CallWhatISee's  Instablog

Am I hallucinating or once was there a time that we could see what's New on Instant Netflix?

As it is, several aspects of Instant Netflix make it beyond annoying:

1) No way to see what's new.

2) Recommendations are based on movies that are not part of Instant Netflix. Whenever I start to get excited I realize I need to sign up for DVDs to get the movies on which it's basing the recommendations.

3) There's nothing interesting left to watch. Even the $7.99 / month isn't justifiable; I'm just wasting watching on things I don't care about.

All concerns for me about Netflix's stock. If I had kids I might keep it for cartoons, but I don't so I won't. I hope things turn around but for now I'd rather spend the money on 4 $2 Mad Men new episodes elsewhere.

Sad!

Disclosure: I am long AMZN.

It's early morning and I am too busy to read the real reason Netflix's stock is down 15+ at the moment.

My take: Their user experience is seriously broken. The selection on Instant wanes. Once I discovered Amazon streaming--and Mad Men's current season--I put my Netflix membership on hold.

The Instant experience and the sign-up overall is incredibly confusing. They still have DVDs but hardly mention them. Yet when it comes time for me to tell them what I like for recommendations I get all excited thinking all these great titles are on Instant. Au contraire, they are not. This only reinforces the paltry Instant selection.

I found myself watching things that didn't really interest me to even justify the $8/month. Perhaps I will return but for now I'm allocating that budget to Amazon streaming which is quick and easy albeit expensive per-episode in comparison. Yet it is cheaper than cable.

I hope Netflix rebounds and redesigns. They can do better.

Disclosure: I am long AMZN.

Additional disclosure: I have like 100 shares and don't expect this blog will move anyone's needle.