NetFlix to lower prices?

doubledown

doubledown

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There is a rumor going around that NetFlix may lower prices now that competition is heating up. Amazon is said to start a similiar service along with the already going BlockBuster DVD rental service.

I for one hope they lower prices. I'm paying $15.99 at BB for 6-moths, but the selection seems to be not as good as NetFlix, but it does have some advantages. I think when my 6-months are up at BB I MIGHT go back to Netflix

www.bensbargains.net reported this....among other sources.
 
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Word on fatwallet is that the standard $22 service will be dropping to $18 per month starting in November.

I think a netflix guy mentioned this in a financial report or something.

Yeah here's a USA Today article about it

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2004-10-15-netflix-amazon_x.htm

Netflix also announced it was cutting its monthly fee from $22 a month to $18. The company had earlier this year raised its fees from $20 to $22.
Click to expand...

The market hammered it on the news. Seems The Street isn't too confident that a new service from Amazon won't run them out of business.
 
I know that in the time my family used Netflix the price went up from $20 per month to $22 and the speed of turnaround time between discs slowed from 2 days to almost a full week. It's a good thing we've got some competition entering the market, or Netflix might have deteriorated into a complete farce like some of the online game rental sites.
 
Personally I go months between renting a movie quite often, so I woldn't pay much at all for one of these services. But if you like watching a DVD most every day this could be worthwhile.

You really have to watch adding any new recurring monthly fees IMO. Those things can add up fast and really eat into your spending money.
 
[quote name='wubb']Personally I go months between renting a movie quite often, so I woldn't pay much at all for one of these services. But if you like watching a DVD most every day this could be worthwhile.

You really have to watch adding any new recurring monthly fees IMO. Those things can add up fast and really eat into your spending money.[/quote]

Don't forget...a lot of people use DVD rental sevices for evil....technology these days enables a LOT ;) I'll leave it at that.
 
[quote name='doubledown'][quote name='wubb']Personally I go months between renting a movie quite often, so I woldn't pay much at all for one of these services. But if you like watching a DVD most every day this could be worthwhile.

You really have to watch adding any new recurring monthly fees IMO. Those things can add up fast and really eat into your spending money.[/quote]

Don't forget...a lot of people use DVD rental sevices for evil....technology these days enables a LOT ;) I'll leave it at that.[/quote]

Are you talking about having sex with discs?!? You pervert! :D
 
CAG tip:
1)Sign up for NetFlix
2) CANCEL your subscription right after.

If I remember correctly, they'll ask you not to cancel and give the service to you for $14.99 a month for 6 months. :)
 
[quote name='doubledown'][quote name='wubb']Personally I go months between renting a movie quite often, so I woldn't pay much at all for one of these services. But if you like watching a DVD most every day this could be worthwhile.

You really have to watch adding any new recurring monthly fees IMO. Those things can add up fast and really eat into your spending money.[/quote]

Don't forget...a lot of people use DVD rental sevices for evil....technology these days enables a LOT ;) I'll leave it at that.[/quote]

Oh yeah, forgot about that.
 
I was excited when I read the press release about NetFlix going to $17.99. I loved their service, and had to cancel last month due to lack of funds.

Also, I saw that Blockbuster was going to lower their price in about 2 weeks down to $17.49.

I checked NetFlix.com to see when they were going to lower prices, and their website said $19.99. A minute ago, it went back up to $21.99. Weird...
 
/rant on

I've enjoyed Netflix for a while now - but I didn't enjoy their price hike. They do things... stupid things... that really make you question your subscription. Ever notice too many movies "shipping tommorrow" ? There's a soft cap you hit no matter the plan you are on. I've hit it repeatedly, always around the same time per month. If I watch too many movies (seems to be 14+) then they start shipping my movies from "other distribution centers" due to stock issues. Yeah right. Anyway, that's somewhat forgivable - what isn't is how they treat long time subscribers versus those on free trials.

