NetFlix "Throttling"

[Polypro]

I never heard of this before but have recently wondered why it's been taking longer to receive titles. Guess I've been "throttled".

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=netflix+throttling

P

[teknubic]

Maybe the aliens are getting to watch them before the movies get to you. That would explain the delay as well.

[src666]

This has been "known" for well over a year, probably two. It's just that the media never paid attention, so the general public has never heard about it.

I've been with NetFlix for years - at the time I joined, they had only one distribution center in California. It was obvious when the started throttling my subscription, but I still get vastly superior value from them than I would anywhere else. I would prefer not to be throttled, but overall I'm very happy with NetFlix.

[domc]

This is all true. Go to http://www.hackingnetflix.com/netflix/ to see some long term discussions.

When I first signed up I recieved my movies as stated in the terms of agreement. I was able to get 3-4 movies a week (2 movie out plan) on the free two week trial. After that I can only get 2 movies a week now.
I watch them or record them and send them out the next day.

I'm thinking of quiting.

[src666]

Originally Posted by domc

This is all true. Go to http://www.hackingnetflix.com/netflix/ to see some long term discussions.

When I first signed up I recieved my movies as stated in the terms of agreement. I was able to get 3-4 movies a week (2 movie out plan) on the free two week trial. After that I can only get 2 movies a week now.
I watch them or record them and send them out the next day.

I'm thinking of quiting.

Strange - 2 movies a week is VERY low, even for someone being throttled. I usually get 16-25 a month, depending on how efficient I am at watching, and how many I got the previous month. But I'm on the 4 at a time plan (grandfathered in from my original subscription), so that changes things a bit.

[ChePazzo]

Originally Posted by domc

After that I can only get 2 movies a week now.
I watch them or record them and send them out the next day.

I'm thinking of quiting.

Just so I understand . . . you're upset that for the price of purchasing a single movie every month, you are *only* able to add 8-10 movies every month to your recorded collection?

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by ChePazzo

Just so I understand . . . you're upset that for the price of purchasing a single movie every month, you are *only* able to add 8-10 movies every month to your recorded collection?

No ChePazzo, he's upset that the service is now THROTTLING his account. This is something that they didn't do in the beginning, yet are now doing without his knowledge or consent. Try not to 'selectively read' just because you might not agree with his complaint.

-PGPfan

[domc]

I haven't read the terms of agreement (I assume it's changed now) recently but when I signed up I read the agreement. It stated that it would take one day to get me movies. It was stated all over the place on there web site when signing up as a new user. Basically you mail a movie out on Monday and you recieve them on Wed.

I just mailed two dvd's out on Friday and am recieving two dvd's (according to my queue) on wed of this week. Geeezzz!!! And they are not even newer movies.

Yes it's still a great value and cheaper than getting them at Blockbuster ($4.50 a dvd in my area) but the reason I like netflix was that there choices of dvd's are excellent. Maybe I should check the Blockbuster online rentals. I heard they give out a lot of free coupons for the stores along with your online subscription.

Oh yea, It's hard for me to get new releases. A lot of my choices for newer movies say long wait or short wait in my queue.

So I'm averaging about 7-9 movies a month and when I was on the two week free trial I got about 6-7 movies it two weeks (18 a month).

Maybe there just going through some growing pains. We'll see.

[nigfink]

I use blockbuster and absolutely love it. I am grandfathered in for the 3 at a time plan for 15.99 and you can't beat the value. I know the price went up since then, but you also get monthly coupons. At least 2 free instore rentals, plus usually some type of previously viewed coupon (buy 1 get 1 free type thing). They come pretty fast (about a day or so) and they don't do any throttling that I can see. I would definately recommend them. The other great thing is that you can use your instore rentals for a video game if you want too.

[domc]

Mmmm...10-18 bucks for blockbuster plus you get the 2 -3 free in store movies even new releases on some plans. I may go for this and have both Netflix and Blockbuster for two months to make my evaluation.

You can even check if a local store has your movie in stock for rent. Pretty cool!

Blockbuster just may come out to be even cheaper in some cases.

