Is Netflix Fucking Serious?

[snogged]

Just got this email from the Netflix team:

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.

You can easily change or cancel your unlimited streaming plan, unlimited DVD plan, or both, by going to the Plan Change page in Your Account.

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 1-888-357-1516.

–The Netflix Team

What the fuck, Sherlock? Do you honestly expect me to pay for your services (i.e. 1 DVD by mail and Unlimited Streaming that's not always reliable and doesn't have the best selection) at a 60% increase?

Oh hell to the no.

I absolutely fucking hate that they're doing this.

I have a feeling I'll be canceling my subscription out-right come August 31st unless changes are made.

Comments

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

We got that same notice today and were also not pleased. That kind of price increase is outrageous. (although I should note we were paying $11.99 for the same plan you have for $9.99--and I think they're raising our fees to $17.98).

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Ugh!
This is so shitty.

I joined because I'd heard so many good things and the fact that they're doing this just rattles my cage.

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

Mine too. My kids use the streaming video a lot while hubby and I watch the DVDs, so it's hard to give either up. Oh, and I know why we're paying more than you--because we get Blu-Rays.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

That would do it.

I like it because I've been able to watch Boy Meets World (via the mail delivery) and introduce myself to 30 Rock and Better Off Ted.

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, hubby and I are watching Supernatural and Being Human, and I'd much rather watch on the TV than a computer screen.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

So what do you think you're going to do about it?

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

For now, just grumble. I don't know, longer term.

[rua1412.livejournal.com]

The nerve of them!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

It's really annoying since they tout themselves to be this great company that cares about customer service. It's just one more company out there that's happy to lie.

[novemberrain007.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, that's crazy. I hate it when companies increase their price, especially by such a large margin.

We realize you have many choices for home entertainment....

Yup. Definitely cancel the subscription!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Pretty sure I will be.

[otempora42.livejournal.com]

Ugh, that sucks! I was hoping for them to expand their services outside the US, but now I feel like I shouldn't be so jealous.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

You really shouldn't be.

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling they just shot themselves in the foot.


Idiots.


Gabrielle

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Probably.

But a friend of mine pointed out that Netflix is no longer the only game on the market and companies like Amazon and Google are more than willing to bury Netflix in any way they can.

[shannon730.livejournal.com]

I got that too, and was so pissed. It's less of a huge deal for me because we don't really get the DVDs that often but yeah, I'm not paying 60% more. So yeah I'll keep streaming but that means they're losing money from me...and if another service pops up with a cheaper price I'll totally switch.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'm planning to keep streaming too.

[shannon730.livejournal.com]

My only problem with streaming is that it doesn't offer a lot of newer/popular movies but honestly there hasn't been enough out lately to make me want to pay for the extra service for me to want a movie every 6 months or something.

[secondmezzanine.livejournal.com]

Yeah I agree, this is a horrible plan altogether. They're going to lose a lot of customers, unfortunately for them. There's a reason people are increasingly using Redbox.

At this point I probably will keep stealing the streaming from boyfriend, and not renew my own account even when I get my September raise. :-/

[snogged.livejournal.com]

It is quite unfortunate for them.

I really do think they'd keep more customers if they offered the bundle at a discounted price (i.e. $12-$13 instead of $16).

[angelskuuipo.livejournal.com]

I don't think they thought that through. It looks like we'll prolly be getting rid of the DVD part and just stick with the streaming. I can get whatever DVDs we want from the library. It may take a little longer, but it's free.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I'll be sticking with streaming too. I definitely get more use out of that service, even if it's finicky sometimes.

[tamakin.livejournal.com]

Yikes! The skiving feckers! Thats so typical though, rope you in then hang you up lol.

On a related rant, the petrol places around here are an absolute joke and do shit like this all the time. For example, a month or so ago the government raised the tax on petrol, so the local petrol garage stuck up their price per litre by a euro (which is a hellluva lot) just 48 hours before the government increase came in to play. The result was many people thought the visible increase was from the increase in tax, and the petrol garage gets a hefty new % increase straight into their pocket. Fuckers. :(

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Petrol places are the worst when it comes to this type of stuff.

[hellolamppost17.livejournal.com]

I'm disappointed by the price hike, but honestly I can see why they did it. I've been following the news about this recently, and Netflix has been renegotiating its deals with a lot of its content providers: Starz, Showtime, etc. etc. Obviously, Netflix since it's boomed wouldn't be able to get away with the cheaper pricing they had before without cutting a lot of its content, especially on steaming services.

Now obviously, I'm going to be cutting the DVD portion of the deal fairly soon. But I can't get mad via an economic/customer service standpoint. I'm actually surprised they hadn't done this sooner.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Apparently, there was a price increase just last year on Netflix (according to some who commented on the Netflix blog).

I'll be cutting DVD out too. I spend far more time watching TV shows on streaming than I do getting movies.

I do wish Boy Meets World was on streaming though. I've only just finished Season 3 and there are three more seasons to go.

[rckstr-princess.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely insane and I totally agree with you! They should not be separating the plans! Netflix was about to save the user money and with some of the group planning, it's a deal! Thankfully, this will not be affecting me seeing as I only have Instant. ♥

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'll only have Instant myself in about a month.

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling your frustration. I've already cut back my 2-at-a-time plan to one. We'll see how long that lasts.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Right now, I'm thinking I'm just going to reduce myself to instant unless Netflix changes their mind.

[mutantenemy.livejournal.com]

I got a similar notice:

Your current $14.99 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, 2 out at-a-time (no streaming) for $11.99 a month

Your price for getting both of these plans will be $19.98 a month ($7.99 + $11.99). 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.

I use the DVDs for new releases and streaming for the tv shows. I understand why they're doing it as they compete with Hulu. Plus, they gave gamers the same offer not to long ago -- to stream through their consoles or do the DVDs. What ticks me off is I can get BOTH now for $14.99. If I want both after Sept. 1st, I pay $5 more. That adds up!

Not sure what I'll do. I enjoy the instant streaming, but I love watching stuff on my tv. *sigh*

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I understand what they're doing too.
But I don't want to pay $6 more a month for it.

[eleniangel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I got the e-mail yesterday and am still full of rage. IDK what I'm going to do, I've been with them for almost five years, and while there have been several increases before, this is just unbelievable.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
Maybe they'll surprise us....