You can't say we didn't warn you.
Back in July, we reported about Netflix's plan to raise their rate plans, and a lot of you took to your favorite social networking sites, message boards and emails to complain. Loudly.
At first, only new Netflix customers were faced with the new plans, and existing customers were allowed to stay at their current pricing. Well, the day has arrived: starting tomorrow, everyone must choose one of the new, more expensive rate plans.
Here is how the new plans shake out: you'll have to pick unlimited streaming if you want online viewing, and then a DVD-in-the-mail package at a separate rate, like:
- Unlimited Streaming Plan: $7.99
- 1 DVD out at-a-time Plan: $7.99
- 2 DVD out at-a-time Plan: $11.99
- 3 DVD out at-a-time Plan: $15.99
The combined pricing of most popular plans is as follows:
- 1 DVD out at-a-time with Streaming Plan: $15.98
- 2 DVDs out at-a-time with Streaming Plan: $19.98
- 3 DVDs out at-a-time with Streaming Plan: $23.98
Now, there was a lot of talk from users around the 'net that they'd be leaving Netflix because of this change. The Washington Post quotes two different studies that each suggest 40 percent of existing Netflix customers will jump ship because of the price-hike. There is no question customers did not like the idea of the new plans, but will the anger translate into a shift in customer loyalty?
We'll find out not long after tomorrow.
Adrian covers daily news as well as the weekly Law & Apple column for MacLife.com. You can follow him on Twitter, if you want to.
powermixx
September 01, 2011 at 8:17am
With fast internet from my ISP:
Between start/stop of the movies while watching, the Sony EULA resign requirements (PS3) and netflix poor selection of downloadable movies, it's a no-brainer. GONE!Thank you for the reminder!
paulold
September 01, 2011 at 8:06am
Back in Jan 2011, my plan (for one blu ray out at a time plus streaming) went from $11.54 to $12.59 (9% increase). Just that change had me reconsidering my plan. Then when I heard they were going to change the pricing yet again (thus two pricing increases in less than a year), I decided to reduce my plan to just streaming. One thing these pricing plan articles leave out is the additional charge for choosing blu ray instead of regular dvd. So I think my plan was going up to $17.98 ($15.98 plus $2 surcharge). This represents a 43% increase over what I was paying in 2011 (a 56% increase over what I was paying just this past December). I'm still not happy with the selection of HD titles on the streaming plan, so I might decide to cancel Netflix altogether if I find I'm not really using the service.
Hopefully the word will get out, cause it's possible a lot of subscribers won't even notice their monthly, automatic payments have changed.
dd0723
August 31, 2011 at 9:55pm
I already jumped ship and canceled my account. I found that crackle and hulu combined, give me what I need, and I haven't used netflix as much for the past 2 months.
D0GG
August 31, 2011 at 5:24pm
You are a little incorrect in your post
It is true that this is the month that Netflix will be changing the pricing on their services.
Where you are incorrect is that you have until the day before you are billed to make the change to a different plan, if you are going to make any changes.
My billing date, for example, is the 25th. So I am going to change my plan on the 24th. This way I get my larger number of DVDs in the mailbox for a couple more exchanges before I drop to the lower number.
