I received notification that Netflix is increasing the monthly 3 disk package from $16.99 to $19.99 starting in January. The reason given is for expanding all the wonderful free streaming content included in the package. Only problem is that this content is not available to us here in the VI. How about some kind of petition to get a reduced rate for those of us with a VI address who want a DVD-only plan?

Grab the flaming torches - who's with me?

WITH YOU ON THAT

I've often thought it would be a good idea to have a Facebook page or something which promotes equal status for territories where Netflix, music streaming services and so on are concerned.

I was particularly irked when Netflix broadened the streaming market to Canada but not to us here in UNITED STATES Virgin Islands. That was the day I checked into VPNs.

I'm with ya.

Count me in. You can get streaming with Sprint, but it's usually not fast enough.

Anybody able to get Netflix streaming on their iPhone without the frequent stalls from buffering? If the iPhone Netflix app works well here, I just may switch!

We got the same notice.
We are going to drop them.

I created one a while back RKS:

[www.facebook.com]

Granted I'm too busy to do anything significant with it. But please feel free to join/make suggestions on it and maybe we can make a difference!

Sean

I am with you.

Jim

I don't understand how hulu.com can stream here legally but Netflix says they can't. Which just seems ridiculous to me and I canceled my netflix a long time ago and use hulu and itunes and its cheaper.

I'm in!

I'm planning on cancelling in December. Hulu works for me!

I called Netflix customer service and was told that the more people call and complain, they probably would offer us a DVD only package for less money seeing as we can't get streaming. So....call and let's see if we do have a voice! 1-866-716-0414

They're just bumping up their price in anticipation of BlockBuster's impending collapse. By this time next year we'll probably all wish we could go back to the 'new' pricing...

I forgot xbox live also streams brand new movies to the VI. I'm sure ps3 does too. Netflix is acting like blockbuster is their competition and they simply aren't. Blockbuster was the dinosaur. I save anywhere from $2 to $12 not using netflix a month. I liked not having the late fees with Netflix but it was a pain to keep up with the queue and the movies would sit around for weeks and not get watched because I was busy or not in the mood when I got them. I want to watch what I want when I want and in this age of technology it is so doable.

If Netflix doesn't stream or download they are obsolete to me and most people in my age group and younger.

We are dumping Netflix. $8.99/mo going to $9.99/mo. It's not worth the x-tra $1/mo since we do not seem to watch more than 2 or sometimes 3 Netflix movies per month.

Jumbie -STX

Netflix is doing what Blockbuster never did. They are evolving with the market. Their business model much like Blockbusters before it is failing. The internet and streaming/live video will make DVD's obsolete. Just like mail order DVD made Blockbusters stores obsolete. The cost of printing the DVD's and mailing them has become an un necessary evil. They will eventually transition to straight streaming downloads, in the mean time they will continue to charge more for those that want or have to have DVD's. Hopefully we will get access before that time. I will say that I found a work around with my iPhone and can stream on net flix to my laptop.
Jay

Jay, I've been wondering about the iPhone netflix app. Which island are you on? The phone's connection is speedy enough for steady viewing?

We are on STT, I don't use the app. I jail broke my phone and use it as a modem for the laptop and the viewing is good most of the time. I have a state side number which I beleive gets me around the ip address issues. The netflix app on debs iPad works well but it won't work on local wifi I have to use my phone or it gives you the out of country bs.
Jay

The reason you can use your I-phone as a modem and receive Netflix movies in the VI is that the ISP that AT&T uses show up as being in Kansas. Has nothing to do with the phone number. My I-phone has a 340 number and I can watch Netflix on a teathered I-phone.


Jim

Jim is correct, You can also use the at&t data connect cards, but they only come in 5gigs of data usage, so... if you use it for regular internet use then you can only watch about 4 movies per month. As for going straight to streaming video only, that is probably what they want to do, but the buffering takes so long that it seems like they should continue to have dvd's as well unless they streaming can be improved.

@Jim Dandy if you are running iOS 4.2 on your jail broken iPhone you can grab an app off of Cydia called AirVideoEnabler, which should allow you to stream the Netflix feed to any Air Play device, like an Apple TV. That way you can watch the Netflix movies on the bigger screen. This hack should also work with Hulu.

You can complain about the price increase directly to the board of directors of Netflix by sending an e-mail to board@netflix.com.
Below is a copy of the message I sent. I'll post a response if/when received...
----------------------------
Dear Netflix board of directors,

The recent price increase will likely result in a loss of subscribers from the US Virgin Islands and others outside of the continental US. The reason for this is that your price increase is intended to cover the increase in online content (per your announcement) however those of us residing in the US Virgin Islands are unable to access online content. You are in effect increasing pricing for services that we are ineligible to utilize. This is very unfair and has been a point of discussion here in the islands. We request you offer a DVD Only plan for those of us ineligible for online content.

Thanks and best regards,
...

Or, you could switch to Blockbuster's DVD only plan (which includes options to rent from their store) for more than we're paying Netflix with the price increase! I'm testing Blockbuster's new claim now that they get movies 28 days before Netflix. Blockbuster mailed my DVDs yesterday, so I'm anxious to see how long they take to get here. Netflix is pretty fast considering.

i didn't realise blockbuster still had the dvd by mail option

Blockbuster's DVD by mail option is pretty good here, quick delivery etc. oh and Blu-Ray is standard as opposed to a $2 extra on Netflix. But the return in store thing doesn't work here I'm pretty certain.

I have the $5 plan which gets you 2 movies a month, one out at a time. They now offer games too which the $5/month plan is fantastic for if you are a gamer as you can't play through more than one game a month anyway! Only drawback is that the games take a few months to become available so you won't get the latest ones.

I'd reccomend the Blockbuster service though, had it for years and its worked nicely...no hassles including a period of time where I cancelled (just pressed cancel and it suspend, then resumed a few months later with my queue in tact etc.).

Sean

I don't think either of them offer the $5 option any more. I had it, but I ran out of movies before I ran out of month, so I switched to Netflix's one at a time unlimited, so I average one a week.

If I keep the Blockbuster subscription, I may start trying games. Switch up my play options.