Case in point - and this happened just a few days ago - I had Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind q'd up. It was "very long wait" as it was a new release. I had been waiting since it's release for it - no big deal - it happens. Well, apparently my cookies were wiped in IE so I got Netflix' main homepage offering a 3-out plan for $15.99. - yes, $15.99. Not for 6 months, no rental cap - the exact same plan as the $21.99. Well, naturally I wanted to switch to that plan. Guess what? You can't! So thus began many phone calls to incompotent reps at Netflix - one who cancelled my plan assuring me I could sign up if I saw the referal link again (it cycles between random offers). Once I did, I tried to sign up only to be denied. I wasn't "new" I was "returning" - "returning" customers are only offered the standard plans. Ghey. Called again, talked to more people, got a supervisor who was stumped. She said they could do nothing despite -them- cancelling my account under the premise I would be "new" upon re-enrolling. Nice. Anyway, I cheat the system and sign up with a new address and payment setup then swap in my original info once I've finished signing up - worked like a charm and I now pay $15.99.

Here's the kicker - Eternal Sunshine OFSM was no longer a very long wait - it was "available NOW"! Imagine that! To impress new "free"-trial customers and shaft long time, paying subscribers, they send them the movies first. That is just wrong.

To that, I say, good luck Blockbuster. I'm glad their is more competition though no other service has the selection of Netflix which is why I'm intent on staying with them until someone matches them. When they're not screwing you, it's great. Hearing that they're dropping their price is great. I don't even have a problem with them capping the number of rentals a month as long as it's a nice number (18 or so) and they put it in writing, if it means less shafting and more sending.

And since I'm sure some people will want that $15.99 I saw - clear all your cookies, or every netflix cookie you have stored, go to their root site, refresh until you see the $15.99 plan. Sign up with that trial link with different info (that is still legit) then swap in your old info once you're good to go. Get new releases instantly. Cancel your old plan first. You have 7 days to get them your current movies.
 
[quote name='HYDE']/rant on

I've enjoyed Netflix for a while now - but I didn't enjoy their price hike. They do things... stupid things... that really make you question your subscription. Ever notice too many movies "shipping tommorrow" ? There's a soft cap you hit no matter the plan you are on. I've hit it repeatedly, always around the same time per month. If I watch too many movies (seems to be 14+) then they start shipping my movies from "other distribution centers" due to stock issues. Yeah right. Anyway, that's somewhat forgivable - what isn't is how they treat long time subscribers versus those on free trials.

Case in point - and this happened just a few days ago - I had Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind q'd up. It was "very long wait" as it was a new release. I had been waiting since it's release for it - no big deal - it happens. Well, apparently my cookies were wiped in IE so I got Netflix' main homepage offering a 3-out plan for $15.99. - yes, $15.99. Not for 6 months, no rental cap - the exact same plan as the $21.99. Well, naturally I wanted to switch to that plan. Guess what? You can't! So thus began many phone calls to incompotent reps at Netflix - one who cancelled my plan assuring me I could sign up if I saw the referal link again (it cycles between random offers). Once I did, I tried to sign up only to be denied. I wasn't "new" I was "returning" - "returning" customers are only offered the standard plans. Ghey. Called again, talked to more people, got a supervisor who was stumped. She said they could do nothing despite -them- cancelling my account under the premise I would be "new" upon re-enrolling. Nice. Anyway, I cheat the system and sign up with a new address and payment setup then swap in my original info once I've finished signing up - worked like a charm and I now pay $15.99.

Here's the kicker - Eternal Sunshine OFSM was no longer a very long wait - it was "available NOW"! Imagine that! To impress new "free"-trial customers and shaft long time, paying subscribers, they send them the movies first. That is just wrong.

To that, I say, good luck Blockbuster. I'm glad their is more competition though no other service has the selection of Netflix which is why I'm intent on staying with them until someone matches them. When they're not screwing you, it's great. Hearing that they're dropping their price is great. I don't even have a problem with them capping the number of rentals a month as long as it's a nice number (18 or so) and they put it in writing, if it means less shafting and more sending.

