Absorbable

I cannot believe that the CEO of a MAJOR corporation, NetFlix, can brush off the concerns of subscribers about a substantial increase in price by claiming that, for most people, "it's absorbable." Incredibly, his condescending attitude about this being the right time to jack the prices comes with the assurance for the the cash-strapped user that, with about the same cost as a "latte or two a month," it's absorbable.

If an increase is absorbable for the consumer, how about if NetFlix takes another look at the basic math of 23 million subscribers each paying $10 per month as being a whole lot more absorbable for them than it is for the unemployed, under-employed, disabled, or retired work force? On the surface, it appears that NetFlix is already making one hell of a lot of income from its consumer base, so why raise the rates so drastically during difficult economic times?

However, as if that blase attitude is not enough to offend all NetFlix subscribers, he follows it with, "30,000 or so is a subset of 23 million subscribers. They're not speaking for the majority. But, their opinion is important and we value them." Thirty thousand complaints is a mere "subset" of the subscriber base, so screw 'em with the patronizing comment tack-on, "we value them." No, you don't value your subscribers: you merely want to increase YOUR revenue stream at their expense!

That's anal intercourse no matter how you spin it for the media.

Why will NetFlix get away with this action? Because people prefer the path of least resistance. NetFlix convinced the public that it was too much trouble to drive to the video store, pick up a movie, use the DVD player, and then return the movie to the store ... and America put an industry out of business when the little red envelope arrived in the mailbox. Once the cement stores closed their doors, NetFlix provided the next step to world domination: go on-line, pick a movie, and stream it to the TV set. Ta-da! There are limited options, so pay up regardless of how many lattes it costs you each month.

It's always about profit for the corporation, not concern for the cost to the consumer! My suggestion: dump NetFlix and enjoy an extra latte this month.