Netflix shoots itself in the foot... aka no more free streaming

Discussion in 'TV & Media' started by bigdaddy, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. SPCTRE

    SPCTRE Badass Admiral

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    There you go, or as Michael Pachter so succinctly put it on Twitter:
    /thread
     
  2. Checkmate

    Checkmate Commodore

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    Consumers gave up their power years and years ago. The masses are far too lazy to use it, so the corporations have very little stopping them from doing whatever the fuck they want.

    You cancelling your subscription has exactly 0 impact on anything.
     
  3. Sheep

    Sheep Vice Admiral Admiral

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    One person cancelling their sub does nothing. 30% of your userbase cancelling will make a company take action (informal CNET poll estimates 30-40% planning to cancel).

    However, you are correct that most people are too lazy to take action when things like this happen. That would be why cable companies get away with increasing fees at the rate they have.
     
  4. bigdaddy

    bigdaddy Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I was actually thinking about that. Netflix made streaming popular so studios obviously want more money. That's fine. If Netflix kicks some of the users away from streaming, or away all together than that would mean less streaming and studios might want less money again.
     
  5. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    2x DVDs are $12/month. To get the price per disk down to $1 each, I only need to turn over 3 per week, and I average more like 4. At that price, I don't feel any need to complain. It's a far better deal than cable.

    Or do what I did. Downgrade. I just saved 20%. If everyone saves 20%, that sends a message to Netflix. ;)

    Yeah. This is a PR/brand image fuckup, not a pricing fuckup. Maybe they can't help the pricing issues, but they sure as shit can control their message. Heads should roll.

    I'd be very interested to learn what the actual number turns out to be, both cancelling and downgrades. I'd expect a large number of Netflix customers (who aren't connected enough to even know about this story, or the CNET poll, etc) to not even realize that the price has been increased and not check their credit card bill. Corporations depend on inattention like that.
     
  6. BillJ

    BillJ The King of Kings Premium Member

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    Even at $19 a month Netflix for me seems like a good deal. Especially after paying $21 for me and the missus to see Horrible Bosses (horrible movie by the way) on Tuesday night. :shrug:
     
  7. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Really, it's bad? I was hoping Charlie Day was at least good in it. :( But even a marginal flick like that might stay on my Netflix queue. At less than $1, it's worth checking to see if whatever the minuses are, aren't so minus to me.
     
  8. BillJ

    BillJ The King of Kings Premium Member

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    Rotten Tomatoes seems to like it. So what do I know?
     
  9. Sheep

    Sheep Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Of course the number actually cancelling won't be close to 30-40% since only a vocal minority of internet ragers voted, but if it's even 10% that should draw some attention.
     
  10. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    I liked it though I didn't think it was as good as some people are claiming.
     
  11. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Netflix is giving me almost-4 stars. That's nicely over the bar I've set for rentals of 3 1/2 stars. Above that, I'll usually like the movie. (However, when a movie has just released, sometimes there simply aren't enough reviews for accuracy. That's another reason to wait for the DVD, by which time, the ratings have shaken out.)

    Blockbuster to the rescue! :rommie:

    WTF, that's $3 more than I can get at evil ole Netflix. No wonder they're bankrupt. :p
     
  12. Harvey

    Harvey Admiral Admiral

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    True, although the five in-store exchanges have the benefit of reducing the time between getting discs. Still, I prefer Netflix's service.
     
  13. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    There used to be a Blockbuster w/n walking distance but it's long gone. My mailbox is much closer. I ain't driving and fighting for parking just to return disks!
     
  14. Harvey

    Harvey Admiral Admiral

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    Yeah, that's a real problem for a lot of people. I have a Blockbuster store a few blocks away from me, which I've bought quite a few $4 Blu-Rays from. But I've seen a lot of others -- even around here in Los Angeles -- that were closed or closing.
     
  15. Captain Craig

    Captain Craig Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I have to drive 20 min to get to a Blockbuster now.
    The one 5min away closed.
    The one 10min away closed.

    Blockbuster isn't appealing to me still, even with this offer.
     
  16. bigdaddy

    bigdaddy Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I cannot even tell you where there is a Blockbuster now.
     
  17. 1001001

    1001001 Serial Canon Violator Moderator

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    And streaming is even less hassle! No mailing, no leaving the house....

    :lol:

    :techman:

    Yes, our local Blockbuster went out of business a couple of months ago. We have those redbox things at our local grocery store. My wife gets those things once in a while.

    Streaming really has to be the wave of the future. Whatever cost structure between netflix and the studios will support streaming everything will end up being the final word, I think.

    At least until they start beaming movies directly into our brains.
     
  18. Professor Zoom

    Professor Zoom Admiral Admiral

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    Yeah, I would have to do a google search to find one...

    As I use both, Blockbuster's deal is still teh sux.

    Not sure what we'll do...
     
  19. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I might have mentioned this before, but streaming doesn't cover all the options in my queue. Right now, DVD=254; Instant=63. Until there's 100% parity (and I ain't holding my breath!), and considering that Netflix is now forcing us to choose, I have to opt for DVD.
    That's assuming Netflix can ever get streaming rights to everything. From everything I've read, that is a very high hurdle. Studios know the value of streaming and will throw up barriers.
     
  20. RoJoHen

    RoJoHen Awesome Admiral

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    We still have one.

    And Family Video just opened a new store! :wtf:

    Not sure how that's possible, but they are expanding.