Even the doggie is mad at Netflix. Credit: _tar0_/Flickr
Angry comments. Ticked off customers. Skyrocketing bills. There’s been a lot of nasty fallout from the Netflix price hike scandal (in case you missed it, bills are increasing 60%). Time for good news: I found five options for movies that are cheaper than Netflix!
1. Get a $5 credit on Amazon Instant Video
2. Free movie rentals from Blockbuster Express using coupon codes 62MDEB7, 23ZGDB8, 86EHJR3, 29KBDJ5, 44NCRP7, 35SVEM6, 33MMMT9, 72HLG2 and 38JDAB3, according to The Freebie Blogger. Valid on $1 rentals through July 22, 2011.
3. Free free Amazon Prime memberships for college students
4. Amazon Mom includes free Prime memberships for a limited time, though the perks can be extended for monthly purchases of $25 or more.
5. Local library. Public libraries offer free video rentals, though more-desired titles may come with a low fee.
UPDATE: We couldn’t stomach the 60% Netflix price increase changed our subscription to streaming only. We watch many more movies this way than with the 1 DVD-at-a-time through the mail. If we end up watching less TV and movies, that’s fine with me!
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
Amazon Prime for Students (also called Amazon Student) doesn’t include the streaming. Unless they changed it, the last time I looked, I couldn’t do the free streaming like Prime members.
Same with Amazon Mom, if I recall correctly.
Streaming’s limited to strictly $79/year Prime members.
Even with the Netflix rate hike it’s still a heck of a lot cheaper than cable. Everyone always complains when a company realizes you can’t make money off of free services.
I don’t think you can beat the Amazon deal…with it you also get free two day service with your orders. I order quite a lot from Amazon, especiall the subscribe and save element. Fits us well…
Then there is always the library. I get movies there free with two day allowance. Doesn’t get any better than that.
FYI, Amazon Mom, once you have made the $25.00 purchase of baby items in the first month, then you are an Amazon Prime Member with all the benefits therein. I have been an Amazon Prime member since 2006 and an Amazon Mom member since they began it one year ago.
I happen not to use the Amazon streaming, because I prefer to watch the Netflix streaming thru my Tivo, than to have to watch on my computer.
@Connie Hmmm, I thought streaming was part of Amazon Prime for college students and Amazon Mom, but I emailed the press office at Amazon to make sure.
Will let you know when I hear back!
I actually did better with Netflix rate hike – I was paying almost $9 for one at a time DVD and streaming, but never used the streaming – so now I will only pay $7.99 a month and I usually get 1 DVD a week, so it works out $2 a DVD – not bad!
@Michelle Ventresca I’m glad it worked out for you!
This is cool. I have streaming with xfinity since I have comcast. Never was big in the streaming. I went back to blockbuster because they have better content.
I use public library (one week rental or overnight for recent release).
Although I am not familiar with streaming, my husband said that if all you want to do is rent movies, Netflix is still reasonable. It is costing us $8.00 a month for eight movies and we don’t have to get in the car and drive to a Red Box.
Hi BB:
As I tell folks in my Cheap Date System, sure you have free movies (and music) at you local libraries…but…in may parts of the country you can ALSO get an additional library card from your local COUNTY LIBRARY, where you will find additional selections.
Another great trick. If you work (or your signifiant other) works in one city’s library system..but then you work or live in another library system, you can usually get library cards from BOTH systems which equals…more choices…and even more movies at the same time.
Final trick, each library system is different but some let you drop off the movies (books, music, etc.) on the day they are due in a drop off box as late as midnite, even after the library is closed…with no fine due at all.
Be sure to ask.
Uncle Cheap Date
My Netflix subscription decreased, so I am a happy camper and the service is great. When I want to do the streaming, I may check out their competition.
Begin to read more books and magazines. Borrow from the library or set up a lending library among friends. Develop a twice a month video night. Play board games. Garden or learn to sew. Maybe the fee increase is a hidden blessing.
I was a little upset about the Netflix hike, but am going to wait and think it through. I don’t get cable, so I get free TV. The hike of $5 a month is not that much and is still cheaper than the cheapest cable.
I refuse to pay for cable and all the “filler” stations I don’t want. I think that is more of a rip-off than Netflix. Plus, the “bargains” you mentioned are not really bargains if you think of the time involved…dealing with coupons, etc.
The Netflix deal is better with the streaming and the DVD ‘s separately priced. I am paying less money. The lesson here is nothing in the world remains forever. Only the press is making a big deal about the price. Everyone I have talked too, has said this is OK, they are watching DVD’s only or they do streaming only. You and all the press sound like Chicken Little..the sky is falling. Report on important things ..like the price of water going up.
We quit Netflix and now we watch regular t.v. and get movies from the library. Our library is very up to date!
The netflix increase does not bother me. If the rumor is true about netflix n Casey Anthony then I will for sure cancel my membership. For netflix sake I hope it’s not true.
Interestingly, I just got an email from my Blockbuster-by-mail account that said that I now get unlimited at-store exchanges. Up until the Netflix rate hike, I could only do 5 a month. It looks like Blockbuster is looking to pick up disgruntled Netflix customers by sweetening their deal.
It is bit rough to say the price hike is a SCANDAL! Netflix is getting hammered by the studios to pay more for the product. Better they go out of business?