I’ve been a Netflix addict since it’s inception, or there about’s. To me, it’s an everyday household item like peanut butter and jelly, or apple pie and ice cream. So when Reed Hastings sent that long winded email about how the Netflix business model is essentially changing, my first thought was, “Why fix it, if it ain’t broke?!”
Now, I’m beginning to understand the thought process behind the change. By separating the online streaming business, which will remain ‘Netflix’, from the mail DVD business, which will be called ‘Qwikster’ (ironic, if you think about it), it will be easier to part with the mail portion in the future, or sell it.
Maybe I’m reading too much into the name changing and separation of services, but it makes sense. Mail delivery is toying with the idea of delivering mail only 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. This will inevitably effect receiving DVD’s in the mail possibly pushing those subscribers to look for other movie alternatives. Blockbuster and Redbox have that covered in some cities.
Netflix is still the best online streaming movie source, in my opinion (I’ve tried Crackle and a few others and they stink). If they can ramp up their agreements with the movie industry, they could continue dominating the online movie streaming business. Their biggest hurdle is obtaining movies sooner than Redbox and Blockbuster as well as the other online streaming services whose streaming is littered with commercials or very low in resolution.
For the Netflix/Qwikster customer, ordering DVD’s from one site and viewing movies on another is cumbersome, but it’s not an impossible feat. Paying a dollar more for their services won’t break the bank and as long as they continue their auto-debit service, it won’t confuse me.
So, for now I’m sticking with Netflix. I guess that means I’ll also be a Qwikster customer.
What’s your plan?
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My plan went from $9.99 for both to $15.98 to have both. It may be a little amount but whenever I have budget changes I always use it as an opportunity to ask myself if I really need or want it. We don’t need it so I canceled our DVD portion.
@Molly – I use a combination of their streaming and DVD service. I could probably go without the DVD’s as well. It’s something I’ll have to consider.
We were going to sign up for Netflix but the options in Canada aren’t nearly as good as in the USA. It seemed like a rip off for what we would be paying. I am glad it is working out for you though.
@Miss T – Netflix is slowing expanding globally. It’s too bad their service isn’t as good up in Canada. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs for years now.
We’ve had our account suspended for the past few months as the new baby has pretty much limited our movie viewing time to nothing. The plan was to reactivate it, but the splitting up and price increases has left a sour taste in my mouth, so I am leaning towards just cancelling it. Sad because I’ve been with them since 2003 and have talked them up pretty much the whole time.
@Money Beagle – Since I don’t watch TV and instead watch movies, I can’t forgo Netflix – that would eliminate all entertainment on my end. However, if I had a baby, I’m guessing I wouldn’t have much time either for movies!
Netflix got drunk with its own success! I think Netflix’s biggest threat is Amazon! They are making slow but steady progress with their streaming service.
@Money Cone – I just watched an Amazon Prime movie last night and the only problem with this is the quality of the stream. We have high speed DSL through Time Warner (supposedly the fastest they offer) and the resolution was really low. If Amazon can improve the quality, then they’ll give Netflix a run for their money. In the meantime, my vote is with Netflix.
I am not a netflix customer, I would rather see the movie in the theatre so I buy group discount tickets (cost $6 each). In a year, I might go to roughly 12 movies for a total of $144.
I don’t do Netflix. We have a Redbox down the street from us, and it is an convenient as I need it to be. Streaming would be nice, but for now, I am content with my little Redbox. They have enough free movie codes that I rarely pay for a movie there anyway!
@Money for College Pro – We use Redbox as well. But since we watch a movie every night (seriously, we do this instead of watching television), it makes more sense to have a Netflix account.
We are also in same boat as Money Beagle, the baby has been keeping us very busy. We get movies from the library occasionally and that’s good enough for now.
@Retire by 40 – We recently visited our local library and was impressed with the amount of movies they had in stock. If the library was a little closer, we could do that more often. However, we watch so many movies (no baby, so lots of free evening time
) that the Netflix subscription is worth it.
I have been a Netflix customer for a while now and the change doesn’t bother me. I find value in their service and I always thought $7.99 was on the inexpensive side all along.
I got a chuckle out of the personalized email from Mr. Hastings.
@funancials – That’s very true. I guess my debit card just became a habit for me (especially years ago when my credit was in a funk
). Now that I’ve cleaned up my act (or credit), this option is available to me now. As long as I’m as diligent with the credit card as I have been with the debit card, it should all work out!
To me the increase in the cost as been more of an annoyance than anything else. I’m with you though – I’ll stick with them for now, but if they continue to increase their rates or a better alternative comes a long I’m taking my business elsewhere.
@Zero Passive Income – If they raise their price, then I will definitely have to reconsider as well. There are other options out there, they just aren’t as convenient or as good yet. But we’ll see what happens next!
We have been using netflix streaming only option for over a year now. We are happy with it.
I am surprised the price increase didn’t happen sooner, they were leaving a lot of money on the table compared with their rates much lower than other services (like Hulu, and Amazon Prime).
@Silly Simple – I’m still fine with their price, especially since I watch a movie every night (that comes out to a little over 50-cents per movie – can’t beat that!) I’m on an Amazon Prime trial run and so far the quality stinks. I’m pretty sure we won’t be signing up for their service.
I got rid of the streaming – and I guess i’m a “quixter” person now. the streaming was a huge time suck.
@Jeff – I still like their streaming and it’s actually one of the better movie streaming services out there. But, I still get DVDs in the mail, though they haven’t changed their envelopes yet!
I like the streaming that they have give to the people and earned the best interest to achieved in the people.