Netflix Throttling

Alex · 02-18-2006, 09:24 AM

Standard bulk mail is the equivelant of third class mail. But standard bulk mail requires that every item shipped be identical (not identical in shape and weight but also in content except for personalization of names based on recipient - so you can't use standard bulk mail to send out 500 cable bills).

Since Netflix's contents are not identical they have to use presorted first class bulk mail if they want discounted postage. That has the same delivery time commitments as regular first class. They just get discounts by doing some of the work for the USPS (barcodes on the envelopes, presorted by zip code, etc.).

So if you can reliably get first class USPS mail then you should be fine with Netflix. It doesn't look like they are running any special referer offers (usually one free month on the three-at-a-time plan) but if it is a while before you decide to take the plunge you should check on that first.

Drince88 · 02-19-2006, 06:54 AM

Thanks, Alex!
It'll probably be a bit - I have to decide if I'd really actually watch the movies at all. The 'reliablility' of my first class mail aside (I just got something on the 18th that was postmarked the 10th, from Midland, TX), I just started thinking about this, so it'll be a while before I make the plunge.

02-18-2006, 09:24 AM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Standard bulk mail is the equivelant of third class mail. But standard bulk mail requires that every item shipped be identical (not identical in shape and weight but also in content except for personalization of names based on recipient - so you can't use standard bulk mail to send out 500 cable bills). Since Netflix's contents are not identical they have to use presorted first class bulk mail if they want discounted postage. That has the same delivery time commitments as regular first class. They just get discounts by doing some of the work for the USPS (barcodes on the envelopes, presorted by zip code, etc.). So if you can reliably get first class USPS mail then you should be fine with Netflix. It doesn't look like they are running any special referer offers (usually one free month on the three-at-a-time plan) but if it is a while before you decide to take the plunge you should check on that first.
	Submit to Quotes

02-19-2006, 06:54 AM	#2
Drince88 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 481	Thanks, Alex! It'll probably be a bit - I have to decide if I'd really actually watch the movies at all. The 'reliablility' of my first class mail aside (I just got something on the 18th that was postmarked the 10th, from Midland, TX), I just started thinking about this, so it'll be a while before I make the plunge.
	Submit to Quotes