7/15/11

Netflix's New Rewind Fee Incites Riot


It has come to my attention that Netflix is raising their rates...again. The Internet has been awash with angry customers ever since the news broke, and understandably so. The folks in charge of Netflix had to have seen this backlash coming from light years away. On paper, we're only talking about seven extra dollars per month for those of us who take advantage of their streaming service in addition to renting physical DVD's. But film buffs at large are not up in arms over seven dollars. It's the principle of the matter.

This will be a 60% hike in monthly fees. Can you imagine paying 60% more for your cable or your utilities? It's a substantial surge, is it not? The question that I'll have to ask myself come September (which is when these changes will make their mark) is, how much is this service worth? $15.99 per month is still a good deal, especially if you compare it to the alternative. Unless you live close to Visart Video, Netflix might be your best bet as far as DVD rentals are concerned. There isn't much competition. Or is there?

I have yet to try Amazon Prime, but apparently, it offers the same services at a more reasonable rate. Friends tell me that they have just as many titles available for streaming. Plus, you get free 2-day shipping on all of your orders. You would still need Netflix to rent tangible discs. If you're like me, you will consider milking both websites to quench your movie thirst. So what is the point of this editorial? I'm not sure that I have one. Wait! Yes, I do! Netflix is slightly evil, but their new pricing strategy does not denote the end of the world.

Let's face it. Businesses need to make a profit. Hell, this news doesn't even affect all of the nerds who stopped buying/renting physical DVD's years ago. For the rest of us, there are options. Hold your head up high, fellow truants. We will still be able to watch Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown on our laptops. And you know you want to.

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