My Netflix Journal: September 22, 2006

I need technical help with my web site. Someone is using one of my e-mail addresses to send spam. My Web hosting provider says the headers are forged ("a thorough spoofing job"). My host provider really doesn't seem that concerned although I don't like the fact it's happening. Any assistance would be appreciated. (manuelvillanueva@yahoo.com)

I received Shingu vol. 3 broken from Blockbuster on 9/16/06. Lately, I've noticed that I've been receiving next day delivery more often from both Blockbuster and Netflix however there's been an increase in broken rentals as well. Next day delivery from Netflix is truly rare. Update: This rental was shipped 9/15 and arrived damaged 9/16. The replacement arrived today--next business day shipping!

Cost/rental & turnaround computed using Price/Rental & Turnaround Calculator. Services compared using rentals "returned" or "received" during August 2006. Five Month Comparison. I had to restart my comparison since Blockbuster raised its price.

I received Great Teacher Onizuka vol. 7 broken from Netflix on September 6th. The DVD had a small crack on the outer edge. I was able to watch the first 2 episodes while the last 2 would not play. I reported the DVD as broken to Netflix and requested a replacement however Netflix failed to provide a replacement.

Don’t throw away those out-of-state envelopes! Mail them back to Netflix! When Netflix throttles your account they often ship your rentals from across country. Some of you, like myself, fight back by returning these rentals locally. For example, you return an out-of-state rental in the same envelope as one addressed locally. Instead of discarding those useless out-of-state envelopes make Netflix pay postage on them. I’ve been saving a pile of these envelopes and intend to mail them back to Netflix costing them many dollars in postage. Make sure and black out the barcode on the back of the envelope in case it links to your account.

For your information, returning out-of-state rentals locally does not stop throttling.

Data: complete rental history, problem rental spreadsheet, problem rentals. Rentals were counted using billing dates. Update 9/18/06: I overlooked a broken rental from Netflix which slightly changed the results. Also, the graph dates were changed to better reflect the time periods measured (8/14/03 to 8/14/06).

I like watching anime (Japanese animation). Unfortunately, my local video stores carry few anime titles. I've discovered DVD delivery services like Netflix carry vast selections of anime. Netflix sounds like a great place for renting anime, doesn't it? Well, it's not. First, there are long shipping times: Netflix takes a couple of days to a week to deliver your rentals. Next, your Netflix DVDs may not arrive in one piece (Oops!). To make matters worse, Netflix delivers scratched rentals that may not play or delivers wrong DVDs. Shipping problems are compounded by the fact Netflix has virtually no customer service-I dare you to find a customer service number on the Netflix web site. More importantly, as you rent more DVDs from Netflix, Netflix takes longer to deliver them. Service actually declines the more you use Netflix.

Netflix continues to improve in its anime selection year after year, yet other DVD delivery services such as GreenCine have anime titles that Netflix doesn't. DVD quality is sorely lacking at Netflix. I've used GreenCine for over two years and have never received a rental that would not play.

When comparing Netflix customer service to brick-and-mortar video stores there is no comparison. Netflix is the absolute worst in customer service. If you have any problems with a DVD rental from a video store, you'll get a prompt replacement from an actual person. Experiencing problems with your Netflix rental? Netflix resolves problem rentals with a "replacement." You'll soon learn Netflix's so-called "replacements" are paid for by the subscriber yet most subscribers don't realize this. My disappointment with the Netflix "replacement" process led me to post my experiences on my web site.

My first year as a Netflix subscriber was confusing. I was perplexed by an invisible rental limit which Netflix denied. How could this be? After all, Netflix advertised "unlimited" rentals. My disappointment with Netflix also led me to start subscriptions with other DVD delivery services such as Blockbuster and GreenCine. I began searching the Internet hoping there were other Netflix customers having the same problems like me. Fake web sites like HackingNetflix misled Netflix customers into believing there were no limits. In fact, anyone questioning the process faced ridicule by message board shills.

During my second year with Netflix, an increasing number of customers contacted me sharing similar complaints. Netflix finally admitted they limited rentals to their subscribers. Enough online complaints from Netflix customers caught the media's attention and TV stations began broadcasting customer's complaints of fraud.

My 3rd year with Netflix has been most unpleasant. Harassment from Netflix and their stock holders reached an all-time high after my interview with the Associated Press exposing Netflix's unethical business practices. I received a bill for $1,600.00 after Netflix attacked my web site. Considering all my difficulties with Netflix, I feel like canceling my subscription. Yet, I won't give Netflix the satisfaction.

Netflix dealings with spyware companies revealed in the latest issue of Consumer Reports (September 2006).

In March, 2006, the Center for Democracy and Technology, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, public-interest group, reported that ads for some well-known brands, including ProFlowers, NetZero, eHarmony, and Netflix, had in the past been served by adware produced by 180solutions, a firm the group has accused, in two recent complaints to the Federal Trade Commission, of unfair and deceptive online trade practices.

