Netflix IS Netflix Withholding Rentals

[elkfir]

Hah! Whatever Netflix is losing from you heavy users, they're probably making back from me. I'm a 2-out member (plan no longer available, I was "grandfathered" in) and I frequently keep movies for weeks. I usually get so engrossed in TurnerClassicMovies, or Bonanza reruns...etc, that I forget I have some rented movies lying around. But when I do return them, Netflix turns them around really quick for me

[jimmalenko]

This should be unwritten, but some people have a hard time understanding so I'll explicitly state now that the following spiel is JUST MY OPINION, as all forum talk should be unless stated. No need to blow a gasket over any points here - take them with a grain of salt

On another thread someone idiotically implied this means you are copying

I did. My opinion. And I stand by it ...

In all fairness to you aero, I think your situation (caring for 4 people) is the exception to the rule, so while it is acceptable for you, it ain't for a lot of other people. I must add that I don't know why you feel the need to defend yourself so vehemently either. It's only words on an internet forum, and if you know within yourself you're not doing the wrong thing, then what does it matter what someone says about you here ?


Anyway ...

Let me tell you my story. I must say that I cannot join Netflix because I'm located in Australia, but I have had some experiences with the local distributors here in australia for their trial periods and continue to be subscribed to my favorite one, Fetchmemovies. I don't know whether the Australian experience is all that different to America, but I found that the turnaround times were pretty constant. Fetchmemovies are 1 day's postage away. They have the facility on their website to tick a box to say you have returned a DVD, and this means that they send out your next lot ASAP instead of waiting for your DVDs to arrive back in the mail.

Without using the return box, they would acknowldege receipt of me returning a DVD within two days of sending it. They would then send the next lot out, and I would get them within another two days. In total, a four day turnaround considering two of these days are lost just for postage turnarounds.

When using the return box, they would acknowldege receipt of me returning a DVD within one day of sending it. They would then send the next lot out, and I would get them within another two days. In total, a three day turnaround considering two of these days are lost just for postage turnarounds.

Naturally these times blowout by a day or two on occasion if a weekend or public holiday is involved because the mail service and the distribution centre don't operate on weekends over here. The other thing to remember is that the distribution centre needs to actually have a copy of the DVD(s) that you require at all times to enable the fastest turnaround, and that there are slackers just like you and me working there also no doubt.

My trial and subscription were/are on the 3-out plan, and I have averaged 27 movies per month. Given 3 day turnarounds and excluding weekends, I would expect around 22 movies a month by my calculations. So I exceed my expectations on average. If I were an 8-out renter, given 3 day turnarounds and excluding weekends, that's just under 60 movies a month by my calculations. This is what I would expect from them.

***

I would expect anyone who is grossly unhappy with the service to have cancelled or at least discussed their situation with Netflix over the phone or by email prior to posting here.

***

I would imagine that few netflix members watch each and every movie they've rented from Netflix. I know I don't.

What's the point of renting it if you're not going to watch it? I would imagine that if it's excessively bad then it's your own fault - you selected the movie in the first place after all. I watch all the ones I rent.

Still, unlimited DVDs should mean just that! It would be so easy for Netflix to mark the word "Unlimited" with an asterisk and set a monthly cap, based on the plan you subscribe to... but noooooo that would be too much like the truth!

I think you'll find that their definition of unlimited actually does mean unlimited to the majority of the population. It is just a small percentage of people that take it a little too literally.

[andkiich]

If a blockbuster near you offers a movie pass program, cancel your netflix and start the movie pass.

I'd do this if the Blockbuster had even half the stuff I wanted to rent. They don't. Unless I plan on buying every large box set that comes out, or some older stuff, or indie/anime, Blockbuster just isn't going to cut it for me.

[aero]

In all fairness to you aero, I think your situation (caring for 4 people) is the exception to the rule, so while it is acceptable for you, it ain't for a lot of other people.

Look, I very much appreciate your being polite. I respect you point of view. I do think the tone on the ohter thread by some was accusatory to some.

I would say that I doubt I am the exception. Ok, I certainly had more money for high end home entertainment equipment was I was single, I also had more time to think about it, discuss it, and wish on it. Same with technical tinkering and discsussions.

That is a typical videohelp profile. So perhaps I am an exception here, but I doubt I am the exception of the primary video renter.

From my experience and casual observations, indeed the bulk of videos rented in both the old model of single fee rental and netflix are indeed people with children and familes. Parents will tell you we don't go to the movies, we don't even go out at night at all.

