Blockbuster Cutting My Service!
I received this yesterday.
Friends, I am STEAMED. This change cuts my service by more than half. I currently pay $18/mo (since I signed up at the dawn of time) for the 2-DVD plan with free store exchanges which trigger the shipping of my next queued DVDs, meaning I can have 4 DVDs at a time. I also get one coupon per month for a free rental.
Not only have they cut my service, but they buried the info inside an email touting fewer dues, hoping I wouldn't notice. Feels like a deceptive business practice to me.
To keep my current level of service will cost me $12 more per month. The plan to which I'm being downgraded, doesn't even exist for new customers. The closest, cheaper plan is 2 mailed DVDs with 3 store exchanges per month for $17.
What about switching to Netflix? I'm reluctant to do this, because I really like the speed of in-store exchanges. Staying with Blockbuster means I'm paying $4/mo more for the privilege, over the Netflix equivalent. However, I could supplement my lesser Blockbuster service with Netflix's cheaper plans. The Netflix Limited Plan is 2 DVDs per month, plus 2 hours of online watching for $5. They also have a plan for unlimited DVDs, but only one at a time, with a bonus of unlimited online viewing for $9.
Game plan:
**Update 4/12/09. I realized I was too angry to stay with Blockbuster. I changed to the Netflix 3-DVD plan, and am very happy, paying only pennies more per month for excellent service. Netlflix turned out to be an even more convenient option than I anticipated, saving me a 6-block walk for in-store exchanges.
Friends, I am STEAMED. This change cuts my service by more than half. I currently pay $18/mo (since I signed up at the dawn of time) for the 2-DVD plan with free store exchanges which trigger the shipping of my next queued DVDs, meaning I can have 4 DVDs at a time. I also get one coupon per month for a free rental.
Not only have they cut my service, but they buried the info inside an email touting fewer dues, hoping I wouldn't notice. Feels like a deceptive business practice to me.
To keep my current level of service will cost me $12 more per month. The plan to which I'm being downgraded, doesn't even exist for new customers. The closest, cheaper plan is 2 mailed DVDs with 3 store exchanges per month for $17.
What about switching to Netflix? I'm reluctant to do this, because I really like the speed of in-store exchanges. Staying with Blockbuster means I'm paying $4/mo more for the privilege, over the Netflix equivalent. However, I could supplement my lesser Blockbuster service with Netflix's cheaper plans. The Netflix Limited Plan is 2 DVDs per month, plus 2 hours of online watching for $5. They also have a plan for unlimited DVDs, but only one at a time, with a bonus of unlimited online viewing for $9.
Game plan:
- Try to stick it out with lesser service.
- If that doesn't work, add $5 Netflix Limited Plan.
- Still not happy? Upgrade to $9 Netflix plan.
**Update 4/12/09. I realized I was too angry to stay with Blockbuster. I changed to the Netflix 3-DVD plan, and am very happy, paying only pennies more per month for excellent service. Netlflix turned out to be an even more convenient option than I anticipated, saving me a 6-block walk for in-store exchanges.
I get angrier the more I think about it. I'm tempted to dump Blockbuster entirely, and make the switch to Netflix. I'm going to stick it out a month with the downgraded service, though, before I decide.
Darn you, Blockbuster!
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