Consumer Reports

Blockbuster sent Urusei Yatsura Movie 2 instead of Urusei Yatsura vol. 39. Although I had already rented the movie 2 years ago from Netflix, I watched it a second time. I appreciated it better after becoming so familiar with the characters. I reported this yesterday evening and Blockbuster sent a replacement today.

I'm honored that subscribers e-mail me their Netflix stories, however please post your complaints at Netflix Complaints. Once your membership is approved you can post as many complaints as you wish whenever you like.

July Stats

Service	Monthly Cost (tax included)	Rentals Delivered	Broken Rentals	Cost/Rental (playable movies)	Rentals/ Week
Netflix	$19.07	16	0	$1.19	3.7
Blockbuster	$19.07	16	0	$1.19	3.7
GreenCine	$21.95	8	0	$2.74	1.8
Total	$60.09	40	0	$1.50	9.2

One of my Blockbuster rentals (Knight Hunters Eternity vol. 3) included in my July stats was shipped on the 5/12/06 and received 7/5/06 which seems unusual. I don't believe I had a rental laying on the table for 2 months. This appears to have been title that was held in Blockbuster's "virtual queue" until a shipment could be sent to me.

Flame of Recca vol. 2 arrived cracked in two from Netflix. I have a total of twenty-six broken DVDs from Netflix. This broken rental will count for August.

Until now, Netflix has denied any wrongdoing concerning their delivery and allocation system of DVD rentals however Business Week reports:

The judgment resolved a class-action suit that alleged Netflix sometimes delayed shipments to customers that rent more often in order to save on postage fees -- a charge Netflix acknowledged.

June Stats

Service	Monthly Cost (tax included)	Rentals Delivered	Broken Rentals	Cost/Rental (playable movies)	Turnaround Days*
Netflix	$19.07	14	0	$1.36	2.2
Blockbuster	$19.07	12	0	$1.59	2.5
GreenCine	$21.95	10	0	$2.20	3.0
Total	$60.09	36	0	$1.67	0.8

Kodocha, vol. 1 arrived scratched from Netflix. My DVD player played half of episode 2 then quit. I ran the disc 2 x through SkipDr and watched the rest of the DVD. There were still problems--the audio drop out throughout the DVD--yet I didn't want to use SkipDr too many times. I've found the disc becomes less and less readable if you use the SkipDr too much. The SkipDr has definitely useful with my Netflix subscription.

When TallRock.com went offline Netflix subscribers could no longer check if their rentals were throttled. I've made a calculator that does the job. I'm an amateur at programming so my version comes nowhere near the level of sophistication of TallRock however it produces accurate results. I may be criticized for the maximum number of rentals someone could receive if they select 1-day-shipping keeping their rentals "0" days. In this instance, the subscriber returns their rentals the same day they receive them. This would also imply the returned rentals were processed by the post office before it closed that day. I don't think most subscribers return their rentals that quickly.

I used my calculator to check last month's stats. I was busy last month and kept my Netflix rentals 2 days before returning them. Still, Netflix managed to throttle my rentals by 50%. Last month, I only received 13 rentals from Netflix yet they continue to throttle my account by shipping my rentals from California. I wonder if Netflix throttles for rental activity years ago?

Expect to see a Netflix throttling calculator coming soon. This is in response to TallRock's disappearance.

You should stop using the Skip Removal products. I've heard they do more harm than good. The best thing is just to wash the disc with warm water and dish soap. Then dry it with a soft tissue. Nicheflix explicitly tells you not to use any skip-removal devices on their discs, or you will be charged full price for defacement.

I agree SkipDr should be used with caution and as a last resort. I always wash any disc that appears dirty or heavily scratched. Using another DVD player to play a damaged rental is another option. However, if a disc can't be repaired by SkipDr it's probably toast anyways. SkipDr has made numerous unplayable rentals playable. If Netflix would credit my account for scratched-unplayable DVDs, I would stop using SkipDr.

I've mentioned previously that broken rentals will play if the label side is cracked. A few days ago, my wife told me a Netflix rental (Mirage of Blaze vol. 3) was cracked. I was surprised since I checked this rental for cracks when it arrived and found nothing. From a distance, it appeared the label was peeling off. I told her it was okay. My wife still insisted the rental would not play. I inspected it and found the plastic on the label side was shattered. The label side had several pieces that were protruding. I carefully pushed the pieces back into place and the DVD played although there were numerous glitches during playback. I marked the rental "damaged." It was in such a fragile condition I doubt it survived the trip back to Netflix.

