So Long Netflix

This morning I received the following email from Netflix…

Dear Zane And Karen,

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 3 DVDs at-a-time (Unlimited) plan will increase from $1
a month to $4 a month. The price of your 3 DVDs at-a-time (Unlimited)
plan is not changing and remains at $16.99 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 $4 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

Dear Netflix,

I have been a valued customer since September 26, 2005 (minus a hiatus in ’07 when I moved to S.C.). I have promoted your service to friends and family. I have gifted 6 month memberships multiple times. Since 07/23/07 (we created a new account when we moved) I have paid you 337.34 in on time scheduled payments and have rented 111 movies (averaging around $3.03 a movie). I am now canceling my account

I am tired of getting nickel and dimed by corporate America. I just learned last week that Comcast raised the price of my DVR by $1 and HD by ~$4 with 0 notification. I guess I should be happy that Netflix sent me an email notifying me of the increase. The problem I have with this is that Netflix claims they are raising the price due to the higher cost of Blu-Ray discs. While that does seem logical at first do you really think they are going to lower the price when Blu-Ray costs drop? I don’t think so! Did airlines remove “Gas” fees when the price of fuel dropped? No sir. I know how this game works and I’m not playing.

Fortunately for us there is competition out there. While I HATE Blockbuster WITH A PASSION I have to say that their current plans are appealing (and cheaper then Netflix). You can get the exact same plan I had previously with Netflix (3 x DVD/Blu-Ray’s mailed to our house for 17.99) for only $15.99. Karen and I decided to try out Blockbusters Total Access for 16.99 / mo + tax. With this plan we get 2 x DVD/Blu-Ray’s with store trade ins. This means that we can go inside the blockbuster right down the street, hand in a mailed DVD/Blu-Ray and receive a new DVD/Blu-Ray instantly. I kind of miss walking the aisles to pick a flick and am looking forward to revisiting the experience. We can do this up to three times a month. After that we can exchange mailed movies for $1.99. Visit Blockbusters Total Access site to learn more. The only thing blockbuster seems to be missing is the ability to stream movies to my XBox 360. I am not worried about it though. I never really found the titles online worthwhile and used it a total of 3 times the entire time I had it (more to ooo and ahh at the ability to do it).

If you are interested in canceling your account I have found some good information online @ netflixunderground. Upon canceling Netflix your account is immediately stopped and any unused portions of the month that you have already paid for are lost. I just renewed my account on 3/20 so I plan on canceling my account on 4/13 to give me enough time to mail in final movies (According to Netflix Underground if you haven’t returned your movie by the next billing cycle you are billed again).

Another post on this subject by Engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/30/netflix-raising-rates-for-blu-ray-subscribers-by-around-20/

I expect that in 4 months you will find me here again bitching about how the teenage cashier in Blockbuster annoyed me, or how some hidden late fee bit me in the behind and I am going back to Netflix. But, For the moment I am content.

Update: My alarm just reminded me to cancel Netflix. Done. I have 7 days to return all movies or I will be charged for them. Mailing them tomorrow. So Long Netflix…