I finally decided to get rid of my Netflix account. It's something that I'd been toying around with for awhile now. I like that I am able to rent movies and keep them as long as I want. I liked that they had a wide selection of movies to choose from. I even liked that I could watch some of the movies online. But the bottom line is that the additional cost is not worth it to me; especially when I already have a way to watch movies at no additional charge.

This past weekend, I checked out the movie selections that come with the "On Demand" feature from Comcast Cable. I'd really never taken the time to look at all the selections they offer. This past weekend, I checked out all the selections and found that there are a number of free movies that I can watch. With the cable package I have, there is no additional cost for the On Demand feature. I also get HBO as part of the package so any movies that come on HBO, I can see them "On Demand" for no additional cost

I went in cancel my Netflix account and noticed they have an option to put your account "on hold". You can put your account on hold for 3 months and you are not charged during this time. I chose this option as it will give me time to decide if I really want to cancel the account. By placing my account on hold, I will still have access to the website and to my movie queue.
Netflix, you were good to me but you just don't meet my needs right now. I'll keep my $18 bucks a month for the next few months and use it for something more useful. If I decide I cannot live without you, I'll restart my subscription.




GameFly - Online Video Game Rental - Try them before you buy! Free 10 day trial!

9 comments

  1. Anonymous // April 3, 2008 at 7:44 AM  

    check out redbox and the various redbox free movie code sites online and you'll never go back to netflix

  2. Frugal Pursuit // April 3, 2008 at 7:51 AM  

    Is it really an all or nothing deal with Netflix? You could save most of your money by going to the smallest package. Or do you think you would not use Netflix at all versus On Demand?

  3. "Future Millionaire" // April 3, 2008 at 8:44 AM  

    If you can't find the movie you're looking for on Demand, depending on your library, a lot of them have a very current DVD selection. When I was in Atlanta the Fulton Country Library would receive moves about the same time as Blockbuster, you just had to reserve on line and wait a week or two before you received it. Even now in rural South Georgia I borrow just about any movie I want from the Library provided it was made prior to 2008.

  4. Melanie // April 3, 2008 at 10:42 AM  

    I am thinking of doing the exact same thing with my Netflix account. I didn't realize that you could put your account on hold for 3 months. That may be just what I need.

  5. Anonymous // April 3, 2008 at 10:54 AM  

    Here is a link to an article by Wisebread on how to rent redbox dvds for free.

    http://www.wisebread.com/never-pay-for-a-redbox-dvd-rental-again

  6. Anonymous // April 3, 2008 at 1:41 PM  

    Thanks for the post. I've wrestled with the Netflix question myself. For now, I'm keeping it, because a) I don't have cable and b)I've substantially cut back on my other entertainment costs--i.e., going to movies, going to concerts, etc. So reading (books from the library these days!) and Netflix are my two primary sources of downtime.

  7. SingleGuyMoney // April 3, 2008 at 6:06 PM  

    @frugal pursuit: I could do without it and just use On Demand.

    @future millionaire: That's a great idea.

  8. Mark Krusen // April 4, 2008 at 8:10 AM  

    I never have had Netflix but you have given me an idea. I think I'll call up Time Warner and lower my cable service down to basic cable. That's if I can still do it and keep my high speed internet.We never watch the premium channels anymore.

  9. sara l // April 4, 2008 at 11:18 PM  

    I did the same thing about a month ago. I've been using Netflix and catching up on things on my DVR. I think I'll be saying goodbye in a few months, though I love their service.

    If you do decide to stay with them if you do one movie a month it's about $9.