Long wait on movies in queue

Has anyone else had problem with movies at the top of their queue taking alot longer to get. I used to not have to wait long for recent movies and in last couple of months, I can not seem to get recent movies for a long time. Several people have told me that Blockbuster has faster turn-around on movies. Wonder if anyone knows if this is true. Also, I was told that you can return them to store and get a new movie.

Tags: queue

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by dengland on January 16, 2009 at 5:41pm: SpinDaddyDad - Not to knock you movie choices, but none of those movies in the queue would begin to qualify as a current release.

Also - the recent additional charge of $1 surcharge for blu-ray was not really appreciated. It seems like Netflix is a large enough consumer that they could have influence with the distribution companies to get BR prices more in line with regular DVD pricing. I would have also been more accepting of everyone's price going up 10 cents rather than taxing the BR users.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lester on January 16, 2009 at 5:54pm: It seems like Netflix is a large enough consumer that they could have influence with the distribution companies to get BR prices more in line with regular DVD pricing.

That's an interesting thought. Many factors are involved in pricing, but I think direct sales of Blu-rays are the determining factor, not NF rentals.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alan-Not So Nice Not So Helpful on January 16, 2009 at 7:20pm: I would have also been more accepting of everyone's price going up 10 cents rather than taxing the BR users.

Of course you would. I, on the other hand, would not be accepting of paying an extra 10 cents so you can have BluRay discs delivered to you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spindaddydad on January 16, 2009 at 7:24pm: Not to knock you movie choices, but none of those movies in the queue would begin to qualify as a current release
No they're not. The post I was responding to, didn't mention New releases. Netflix is not really a good option for new releases. I don't usually have any problems getting them, but I understand that a lot do. New releases are just in high demand no matter what service or store you use. Too many people want to rent them.

It seems like Netflix is a large enough consumer that they could have influence with the distribution companies to get BR prices more in line with regular DVD pricing
I'm sure NF gets a good deal on Blu-ray. That's why they only have to charge us pennies more per disc over DVD.

I would have also been more accepting of everyone's price going up 10 cents rather than taxing the BR users.
But why should DVD renters have to pay more if they're not renting Blu-rays? Blue-rays are more expensive for NF to buy, therefore should be more expensive to rent. For me, it comes out to pennies per disc more than DVD. Hard to gripe about that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tuco on January 16, 2009 at 8:02pm: The post I was responding to, didn't mention New releases. Netflix is not really a good option for new releases.

Sorry I was not clear, but I was talking about new released and a few older ones that are in low supply. It did not used to be like this. Someone must be getting shorter wait times on these titles but it is not me.

Netflix may not be optimal for new released but they used to at least be a tolerable wait. I could alway get the new releases from HD on-demand cable, but being frugal I refuse to pay $6 per movie to Insight cable or add second DVD rental service.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Orion2012 on January 16, 2009 at 8:06pm: You need to go ahead and check the New Releases for next Tuesday, add them to your Q and then return your current flicks on Saturday. At least you will get bran' new releases from here on out; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spindaddydad on January 16, 2009 at 8:14pm: Orion is right. A big key is to time it so that you have an open slot on Monday morning. For most that is to send them back on saturday.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tuco on January 17, 2009 at 8:37am: I can try that strategy. I am retired and usually just send the movies in the next morning after watching them which is just about any day of the week.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Spindaddydad on January 17, 2009 at 8:57am: yep, give it a shot. They ship out new releases on Mondays even though the real street date is Tuesdays. If they receive your disc on Monday morning, a slot will open up and you'll more than likely get some new releases. Its not guaranteed since it is a random process, but you'll increase your chances.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dengland on January 17, 2009 at 6:06am: I would have also been more accepting of everyone's price going up 10 cents rather than taxing the BR users.

Of course you would. I, on the other hand, would not be accepting of paying an extra 10 cents so you can have BluRay discs delivered to you.
I should of added some more words to my response... I do not have Blu-ray enabled on my account, so I am "everybody else" for now. I backed the wrong horse and have an HD-DVD player, so I did benefit from those discs for awhile. I expect that I will be BR consumer in the very near future.

Blow is a email that I sent to Netflix back in October:

------------------------------
While I respect that your costs are increasing, I feel it is a temporary increase for media.

According to blu-ray.com cost will not be different for the media:

“According to the Blu-ray Disc Association, the overall cost of manufacturing Blu-ray Disc media will in the end be no more expensive than producing a DVD. The reduced injection molding costs (one molding machine instead of two, no birefringence problems) offset the additional cost of applying the cover layer and low cost hard-coat, while the techniques used for applying the recording layer remain the same. As production volumes increase the production costs should fall and eventually be comparable to DVDs.”

I also feel that NetFlix has some bargaining power with the distributors due to your volume purchases. I hope that you have expressed your displeasure with them over the premium charged for Blu-Ray media.

At this time, I have removed Blu-Ray access from my account as my own way of protesting. I have been a long time customer of Netflix, and I plan to continue as a customer. I would like you to reconsider this type of price increase that punishes the early technology adopters. It is the early adopters that enable products to reach mainstream.

--------------------------------------

Two days later, Amazon was selling BR discs for $13.95. Did the switch from VHS to DVD increase the rental costs to the customer at the local video store? Not in my area. There are no VHS tapes available for rent there now. Assuming the same kind of thing with DVD to BR, this should be a transient condition. Does anyone remember the $1 surcharge on their phone bills for touch-tone phones?

I am a big Netflix fan and have been a consistant member since 1999. I just did not like their approach to balance the books. No biggie. Shortly, I will paying my extra $1/month and life will go on. (sorry guys for starting the $1 surcharge talk. It was really off topic); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jeldobar on January 17, 2009 at 6:45am: Blow is a email that I sent to Netflix back in October:

They don't have Customer Service Email. !; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ewd76 on January 17, 2009 at 7:07am: At this time, I have removed Blu-Ray access from my account as my own way of protesting.

Why would you think that makes a good protest? Why would they care?; ▶ Reply to This