Screw Netflix .....another Blu-Ray price increase

[mikeyis4dcats.]

You are receiving this email because you added unlimited Blu-ray access to your account for $1 a month. The number of Blu-ray titles has increased significantly and will continue to do so. As we buy more, you are able to choose from a rapidly expanding selection of Blu-ray titles. And as you've probably heard, Blu-ray discs are substantially more expensive than standard definition DVDs.

As a result, the monthly charge for Blu-ray access is increasing for most plans and will now vary by plan. The charge for monthly Blu-ray access on your 1 DVD at-a-time (Unlimited) plan will increase from $1 a month to $2 a month. The price of your 1 DVD at-a-time (Unlimited) plan is not changing and remains at $8.99 a month.

The new charge for Blu-ray access will be automatically added to your next billing statement on or after April 27, 2009 and will be referenced in your Membership Terms and Details.

If you wish to continue unlimited Blu-ray access for $2 a month, you don't need to do anything. If not, you can remove Blu-ray access anytime by visiting Your Account.

If you have questions about this change or need any assistance, please call us anytime at 1-888-923-0898.

-The Netflix Team

Had I not just had 7 of 8 discs broken in the past 12 days, and been deprived of most of my service paid for for that period, I might be more open to a 300% increase in Blu-Ray cost.

[Miles]

For the 3 out at a time the increase to $4 for blu-ray is pretty irritating considering how long it takes to get a new release on blu-ray if you don't get it on on the release date. The new streaming player/format has also been kind of shitty since the recent change. The new player functions a bit better but the image isn't as sharp and there are many compression artifacts.

Blockbuster is only $16 for 3 out at a time (without the store swap option) vs $21 for Netflix. Think I might give that a try at the end of my Netflix billing cycle.

[Baby Lee]

I've been in since the beginning, $12.99 for 4 at a time unlimited. Out of some 300+, maybe 400 rentals, I've had maybe 3 broken discs.

[Deberg_1990]

I got the same email. I jusrt removed Blue Ray from my account preferences.

Its not important enough for me to.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by pestilenceaf23

I haven't gotten a broken disc from Netflix ever. Your mailman must suck.

I hadn't for 4 years. BluRays are more rigid that DVDs and the mail system doesn't like them.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Guru

I would cmplain to the postal service. They are obviously to blame.

Discs don't just break. Especially Blu Ray discs.

It is an issue with Netflix's mailers. They work fine for DVDs because DVDs are more flexible. BluRays crack when handled the same way. They need a stiffer mailer.

[Sure-Oz]

That may be so, but every movie i get is a bluray and our mailers must be doing something right if everyone has worked

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

That may be so, but every movie i get is a bluray and our mailers must be doing something right if everyone has worked

I'd gotten dozens of BluRays without an issue until about 2 months ago, then a random cracked disc, then 7 in less than 2 weeks. Upon googling, you will see it's a very common issue. I saw where one guy got the same movie sent 8 times and every disc got cracked.

USPS blames Netflix for a mailer that's too flimsy and requires hand sorting. Netflix blames USPS. I blame Netflix ultimately because they are who take my money every month, and they are well aware and ignoring the issue.

I'd be more understanding if their attitude was better about it, but it took me calling twice after the first 5 discs to get them even to offer to send me ONE extra rental for my hassle.

And I have been a staunch supporter of Netflix for years...

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

Had I not just had 7 of 8 discs broken in the past 12 days, and been deprived of most of my service paid for for that period, I might be more open to a 300% increase in Blu-Ray cost.

Mostly that is the post services fault..


As for bluray.. It is 4 dollars a month to add it to my 3 at a time.. That seems like a steal if I had a player..

Seems to me Netflix might have been making no profit off of bluray as the library grew, now that it did they are charging a fair amount..

-------------------

Side note: I have the 3 unlimited plan, is anyone else always getting an extra movie?? They generally ship me 4 movies, I am still be charged for only the 3 at a time rate so I am not complaining..

I also average about 25+ movies a month, so it is a great deal for me..

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

for me it's an increase of $3 a month for the 3-out plan. That's 20% overall. To keep getting broken discs because they are unwilling to redesign their envelope.

I had 7 of 8 Blu-Rays show up broken in the last 2 weeks. So I've essentially had no service for 2 weeks. And these were brand new releases, so they weren't broken from use.

Imagine the cost if they had a beefier sleeve to the consumer?? You are already mad about a cheap price, what are you going to do if they raise it 5-7 dollars a month for new design costs??

And why is it taking so long to get replacement dvds??? I click the link and usually get it the next day in the mail??

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Valiant

Imagine the cost if they had a beefier sleeve to the consumer?? You are already mad about a cheap price, what are you going to do if they raise it 5-7 dollars a month for new design costs??

And why is it taking so long to get replacement dvds??? I click the link and usually get it the next day in the mail??