An e-mail informed me TallRock.net is no longer online. The owner allowed the domain to expire. TallRock allowed users to check for Netflix throttling: Netflix subscribers simply entered their rental history into TallRock's application. Netflix responded by deleting the "shipped" dates from subscriber's records to prevent this check. I'm hoping TallRock will return online otherwise Netflix subscribers have lost an important resource.

Knight Hunters Eternity vol. 3 arrived scratched from Blockbuster Online. The first 3 episodes played fine. The last two episodes would not play in their entirety. I tried using SkipDr to repair the scratch. I noticed an improvement after 2 uses as I was able to view more of the last two episodes. However, after 5 uses DVD playback became worse, especially in my PC's DVD player. This is the 2nd time SkipDr could not repair a scratch.

Don't expect a scratch removal product to work in every instance. Some scratches appear to have fatal effects. It would be nice if Blockbuster and Netflix would allow us to download movies: Instead of requesting a replacement for Knight Hunters Eternity vol. 3 I could save time by downloading the last two episodes.

It's been 2 weeks and no one has covered this story. WHDH-TV in Boston decided to expose Netflix's shady business practices as well. I made a brief appearance and this web site was mentioned. Story includes video: Flix Tricks

You are receiving this notice because you have chosen to exclude yourself from a class action lawsuit entitled Chavez v. Netflix, Inc.. You may recall receiving... (read more)

Netflix denies any "wrongdoing" yet begs me to join their class action settlement. I'm still looking for a good lawyer.

Fact: I live in Warren, Michigan. My closest Netflix distribution center is Lansing, Michigan (distance 80 mi.).

I don't think 13 rentals per month deserves throttling yet Netflix continues to send my rentals from remote regions of the country. For example, my last 2 rentals were shipped from Worcester, MA (570 mi.) and Phoenix, AZ (1,700 mi.). Many of my rentals come from Phoenix. Although I received no broken rentals last month, I did experience scratched and wrong shipments. What constitutes a broken rental--one that doesn't play certain chapters or one that doesn't play at all?

I've finally experienced Blockbuster Online's price increase. Their prices mirror Netflix. I've updated my Price Per Rental & Turnaround Calculator to reflect Blockbuster's new prices, the addition of Blockbuster's 2-at-a-time plan, and the addition of GreenCine's 1-at-a-time plan.

I've noticed Blockbuster Online has been sending surveys to determine how fast subscribers are receiving rentals:

I don't know if I'll participate. Netflix made me gun-shy about these surveys. Netflix subscribers were throttled after completing similar shipping time surveys. Netflix taught me no good deed goes unpunished.

I've tried to find archived versions of Netflix's Terms of Use except there are none (how convenient). Here is my original service agreement with Netflix. You'll notice Netflix makes no mention of throttling effecting delivering times.

I was hesitant about placing advertising on my web site. I didn't want to give Netflix the opportunity to plaster their ads on my site. I've specifically blocked Netflix from advertising on my web site with Google's competitive ad filter using the URL, "" as the domain name. This is supposed to block all ads coming from Netflix. Unfortunately, it doesn't' work. Netflix has managed to place several ads on my web site (i.e. netflix calculators). See screenshot below:

As I mentioned 4/23/06, the Otogi Zoshi series comes with bonus discs. It was interesting to watch yet I wouldn't rent it by itself. As I played volume 2, I noticed Blockbuster sent me the bonus disc instead. Someone probably rented both and placed them in the wrong sleeves. I did watch the history portions of the disc then returned it.

My subscriptions to 3 services (all 3-at-a-time) usually provide more than enough DVDs to watch at home. Still, there are times when nothing comes in the mail. Two weeks ago I used my Blockbuster coupons to rent Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle and Otogi Zoshi vol. 1 for free at my local Blockbuster. Miyazaki's new film earned its place in my favorite anime. By renting Otogi Zoshi in the store I received the bonus disc filled with facts on Japanese history. Bonus discs count as a separate rentals through most DVD delivery services.

I didn't realize all of Media Play's stores closed. I still have a $20.00 Replay Rewards Certificate. My Replay membership didn't expire till 7/07. I can still use my certificate at Suncoast at the mall. Media Play was my source for purchasing anime--they had the largest selection in the area. I'll probably purchase anime from Amazon from now on.

Netflix competitor GreenCine recently lost its ability to link individual volumes to any series. For example, I could click on any series in my queue and add the next volume through a link. Now, if I want to add a subsequent volume I have to type in the search bar. GreenCine plans to add this feature back to its web site from what I've heard. Netflix is the only other service I know of that has this feature.

