Is Netflix a Rip-off?

[RoJoHen]

Early last year I signed up for the Blockbuster Online service. Why? Because it had unlimited in-store exchanges for both games and movies and the price was right.

A few months later they dropped the game exchanges but still kept the unlimited in-store movie exchanges. Then many months later they raised the price. It was just a few bucks but it chapped my ass a tad.

Then they raised the price again a few months later. Still annoyed but I rented movies every week so I kept it.

Then a couple months ago they raised the price again. That did it! I changed plans! Five in-store exchanges a month plus unlimited mail-in rentals.

Basically I'm now paying for this "service" what I was paying last year for a service that had infinately greater value. I'm finding myself resenting it greatly and am considering firing their asses and going with Netflix.

Any real value with Netflix or do they just buttfuck you like Blockbuster Online does?

I agree the cost of movie from Block Busters or Net Flix is out of this world. I will continue to use my DVR.

The cost of a movie from Netflix (can't speak about Blockbuster) out of this world? SERIOUSLY?

For 10 bucks you can have UNLIMITED streaming and UNLIMITED DVDs, as long as it is 1 at a time, basicaly 2 to 3 times a week. So 10 to 12 movies a month.

So, about ONE buck a movie PLUS as MUCH streaming as you can.

THAT is out of this world?

Even the three at a time with unlimited streaming is a great deal.

If those aren't, what is?

Maybe you were just kidding... I don't know.

Plus, DVR isn't a substitute for Netflix. I have both in my house. They serve completely different functions.

 

[Nick Ryder]

I just wish Paramount wouldn't be such asswipes and would let Netflix stream ALL 11 movies and all 5 series. I mean, they took a few of the older Trek movies off instant stream - like Wrath of Kahn - but kept ST-IV-VI, then skipped Generations but have First Contact, and skipped Insurrection and Nemesis, but have ST2009... UHM... okay...

But I do really love Netflix - especially nice with the app they have for iOS, so cool being able to go to a wifi hotspot with reasonable speed and be able to watch a tv show or movie while I'm eating. That alone is almost worth the price of admission!

 

[137th Gebirg]

^^^ Wondering the exact same thing!

I too have been going with Netflix since not long after they started and, aside from a small throttling problem for frequent rentals, I have no complaints.

I've recently started watching instant movies on XBox 360 and I understand they want to move towards that kind of viewing and away from DVD mailings - cheaper to do. I'm good with that, however I noticed that stuff that I remember seeing online earlier in the year is now no longer available for viewing now. Like the remastered Trek TOS series, for example. In fact, I also noticed that listings like First Contact and several other titles are only available through January 1, 2011! It's December and the classic movie "Christmas Story" is listed as only available on DVD!

Now, I don't get something - if they want people to start using their online service, why are they intentionally limiting their selections like this? Can't be storage - terabytes are cheap to purchase now and just about everyone has some kind of broad-band. So what gives? Anyone know?

 

[Starbreaker]

Contracts with the studios.