Netflix no longer sends replacements until they receive the disc back (or at least until it's scanned by USPS). For instance, when I called Saturday to express my frustration that ALL THREE discs that arrived that day were cracked, he gave me an extra disc. Since they don't mail on Saturdays, my 4 discs didn't ship until today.

So far in the last 2 weeks I've gotten 4 cracked copies of Pride & Glory, 2 broken Twilight, 1 Synedoche NY, and a partridge in a pear tree.

This is the type of damage that http://marsbox.com/blog/news/cracked...-disc-problem/

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by Miles

For the 3 out at a time the increase to $4 for blu-ray is pretty irritating considering how long it takes to get a new release on blu-ray if you don't get it on on the release date. The new streaming player/format has also been kind of shitty since the recent change. The new player functions a bit better but the image isn't as sharp and there are many compression artifacts.

Blockbuster is only $16 for 3 out at a time (without the store swap option) vs $21 for Netflix. Think I might give that a try at the end of my Netflix billing cycle.

Have tried blockbuster, they suck horribly.. Way way longer turn around and smaller selection of movies which is wierd.. Then I have read the in-store movies count towards your out movies until they are returned.. Then you cannot also keep instore movies out as long as you want..

Just went to blockbuster.com, it is 19.99 a month plus free blurays.. So you will be saving a dollar a month if you watch bluray movies compared to netflix two plans together.. So basically they are prepackaging it with the cost.. So if you don't watch bluray you are screwed..

Wow I sound like a fanboy.. You can try them as I did, but in the end blockbuster just disappointed me..

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Valiant

Imagine the cost if they had a beefier sleeve to the consumer?? You are already mad about a cheap price, what are you going to do if they raise it 5-7 dollars a month for new design costs??

And why is it taking so long to get replacement dvds??? I click the link and usually get it the next day in the mail??

according to USPS it would simply require them to change how the current sleeve has a tear off cover. The USPS indicates that the mail-out sleeve is fine, it's only when the cover is torn off that they see the worst of the problem.

[rad]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

I'd gotten dozens of BluRays without an issue until about 2 months ago, then a random cracked disc, then 7 in less than 2 weeks. Upon googling, you will see it's a very common issue. I saw where one guy got the same movie sent 8 times and every disc got cracked.

USPS blames Netflix for a mailer that's too flimsy and requires hand sorting. Netflix blames USPS. I blame Netflix ultimately because they are who take my money every month, and they are well aware and ignoring the issue.

I'd be more understanding if their attitude was better about it, but it took me calling twice after the first 5 discs to get them even to offer to send me ONE extra rental for my hassle.

And I have been a staunch supporter of Netflix for years...

I guess you're paying for replacing all those broken BR discs with the increase.....buncha BS if you ask me. They need to reinforce the envelope, even if they just put a piece of cardboard in the current mailers with the disc to reinforce it. Shouldn't be that much more expensive. I'd rather they use the increase to fix the problem than replace broken/damaged discs.

Maybe they are, who knows?

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

Netflix no longer sends replacements until they receive the disc back (or at least until it's scanned by USPS). For instance, when I called Saturday to express my frustration that ALL THREE discs that arrived that day were cracked, he gave me an extra disc. Since they don't mail on Saturdays, my 4 discs didn't ship until today.

So far in the last 2 weeks I've gotten 4 cracked copies of Pride & Glory, 2 broken Twilight, 1 Synedoche NY, and a partridge in a pear tree.

This is the type of damage that http://marsbox.com/blog/news/cracked...-disc-problem/

Really because as soon as I submit the problem it says the disc is sent out for me.. Of course there might be a difference between bluray and dvd procedures since I don't own one.. Will not probably buy one for another 3-5 years when they make dvd sales obsolete..

I had a disc come friday and it was broke(first one in like 8 months), I got the replacement saturday..

The only thing about netflix that pisses me off is them giving me season discs out of order, wtf am I going to do with disc 3 when I don't have the first two???

Personally I think that your mailman must be getting pissed with all the discs he has to deliver and is breaking them, which would just require more work for him.. He is not a smart man.. I would actually send a query if anyone else in your area is having this many problems with broken discs..

[Miles]

Originally Posted by Valiant

Have tried blockbuster, they suck horribly.. Way way longer turn around and smaller selection of movies which is wierd.. Then I have read the in-store movies count towards your out movies until they are returned.. Then you cannot also keep instore movies out as long as you want..

Just went to blockbuster.com, it is 19.99 a month plus free blurays.. So you will be saving a dollar a month if you watch bluray movies compared to netflix two plans together.. So basically they are prepackaging it with the cost.. So if you don't watch bluray you are screwed..

Wow I sound like a fanboy.. You can try them as I did, but in the end blockbuster just disappointed me..

The 19.99 plan from Blockbuster is the one that includes 5 in-store swap outs per month. The plan with 3 out at a time through the mail is 15.99.

I used blockbuster a while back (maybe 2-3 years ago) and their turnaround was about the same as Netflix but things could have changed. I do remember their website being kind of shitty and their selection of more eclectic stuff not as good.