This is getting old

[furriballs]

Not really sure where to put this. It certainly doesn't fall under the Bargain section, and Smackdown doesn't seem appropriate either. If it's in the wrong place maybe a mod can move it.

Anyhow, Netflix is back to their tricks.

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

[DigitalFreakNYC]

They're doing it because Blockbuster just screwed their customers. It's best that they both do it at the same time. It gives people no better option.

[Metaluna]

I just got informed that the surcharge on my 5-at-a-time plan would go from $1 to $6. Wow. I had no idea they were planning another rate hike, let alone such a large one. I may have to scale back to a smaller plan.

[furriballs]

I especially like this part:

And as you've probably heard, Blu-ray discs are substantially more expensive than standard definition DVDs.

Seriously, we're only talking a few dollars at most that a BD costs over a regular dvd. I guess they think we don't know any better. Maybe they should get their discs from Amazon or Frys.

[Space_Butler]

Is there a way to deactivate blu-ray for a family member sub-account under my name? I rent blu-rays, but my parents only rent dvd's, and I allocate 1 slot to them. I don't see why I should be forced to pay for a blu-ray slot when they won't use it.

No matter what, I'm dropping down by 1 disc to compensate, no matter what. Half the time I let the discs sit around for a week or so anyway. But regardless of that, who wants to bet that we still will have new releases be "long wait" for a month+? Liars and thieves, all of them.

[nmcmahan52]

so my 4 at a time plan is probably getting a $4 bump to $5 then, that kinda sucks

[typ44q]

this is a huge increase, I think I will be dropping my plan down to 1 at a time and just buy more movies.

[Jason Novak]

I'll probably grudgingly pay the extra $4. I just hope they actually spend the money on more stock. They used the same reason when they started charging $1 but availability didn't seem to get any better. Many of my blu-rays have a long wait, some movies I've started switching back to DVD and they're all available.

[KYThrill]

Does anyone know what the rate changes are for the different tiers? I was on 2 at a time, and it went from $1 to $3.

Looks like 3 went from $1 to $4, 4 went from $1 to $5, etc. See the pattern...

Does anyone know for sure what the one (unlimited) at a time plan increased to, or the one (2 per month) at a time plan incresed to. My guess would be from $1-$2. Can anyone confirm?

My local shop charges $5 to rent a Blu-ray. I was doing about 4-5 per month at two at a time for $15, so a better deal. However, my Netflix has dropped
to 2-3 per month for the past two months, so I was thinking about scaling back anyway. $15 for three movies is the same as I would pay locally. With the rate hike thrown in there, it's costing me more to have Netflix.

[furriballs]

Originally Posted by Jason Novak

I'll probably grudgingly pay the extra $4. I just hope they actually spend the money on more stock. They used the same reason when they started charging $1 but availability didn't seem to get any better. Many of my blu-rays have a long wait, some movies I've started switching back to DVD and they're all available.

I doubt they will. That's what really irking me about this thing. When they raised it $1 I didn't mind. I, like others, thought they would increase their inventory and our wait times would decrease. But no. It didn't happen. Now it's up to an additional $4 (on top of the already $1 increase 6 months ago). Not so pissed about the amount, but how we really get nothing in return.

If you ask me, they should charge those who use their download service and leave us alone. But I'm sure that's coming sometime in the near future.

[DasRaven]

Well, this is an easy decision for me. $1 is an acceptable up-charge given the slight increase in costs of discs, $4 is not. So when I receive this email, I'll disable my BD access. If/when they come back to their senses, I'll gladly re-up.

[onthecake]

I will be moving from 2 out at a time to 1.

The $6 a month difference is not worth the extra disc. I still have 5 movies sitting at the top of my queue (2 for more than a month) so obviously the $1 increase they did in October didn't go into increasing their inventory. I don't expect this increase will either.

I am starting to feel that the bluray users are subsidizing netflix's watch now expansion. Of course.. They will probably be charging for that jewel soon too.

Keep it up netflix and I will drop you completely.

[HuskerGuy]

Originally Posted by DigitalFreakNYC

They're doing it because Blockbuster just screwed their customers. It's best that they both do it at the same time. It gives people no better option.

How did BB screw their customers? Are you referring to the in-store exchanges counting towards your max out at a time?

If so, that was annoying and I switched to mail-only as a result, but I increased from 2-3 out at a time.

[typ44q]

well my plan went from 4 out at a time to 2 at a time and I just dropped it back to 1 at a time.
If it was not for my roommate using the watch now I would probably switch back to blockbuster.

[blu-bird]

I think you drop or ad BD by clicking on the manage Blu-ray at the upper right hand corner of your account and click on either ad or remove and that is it.

I guess this means I will be buyi more Blu-ray movies., at least somr of the good movies