And since I'm sure some people will want that $15.99 I saw - clear all your cookies, or every netflix cookie you have stored, go to their root site, refresh until you see the $15.99 plan. Sign up with that trial link with different info (that is still legit) then swap in your old info once you're good to go. Get new releases instantly. Cancel your old plan first. You have 7 days to get them your current movies.[/quote]

intresting. yes im on my free trial and i added eternal sunshine the wednesday fater it came out (one day later) and it arrives in my mail box that friday...if they do what they say you do i will cancel...however blockbuster sucks hardcore...they have alot of work to do
 
got the 15.99 price XoDDDD

heres some instructions

1) clear cookies
2) close browser
3) open browser
4) go to www.netflix.com
5) there will be a price on the main page, if it is not 15.99, repeat from step 1 until you see the price.
 
hahaha - yeah, I saw $17.99 10dvd limit, $17.99 16dvd limit, and $21.99 normal. Never saw $19.99. And they do send stock to free trial people. They've somewhat admitted it without being blunt. A shame, but good for getting "new" business if company morals aren't an issue. You never stab your bread and butter in the back.
 
[quote name='punqsux']i got it to come up as 17.99 per month but it says up to 16 dvds per month? i want more damnit![/quote]

mine says 17.99 fopr up to 10 dvd's a month(wow that sucks)
 
i just sent netflix customer support an e-mail questioning about the problems hyde wrote about...we'll see what happens.
 
holy shit thats alot of data to intake. i might have to call about this one, as i said im looking forward to getting 25-30 rentals per month
 
:) oh, no worries - though I doubt blatantly admitting such info is high on their list of to-do's. Especially with competition breathing down their necks. The supervisor I spoke with was supposed to call me back the same day I went through the minor ordeal of changing plans.... never heard back. Can their email response be much different? Gah - if only BB or Walmarts selection was as strong.
 
though they have a smaller selection, i found walmart's service to be surprisingly good and their plans are the cheapest i could find anywhere
 
[quote name='HYDE']:) oh, no worries - though I doubt blatantly admitting such info is high on their list of to-do's. Especially with competition breathing down their necks. The supervisor I spoke with was supposed to call me back the same day I went through the minor ordeal of changing plans.... never heard back. Can their email response be much different? Gah - if only BB or Walmarts selection was as strong.[/quote]

bb's shipping is awful...i mean just plain bad...you think being such a huge chain they could at least be good competition...

if they dont admit it, i will be their worst nightmare when i become a paid subscriber...i
 
[quote name='punqsux'][quote name='HYDE']:) oh, no worries - though I doubt blatantly admitting such info is high on their list of to-do's. Especially with competition breathing down their necks. The supervisor I spoke with was supposed to call me back the same day I went through the minor ordeal of changing plans.... never heard back. Can their email response be much different? Gah - if only BB or Walmarts selection was as strong.[/quote]

bb's shipping is awful...i mean just plain bad...you think being such a huge chain they could at least be good competition...

if they dont admit it, i will be their worst nightmare when i become a paid subscriber...i[/quote]

BB was horrible in ALL areas. It just plain sucked ass.
 
[quote name='CappyCobra']CAG tip:
1)Sign up for NetFlix
2) CANCEL your subscription right after.

If I remember correctly, they'll ask you not to cancel and give the service to you for $14.99 a month for 6 months. :)[/quote]

Do you mean sign up to pay, or use one of the free month trial offers?
 
well, my BB service is working just fine still. The shipping varies though. Recently, I had 3 movies ship all on the same day. I received two the next day....and the third one still has not showed up (although it was the weekend....so I should get it today)

They have been good so far. Especially for the $15.99 price. After that 6-months though....I may switch to NetFlix again.
 
I've had the slowdown happen twice with Netflix.

It usually takes one day for them to receive my movies, and other day for them to ship them -- so in the end I can get a new movie every third day.

A few times it took like 2 or 3 days for them to get it, then I get the "shipping tomorrow" message -- it ends up being a 5 or 6 day turnaround. I know it has to do with the number of movies you have rented (that link someone posted explains the system).

On both occassions I have written an email to NetFlix asking them what is going on. They send back a standard form letter that doesn't say much, but within a week, I'm back to the 3 day turnaround.

