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| Cracked Netflix Blu-Ray Disc Problem |
| Monday, 24 September 2007 | |
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I’ve been a paying customer for around 4 years now and I can only remember receiving one or maybe two bad discs during that time. I have phoned Netflix a couple times so far. I initially called to confirm whether other people where having this problem or if it was just me. I had receive 3 bad disc out of 4 at that point. The representative said they were unaware of anyone else having issues with the Blu-Ray discs. She offered me a discount on my next month’s service, which only made me feel cheated when I saw other people getting bigger discounts for 6 months. I called again when I recevied the forth defective disc. I wanted to verbally update them that I’ve 4 out of 5 now, and thought perhaps a different representative might have more information than the first. The second agent also stated they were unaware of any issues with cracked Blu-Ray discs. I questioned why I received a small discount on my next month’s service while I had read others had received a 6 month discounted service. To this the new rep offered me an extra movie a month for two months. I really like Netflix, so it’s hard to be mean, but a couple a free movies and a small 1 month discount versus 50% off for 6 months... (sigh, nice guys lose again). It’s just a theory, but there appears there might be a problem with older discs. This could be related to the age of the disc in which all Netflix Blu-Ray discs will eventually have the problem, or perhaps just a batch of first generation discs that crack going through the mail or some sorting machine. I say this because I’ve seen others with the same problem but the problem seems to go away. Perhaps they rent older movies at first and then move to new releases? Perhaps the first discs they rent are some of the first Blu-Ray movies available? I’m not sure, but I’ll update this post with any new information I get. So far the defective (cracked disc) movies I’ve received are: 9/13/2007 – Casino Royale (Not recognized by player) 13 cracked out of 24 as of 2007-10-18
2007-10-04 Update: I received two more Blu-Ray discs today, and on a whim I tried playing them. I was surprised that they both played perfectly even though both had the same hair line crack at the edge of the disc. I let them run through while I was working in my office. I wasn’t in front of the screens the entire time, but I believe they each played fine with no freezes or sound problems. I’m now curious if some of the other disc would have played okay even though the crack was present. I tested some of the disc in the past but not all of them. The first two discs I received that were cracked, I had tried in multiple players and even took them to a friend’s house to try. The disc were not recognized by the player at all in that case. I had tried a couple of the other discs I had received but not all of them. My experienced with the first two disc mislead me to believe that the present of the crack would indicated a defective disc. When updating this post in the future, I will note if the disc played or not. The first thing that pops to mind about this new evidence is perhaps Babel and Happy Feet did not span the entire disc to where information would have fallen in the area where the disc was cracked.  Comments (144)
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Blu-Ray has a hard coating that makes them less flexable, hence more cracking. It's not Netflix problem. I had GamezNFlix, and their Blu-Ray movies have the same problem. Lots of them are cracked.
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I can't say I'm glad to hear others are having this problem also, but at least I now have some proof of the problem if blockbuster tries charging me for the discs. I have had blockbuster and/or netflix services for many years and have never had a broken disc until I started receiving bluray discs. Unfortunately the discs I'm receiving are cracked completely in half or from the outside edge to the center. If I called blockbuster they would probably the me to stfu and quit whining about it since I don't think customer service is their forte.
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We just had the exact same problem, (also with Casino Royale, co-incidentally), and we're now 2 for 2 disks with a crack that looks exactly like your picture. I just got off the phone with Netflix, and the lady was telling me that they had 'no reports' of this problem on their website. I don't know if I'll be told that the next time this happens or not. I really was trying to call to try to get them to start looking at the problem, but I don't think it got through.
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I had a similar situation with a regular DVD last month. I ended up renting the same movie three times due to a fractured disc. Netflix could improve there packaging to prevent this type of problem, but there's no guarantee that the USPS isn't going to stomp, smash, bend or shove the disc into a mailbox.
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I just had 2 "Vacancy" discs in a row from netflix cracked exactly like the picture. Wouldn't play. It's good to see other people are having the same problem. I thought I was having some really horrible luck. I have rented over 20 blu ray discs without problems until now. Must be certain discs with some kind of manufacturing problem.