So yes, heavy renters may be the exception here, but not out "there."

That also does not mean that a high number of rentals means we are numbing our minds or bodies relentlessly in front of a television screen. Indeed as I said even very high maximum netflix rentals would not comprise a fraction of the average adult or child viewership of television programming (here in the US or in Australia).

Look at it this way would you say heavy use of TIVO/PVR points to any conclusion?

Again I don't dispute netflix right to throttling of accounts with very high turnover I just think that it is not exceptional nor indicative of anything illicit if customers rent a lot.

[lordsmurf]

I think you'll find that their definition of unlimited actually does mean unlimited to the majority of the population. It is just a small percentage of people that take it a little too literally.

Thank you! Common sense prevails! 8)

In fact, I bet if you look into the agreement REALLY carefully, they only intend for the rental to be for YOU and YOU ALONE. Not a group of people. If everybody wants movies, each of them should have a separate subscription.

[jimmalenko]

Cheers aero. truce

In fact, I bet if you look into the agreement REALLY carefully, they only intend for the rental to be for YOU and YOU ALONE. Not a group of people. If everybody wants movies, each of them should have a separate subscription.

I don't know about Netflix specifically, but Fetchmemovies encourages "groups":

http://www.fetchmemovies.com.au/user/aboutFaq.php#q17

The 'My Household' Page
What can this page do for me?

If people at your place like different kinds of movies, you use this function to make sure everyone gets a fair share of their selections.

How it works:

Go to the 'My Household' page to create a list of all the people (or groups of people) in your household.
In the 'Add New Housemate or Group' box, type your name (or nickname), then click 'Save Changes'. Your name is added to your household list.
Now do the same with other people in your house.
· Now you have a few registered housemates (e.g. Mum, Dad, Kids).
Now leave the page and go to the housemate column in 'My Selections'.
Assign every DVD on the list to a housemate, depending on who wants to watch it.
And you're done! We make sure everyone in your household gets a fair share of their DVDs.
But remember what you set in both your 'priority' list AND your 'household' list will influence which DVDs get sent to you first.

As I said, I don't know whether Netflix does this or not, but if Fetchmemovies does then I would hazard a guess to say that many others probably do too.

[Supreme2k]

Nope. Netflix doesn't encourage "sharing" an account. The only thing they mention about the membership is that it is "for your personal use". They're probably not being completely literal, but not 100 per month broad either.

Besides, can't even half of the movies be for everybody? If you are living with people whose interests are so different that you cannot rent a few movies together, then it's time to move out.
Most of the movies are for me, but every other shipment, we get a few together (3 out, about 15-18 a month).

Judging from the talk I've had with the mailman, most people are not high turnover (except for me ). He said he's asked other carriers, and it's about the same.

Sadly, the over-30-a- monthers that I know (or know of) either
A. Have no life (heed the warning of painkiller - I'll forward it ) or,
B. Copy the movies

[chas0039]

Well, back to the subject, Netflix today decided to ship all my movies tomorrow rather than today. They all were returned by 7AM and they have no explanation other than they are allowed to ship later if they want to. Guess I am too efficient a user.

[B2D327]

I just decided to write Netflix an email sice they supposedly want feedback on how to make their service better:
Customer Suggestion
Description: You can greatly improve customer relations by not witholding rentals. I was told that a movie shipped on a certain date but it arrived late with the next movies that were scheduled. I find that to be more than a coincidence as it was not the first time. I've made it a point to return my rentals in a timely manner. I don't see why Netflix has decided to penalize me in return.
Not that I think it's gonna make much of a difference but it was my way of venting.

[chas0039]

The bottom line is the problem. The slower they ship, the more money they make. The longer you keep movies, the more money they make. The more efficient they become, the less money they make. They just announced a higher than expected profit because of exactly this. They walk a fine line with a business plan based on just enough delay to not lose customers while trying to attract slow viewers. Face it, they do not really want to hear from us.

