Anyone else being impacted by new Netflix "throttling" method?

[SideshowBob]

SSB is just wondering if this is a new method to throttle by Netlix overall, or just in this region (maybe a test?). Over the last two weeks I have now had THREE times a message from Netflix that the DVD I had in queue was going to be shipped the "next day" from an alternate location (as far away from Florida as California). Um.... let's see.... an extra day before shipping (why?), AND from across the country... that'll add another 3 or so days, so then almost a week before I get a DVD that was listed as "available".

I have tried to find means to complain to them, but no easy contact form available.

Hope that all are having a great week!

SSB

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Hmm, not sure. Maybe I'll find out if that happens to us after I return one of the Netflix DVDs we've had for 6 months.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've never had a problem with Netflix, and I've been using it for a couple years.

 

[Camicar]

This is not new. Netflix has been using the alternate location throttling for a long time. I know bec it happened to me about 18-24 months ago when I had the 2-at-a-time plan. In addition to getting movies mailed from LA and Maine, I also suddenly had 90% of my movies on "long wait." I called them and complained and changed my subscription to the 1-at-a-time plan and suddenly all of my movies were available "now". It was fascinating how one minute they were all long wait and 5 minutes later, they were all available now.

For more info, Google "Netflix throttling".

 

[perdidobay]

I never have that problem, I sure hope you do complain to someone at Netflix!

I found this phone number on the website under HELP at the top right of the screen.

1-866-716-0414

When you click on HELP, it will take you to a help page,
on the bottom right of the page it says Contact Customer service , choose OTHER
and on the next page on the right is the phone number. You will need your customer account #.

Hope that helps!

 

[Robmom]

Hmm, not sure. Maybe I'll find out if that happens to us after I return one of the Netflix DVDs we've had for 6 months.

Me too!

 

[SideshowBob]

That is TOO funny about the six months ones... ack!!!!

I did do some checking, and does look like they have used this method in other times/locations. It surely is some kind of switch that they throw, as I have been a member for over 5 years, and had not ONCE ever had it happen, and now four times in two weeks.

Guess that SSB got a "throttle him" flag... ack!

 

[bicker]

Which specific discs? Some discs are either in such high demand or such low demand that it is not uncommon to have to have them sent from someplace else (typically their California headquarters).

 

[kinntj]

Nope.

 

[mamamary]

We just re-joined netflix after a few months break while DH was watching baseball The last few movies were sent to us also from "far away states" when it used to just ship from another part of Maryland.

 

[ead79]

I've had Netflix for years, and I've only had 1 or maybe 2 discs ship from a different state. These were discs from a TV series, so I'm thinking they probably don't have a bunch of those. I'm sorry you're having issues! Lately I'm really bad about watching my Netflix. I already downgraded to the 2 at a time plan, but I'm still bad about watching even those. I used to go through them like crazy, but now that TV shows have started again I don't have as much Netflixing time.

 

[Cindyluwho]

We watch 2 movies per week on average thru Netflix. When I send back a movie I usually have a new one within days, sometimes the very next day. I remember in the news that Netflix customers who rent a low number of films get the highest priority for new releases, quick shipment, etc. and those that rent a huge number of movies are sent to the back of the line.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

no, but we just started up again after taking the summer off.

I hope they don't start, we have had such good luck for so ling!!!!

 

[bicker]

Basically, for high-demand new releases, every individual customer gets roughly the same number of new releases per month (subject to what folks are actually asking for in their queues, of course!)

(It is not proportional to how many discs customers get at a time, so folks who get a lot of discs per month will get a smaller percentage of those discs as new releases.)

 

[Brianne]

Bicker's right, from what I've seen. It probably depends on the demand on the movie you're trying to rent.

We haven't had problems with ours, but I've gotten to the point where I use the "watch instantly" option a lot and let DH receive the discs. Otherwise we run into the same problem of holding onto a disc for 6 months as well.

 

[BCV513]

I've had Netflix for about three years, and I've only had one CD take extra time to come from a far away site. And it was a really random, hard to find movie. I figured they just didn't have that many copies and was glad I could get my hands on it at all.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Yes 3 years ago I was a netflix subscriber and they started throttling me about 9 months or so into my membership. I'm not with BB online and happy with them.

 

[Buckalew11]

Just wanted to say Hi, SSB. The lemonade stand was great!!

I've had the same movie for a month now. I've only had netflix for a few months and have not had any problems.

 

[EthansMom]

We don't have Netflix currently, but did have it for two different periods of time. First time, it worked great... sent movies out and they would be marked "received" within 24 hours or so. Likewise, I would receive movies within 48 hours of them being sent out. Also, as soon as a movie was received, they'd ship me a new one. We cancelled the membership when the weather got nice and we weren't watching as many movies.

Second time around, we got throttled in a major way. Movies we returned (to the box at the post office) wouldn't be marked "received" for 4 days or more, in most cases. Also, they'd mark movies as "sent" but we wouldn't receive them for 4 or 5 days. And it was virtually impossible to get recent releases... they kept sending older movies that were at the bottom of our queu even though newer releases were showing as "available for sending". I had to delete all older releases from our queu in order to get any new movies. After a few months, we got fed up and cancelled.

We have a Redbox at the local grocery store and we use it for most of our movie viewing now... Can't beat $1 a night for new releases. I usually go on the internet and rent the movie first thing in the morning, then just pick it up when I'm running my errands.

 

[SideshowBob]

Great info, everyone... thanks very much.

And, "howdy", Ms. Buckalew!