My Netflix rental of E's Otherwise vol. 2 was scratched with 2 episodes that would not play. Up until now, my SkipDr has successfully removed scratches from damaged DVDs allowing me to play them. This time my SkipDr failed. I must have used it 10 times without any success. At least, I was able to see episodes 7 and 8 after using it. Episodes 9 and 10 would not play in their entirety. Actually, the scratches didn't look that bad. I always inspect my rental before I play them and thought nothing of the scratches on this rental. The SkipDr removed layer upon layer of scratches until only a few remained. I wouldn't use the SkipDr more than 10 times on a DVD as it seems to do more damage than good. UPDATE 4/20/06: my replacement was shipped on 4/18 and arrived 4/19.

It's been over a week and no replacement rental for Great Teacher Onizuka vol. 4 from Blockbuster Online. I don't mind the wait so much as not knowing its status in my queue--it's not there. I reported it broken on 3/28/06 and it was taken off my queue ever since. Blockbuster says it's in a "virtual" queue and that I should get the next available copy. The only way I can tell it's still in my queue is when I query the title. The query indicates "In My Queue." UPDATE 4/14/06: GTO vol. 4 arrives in mail (shipped on 4/11/06).

If I knew it was going to be a long wait I could have ordered it from Netflix or GreenCine.

Due to attacks on this web site involving my opinion of Netflix I am allowing advertisements on this site on a trial basis to cover associated costs.

Dear Customer:

Our records indicate that your account has exceeded the monthly traffic allowance...

Traffic Overage charges.....: $1628.00

I searched through my records and discovered one computer had downloaded 284 gigabytes (GB) of data from my web site. To give you an idea of this size it's the equivalent of downloading 60 DVDs from my web site. Remarkably, only 2 files were involved: videos exposing Netflix throttling. The attack spanned 21 days in which the computer downloaded both videos 735 times a day.

At first, I didn't know where the attacks were coming from so I removed both videos from my web site. However, the attacks continued as the same computer began downloading 2 more Netflix videos (same videos, higher compressed versions). Finally, I blocked the computer from accessing my web site and the attacks stopped. The abusive computer was listed as "c-24-6-140-168.hsd1.ca.comcast.net" on my records. An IP lookup shows "BAYAREA" Comcast Cable as a match for the abusive computer (24.6.140.168). I'm assuming this is the San Francisco bay area which happens to be Netflix's home turf. UPDATE 4/7/06: I have confirmed with Comcast the IP belongs to one of their subscribers in the SF Bay Area. Comcast will contact the person responsible. I must subpoena Comcast for person's identity to take legal action.

I have 2 theories. One, the abuser attacked my website hoping to make it crash due to the volume of bandwidth used. Two, the abuser hoped my web hosting company would shut me down due to the volume of bandwidth used. In either instance, I would be forced to remove my videos exposing Netflix throttling: I believe that was the purpose of the attack.

The company that clearly appears to be most addicted to spyware advertising is Netflix, although Edelman stops short of definitively saying it is the biggest user of spyware advertising. "Netflix ads appear through literally every single ad-delivering spyware program I have ever looked at in reasonable depth," Edelmen says. "And Netflix usually funds these spyware vendors through multiple channels. For example, Netflix hires aQuantive's Atlas DMT to promote Netflix, and aQuantive hires Specificclick.net. But Netflix also hires LinkShare, which has a relationship with adprofile.net, which has a relationship with Adsprve1, which has a relationship with MyGeek, and so forth." (read more)

These averages exclude broken and missing rentals (see data). *Turnaround days-lower numbers are better. For example, every 2.3 days I received a rental from Netflix. For example, every 0.8 days I received a rental from any of the 3 services.

On 3/28/06 I received Great Teacher Onizuka vol. 4 broken. I reported it broken the same day yet no word from Blockbuster when a replacement will ship. I've requested a replacement except Blockbuster doesn't give any indication that it's still in my queue. I've called before about this. They say it's in a "virtual" queue with a priority on it so I'll receive it quickly. I hope this fixed when they update their web site. By the way, this rental was shipped from Okemos, MI which is next to Lansing (Lansing is my closest Blockbuster distribution center). I've received several rentals from Okemos. It's a shame their copy of GTO vol. 4 is broken--it's probably their only copy. I'd like to see visit the Okemos Blockbuster. They must have a huge selection of anime.

Service	Rentals	Broken Rentals	Unplayable Rentals	Lost Rentals	Wrong Rentals	Duplicate Rentals	Total Problem Rentals	Percent Problem Rentals
Netflix	800	26	2	0	5	2	35	4.4%
Blockbuster	286	10	1	1	5	0	17	5.9%
GreenCine	213	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Total	1,299	36	3	1	10	2	52	4.0%

Averages: Last 13 Months
Service	Rentals	Turnaround Days*	Rentals/ Week	Rentals/ Month	Price/ Movie
Netflix	175	2.3	3.1	13.5	$1.42
Blockbuster	176	2.3	3.1	13.5	$1.17
GreenCine	119	3.3	2.1	9.2	$2.40
Total	470	0.8	8.3	36.2	$1.67 average

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