Netflix...booo!!

[CATRACCOM]

This is an email I got from them today about upping their rates...

We are separating unlimited DVDs by mail and unlimited streaming into two separate plans to better reflect the costs of each. Now our members have a choice: a streaming only plan, a DVD only plan, or both.

Your current $9.99 a month membership for unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs will be split into 2 distinct plans:

Plan 1: Unlimited Streaming (no DVDs) for $7.99 a month
Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $7.99 a month

Your price for getting both of these plans will be $15.98 a month ($7.99 + $7.99). You don't need to do anything to continue your memberships for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.

These prices will start for charges on or after September 1, 2011.

[StressMonkey]

You only got the email today? This caused quite the ruckus yesterday.

So I can pay 60% more for the same thing I'm getting now or pay $2 less for much less functionality (no streaming). Thanks Netflix.

[OutOfStep]

Their selection of stuff to stream sucks balls. $7.99 a month just for that? Yeah, good one Netflix.

[StressMonkey]

Their selection of stuff to stream sucks balls. $7.99 a month just for that? Yeah, good one Netflix.

I just looked at my queue. For my top 15 choices a whopping 1 is available for streaming. You want to charge me $7.99 for this?

[boathead]

what are other options?

any other sources for streaming? i've heard of hula.

[Bushmaster]

Their selection of stuff to stream sucks balls. $7.99 a month just for that? Yeah, good one Netflix.

This!

You can't imagine how excited I was to be able to stream movies instantly.. Then I saw my choices and it killed that pretty quick..

[Bushmaster]

what are other options?

any other sources for streaming? i've heard of hula.

Amazon, although I haven't used it yet. I think you can pay per stream though which might not be a bad deal.

[Barry Bonds]

were a lowball that weren't going to last....

But it was fun cutting that cable cord, and sending that dish back wasn't it?

Here's another hint.

This price will go up as well.

[desslok]

Yeah, idiotic. I will be cancelling. If they were slightly raising prices again like they did recently fine, but to double the price no thank you. Especially with the selection of streaming. Windows 7 comes with Media Center, and I have Tubecore for that that gets all kinds of streaming.

[Mr. Furious]

Yeah, I got the same email.

I love this last parting line:

We realize you have many choices for home entertainment, and we thank you for your business. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to call us at blah blah blah..

Basically saying yeah, we know you won't like it but feel free to cancel and find a better deal somewhere else.

_|_ (-.-) _|_

[Meatpants]

Their selection of stuff to stream sucks balls. $7.99 a month just for that? Yeah, good one Netflix.

While true, it has been improving a bit lately. Either way, just one more reason to not watch what little TV I do. If I didn't have kids, I wouldn't even have basic cable. Meh.

[StressMonkey]

Amazon, although I haven't used it yet. I think you can pay per stream though which might not be a bad deal.

Amazon also lets you stream a lot of movies for free if you're an Amazon Prime member. Obviously not hot new releases either but I'm already a prime member so it's a nice side benefit.

I've become a huge fan of Redbox. I can reserve a movie from my phone and return it anywhere it is convenient for me. Very cheap and if I don't watch any movies during a month there's no monthly fee to pay.

[jmecdon]

I stand on principle. It is unconsionable to raise rates 60% like this. I'm just not going to use their service any longer. This move is based on total greed and I will not play into it. Goodbye Netflix.

[mslman71]

Yeah, I'm canceling our netflix subscription. We just got AT&T Uverse and it is badass.

[geer_matt]

You guys have pc's and the internet at home and you still do things like pay for netflix?
Weird. I have a bose surround sound and 30 inch Full HD monitor a few feet from my bed. I watch 1080p blu-ray movies from the comfort of my bedroom months before they are released. You guys are silly.

[Bando]

got the email, much disapoint.

I'll cancel the DVD's that way I'm not always feeling guilty about not returning them.

[Brackneyc]

Their selection of stuff to stream sucks balls. $7.99 a month just for that? Yeah, good one Netflix.

IMO, the whole thing sucks. We have it, and I never use it. My wife likes to watch the series (television) on it. I could throw the whole mess right into the garbage. Ripoff.

[Rhinoclan]

I'm going to cancel just out of principle. I was willing to pay the $17 per month to stream (great when kids have friends sleep over), and get the occasional DVD for my wife and I to watch. No more...we'll do on demand when we want it, and check out the amazon streaming as we are prime members already.

[cozener]

Their selection of stuff to stream sucks balls. $7.99 a month just for that? Yeah, good one Netflix.

Actually, I get a lot out of what they have on streaming. 7.99 a month isn't a bad deal for what is basically a cable channel where I can pick and choose what I want to watch. Of course, it would be better if they had more "blue chip" movies on streaming. There's lots of B movies on it that I have no interest in at all. But I don't have cable so it makes it worth it for me. There's lots of stuff for my kids to watch. There's some good stuff for me too, documentaries, some good movies (not only the occasional big movie but movies that I might not have ever given a chance otherwise), cable and tv series too.