Things have been really good though for the last couple of months, I don't know if they have changed their throttling system due to the BB competition.

I probably rent about 12 DVDs a month.
 
I'm surprised that some of you guys have had such awful experiences. For the most part, mine have been good. In 5 months with the program I've been able to get about 16 dvds per month on the 3/mo plan. I have 189 movies in my queue and none of them say 'Wait' (granted, they're more obscure, indie/foreign films...). I do wish they'd lower the price, though...
 
[quote name='kidkash03']I wish BB would rent out video games as well. They would crush both Netflix and Gamefly in one stop.[/quote]

agreed...a combonation game/movie rental service, 4 out at a time for $20 would clean up
 
[quote name='HYDE']hahaha - yeah, I saw $17.99 10dvd limit, $17.99 16dvd limit, and $21.99 normal. Never saw $19.99. And they do send stock to free trial people. They've somewhat admitted it without being blunt. A shame, but good for getting "new" business if company morals aren't an issue. You never stab your bread and butter in the back.[/quote]
Arrgh!!! My evil twin brother!!! How dare you steal my avatar!
 
I use GreenCine. Prices are higher than Netflix's new prices ($22 for 3 out, $15 for 2), but they have far, far better selection. I have yet to find an anime that is out on DVD that they don't carry (though they probably do exist).

Their only distribution center is in San Francisco - It takes 2 days each way for me in Los Angeles, but some people have much longer turnaround times.
 
Been with Netflix 3 years, great experience.
Average ship time over the last year has been 1-1.5 days, even including weekends. Longest delay was a month, two years ago; they sent me a replacement disk.
Weirdest thing happened was they sent me the totally wrong disk [wrong disk, wrong envelope, totally wrong. Not even on my queue.] Had 2 disks get damaged in transit to me.

I'm still seeing 21.99.
I'm on the 'old' 2 out plan, where you can rent as many a month as you want [the current 2 out plan sucks.]

It sounds like they are either having tehcnical difficulties, or are experimenting with different price points. They should know, however, that word travels fast on the internet. Maybe it's based on the origination of your IP address, so if you're close to a distro center and can get a quick turnaround, they cap it lower or charge a higher price because you might use more?

edit: Went to IE, cleared cache, exit, open, went to netflix, now I see the 17.99.
"Our 3-at-a-time program is $17.99 (plus any applicable tax) per month. This flat monthly fee allows you to watch as many movies as you want. There are no additional charges. "
Firefox still says 21.99, but I didnt' clear my cache.
When I go to 'My Account' it offers me my current or the 21.99 pricing.

Well gee, here's an idea, read the faq:

Q: Is Netflix reducing prices? When?
A: We are lowering the prices on all of our subscription programs effective November 1st, 2004. We will automatically change your billing rate to the new lower price at the time of your November billing cycle.

* 2-at-a-time, 4 rentals per month: $11.99/month
* 3-at-a-time Unlimited: $17.99/month
* 5-at-a-time Unlimited: $29.99/month
* 8-at-a-time Unlimited: $47.99/month

That's fine, but if they convert me to the 4-max/month, I'll be irked. When they changed it last time, they grandfathered me in to the 'unlimited rentals'.

Duh--if you start a two week trial now, when it expires, it'll be November and you'll get the new/lower rate anyway.
 