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I had the same thing happen to me. I've rented 12 BluRay discs, and 7 have been cracked. The CSR I spoke with did indicate they are aware of the problem, but have no plans to ship BR movies with any more protection than the zero protection their thin paper sleeves offer. Netflix could solve this problem by using cardboard/padded mailers, but it's cheaper for them to reship movies. Until enough people make enough noise about this issue, they will not fix this problem.
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RE: John G: ...
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January 22nd, 2008. The last 6 BluRay movies I received were identically cracked. Annoying, I signed in on Netflix because I wanted to access their BluRay selection. I thought I should contact Netflix to report the problem so the whole library wouldn't be ruined. They don't really encourage relationship with the customer, do they. I was surprised to see on this blog that this issue has been going on for the last 6 months and has not been addressed. I'm not too sure what I think about Netflix now. I'm sure if some big shot blogger would start making some noise about is suddenly they would start looking for solutions...
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While I haven't had the cracking problem, the last 2 discs I received ... Perfect Stranger and The Lake House ... were unplayable. Perfect Stranger had what appeared to be swirling striations of color on the disc. It loaded, but wouldn't play at all. The Lake House had 3 huge scratches and froze constantly. I did as suggested and wrote Damaged! on the sleeve. and pointed out the reasons.
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Same problem here now 3/5 .. I wish I had seen this site before I went through the pain of sending my PS3 back to Sony for them to replace the Blu Ray laser .. turns out it was probably the cracks on the BD disks as I found the same cracks. Netflix has to address this or I smell a class action lawsuit coming.
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Just a comment about the cracks: CDs read from the inside out -- the beginning is near the hole. If DVDs work the same (I think they do) then a crack near the outside edge might not matter if the movie isn't long enough to get out that far. Trouble is -- if the movie IS that long you'll only have trouble near the end which is REALLY BAD!
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Rich...
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I have had the same problem. Almost all of the blu-ray discs I get from Netflix are cracked near the edge. I now check every blu-ray disc before I attempt to play it, and I'd estimate 3 of 5 arrive damaged. Glad to know others are having the same problem. Netflix will need to fix this very soon.
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I've rented 9 Blu Rays from Netflix and so far 5 of them have been unplayable.
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We just started with Netflix soley for the BD option. Of the 15 disks sent to us 11 were cracked. I called today b/c our "free trial" was worthless as we spent all our time returning broken disks. The Rep claimed surprise about the issue and told me that it is a US Postal Service problem and that I should complain to them. Seems to me if 75% of what you send through the mail is damaged it has more to do with your packaging than a rouge mailperson tossing BDs around. Wouldn't a better shipping package be cheaper than replacing thousands of broken BDs and lost customers?
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4 of my first 6 Blu-ray movies from Netflix arrived with a seemingly identical crack on the outer edge of each disk. The damaged area is difficult to find. Like you, at first I thought it was my hardware (PS3). I've found that quite a few netflix subscribers online STILL have the same issue. I just got off the phone with netflix customer support. The representative claimed it was damaged during shipping and discounted me 25% off next months' bill. Looking at this posting original date, this problem has continued for a full year. And honestly, by the netflix representive's tone and reaction to my claims, i think her comment on "damaged during shipping" was BS.
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I have received two titles from Netflix.
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Just so you know, I've now had problems now with 3 out of 4 BD movies for Netflix. Fantastic 4:RSS, AVP:Req, and Spidy 3. All have the same small crack in almost the exact same place on the outer side of the disk. Surely that kind of consistency indicates some sort of problem at the Netflix facility, wouldn't ya think? All of us from different parts of the country (presumably) with the exact same problem? If it was really damaged in shipment wouldn't the damage be in different spots on the disk, large or smaller, etc? Why can't I stop asking questions?
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I have an unplayable Terminator 3 from Netflix right now. I could play the first 15 mn of the movie and then my PS3 would come up with a "80029940" error, as many others have experienced. However, I DON'T have the crack. The disc is pristine. I have no clue what the problem could be, I tried to clean the disc and it still blocks at the same point in the movie. I had the same problem with Planet Earth. I also have a subscription to Gamefly and my PS3 games are shipped in a very tick sleeve. I guess they acknowledged and corrected the problem, contrary to Netflix. Whoever starts shipping movies in ticks sleeves, I take my business to them.
