Hi, it’s Meghan here, and I have some news for those of you who purchase previously viewed DVDs through the Netflix Web site.
As you know, our core business is delivering great movie rentals to you on DVD by mail and instantly to the computer and TV, so we’ve decided it makes sense for us to focus exclusively on that. This means we will stop selling previously viewed DVDs through the Web site. We’re sorry for any inconvenience for those of you who regularly purchase DVDs at Netflix, but we’re excited about being able to spend the extra time focusing on continually improving our core rental business for you.
NOTE: I'd like to clarify that although we will stop selling our previously viewed DVDs on the website after November 30th, this is in no way an indicator of moving away from DVDs. On the contrary, we believe that DVDs will continue to be important for the next five to ten years at least, and are continually adding new DVD and Blu-ray discs to our catalog.
46 comments:
What do you plan on doing with your old DVDs that you don't need anymore then...?
Just another step in their plan to eventually eliminate dvds entirely.
Are you going out of business? First you charge more for us to have the privilege to have BluRay movies in our que constantly at "Long Wait." Now you are taking away a source of revenue. One that I find very useful and cheaper than WalMart often times. I really don't get it. I'd love for y'all to explain it to me. Having teh DVD store can't be that big of a strain on your company. I really don't want to switch back to Blockbuster. I really love the Netflix service, and am counting the hours until it comes to my 360. But now I have fears that this is going to go away as well, because it isn't about DVD rentals. Stop the downward spiral people. Stop before this becomes worse than Blockbuster online.
Netflix will resell the DVDs to wholesalers in bulk.
New article confirming that Netflix is already reselling the DVDs.
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/10/netflix-street-vendor-update-totally-legit
From the article:
"We sell previously viewed DVDs to wholesalers who then re-sell them..."
Wow, really sad to hear this. I loved this service.
Blockbuster online still sells previously viewed DVDs...I'm seriously considering going back to them. And I really hate Blockbuster.
Yeah, not a fan of your new plan. I loved buying the dvd's through Netflix. I was just saying today how how convenient it was set up but now I'm quite disappointed.
what is up with you guys and removing features? Don't companies usually try to add features?
I'm very disappointed. I use this service all the time and it's one of the main reasons I use netflix. I'd hate to go back to Blockbuster as well.
Being able to purchase previously viewed movies from Netflix was a huge bonus of my membership. I am truly sorry to lose that benefit. I hate to lose features to my membership, and I hope this is not a trend. Times are tough enough, and I've already quit several memberships in an attempt to "trim the fat" from my budget. Please don't take away the features and perks that so many of us have enjoyed so much. Perks, like purchasing DVD's, have made my membership worth every cent. I've truly enjoyed Netflix as it is!
What in the world is up at Netflix?? One would think in today's economy that a huge company like Netflix would want to KEEP revenue and not send it out the door. I enjoy purchasing DVDs from Netfilx because they are guaranteed to be in great condition and at my door in record time. What brilliant financial mind came up with this award winning idea? Whoever they are, fire them. You all are now sending millions upon millions of dollars to Blockbuster, Amazon, and eBay. This without a doubt, the most boneheaded move you all have ever made... WTF Netflix???
This makes sense to me -- it's never seemed like that much of a core business, and the availability was hit-or-miss. I hope that NF instead partners with someone like Amazon, maybe $1 off the purchase of any DVD we've watched from NF?
I am not a fan of this idea either, I usually dont comment when company do things like this, but I had to this time. I like being able to buy movies at a good price and they get delivered to me...
Please consider revising this decision, its a major part of the service for me and many others
NOOOOOOO! please I love to buy the DVDs for my son to watch over and over!
Soledad
This seems to be a bad business decision. What do you plan to do with the extra inventory? This was a really good service and frankly it surprises me that NF is going to stop doing this. It seemed that this was a good way to gain extra money and get rid of inventory.
All I can say is after hearing this news I just checked Blockbusters site for used DVD's and what do you know - THEY SELL THEM CHEAPER. Seriously Netflix, this is incredibly disappointing news and is going to turn some users away, IMO.
Hmmmm... I've never done blockbuster but it's certainly worth looking into at this point.
Eliminating a service that is enjoyed by even a small majority of consumers is usually a sign of downsizing or a precursor to hostile takeover.
With the state of our economy right now, maybe we should be asking if ANY of us want to be aboard a sinking ship? Mark my words, if this goes through and Netflix doesn't reverse their decision it may well be the death toll. Does anyone else hear that?