Regarding sending titles to 'preferred' or new customers.
Whether it's 'right' or 'wrong' can be debated, but most companies do prioritize their customers. Sometimes with reason [contract status, big spenders, etc], sometimes with questionable reason [bonus to new customers, etc].
But I think it depends on a couple of things;
first, how new a customer you are. They probably put new customers at the top of the list, because once a new customer stays for X months, they're 'stickier' and less likely to drop their membership.
Secondly, how many disks you rent. They might throttle your renting if you're renting a lot more than the 'average'. Much like if you go to an All You Can Eat restaurant, they may do the same [ever notice how long it takes the server to bring you that second or third plate of ribs or shrimp, or how long to put out a new pizza on the buffet sometimes?]
And third, what you are renting. If you're constantly renting brand new, in-demand titles, obviously they bought more copies, but their demand still might outstrip their inventory. So they probably have some formula to measure Newness; Disks Rented; Popularity of Disk; Length of Rental Queue, to see which customers have 'priority'. So if you're a brand new customer, you have 3 things in your queue, you haven't gotten any disks yet, and the 3 things are brand new bigname releases, you'll probably get them before, say, me [old customer, big queue with non-popular stuff, medium rental activity.] My queue currently has 151 items, probably 75% of them are anime, foreign, tv on dvd, or 'cult', and everything says Now and my turnaround time has been about 1.5 days. [Put something in the mailbox yesterday midday before the mailman came, queue currently says a new disk is shipping today.] I do live only about 100 miles from a distro center, so that does help, but I was getting decent response time even when it was going to Maryland from NC.

I am glad Netflix is reacting to competition, though from what I've heard, the competition doesn't offer much competition at all in terms of quality, selection, or speed. But many people think 'cheaper is better', so they may join Walmart's service instead of Netflix to save a couple bucks, even though NF does offer a lot more than WM.
 
To the poster above...BlockBuster has a GOOD service in my opinion. They may lack a few obscure titles, but they make up for it in all the re-releases you can rent.

Can you rent the Friday 13th BOX-SET from Netflix, NO...BB = YES.

Species (new release)
Netflix = No
BB = Yes
SuperBits
Netflix = No
BB = YES

This is GREAT for me, since a lot of the re-releases are now anamorphic and contain better picture and sound.

The list can go on and on. Netflix is a great service, don't get me wrong, but the delivery time is about the same for me....apparently both distributions centers come from Lansing, MI (I live in MI)
 
blockbuster is lowering their price to 17.49 and taking "many steps" to improve service, got that in an e-mail.maybe in 6 months ill try bb again.

As of Oct. 25, 2004, you'll pay only $17.49 a month, plus applicable tax, to enjoy up to three DVDs out at a time. Keep five movies out at a time for only $27.49 a month or eight out at a time for $37.49 a month.
Click to expand...
 
[quote name='punqsux']blockbuster is lowering their price to 17.49 and taking "many steps" to improve service, got that in an e-mail.maybe in 6 months ill try bb again.

As of Oct. 25, 2004, you'll pay only $17.49 a month, plus applicable tax, to enjoy up to three DVDs out at a time. Keep five movies out at a time for only $27.49 a month or eight out at a time for $37.49 a month.
Click to expand...
[/quote]

Yep, there is a whole thread about this:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35021

Plus, you can use the IN-STORE rental coupons on GAMES now. Bonus :)
 
That's a good point, and I have heard that complaint about Netflix before.
To me, if it's a rerelease/double dip, odds are I've either already seen it, already own it, or don't care to see it, and I most likely won't re-rent it just to enjoy the better picture and sound [though they may be much better]. So personally, that's not a big deal for me imho, though I admit it certainly is for many.
Much like the 'Which console is best' question, it comes down to: What are you going to watch? Currently my queue mostly consists of stuff that BB/WM either doesn't have, or stuff that won't be rereleased in a 'better' form.
 
I use Hollywood Video's MVP program. It's $9.99 for the first 3 months and then it's $14.99 per month for unlimited rentals. It's an in-store only deal though. It's fantastic for someone like myself who lives a block away from a Hollywood Video location. The catch is that brand new releases aren't free until around 3 weeks after release.
 
[quote name='rynomite']I use Hollywood Video's MVP program. It's $9.99 for the first 3 months and then it's $14.99 per month for unlimited rentals. It's an in-store only deal though. It's fantastic for someone like myself who lives a block away from a Hollywood Video location. The catch is that brand new releases aren't free until around 3 weeks after release.[/quote]

if you enjoy it thats an awesome deal, but IMO b&m rental chains have awful selections
 
Yes, they can't compete with Netflix in that regard. I'm not into Anime or obscure films that much so I don't have as much of a need for the online sites. I was a member of Netflix for a time but I've had to budget myself much more due to the wedding I have coming up next year.
 
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