For some time now, I have been a fairly happy customer to Netflix, mostly because they have quite a number of Christian video resources.  Problem is that, since those are not the recent releases and down lower on demand, often they have to ship out of different distribution centers around the US.  This means that I typically have a 3-10 day cycle on a single DVD.  I upgraded my account a while back to five movies out at a time to compensate so that just about few days I would have a new show.

Well, this last week when they had their shipping problem I did not receive one movie for a week.  Supposed to receive a couple today a week later.  This is a nationwide issue and they sent out a letter about compensation.   They are giving a 15% refund..  Okay, let us see here, I was without receiving any movies for a week.  That is approximately 25% of my month which costs $29.95.  Not only do I receive nothing for the inconvenience, but I actually lose money. 

When I called in, I was told they were down for three days and that is the portion they are refunding.  I received no new movies for a week.  On Monday of last week I had received an email informing me that my next DVD was not available at the local (term should not apply as the center is 200 miles away) distribution center and will ship from Greensboro, NC on Tuesday (that would have been the following day from over 2,500 miles away).  On Saturday I receive an email stating the movie will ship Tuesday of this week!!!

Netflix, like many companies, seem to get too large for their own good and lose out on how to handle customers.  This was not right, I was paying for a service I was not receiving.  I know it is only a couple $, but it is the principle that bothers me, as a customer who is paying a premium (as many are not available from this State),  I would expect more.

Anyway, it looks like our relationship will have to go by-by..  I do not expect the DVD mailing business model to be around much longer anyway as set-top boxes and video on demand services will probably really be a big deal next year.