Netflix is Making a Huge Mistake!
I have just received notice that Netflix will be discontinuing an important (to me) albeit advanced feature.
As of September 1, 2008, they will delete all existing extra queues (Profiles) users may have; they already cannot be added. This is a feature by which my 3-at-a-time account was setup so I received a kid's movie when we returned a kids movie, or the next CSI when we returned this one, and whatever movie mama-ren or I wanted to watch next. I will now have to manually balance my queue as I did before this unique option existed.
The email cites:
While it may be disappointing to see Profiles go away, this change will help us continue to improve the Netflix website for all our customers
The company blog states:
Please know that the motivation is solely driven by keeping our service as simple and as easy to use as possible. Too many members found the feature difficult to understand and cumbersome, having to consistently log in and out of the website.
Continuing to maintain the profiles feature for the passionate few who use it (including myself) distracts us from the mission of presenting to all our members the easiest way to find the best titles for them from the 100k plus on DVD and the 10k plus available instantly.
It is cumbersome, so revamp it. If it is a distraction from broadcasting 10,000 videos, split that off from the DVD company and charge separtely for that new distraction which would be more profitable on its own now that there is demand and direct to TV converters for it.
It could only be a distraction from the DVD services if they are not part of Netflix's future. Afterall, adding 100+ Dora the Explorer, Diego, Blue's Clues, Sesame Street and Wiggles DVDs to my queue of action-adventure flicks is not going to "find the best titles" for anyone at all.
In short, I apologize to everyone I ever recommended Netflix on the basis of a unique tool. To those I would have, go rent the new stuff at a nearby RedBox, its cheaper anyway, or check out SwapADVD as a way to get rid of what you don't watch anymore to get stuff you want to see; if you hate it, swap it. Unfortunately, TV shows can't be found as easily otherwise.
As of September 1, 2008, they will delete all existing extra queues (Profiles) users may have; they already cannot be added. This is a feature by which my 3-at-a-time account was setup so I received a kid's movie when we returned a kids movie, or the next CSI when we returned this one, and whatever movie mama-ren or I wanted to watch next. I will now have to manually balance my queue as I did before this unique option existed.
The email cites:
While it may be disappointing to see Profiles go away, this change will help us continue to improve the Netflix website for all our customers
The company blog states:
Please know that the motivation is solely driven by keeping our service as simple and as easy to use as possible. Too many members found the feature difficult to understand and cumbersome, having to consistently log in and out of the website.
Continuing to maintain the profiles feature for the passionate few who use it (including myself) distracts us from the mission of presenting to all our members the easiest way to find the best titles for them from the 100k plus on DVD and the 10k plus available instantly.
It is cumbersome, so revamp it. If it is a distraction from broadcasting 10,000 videos, split that off from the DVD company and charge separtely for that new distraction which would be more profitable on its own now that there is demand and direct to TV converters for it.
It could only be a distraction from the DVD services if they are not part of Netflix's future. Afterall, adding 100+ Dora the Explorer, Diego, Blue's Clues, Sesame Street and Wiggles DVDs to my queue of action-adventure flicks is not going to "find the best titles" for anyone at all.
In short, I apologize to everyone I ever recommended Netflix on the basis of a unique tool. To those I would have, go rent the new stuff at a nearby RedBox, its cheaper anyway, or check out SwapADVD as a way to get rid of what you don't watch anymore to get stuff you want to see; if you hate it, swap it. Unfortunately, TV shows can't be found as easily otherwise.