[cal_tony]

Netflix and I are about to part company. After 45 days they are begining to jerk me around. I do send all my disks(3) back later in the day or the following day. 10 days ago I received the the kiss of death-a cracked disk. I sent it back immediately. They never received it? Its the only disk they ever sent me that they didn't receive??. I don't go much for conspiracies but some people are just dicks and so are the companies they run. I don't understand why they just don't stop all the little ways they use to curtail usage and come out and say x number or disks out at a time up to x number per month. Simple, easy, and understandable.
As an aside, not all people that watch 2 to 3 movies a day are couch potatoes. I rise with the sun work out for a couple of hours and turn the DVD on as a distraction. Later in the day I use my exercycle or treadmill for an hour or so also with a DVD going. I buy a lot of DVD'S but usually rent a lot of junk, Horror movies etc. these are good to watch when your doing something else as well. I wouln't want to buy these so I rent them. for a movie that I buy, I want to sit down and watch it and do nothing else

[CaseyComb]

Its quite simple if a company is not providing the service that they claim to its is perfectly acceptable to terminate your buisness relationship. In my opinion Netflix does hold back rentals. But we will never truly know until we see internal company documents (unlikely). So do what I plan on doing CANCELLING! Wow what a novel idea. Also tell your friends who rent from them to cancel.

[WishMaker]

I'm so glad I found this thread.

I'm housebound and someone suggested NetFlix. Not wanting to add too much to my budget as cable even w/no premium channels still cost alot for me, I asked two roommates if they'd be interested. They said yes, but we all have totally different tastes. (Three TV's for three people in three different rooms)

After reading these posts, I don't think I'm even going to try them out. I'll admit I'm quite anal about getting what is advertized. I've had the cable repair out here 3 times in 10 months, due to poor reception. They get here and think it's acceptable, but after they get done tinkering, It's as it should be. (No lines, ghosts etc.)

I see nothing wrong with the poster, who rented under an unlimited plan and expected to get unlimited, but I see someone pointed out a clause.

As far as the viewing habits of him and his roommates, who cares? I personally won't watch a movie on a channel with commericals, so I'm stuck with two "free" commerical-free movie channels. I would rather watch one, quality, two hour commerical free movie a day, than sit in front of the set mindlessly watching stuff for hours just because it's there.

Also, If I rent a movie from Blockbuster for $4.00,
and find it's not to my liking, I'm not going to continue to watch it in agony just because I paid for it, so NetFlix's unlimited would be fantastic. Unfortunately, they have that clause and I'm also hearing they might not even honor the 3 out plan, so not for me and thanks for the "heads up". I definitely don't need the stress of knowing I may not get what is advertized.

[handyguy]

Withholding at netflix is supposed to be well covered at slashdot, resellerratings, epinions, fatwallet etc....

I hear the price dropped to $18 a month from $22.

Also, you are at the mercy of the USPS, not just netflix.

[winifreid]

Here is an article that indicates that Blockbusters is going to have to lower its prices to $17.49 in response to Netfilx's announcement that it intends to lower its price to $17.99.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=industryNews&storyID=6518228

I wonder when Walmart will chime in. I haven't seen the price reduction at Netflix, yet. My 5 a month plan has gone down to 18 a month due to their delay tactics. It appears that Block busters and Walmart have improved their selection. Has anyone else noticed this? I still prefer the Netflix website, except that they do not update their new release section to include all the recently added videos.

[iooi]

REALLY carefully, they only intend for the rental to be for YOU and YOU ALONE. Not a group of people. If everybody wants movies, each of them should have a separate subscription.

But what about the average faimly....
I use screenselect in the Uk for upto 3 movies out at a time and the account is in my name but the Mrs choses films and the sprog choses as well..
No way would each of us have our own account.... In fact the sprog cant due to her age...
Just the same as when we visit the movie shop and get 3 out at once we all chose what we want to watch, but the account is in my name.

[OmegaSupreme]

When you have 4 roomies, each selecting and viewing the movies, I don't think that's excessive at all. I think that's a good deal and getting your money's worth. I thought unlimted DVDs meant just that!

100 movies a month is excessive. If you figure $.37 in shipping each way * 100 rentals = $74.00 in postage alone. The 8-at-a-time plan cost $49.99. So just from shipping alone, you cost them $24.00. That doesn't include all of the other cost associated with your rentals, like the cost of envelopes, the costs of the DVDs, the costs of the distributions centers, the wages of its employees. If even a small percentage of Netflix's customer base had your viewing habits, they would have to file for bankruptcy.

You are right, however, in stating that Netflix should be honest with their customers. They should state if there is a monthly limit, like they do with their 2-at-a-time plan.

[lordsmurf]

Base shipping is 60 cents for a parcel that size. They probably use Presorted First Class or a bulk of some sort, but that's still at least 45 or so cents each. Much more than just 37 each.