"Unlike the glowing reviews below, I am not happy with Netflix. I have been a subscriber for over 6 months. I am really frosted about their ability to deliver new releases. They don't even list popular new releases in their "New Release" section. For example, the newly released Terminator, Transformers II, and GI Joe Cobra are not listed, even though they are available and you can put them in the Que if you search over the specific title. But then these movies are listed as "very long wait", which means "never". It took me over a month to get the new Terminator release, even though it was the only movie in my Q. For old TV re-runs these guys are great, but for recent releases, forget it. I am going to BB to see how they are. The CS agents are friendly, but give you the BS two-step when it comes to trying to get an availablility date. Also, as other have mentioned, the surface quality of most of the DVDs is marginal, as they recycle too few DVDs for too many customers."
"This is our second time around with Netflix. The first time we subscribed, all was well for the first 3 months or so. Then, we started getting damaged DVDs. They weren't unplayable; they just kept getting stuck in certain spots and the only way to continue was to skip large sections of the movie. We'd report the problem and they'd send a new one - but that takes time. IMHO, they should have an internal quality control system and not rely on the consumer to do the work for them. So, we cancelled because of the frustration.
But we missed the convenience. So, we started our subscription again just 6 weeks ago. Of the 3 DVDs we've received, they have ALL had problems. We've cleaned the DVDs, cleaned our player just in case it was us (note that other DVDs play fine), but still the problem.
As a comparison, at the same time we renewed with Netflix, we also started a trial membership with Blockbuster. The movies we've received from BB have been fine...but it's still too early to tell if BB will be consistent, too.
At this point, I'm ready to cancel NetFlix again and just stick with BB for a while. If BB tanks, we'll cancel them both and start reading more :-)"
"Awful customer service. They have no way for customers to email them or submit a support question online. Their support section of their website is totally frustrating and only gives you canned FAQ answers, not real help.
You have to phone them for support and when you do, they are condescending and unhelpful.
I returned a damaged previously viewed DVD under their 'satisfaction guarantee' return policy. It was received back to them (I tracked it) but they never credited my credit card. So, I filed a dispute with my credit card company and now Netflix refuses to send me an more rentals, they've completely frozen my account, yet are still charging me for it."
"They do not disclose this anywhere outside of the tos but they limit the number of computers allowed to do instant play to 4 computers and 4 devices. This means if you have trouble with a computer and need to reinstall the os you just lost a license. Not a problem you say just reclaim the license. According to netflix that is not possible. The only option is to wait for 1 year for the license to autmatically free up. They have no ability to do this simple task that itunes has been able to do for years now. Get a clue netflix before someone sues you over this. If my computers are stolen what options would i be left with?"
"This is a terrible company,they offer me a 2 week free trial yet charged my AMEX even after I cancelled my membership at the end of the 2nd week.I cancelled my membership because there is always a "short wait"or "long wait"to get new releases.It seems that the only movies you can get right away are : "gone with the wind" or "Mary Poppins"!!!"
"As long as their service is working, it works well. The problem is that they advertise "Unlimited" rentals, but if you actually try to take them up on the offer, they'll throttle your account and start shipping DVDs days late, or from other states.
Their customer service is essentially useless. It appears they have about the same access to your account as you would have on www.netflix.com. If you so much as attempt to complain, you'll get form letters back, but nothing of value."
"I have only been with Netflix for about 6 months, but so far they have far exceeded Blockbusters capability to provide me with entertainment. I pay $10 a month and watch 2 movies a week. It's all I need cause let's face it, you've gotta get out of the house sooner or later, right?
2 thumbs up for Netflix!"
"AVOID! Do not give these people your credit card info. I promise, you will regret it. I cancelled my membership last October, and they still keep charging my credit card. I have emailed them and phoned them; however, they continiue to charge my credit card every month (this is May 2007!). I have went through a bunch of hassle having to dispute the charge every month. "
"They are good at first and then they start playing their throttle game. I have been a member several times and it always ends the same way. Their claims of unlimited rentals is a lie. They play games like not checking your movies in for several days, then posting processing for several more, then shipping in 4 days, etc. That is the way you will get limited after a couple months. Then to try to contact customer service is impossible, it doesn't exist. Like I said they are good at first but you will quickly be limited. "
"While we still miss the interactivity with our fellow members that we enjoyed during the brief 'Netflix Community' experiment, their service is now so good, so reliable, and such good value -- both with DVDs and streaming -- that we now understand why they didn't want to be distracted by trying to be a social site in addition to being a content distributor. Now a content provider as well -- and a darn good one at that!
We'd like to be able to email them for non urgent matters, in addition being able to call them, but I have to say that they're always extremely courteous and eager to help
In short, my wife and I are both huge fans. "
"Pros: Exhaustive selection of DVDs
Eliminates video store hassle(s)
Cons: THROTTLING
Damaged disc policy
Horrible customer service
Did I mention Throttling?
