Netflix blows!!!!

[meg]

I've been a loyal customer for 2 and 1/2 years, but no more. My friend gave me a give subscription, but I can't redeem it because of 'pending discounts.'

I've sent two emails and have received no answer as to what the heck their "can't redeem because of pending discount' error message means and why the heck I can't redeem my gift certificate.

According to my account information, which I had to search to find, I am due a credit of $3 something from their recent price reduction. This account page says I must pay a month using the discount, before I can redeem my gift. WHAT!!!

Evidently, they prefer to keep things simple for themselves at the expense of their customers.

I will cancel my account with Netflix at the end of my current month. I will advise my friend to refuse to pay the credit card charge on Netflix, because Netflix refused to allow me to redeem the gift. In other words, they refused to give the service that was paid for.

My friend is a Netflix customer, too. I refered her and several others to Netflix.

Netflix's actions to make things easier on themselves have cost them 2 customers and the hassle of dealing with my friend's credit card.

PS: Their customer service sucks!!!!! I have not received an answer to my question about redeeming the gift.

[byronm]

1. netflix is the bomb...

3+ years and going strong.. i wouldn't dare trust my money to Blockbuster and i sure as hell won't give in to edited films from Walmart's service.

I'm also not even sure i know what your talking about. If you had the two week trials you can only get those applied if you cancel and resubscribe.

If you want billing hassles then move to Blockbuster :)

[kostya]

5. No hassles here, Blockbuster beats Netflix hands down.

I've had similar problems in the past with Netflix as the original poster. They are just absolutely uncommunicative there. Now BB is only 14.99 a month and the DVDs are pristine and their turnaround time is at least 2 days faster than Netflix. About 1/4 of all the DVDs I got from Netflix wouldn't even play (of course it happens about half an hour into the movie!). Plus BB gives me 2 free rental coupons a month to use at the local store when we just can't wait! Can't beat it. - K

[RebelOne]

7. How can their turnaround be 2 days faster than Netflix?

I get a 1-day turnaround period.

[lectrobyte]

15. Yeah, but Blockbuster rents edited movies.

[chenGOD]

16. Except, Blockbuster DVD's aren't "pristine"...

they are censored for "family values" and the former owner of Blockbuster is a big ol' donor to the Repulican party.

http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=Huizenga&txtState=%28all+states%29&txtZip=&txtEmploy=&txtCand=&txt2004=Y&txt2000=Y&Order=N

[meg]

6. I have been a customer for 2 and 1/2 years

as I mentioned in my post.

Here's the point: no response to the question of why I can't redeem my gift subscription for another year of Netflix.

How could Blockbuster be worse? Do you have any experience with them?

[Az]

11. Just as a guess

There system is simply not set up to handle multiple forms of discount at the same time. Its likely they maintain a profit level by automating as much as possible. That is they cut out all customer servicee and any other fixed costs (ie humans) that they can. You get to enjoy low cost movies and as long as things go according to plan convieniance.

The trouble is you get what you pay for. If your focus is on inexpensive you will pay in some other way.

[RebelOne]

2. I'm quite happy with NetFlix.

So far I haven't had any problems. I think you should just forget about it and tell your friend to contest the charge for service not received.

[ET Awful]

3. Been a customer over 3 years and never had a problem, other

than the occasional damaged disk, and one time on a two disk movie, theye sent me two of disk one instead of disks one and two. Both were resolved very quickly and with no hassles.

Do as you see fit, but in my experince their customer service has been excellent. I have no complaints.

[kick-ass-bob]

4. did you talk to a manager or just the person who answered the

phone?

You can't ever get anything done (with ANY company) without talking to a supervisor if it is beyond the "normal" situations.

[meg]

9. I can't find a phone number on their website

It's hard enough finding their email form on the contact page. Really. It took me several minutes to find it on their contact page!

However, I did find their telephone number on the Yahoo financials page and I will call today.

[kick-ass-bob]

10. I really think if you are able to get to

a supervisor, your problem will be solved.

Just ask for one straight away, don't even bother telling your story to the person who answers the phone.

Good luck - and let me know if it works.
:hi:

[meg]

19. They finally fixed it!!

I guess they just dropped my $3 something discount. It's just as well they did that, although it would have been nice if the purchaser of the gift got the discount.

It certainly wasn't worth $3 worth of hassle!!

[Justitia]

8. I prefer DVDOvernight.com

http://www.dvdovernight.com/home_dvdo.asp

No monthly (subscription) fees, you only pay for what you rent.
There is a limit on check-out time, but you get about 2 wks for each rental, plenty for me.

[RebelOne]

12. They are pretty expensive.

They state that all movies rent from $2 to $4 per week. But you only pay an average of $4.50 per week for 3 movies with Netflix.

[Justitia]

13. I pay $3 or $4 per movie on DVDOvernight.com, get 10th free

it may be more expensive than Netflix, I dunno, but I don't want to pay a monthly subscription. So, for me, it's cheaper.
Sometimes I rent 4 in a week, some months, none at all.

Shipping is always free and no tax, so it is always cheaper than a visit to the local Blockbuster brick and mortar store.

Just another option.

Edited to add: Checked my acct - in the 2 yrs I've used them, my cost works out to $2.83 per rental (the free ones brings the per down).

[underpants]

14. Funny I hadn't heard of Netflix until Blockbuster dropped the late fees

My wife and I tend to just wait for pay-per-view or onDemand.

I had never heard of Netflix until Blockbuster made their announcement and all the news stories contained analysis about how Netflix was killing Blockbuster. Funny how Blockbuster created so much free publicity for them.

[Ms_Mary]

17. I've been really happy with them.

[OneTwentyoNine]

18. Never figured the concept.....

I have a Hollywood Video about 3 miles from my house. Seems a hell of alot easier just to pop in there and get what I want,as many as I want and then return them a few days later at any time to their drive up drop box.

Shipping all those DVD's back and forth seems like a hassle to me...

[kostya]

20. What hassle? It comes to your mailbox and the DVD

comes with a pre-addressed postage-paid return envelope. Slip the DVD back in its sleeve, the sleeve in the envelope and seal it (no licking! :) ). When it's scanned at the P.O. the next movie in your queue is released (I assume Netflix has this system with the P.O. now, too). - K

[LeftyMom]

21. No hassle

I have BBonline. It rocks. For what three rentals a month would cost me at the store, I get unlimited online renatals (three out at a time) and two coupons a month to print out an use at the store for a free movie or video game. I just maintain a list of what I want and I get a new movie a day or two after I mailed the one I wanted. It's way easier than going to the store and the selection is much better. I save money and get more movies. :)

[Worst Username Ever]

22. Netflix ROCKS.

Also a big dem supporter.