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HI guys. I just wanted to say that I have not had a similar experience. I have received at least 10 Blu-ray movies from Netflix and have not had one problem until I received "Untracable" today. I have a feelign if thay all have an identical crack that the mail sorting machines are to blame. I do not see how better packaging could prevent the cracks from the torsion on the disks as they are processed by the USPS. I think the issues is just that BD's are too thin.
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Hi,
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I have had this problem 4 times since I changed from regular DVD to Blu Ray. The latest was 21. I was real upset because it seemed to be a great movie until frame 15, had 21 frames. Netflix needs to get this problem taken care of promptly or I guarantee they will loose a customer. I will rent from Red Box instead. It's ok to increase your membership 1.00, what for either the DVD is cracked or I have a 2 month waiting list.
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Netflix could easily fix this problem with an envelope change.
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Same here, unfortunately. We just bought a Blu-Ray player for the sole reason that Netflix has Blu-Ray discs. Out of the first 5 titles, we've had to have 9 shipments. (And counting... the brand-new "Hancock" disc just showed up tonight with the crack.)
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Yup, the Hancock replacement showed up last night with a nice 3/4" crack. We wrote "CRACKED" on the playing surface with a Sharpie and sent it back. We're now up to 5 out of 10 shipments with cracked Blu-Ray discs.
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I found this blog by accident. I thought I was the only one.. I bought a new panasonic blu-Ray player - I then ordered a Blu-Ray from netflix. When it came I looked at it for scratches etc., before I played it - I didn't see any, so I played it. At first I got a copyright protection message. I tried again and it played for about 1 hour of the 2 hour movie. Then it froze up, I tried to skip past it and could not. I tried again - my Blu-Ray player kept making a clicking noise. I closely re-examined the disk and sure enough it is cracked on the edge. My question is can a cracked disk DAMAGE your Blu-Ray Player? I am worried that I may have damaged my player. If it could damage it what kinds of damage should I look for. If it is damaged Netflix is going to be buying me a new player!!!
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I found this blog by accident. I thought I was the only one.. I bought a new panasonic blu-Ray player - I then ordered a Blu-Ray from netflix. When it came I looked at it for scratches etc., before I played it - I didn't see any, so I played it. At first I got a copyright protection message. I tried again and it played for about 1 hour of the 2 hour movie. Then it froze up, I tried to skip past it and could not. I tried again - my Blu-Ray player kept making a clicking noise. I closely re-examined the disk and sure enough it is cracked on the edge. My question is can a cracked disk DAMAGE your Blu-Ray Player? I am worried that I may have damaged my player. If it could damage it what kinds of damage should I look for. If it is damaged Netflix is going to be buying me a new player!!!
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We're now up to 8 out of 12 Blu-Ray discs received with a crack... a 75% failure rate!
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Over the last 3 months 13 of the last 16 have arrived with the same crack. Replacements come cracked as well. Conacted Customer service and they said they were looking into better packaging, but I should call the post office to complain. At first they acted as though I was the only one to report such a thing, until I mentioned the message boards regarding this issue and they seemed to change their tune and offer one month free service. If this does not improve soon, I will be going elsewhere.
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16 out of 25 blu-ray discs sent to me from Netflix had this issue. Each time I call to complain, Netflix tells me that my Panasonic brand blu-ray player is known to be too sensitive and they never had any issues with cracked blu-ray discs. Are there other players out there that are playing through the cracks? I can generally start the movie but then it locks up after 20 or 50 minutes. I have had replacements 4 times on multiple discs each with the same cracking issue. As far as I can tell, Netflix is not even acknowledging that there is a re-occurring problem with their blu-ray discs, let alone doing anything about it. Netflix support basically told me that they cannot do anything other than to keep replacing the cracked discs and suggested that I should rent my blu-ray movies at a store instead.
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I'm glad I'm not alone. I have the exact same problem with cracked blu-ray discs. I thought at first it was just bad luck or bad postage issues with my post office. I didn't realize that this was widespread. I had a feeling since I live in MN and my problem started in the winter time, that it was maybe the blu-ray coating being fragile in single-digit temperatures.