STOP SELLING YOUR DVDS!?!?!? No way!!! I've been a loyal customer since 2004 and I never had any problems with getting late dvds. I buy 95% of my dvds from Netflixs. I really think you should rethink this through. I enjoy having this bonus with my membership.
I think this is very stupid and I'm disappointed. One of the only reasons I have netflix is to buy inexpensive dvd's. I haven't even got a new movie in about two months.
I enjoyed this "bonus" feature of Netflix, but it's far from a deal breaker for me. If anything, it caused me to buy a few movies that I probably wouldn't have otherwise, just because they were so cheap. Most of them I have yet to watch, as I'm too busy watching my regular NF rentals and Watch Instantly content. There is only so much time in the day after all. Don't worry about it Netflix, just keep doin' what you do best! As to those threatening to switch to BlockBuster...yeah, have fun with that.
Netflix, listen up. I and many like me have absolutely no desire to join a subscription service to stream movies online. I want a DVD in hand. If this is the first move in getting rid of DVDs then you have already lost my business. I will go to Blockbuster. I have been a Netflix subscriber in the past, but as I said, if you only do streaming content delivery I will be forced to go elsewhere. It's a shame because I was just about ready to cancel my cable tv service and switch to you. Let me sum it up for you.
Lack of online used DVD Sales + Phasing Out DVD Rental = IRRECOVERABLE LOST REVENUE.
Don't be afraid of change everybody. With an ever growing number of watch instantly movies and the ability to stream over a PS3, why would you even need to buy a DVD? If ya'll can't see that streaming is the future, go ahead to Blockbluster, this isn't the first time their lack of vision has cost them money.
I really liked this service. It was a great perk to the subscription service. This is quite disappointing.
I am very upset with this. I always buy all my DVDs here. GRRRR!!! This is a bad decision. I sure hope they change thier minds. Maybe I will have to check out the Blockbuster and I hate them.
I am really surprised how many people have bought DVD's from Netflix. I have only been a Netflix customer for a few months, but have had NUMEROUS DVD's that I received that I had to report a problem because they would not play or would freeze or jump due to scratches. I really do not think I would buy a DVD from them for this reason. Their inventory really has issues!!!
I have been with you since 2003 and am heartbroken about this decision. I have bought a lot of used DVDs for friends in Europe and I have raved and raved about Netflix. Hmmmmm, I think this is really an anti-member choice and I think it is just one more decision made by you that diminishes customer service and it certainly is a slap in the face to member loyalty. I was already stressed out because of election day but now I may just have to crawl back in bed and wait for all of this to be over.
I am so against this move. I watch the movies I love and then when they become available I buy them. I have a long history of buying Previously viewed movies and I'm not very happy that this service is ending. I guess I'll have to go to the local Hollywood Video to buy them which makes me wonder why I would keep this membership when I have to go to the local place anyway.
This is just one more change that makes it harder to justify keeping this service. I have really been happy with the DVD's, but if I have to go to the local Hollywood Video or Blockbuster to buy Previously Viewed DVD's then I can't really see keeping this service.
I am very disappointed in this decision! The purchase feature was the ONLY reason I've continued my membership, as 95% of the movies for rent are available in our local library. I've suspended my membership as of today and will decide in the next 3 months whether or not to just cancel it.
I don't see a problem with this. I've never understood owning a dvd anyway, I very rarely watch a movie more than once. And for me, streaming is the way of the future so I'd rather see them invest more in that aspect of the business. And I doubt it'll be a poor income choice for them, as someone mentioned they'll just sell them in bulk (which is probably easier for them) and still make money. So here's at least one vote of Go for it Netflix!
I don't understand the angst here. Their previous owned prices were never really good and the inventory was only crappy movies that no body wanted to rent anyways. Even weirder is people declaring this was a perk or part of their membership. Selling DVDs had nothing to do with your membership. The analogy is rental car companies. Their main business model is renting cars to consumers. They also occasionally sell used cars they don't want anymore. Sometimes to individuals, sometimes to wholesalers... none of it impacts your decision to rent a car from them.
This is a very BAD idea! Too many of YOUR customers enjoy this service. You take away this and it is just like slapping us in the face. I think I can speak for some of the comments here that it is ONE of the reasons why we joined Netflix. PLEASE do NOT punish your customers for being dedicated in staying with you and not going over to Blockbuster!