Netflix wants everyone to be on streaming. Unfortunately their timing sucks. They really should have gotten more grade A stuff available on streaming before trying such a big push.

[Bushmaster]

Plan 2: Unlimited DVDs, 1 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $7.99 a month

On the other hand, lets keep this in perspective.. Used to be VHS tapes rented for anywhere from what, ~$5 per day? Rent a couple on a friday night and there was $10 spent, forget to bring them back the next day and there was another $10 tacked on.

Netflix's turn around time only takes a couple of days too, and the post office does all the work so more trips to Blockbuster. Plus "Late" doesn't exist anymore. Get a DVD from them and keep it forever - as long as they get their $8 per month then all is well, right?

That said though I'll damn sure be cancelling that worthless streaming bullsht..

[desslok]

On the other hand, lets keep this in perspective.. Used to be VHS tapes rented for anywhere from what, ~$5 per day? Rent a couple on a friday night and there was $10 spent, forget to bring them back the next day and there was another $10 tacked on.

Netflix's turn around time only takes a couple of days too, and the post office does all the work so more trips to Blockbuster. Plus "Late" doesn't exist anymore. Get a DVD from them and keep it forever - as long as they get their $8 per month then all is well, right?

That said though I'll damn sure be cancelling that worthless streaming bullsht..

Yeah but if you pay $8 and end up only getting 2 or 3 DVDs(or even 7), you were better off going to Redbox.

[Bushmaster]

Yeah but if you pay $8 and end up only getting 2 or 3 DVDs(or even 7), you were better off going to Redbox.

Never tried Redbox, but I'll definitely give it a look.

[desslok]

Never tried Redbox, but I'll definitely give it a look.

They seem to be evrywhere now, most grocery stores, walmart etc. Actually have seen Blockbuster boxes now too at CVS or Riteaid. All movies are $1. I actually have an app on my phone that will find the nearest redbox to my current location.

[DaddyR]

... I watch 1080p blu-ray movies from the comfort of my bedroom months before they are released...

Teh FBI called... What was your address again?

Meh my daughter likes their streaming of TV shows she has missed, but I buy any new movies that I really care for, so I just cancelled the DVD rentals.

[Bando]

Actually, I get a lot out of what they have on streaming. 7.99 a month isn't a bad deal for what is basically a cable channel where I can pick and choose what I want to watch. Of course, it would be better if they had more "blue chip" movies on streaming. There's lots of B movies on it that I have no interest in at all. But I don't have cable so it makes it worth it for me. There's lots of stuff for my kids to watch. There's some good stuff for me too, documentaries, some good movies (not only the occasional big movie but movies that I might not have ever given a chance otherwise), cable and tv series too.

Netflix wants everyone to be on streaming. Unfortunately their timing sucks. They really should have gotten more grade A stuff available on streaming before trying such a big push.

I agree with all this. Since all we have is Netflix I'm ignorant to what I'm missing and don't miss it.

[CATRACCOM]

So I gave Redbox a try today and got a movie for my kid...$1.62 for a bluray. If I watch 5-6 movies a month, which is more than I watch now, I'm still good.

[Porkchop74]

I joined netflix back in 2003 cost was $18.99 a month then In 2005 they went to the $9.99 a month I called wanted to go to the $9.99 they told me your a current customer we can not change your rate after two years of loyalty they wanted to screw me so I tried to cancel they said my contract was on auto renewal & I had another 11 months on it. So I did what any real man would do I went to the bank told them I need a new debit card and screw Netflix I have never went back.

[DaddyR]

... they said my contract was on auto renewal & I had another 11 months on it. So I did what any real man would do I went to the bank told them I need a new debit card and screw Netflix I have never went back.

Good on you! Why let a little thing like ethics or legal obligations/contractual responsibilities stand in your way!

/sarcasm

[flat6nut]

You guys have pc's and the internet at home and you still do things like pay for netflix?
Weird. I have a bose surround sound and 30 inch Full HD monitor a few feet from my bed. I watch 1080p blu-ray movies from the comfort of my bedroom months before they are released. You guys are silly.

Thats stealing. All thiefs should have thier hands cut off. Part of the reason for high prices is because people think they deserve for free what others work for.

[Rdez]

The great thing is - if you don't like it, just cancel.

$16 a month or $20 sounds great compared to the $95 or whatever that DirecTV is raping us every month for.

It was $44 dollars 11 years ago. Rate hikes every year. When our stupid 'agreement' runs out next year, I'm done with them forever.

I am realizing that pay tv is becoming a huge waste of time. Why do I need to watch a constant freak-show of body modifiers, super-obese, mentally ill hoarders, people with 34 kids, guys who run a crab boat or build motorcycles, endless stupid crime/cop drama shows, and 24 hour depressing news channels? This isn't making my life better.