Netflix Throttling

[Gemini Cricket]

Manuel Villanueva realizes he has been getting a pretty good deal since he signed up for Netflix's online DVD rental service 2 1/2 years ago, but he still feels shortchanged.

That's because the $17.99 monthly fee that he pays to rent up to three DVDs at a time would amount to an even bigger bargain if the company didn't penalize him for returning his movies so quickly.

Netflix typically sends about 13 movies per month to Villanueva's home in Warren, Mich. — down from the 18 to 22 DVDs he once received before the company's automated system identified him as a heavy renter and began delaying his shipments to protect its profits.

Source

I don't rent 18-22 DVDs a month, but I am finding myself to be in the same boat Mr. Villanueva is in. I rent about 11 films a month. My Netflix films are taking longer to get to me and it is harder for me to get new releases. I guess I'm a heavy renter, but should I be penalized for that? I don't think that's quite fair.

I used to be able to return DVDs on Friday and get a new one on Monday. Now if I turn it in on a Friday, I get it back on Tuesday and sometimes Wednesday! I just returned 'Curse of the Were-Rabbit' on Friday and it's Wednesday and no new film yet.

I love the convenience of Netflix's service, but I'm thinking of just cancelling my account. I would go to Blockbuster's service but I hear they're going bankrupt.

Any thoughts?