DVD-by-mail rentals: do it for free Aug30 '08

I am currently getting a free DVD rental for an entire month from Netflix, due to a lawsuit settlement that benefits Netflix subscribers.

This is a win-win for subscribers, and for Netflix.

You may think, "How is that a win for Netflix? They are footing the bill on that extra DVD being mailed back and forth all month."

Yes, but they're also teasing subscribers with the extra rental. Once those subscribers realize how nice it is having that extra DVD at home, they'll more likely upgrade their plan to include another DVD, once the settlement benefit ends. It's just extra promotion for Netflix.

This is why I think such services should just give away rentals for free, for a period of time. If you're new to Netflix, and not sure you want to do it, or if you recently quit Netflix for other reasons, keep sending the DVD's out (for a period of time). The potential customer (or former customer) will love getting the free DVD's, that perhaps they'll join (or re-join) for good.

This gives me another idea.

Netflix could absolutely bury Blockbuster, Redbox, and other movie rental outfits by offering free DVD-by-mail rentals ... FOREVER.

It would be a new plan - let's say two-out at a time is always free. But, with commercials/ads included on the DVD. This is exactly how Hulu works for streaming movies.

I'd be willing to watch the ads if I wasn't being charged. And, if I want an ad-free version, I would just pay monthly fees like I do now.

Categories: DVD , Ideas , Netflix , Services

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I see a couple issues with this. First, Netflix is already including ads in all its mailings to you. They are the ads for new movies printed on the ... Read more.

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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