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I had perfect blurays for a few months. Then all of the sudden I've received 3 discs in a row with the same crack. Two of them have some white sticker around the center. I'm not sure if it's related to anything.
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I've been a Netflix subscriber for nearly 7 years on and off and had a few problems that were easily fixable during that time. It seems that the Blu ray discs arriving damage is a larger issue than those have been. With standard def disks, there would be one or two that were scratched or unplayable, but a little Windex would usually solve the problem. The Blu ray format appears to be more fragile, in that you can't use a rag and window cleaner to fix the problems you find. I've been on the Blu ray plan since September and didn't really have a problem until last month when a disc arrived, looked fine, but wouldn't play in my player. It wasn't a film I was dying to see, so I returned it without getting a duplicate. In the past 2 weeks I have received two more discs that either skip or freeze at various points in the film. Usually the skip/freeze is isolated and doesn't really affect the viewing, but I'm paying for a subscription, this stuff shouldn't be happening. I don't know what Netflix is going to do to remedy this problem. I'm not even sure they realize there's a problem. I've been writing damaged on the sleeves, but who knows if these discs are getting retired or recirculated.
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I had limited success getting cracked discs to play (PS3) by hitting the next chapter button while the disc was struggling to load.
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We have had Netflix only since Christmas 2008. It is now 1/09 and we have had to return 4 out of 6 Blue Ray disks ordered. We have called and emailed. They are charged us an extra dollar for Blue Ray viewing and we want it off our bill. We have asked for Blue Ray not to be sent to see if service will improve.
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Same problem for us. I thought at first that Netflix had a way to erase the disk as my wife and I don't watch the movies right when they arrive. But, last night we set down to watch 3:10 to Yuma. The disk would not load past the very first studio screen. No cracks on the disk, but the edges look very odd, not smooth like a normal DVD. To salvage the night, we put in the new Batman Blu-Ray movie, no dice either. It wouldn't even get past the first chapter (black screen). Good thing we get three movies, we watched the Bank Job (non Blu-Ray). Out of all the Blu-Ray movies we've gotten from NetFlix, I've only gotten 1 or 2 to work in my Sony BR1000 player.
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I've notice this problem ever since I joined Netflix. I thought since the crack are always the same, that maybe they have an issue with a "selector" machine that clips to the disc to be mailed. If you notice, blu rays are slightly thicker than dvds, and thus maybe there is just to much pressure being placed on them when being grabbed. If anyone has heard anything more about this, please let me know, because at this point I am thinking of switching to Blockbuster.
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I am glad I found this blog too. I thought my new Samsung Bluray (BR) player was cracking the BR disks or the mailman was being mean to me. I have received 3 cracked BRs out of 7. Netflix Customer Service confirmed what has been said on here about BR disks being less flexible than DVDs and the USPS’ mail sorter was probably cracking the BRs. Thus, he said I could file a complaint with the USPS in hopes of the USPS not using the sorter for Netflix movies. When I asked him if Netflix was going to implement a solution to prevent the cracks, he did not say no. Yet, he did say that Netflix had compared the cost of buying replacement BRs as opposed to improving the shipping material. The result of that comparison is that it is more cost effective for Netflix to replace the cracked BRs. However, I wonder how much money Netflix stands to lose from unsatisfied customers cancelling their accounts. In closing, besides his suggestion for me to complain to the USPS, he suggested I go back to watching DVDs. Since this is a known issue with no solution insight, I guess I will return my BR player, cancel my Netflix subscription, and hope a solution will be found by 2010.
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Ahh! Right there with everybody on this. So far 3 for 4 on cracked BRs from Netflix. I've been sending back the same movie for a whole month now. I thought they just kept sending me the same cracked disk back. Ugh! Might have to cancel the BRs from Netflix too. How does the Blockbuster service compare?
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Spoke to Netflix tonight with 3 of 3 BRs from Netflix not playing. Netflix rep state they are aware of the problem and that it appears to be regional. The return discs are to be hand sorted at the Post Office but when the big roller machine sorts the discs it damages the BRs and not the plain DVDs. I stopped our BR service and told them I'd watch the blogs to see when they correct the problem and then maybe try again.