Very disappointed to receive this news.
I always thought it was a wonderful extra feature of your service, and so much easier and dependable than many other options for purchasing used DVDs. Often less expensive, too.
Phooey!
So it goes...
When Netflix first appeared on the scene, the idea greatly appealed to me because it was an affordable entertainment venue that catered to not only the couch potato, but to the disabled and permanently bedridden (those who can't go out to the movies, nor can they afford the ridiculously expensive prices of cable and digital satellite service at home). If it is true that you plan to eventually eliminate DVD rentals through the mail, and go exclusively to streaming video to computers & XBox, then you'll be losing these customers. Disabled individuals cannot afford to buy a computer that is "sexy" enough to stream video; they are typically on a very small, fixed income. Netflix gives them something to do other than wait to die, and it connects them to the outside world in ways that nothing else -- not even visitations -- can. Please reconsider this decision to cater to a small group of high-techies, and allow your policies to consider everyone.
PissedAtNetFlixYOU GUYS NEED TO GET YOUR POOP TOGETHER QUICK... IVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BEFORE... AND IM ABOUT TO CANCEL MY ACCOUNT IF YOU DONT FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX US PEOPLE WHO ARE GIVING YOU MORE MONEY IN UPGRADING OUR ACCOUNTS AND GET LESS SERVICE.. when i renetd one at a time not once did you not get 2 sets of movies out to me during the week.. but as soon as i upgraded to 2 at a time ( i started off a year ago with 3) you hold on to my DVDs so i only get 2 a week as opposed to 4 like im paying for a at $14 a mth.. I SENT BACK 2 AND YOU OBVIOUSLY GOT THEM like you always do BECAUSE IT SAID MY NEXT MOVIES WOULD BE SHIPPED TODAY.. I COME BACK AFTER 5 AND ITS CHANGED TO WE DECIDED TO SHIP THEM TOMMORROW instead.. AND ONCE AGAIN I GET ONE SHIPMENT FOR THE WEEK AND WEEKEND ONLY.. i have to change my selection and hold on to these DVDS for 4 whole days now... KEEP TRYN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS THAT PAY YOUR BILLS.. WATCH HOW THAT KEEPS YOUR BUSINESS AFLOAT
I think Netflix is stupid for dumping this part of their business. Maybe Netflix won't make as much money with selling used DVD's to consumers as it can selling them to wholesalers but but this is a service that I believe customers really want and have even come to expect. Selling the used DVD's at a good price to their customers was a way to set Netflix apart from other DVD rental services. Now that's one less reason to choose Netflix. If Netflix isn't interested in making customers happy, I say choose Blockbuster.
I think it looks like Netflix is in a serious financial situation, which under the current management comes as no surprise.
with an increasing number of ISP's putting caps on downloading, the idea of a web based movie rental service seems counter to reality. There is an ISP in NYC announcing a 5gb monthly cap, that would effectively make an internet based delivery model in the nations largest city a total failure.
But this lack of insight seems to be consistent with this and prior Netflix pronouncements.
Lol, i've never heard so much uproar for a service that costs 18 friggin dollars a month. If you don't like it, leave. It'll save me from all the "long wait" titles if you just go away.
On a side note with more and more ISP's going to capped data I cant see how the streaming will ever take off. ATT just announced a cap of 150gig a month. Also my cousin is on comcast and when they announced the 250gig data cap he called them and in conversation asked what about netflix streaming and the guy said oh know you cant do that.
Not a big deal, this was not that big a part of their business model. You can buy new/used DVDs anywhere and the unlimited access you have to their entire inventory negates the need to buy anyway.
Focus on putting more movies/shows on Instant Watch, as this is definitely where your business is headed.
Call customer service and complain. I have. If enough customers call and protest this Maybe they will change their policy. I'm calling them every day.
One of the big advantages for me being a Netflix customer, is the ability to purchase previously viewed videos. Purchasing PV-DVDs does not stop me from renting stuff from Netflix... It actually encourages me to buy more!
Please do not disable the service!
Lame. I buy DVDs all the time and I've picked up a few from Netflix. The REAL problem is that Netflix never got implemented a "keep it" function. I have a DVD rental in my hand that I just finished watching and loved: why should I have to send it back to Netflix? Let ME give YOU more money by giving me the convenience of not havinv to add that movie to another list of "to buy from someplace else". Gamefly does this and I use it quite often.
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