[malore]

I joined netflix in 2000 and left in 2001, because all the new releases were always out and I only got movies far down on my queue and there was often an extra days wait before they shipped a movie. At the time I figured it was because of growth in netflix members, but now I think they were using throttling almost from the beginning even back when they had few distribution centers and mail turn around was long.

I rejoined in January and got 21 movies on the 3 movie plan and then quit. I'll probably rejoin this summer after my shows seasons finish up. Then I'll see if the time off saves me from throttling, if it does then placing your account on vacation might have similar results.

[garcia21]

Ive used both Netflix and Blockbuster. I havent used Netflix in quite some time but turnaround time for me, out of Los Angeles, was about 2 days. Ive since cancelled my account and use Blockbuster, which works for me. I like the fact that I can use my in-store rental coupons on video games as well. Video game rentals are pricey and it at least gives me the option of trying out the game for "free" before deciding if its worth buying it. Delivery is a bit slow with an average turnaround time of about 3 days but the coupons seal it for me.

[ji0005]

I get throttled but still manage to get 3 a week usually. My best bet for getting new releases is to send them back on thursday and hope they receieve them on monday morning. It is quite annoying, especially when there is a mail holiday, when suddenly you end up with nothing. Im usually satisfied as long as I get my 3 a week.. I have a big enough queue that I will get something, but if you really wanted that new release and are not getting it due to throttling it can be frustrating.

edit:
I live in Chicago and am served by the Chicago shipping center 99% of the time... I actually find a quicker return time if I mail the movies from my office in the western burbs than from my condo drop box.

[SubaruWRX]

They do it all the time for me!!
this one movie has been VERY LONG WAIT for over 4 months now..

However if I were to make a new account I could get it right away.

[domc]

Ok so here ya go, mailed two movies out last thursday and I am recieving them this coming friday. One week!!! to get my movies. I am 30 miles from the distribution center and the last two movies where sent to that center.

I don't think it's the post office's fault either. So I am getting "throttled" badly.

Screw it!! I am going to Blockbuster online.

[dvd_maniac]

I have used Netflix and cancelled after about a year due to throttling, I use Blockbuster now and I am much happier with the service. They just upped me from 2 in store rentals a month to one a week.
But I have been checking out another service called intelliflix.

Anybody else tried it yet?

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by domc

Screw it!! I am going to Blockbuster online.

Are we sure that Blockbuster doesn't also use these tactics? I didn't look at their Terms of Service too closely, but I did find the following passage which would imply that they reserve the right to withhold popular titles from their frequent renters, just as Netflix does. I wouldn't be surprised to find language in their regarding "Throttling" as well.

http://www.blockbuster.com/corporate...ditions.action

Selection and Allocation of Product. BLOCKBUSTER Online will automatically ship titles to you, up to your maximum number of outstanding BLOCKBUSTER Online Rentals, from and in the order that you have listed in your rental queue, subject to availability. However, BLOCKBUSTER Online reserves the right to determine product allocation among members in its sole discretion. In determining product allocation, we use various factors including, but not limited to, (i) the historical rental volume for each subscriber, (ii) historical number of outstanding rentals relative to a maximum number of outstanding BLOCKBUSTER Online Rentals allowed under a subscriber's plan, and (iii) the average rental queue position of BLOCKBUSTER Online Rentals that have shipped to a subscriber in the past.

[domc]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

But I have been checking out another service called intelliflix.
Anybody else tried it yet?

I just signed up with them. I'll let you know.

[ji0005]

Originally Posted by spacecadet

Are we sure that Blockbuster doesn't also use these tactics? I didn't look at their Terms of Service too closely, but I did find the following passage which would imply that they reserve the right to withhold popular titles from their frequent renters, just as Netflix does. I wouldn't be surprised to find language in their regarding "Throttling" as well.

http://www.blockbuster.com/corporate...ditions.action

Yea.. I was just reading the same thing over at hacking netflix. http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2006/0...uster_thr.html

It could be that Blockbuster intends to throttle but does not have the customer volume in most areas to warrant it.. but that is purely a guess.

[AndyS]

I've not used the service myself but if you're considering this service it might be worth checking out epinions before doing so...

Andy.