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I started using Bluray's from Netflix in January. I started having trouble immediately. I've called them several times to report problems and each and everytime they've been very helpful sending me extra discs and giving me various credits (bonus discs, free months).
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The problem just may be regional - I get most of my discs from the Tacoma distribution center which is only about 45 miles from my house. 7 out of 10 discs on average are cracked - I just got a disc delivered all the way from the Dallas Distribution center and it made it that far just fine. This leads me to believe it is something at the distribution center here in Washington.
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One half of the disc going into the inner circumference was completely cracked, made it look kinda like a doorknob hanger, which was precisely as useful as it was...
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Just a note to all of you having problems with movies through the mail. I am a mail processor who runs all of your mail. Netflix and Blockbuster used to be hand sorted due to the fragility of discs. Now we are required to run them in our machines. The machines run 40,000 pieces of mail an hour and are not designed to run this type of mail but management doesn't care. Many covers torn off, discs cracked and smashed, and packaging destroyed. When we complain they just say do what you are told. Please keep complaining!
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I also have been receiving the majority of Bluray discs cracked at the edge. I have stopped the Bluray option for fear that Netflix would axe my account due to large number of damaged discs. "Glad" to hear that I am not the only one - wish Netflix could own up to issue and solve it so I can watch Bluray again.
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I think it is time for all of us who are experiencing this problem to put collective pressure on Netflix to address this problem, which is not regional. I live in Massachusetts and I see postings from other parts of the country. Since most of us have repeatedly contacted Netflix by phone and/or by using their reporting system for damaged disks with no result, and since most of us no longer try to get BlueRay disks and therefore don't continue to report problems, my suggestion is this:
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Thanks so much for this blog. Thought I was going insane. Just went 2/2 with my first 2 BR rentals not being recognized by my PS3 (5 of my boughten ones play just fine). Noticed the crack on this one (Prince Caspian) but sent my other one back before noticing (Resident Evil: Apocalypse). I'll give them a couple more chances before downgrading, but agree that this is unacceptable.
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Im Having same issues with netflix b/r discs. I only notice that the discs with the small cracks wont play, however about 5 of the last 15 discs i have rented are cracked. Sucks... not too sure what to do about this issue. To be honest i always prefered the hd dvd player i have (not one problem ever), but too bad no more movies will be released in that format
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Just to add to the list. Zip code 85635. So far I'm 6/6 BR discs with cracks. Two of them have played, but the other four have not.
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I can't believe this!! I just got a new blue ray player a while ago and upgraded to blue ray on netflix, so far 7 for 8 have been racked and most of the replacements as well. I thought I was the only one then I started to realize it can't just be me and found this thread!! Incredible!
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8 out of 16 Netflix Blue Ray disks with the small crack in Seattle. I have had great service from Netflix until switching to Blue Ray. I like the format and the quality when the disk play properly. I would like to see a better mailer, even at an increased cost. Netflix is letting us down hard. I do not believe the problem is regional.
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Just got the email from Netflix stating that the Blu-Ray option is going from $1 per month to $2 per month.
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Netflix has already levied a $1 surcharge for Blu-ray users which was fair, acceptable, and happily paid to help bolster the BD library. We are told that the increase is to supplement the cost of increasing the library which might have been believeable but my experience with 100% BD breakage of almost 20 Blu-ray discs in the past 4 weeks casts serious doubt on what appears more like an excuse than a reason. Also know that regular DVD are received unbroken.
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Netflix has already levied a $1 surcharge for Blu-ray users which was fair, acceptable, and happily paid to help bolster the BD library. We are told that the increase is to supplement the cost of increasing the library which might have been believeable but my experience with 100% BD breakage of almost 20 Blu-ray discs in the past 4 weeks casts serious doubt on what appears more like an excuse than a reason. Also know that regular DVD are received unbroken.
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Thanks for confirming my own experience, Jon C. I'm nothing short of stunned at their audacity -- to squeeze their customers for another buck, just so they don't have to expend any effort on changing how they ship their discs.
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Having same exact problem, thought maybe our mailman was doing it. This seems like it just started too, within the last few weeks. I've been renting blurays from netflix since they started with blurays and never had a problem until now. Same small cracks. They need a better sleeve for them, like maybe hard plastic case.
