blockbuster's, but I had multiple instances of them billing me incorrectly and they were rather rude about it.

Bravestime · 12-18-2008, 11:26 AM

I have experienced long waits myself. I have yet to get Get Smart, The Incredible Hulk, Don't Mess with the Zohan or Leatherheads.

I'm hoping they'll buy more BDs to reduce these long unnecessary waits. If not, I may go else where myself.

**PFC5** · 12-18-2008, 11:53 AM

I have experienced long delays on nearly every new release especially BD releases with Netflix lately due to throttling.

If it continues , I will probably try Blockbuster Online if they force me to. I have a feeling that they WILL get worse since a lot of people are buying BD players this holiday season and if they start renting BD titles that will just make the situation worse if they won't buy more copies of the titles. It really is too bad if they do this, but I only rent BDs for the most part and getting a BD version of a movie I already own on SD DVD is NOT what I am paying the money for.

Raul2106 · 12-18-2008, 01:02 PM

Netflix is good for streaming movies over XBOX360! That is only going to improve over time.

scsa · 12-18-2008, 01:14 PM

Well they better start giving their customers who don't have 360 the damn movies in HD online because that is bs too.

**PFC5** · 12-18-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scsa

Well they better start giving their customers who don't have 360 the damn movies in HD online because that is bs too.

You might want to point the finger at Sony and not Netflix because Sony has their OWN movie download service for the PS3 and quite likely won't allow Netflix to do it with the PS3.

scsa · 12-18-2008, 01:18 PM

no I meant online as in on the pc not the ps3 I can have my netflix on the ps3 now with a media server play on I just want to stream hd on the pc.

12-18-2008, 09:34 AM	#6
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,846	I was wondering why I have had to drop by Hollywood Video recently for titles like Wanted, Step Brothers, and The Hulk. It seems you can't even get a new release shipped to you anymore on the release day. In the last few weeks my queue has been saying Long Wait on the day before the release day. IMHO Netflix needs to shove it and give their attention to the faithful renters. I'll give them another month or so and if it hasn't changed I may cut back my plan. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *Léon: The Professional* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

12-18-2008, 11:26 AM	#10
Bravestime Supporter of HiDef Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Aiken, SC Age: 53 Posts: 4,415	I have experienced long waits myself. I have yet to get Get Smart, The Incredible Hulk, Don't Mess with the Zohan or Leatherheads. I'm hoping they'll buy more BDs to reduce these long unnecessary waits. If not, I may go else where myself. __________________ Life is Short, Watch a Movie

12-18-2008, 11:53 AM	#11
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,363	I have experienced long delays on nearly every new release especially BD releases with Netflix lately due to throttling. If it continues , I will probably try Blockbuster Online if they force me to. I have a feeling that they WILL get worse since a lot of people are buying BD players this holiday season and if they start renting BD titles that will just make the situation worse if they won't buy more copies of the titles. It really is too bad if they do this, but I only rent BDs for the most part and getting a BD version of a movie I already own on SD DVD is NOT what I am paying the money for. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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12-18-2008, 07:25 AM	#2
Stew4HD High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9,068	I am certainly tempted to drop NetFlix over this business tactic. The statement about penalizing frequent renters really bugs me! WTH is up with that?

12-18-2008, 09:55 AM	#7
hatt HD Elitist Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FL Age: 34 Posts: 4,921	I must be part of only a handful of people in my area that gets BDs, I never have to wait. Chungking Express is currently the only thing listed as "short wait" on my entire queue and it is the first I've seen without "Now" in a couple months. My brother just signed up for the BD service in a different area so I'll have to see how his goes.

12-18-2008, 11:23 AM	#9
ack_bak Hidef Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,416	I dropped Netflix awhile back due to long delays (BD/HD DVD) and billing issues. I was definitely being throttled. I signed up with Blockbuster and had great service. I have since cancelled my subscription plan and rent exclusively in store now at my own pace. It costs a little more, but I have been buying tons of movies lately and did not want to throw away money every month that I was not using. I did like Netflix's online interface more than Blockbuster's, but I had multiple instances of them billing me incorrectly and they were rather rude about it.

12-18-2008, 01:02 PM	#12
Raul2106 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 50	Netflix is good for streaming movies over XBOX360! That is only going to improve over time.

12-18-2008, 01:14 PM	#13
scsa High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,107	Well they better start giving their customers who don't have 360 the damn movies in HD online because that is bs too.

12-18-2008, 01:18 PM	#15
scsa High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,107	no I meant online as in on the pc not the ps3 I can have my netflix on the ps3 now with a media server play on I just want to stream hd on the pc.