Comments on: NetFlix is Ripping Off Honest Customers

By: Natz G

Natz G — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:27:35 +0000

Thanks for posting this. I have the 3-at-a-time Netflix plan and always wondered what would happen if I lost one. Now I know. BTW…I would have no trouble at all purchasing a cheaper replacement one and sending that one instead. I just can’t see the moral issue with that option at all

By: Fabian

Fabian — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:28:31 +0000

Hacking netflix has your story by the way and they are offering good solutions to your problem: Even a librarian posted a reason for the high price:
http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2008/01/netflix-dvd-rep.html#comment-96376092

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:46:15 +0000

I don’t think Netflix is ripping you off at all. I actually had a similar situation - called netflix, call was answered in less than 2 seconds and they stated i could either pay replacement fee of $20, or purchase elsewhere (or in your case, on the previously viewed section for 5.99) and return that instead.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:11:16 +0000

Sometimes doing the right thing costs more. Actually, it almost always does, otherwise everyone would do it.

I don’t think Netflix is ripping you off, they’re just trying to avoid getting ripped off themselves. If they were set up to check with the sales database to put a price on used discs they probably would just charge you that amount.

So buy the used one, tell them you lost the sleeve and send it back. They’ll be happy, you’ll get off cheaply and it is at most a teeny-tiny ethical lapse that no one will fault you for since its fair to all parties.

By: Fabian

Fabian — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:21:43 +0000

Josh, did you call netflix customer help line? I think they may help you more than we can as I have hear they have pretty good customer service.

By: C. Sullvian

C. Sullvian — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:44:11 +0000

Hmm. I haven’t been a Netflix customer in a year or more, but IIRC I had once lost a DVD and selected that option, and they did NOT bill me for the replacement cost of the DVD. I was on their $20/month option.

Makes me wonder if you’re being “punished” for being on the cheapo plan..

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:06:10 +0000

Here is a novel idea. Just pay the fee. You DID lose, misplace it, whatever. Maybe in the future, you might want to read the fine print on NetFlix. And keep track of your movies better.

By: Jeff Moriarty

Jeff Moriarty — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:49:26 +0000

Not that I agree with it, but I think the difference in price is because you would be paying for a new replacement disc and overhead, while the $5.99 is for a used disc of a movie where rentals have tapered off. Sounds more like two systems that need to be connected a lot better than anything nefarious. For a good customer they should be able to just charge you for one of their “overstock” and call it done.

Either way, I wouldn’t feel bad about buying the $5.99 version and turning it back in. You’re responsible for returning a disc to NetFlix, and I don’t see anything remotely wrong as long as they get a disc back of at least the same quality as the one they gave you.

Of course, you know you’re going to find that original disc as soon as you send in the replacement anyway. Surrender to your fate!

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:45:06 +0000

I would assume the $20 dollars is to cover the replacement cost of a new dvd versus the $5.99 price being the cost of a used dvd.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with purchasing a replacement disk if you can find it cheaper somewhere else and then having netflix send you a new envelope. To me this is good money management and both parties get what they are needing.

Also, I know for my netflix subscription that the bar code is just on the white sleeve and not on the disk itself.

By: Josh Bancroft

Josh Bancroft — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:37:01 +0000

@Matt G. - yeah, I could do that, but there’s the barcode thing, and the conscience thing.

@Spencer - That would suck worse. Blockbuster must care less about their customers than Netflix does.

@Matt E. - I’d be happy to blame this on the MPAA. They’re thugs and scum, at the same time. This is just another example.