Bottom Line: Netflix is best for the casual viewer who is willing to make sacrifices for convenience.
I have been a customer of Netflix for a little less than a year now and the experience has been tumultuous. The best way to describe my experience is to divide it into three epochs.
The Halcyon Days:
I decided to give Netflix in 2005 as I was tired of the limited selection at the local video store and rising costs of rentals. As I live near the San Jose distribution center I figured I had nothing to lose. By the end of the trial I was hooked. No longer did I have to spend a half hour driving to and from the video store. Nor did I have to deal with poor selection of anything besides a new release. And on top of that, I was saving money overall due to the amount of rentals I have a month. After several months of satisfication with the 3-at-a-time plan, I decided to increase my subscription to 5 moveis at a time. But the good times would not last.
Throttled!
At first I was unconcerned that it was taking awhile for certain new releases to arrive. Who cares if it takes a little longer to get Revenge of the Sith when I have a ton of other great films to watch. But the delay on new releases soon began to expand and more films were on the long wait of my queue. I knew something was rotten in the state of Denmark when Skeleton Key took 2 months to get. In fact, any new release was now a 2 month wait guaranteed for me. I knew Netflix had a policy of throttling but I figured I was not outside of the normal bounds of renting. I subscribed to 5 films at a time and it took me roughly a week to view all of them. But when I mailed them at the same time it would show that they were recieved on different days. Furthermore the turnaround used to be 2-3 days as I lived 10 miles for the distribution center. Now it was 5 for some reason. Enraged I complained to customer service via email and recieved a response that thanked me for the feedback but said (I do not exaggerate heere) that Netflix recieves too many emails so they can't respond to them. Needless to say I dropped my subscription from 5 at a time to 2.
The Present:
Well I still use Netflix as I detest Blockbuster and the local video store is quite small. But now I simply use Netflix for more obscure or older films. Ultimately if you're looking for a video store replacement it all depends on what type of film viewer you are. If you're a film aficianado and view a lot of movies then Netflix is not for you. If you're a casual viewer and looking for something primarily out of convenience (or only rent less popular films)then Netflix is great."
"Netflix has been horrible to me since day 1.
I signed up for their 2 week trial. Within those 2 weeks, I received 3 dvds total. I decided to hang on for another month after that to see if it would get any better. Heck, the DVDs get sent to Dayton, OH, luckily, that is where I live! You would think the shipments would be very quick. WRONG. The same slooowwww service was given to me by Netflix.
On top on this, I recevied 3 DVDs that did not work. This may not be the fault of Netflix, but it just leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Funny how this never happened ONCE when I was subscribed to Blockbuster online.
One other gripe. Netflix does not work on Weekends. They don't send DVDs, they don't process returned DVDs, etc. This means that while you PAY for 30 days (WHICH INCLUDES THOSE WEEKENDS), Netflix is only working 5/7 of the days you pay for. When I returned movies on a Thursday of Friday, the would get processed Monday, and another DVD title would be sent Tuesday, meaning I get it Wednesday. This equates to 12 DVDs per month MAX. Did I mention I live in Dayton, OH?
In most cases, I would say 9 DVDs per month is realistic. Hmm, might this be the throttling everyone talks about? Unlimited rentals my butt.
Netflix got $19.25 from me, and that's ALL they will every get. STAY AWAY. "
"Obvious 'throttling', slowing down of service. Business practice contradicts advertising of unlimited rentals."
"The horror stories seem to be true. I did not read up on them before I started and it was really awesome for a month or two, I was getting 8-9 movies a week with 1 day turnarounds. We had just had a baby so we just laid back and watched movies until the honeymoon came to a screeching halt. Around Xmas the turnaround time went way downhill, I mean like 3-4 movies a week...maybe.
I called them and was told that blockbuster offered a similar product and that I was free to leave when I returned the movies I had.
The practice that I am experiencing is called 'throttling' and it is because in the world of 'unlimited' movies it is seen that someone getting as many movies as I do is not profitable. They should just come out and say that or give up.
No customer support responses and long wait times for new releases to the tune of 3 weeks+."
"After reading through all the other negative comments about NETFLIX, I see that I am not alone. The preferential treatment during the trial period and the purposeful degraded service thereafter. Since the trial, shipping takes 2-3 days instead of 1, check-in takes 2-3 days instead of 1. Unexplained shipping delays for items listed as available now. Even though you can recommend movies they don't offer, it appears to be an exercise in futility. Apparently they think providing an area to make recommendations is good enough, although they never act on it, nor respond. They don't offer any way to contact customer service; the have a suggestion area. I tried this, to complain about their service. No response. As far as selection, I don't think its as good as BlockBuster (a really excruciatingly slow mind-numbing service, it actually hurts), I found they don't offer Superbit DVDs nor a lot the directors cut, unrated versions I was looking for. I thought it was great during the trial, but it sucks big time now! I'll be cancelling after this month is done."