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How Netflix was costing him $10 a movie

Posted Sep 05 2008, 04:14 PM by Karen Datko
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Like lots of people, "The Debt Defier" and his clan jumped on the Netflix bandwagon when it first showed up. They happily ordered movie after movie, turning every weekend night into movie night.

Then real life caught up, and they moved on to other things. Finally, DD reviewed their Netflix account, which cost them $4.95 a month. "Since January 2007 we had only returned/rented 10 movies," he wrote in a post at The Happy Rock. "Ten movies in 20 months. Ten movies for $100 -- $10 a movie. We were probably Netflix's favorite customers." It was time to cut the cord.

We're not knocking Netflix or other movie services, which often offer great value as long as you use them. The point here is that -- particularly if you're looking to shave unnecessary spending -- it's good to review memberships and other monthly expenses periodically.

"I hit cancel and I feel good," DD said. "Sure, it's tough when an era comes to an end, but we'll just have to get our movie fix elsewhere."

Some possibilities: His local video shop offers a good deal. Plus, there are usually free movies at the library and free online movies.

Happy Rock reader Sharon was also looking for budget reductions and canceled Netflix, Weight Watchers Online, and an online menu service. "These didn't amount to much individually, but added up together came to about $45 a month," she said.

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Comments

 

Its kind of common sense that if you pay for something you should use it, otherwise yes you are getting ripped off.  

Keith (Posted 09.05.08 4:38 PM ) Report Abuse

If a person is going to rent only one movie every two months, why did he suscribe to Netflix.   If he chosen to, he could have easily have rented 160 movies in 20 monthes.

His charge then would have been 62 cents per movie.

Larry (Posted 09.05.08 5:25 PM ) Report Abuse

Netflix really loves me - I lost one of the movies I had out.  I waited a YEAR before I admitted I couldn't find it - all that time I didn't have any movies being delivered.  So not only did I pay for the movie I lost, I was paying the monthly fee while getting no movies.  Sign me - the idiot down the road.

Bender (Posted 09.05.08 6:31 PM ) Report Abuse

I won't subscribe to anything that is going to cost me forservices that I can't possibiy

use to it's fullest, and most movies out there nowdays are ones that I wouldn't  watch if someone tied me down to a chair and pointed a gun at me

H Williams (Posted 09.05.08 6:52 PM ) Report Abuse

Wow, this article is so stupid I had to say something.

scott (Posted 09.05.08 7:54 PM ) Report Abuse

I am really stupid.  I needed to write an article, but I couldn't think of anything.  But I could have ritten this.  DUH!

Delll Frank (Posted 09.06.08 1:20 AM ) Report Abuse

I love Netflix! I work nights so I can't watch TV, and there's nothing on when I am home and ready to watch in the wee hours. For $10 a month (1-at-a-time plan) I get recent films that the library doesn't have, no hassle about returning them on time, PLUS the ability to watch as many movies online as I can stand. I'm saving a bundle on gas to the local theaters, tickets and snacks, not to mention listening to idiots talking on their cell phones throughout the show. Where I'm cutting back is on several subscriptions to magazines I used to enjoy but don't have time to read now. Everybody's priorities are different, except that we're all cutting back on something these days.

barnegat48 (Posted 09.06.08 1:33 AM ) Report Abuse

Netflix sucks,  they blame the problems on the usps, plus they do not work weekends at the distrubution center. It would be a good thing if you received them when I was suppost to.Now they gave that sucker come on watch movies on line. But a consumer hast to spend a $100 for a receiver in order to do that .

Renee (Posted 09.06.08 10:43 AM ) Report Abuse

I had netflix, and i loved it...when i had movies i wanted to rent.  My mother is a hardore netflix fan and she most definitely gets her moneys worth..and she always receives hers very quick, hardly ever any problems.   Once it got to the point where i couldnt find any movies i wanted to rent...i cut netflix off.  It was that easy.  Its someone's own stupidity to pay for something and not use it.  There is no contract to netflix.   And im pretty sure you could only get maybe 2 movies a month on the 4.95 plan, so that story seemed like bull to me anyway.  Im also sure they figured the online movies was a good idea for people who already have computers that are compatible to use it on, that's kind of a no brainer.

rb (Posted 09.06.08 3:50 PM ) Report Abuse

Renee, USPS is the problem 99% of the time.  I was having an issue with my letter carrier holding my mail an extra day, so instead of getting my movies within 1 day it was 2 or 3 days.  I temporarily changed my delivery address to my work and started receiving my movies on time.  it took 2 weeks fighting with USPS before they finally  admitted that it  was them and not Netflix causing my delays and I started getting my movies on time (well most of the time).  Also Renee, a lot of companies don't work on the weekends why should Netflix be any different?  Also, the reciever is to watch movies through your television from your computer, you can watch online for free.    I have been a Netflix customer for over 5 years and have always had a positive experience.

dym (Posted 09.06.08 4:09 PM ) Report Abuse

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