Dear Netflix,
I never thought I’d have to write this letter but the time has come. I’m breaking up with you. Don’t worry, though. It’s you, not me.
At first I was willing to deal with your price increase betrayal. I accepted that the days of cheap entertainment were over because with your vast library, not to mention your convenience, you were still less expensive than going to the movies and, given my propensity towards forgetfulness, I could return the movies when I remembered (which is not often, I admit). Not to mention the streaming library was perfect for lazy and forgetful chicks like me. And you also know how much I love a cheap date.
But then things started to go sour. Movies started to have a “short wait”. I realized that not every movie I had selected for Blu-Ray was now not always available in Blu-Ray. After that, the amount of movies available started to decrease. OK, OK, I understand that I don’t always pick the most popular movies or movies that more than 9 people have ever seen but that was part of your allure! I could find those movies and not have to suffer the shame of renting them from a video store (remember those? Those bastions of entertainment that you helped go the way of the dinosaur and Frankenberry cereal?). What kept me around was the Starz library and sometimes, if I was lucky, I could find a popular movie on streaming. I also enjoyed that fact that, when I finally get my iPhone, I could watch a streaming movie and my daughter could still watch one of hers on the Blu-Ray player.
Now that’s all going away. Netflix, what is the matter with you? Can’t you see that you no longer have a monopoly on cheap movie rentals? Hulu, Redbox, Amazon, even iTunes…they’re all encroaching on what you created. And they’re doing a better job! Instead of fighting for it, you’re rolling over and taking it. That doesn’t sound like someone who wants to be in a good, healthy relationship. That sounds like someone who deosn’t care. I want to be with someone who fights and cares and provides me with what I need when I hand over my money.
Please realize we’ll still be friends. I’m not getting rid of the streaming service. That I like. It’s a reasonable price, it’s convenient and it has numerous Care Bears movies which makes my daughter extremely happy (not to mention, it gives me the chance to make dinner in peace). But as far as the other movies? Well, I’m just going to have to take my business elsewhere. Once I watch the Millennium Trilogy in Swedish.
Thanks for the memories, Netflix. We’ll always have Inception.
I was thinking of getting netflix. but then I though, good grief when do I have time to watch a movie? Now I am definitely not getting the service.
Great break-up Jana. I've been debating (for too long) if we should ditch Netflix. I waited too long and just got charged the new rate (50% increase) the other day. That's what I get though. I was considering just keeping the streaming, but I keep hearing that Netflix isn't going to have Starz anymore and that's where I find most stuff. Probably time to cut the cord.
You should check out my post on Netflix Canada. Awful product. If you have $8 and you feel like literally putting it in the toilet and then flushing – you'd get the same level of entertainment … er … pain.
We've always subscribed to the streaming only version, so didn't get charged more when they changed the pricing structure. I'm a little bummed about the multiple devices feature going away. No more sneaking into my bedroom to watch Mad Men on the iPad when the kids are watching something else. 🙁
But same as you, we'll keep it because the streaming options are sufficient for the kids.
I just got rid of my Blockbuster Express. It was $13.99 a month (I think? maybe $15.99, I can't remember). I'm glad I got rid of it.
I am super bummed about the multiple device thing going away too.
It doesn't make sense to charge more and offer less service, but even with that said I am still keeping our Netflix package. I can't help it, I still love them.
Ahhh inception. I love the background stripes on your blog. 🙂
@Out My Window–I am now just starting to have time to watch movies.
@Jen–It's sad to see what they're doing to the service. It was great at one point.
@Sustainable PF–I did and wow. Canadians get screwed more than us!
@Lindy–I just realized yesterday that a bunch of the kids movies will be going away when the Starz contract ends. Sigh.
@Michelle–I never used the Blockbuster service but I am looking forward to the reduction in the bill.
@Niki–I'm not getting rid of Netflix totally. I just can't justify the price for what is offered anymore.
@Andrea–I will finally be watching Inception this weekend. I have had it for 6 months.
What a minute They don't make frankenberry anymore?!
@Evan–No, I don't think they do. I haven't seen it in a supermarket in years. So, so sad.