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Another ditto at zipcode 97201.
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I too have reached the conclusion that the plastic that is being used by Blu-ray is more brittle. That is one reason why they are probably having to raise the rates because of the replacements. They should probably come up with a stiffer transport sleeve... whatever turns out to be a good compromise to lessen the overall cost.
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Of the three blu-ray disks I have received from Netflix every one of them have had a problem. The first two would freeze but I was able to skip around and finally get them to play. This last disk would not play. Right now I'm 0/3 and I'm not impressed. All of my purchased Blu-ray movies work great. I'm using a Sharp BD-HP50 player.
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I just cancelled Netflix this evening. I was miffed about the price increase (again). My $6.99 plan I signed up for, for 1 at a time unlimited, was going to be $14 more than $13 after tax.
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We the USPS have tried to get them to redo packaging since they started the business. Yes we used to hand sort them. Now they are getting near a million customers and we can't handle the handsorting anymore. Too much volume. We have to run everything using the most cost efficient process. Blockbuster changed their envelope and viola not as many problems. Don't call the USPS. Call Netflix.
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I work in a psotal processing plant. Running the dvds though the letter sorting machine is what Netflix is paying for. We are even instructed to not run returned edvds through the machines. The problem is with netflix's mailers. Switch to Blockbuster. Their envelopes are stronger and cause fewer problems on all ends
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I switched to BD nearly a year-and-a-half ago, which means probably 100-150 BDs passing through my hands in that time. I have NOT had a single cracked disc in that time. I use Panasonic and my distribution center is out of Tacoma in the Puget Sound area. This could all change tomorrow but for now, all is well.
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More than half of the blu-ray discs I get from Netflix are cracked around the outside edge, exactly as in the photo. I've never had one play in my PS3 that had even a hairline crack. I inspect them all now as soon as I get them, still just as bad. Sometimes I get 3 movies at once that are all bad, sometimes I get 3 and only one is bad, but usually out of a batch of 3, 2 of them are cracked.
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netflix and the post office are having a little pissing contest over how to process the disks. I work for the post office and I see quite a few netflix mailing decimated by our machines. The outer red envelope is terrible for mailing, however netflix refuses to change and the post office refuses to run the disks on flat sorting machine which in the past has proved to be a better method for handling this mailing. The post offices stance is that netflix won't change thier envelope and they pay a letter rate so they are going to be run as letters. I was also told that netflix has stated that the number of damaged mailings is a small enough percent that they don't care about the damage. But it really irks me when the envelope face rips off during processing and we can't even deliver it to the customer. I am also a netflix customer and have luckily not had and mailings damaged, but unfortunately have had to send a few broken disks back for replacement.
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Amy said: "Switch to Blockbuster. Their envelopes are stronger and cause fewer problems on all ends"
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I didn't have any problems with Netflix until I started getting BD's. Out of the past 6 discs, all 6 have had the crack and I"ve had zero help from customer service. In fact, after the 3rd call, a customer service rep actually suggested that I just start getting BD's from Blockbuster and keep my dvd subscription through Netflix!! (no joke)
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After receiving forty-two Blu-ray Discs from Netflix in perfect condition I started getting them with cracked edges. The problem started 4/24/'09 and I'm up to fourteen of the last nineteen. I report each to Netflix as damaged>cracked. I've given up trying to play them and send them back immediately upon opening and discovering the cracked edge, which is always under the leading edge of the mailer. Repeated calls to Netflix customer service and two to my local USPS worker who deals directly with the USPS automated machine processing facility for my area. My Netflix shipping facility is in San Bernardino, CA.
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My Netflix shipping facility is also in San Bernardino, CA and I just subscribed to the BluRay for Netflix. So far all 3 I have received so far have had cracks. One was Slumdog Millionaire, plaed for about 50 minutes until no longer. One was Mall Cop, played for about 18 minutes and today was one for Planet Earth, which will not play at all. This really sucks and can't believe they are just letting it go like this. I supposed I will maybe switch to Blockbuster if they do not fix it soon, since then I could go down to the store and switch it out if needed.
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Have the same problem with many blu-ray titles. You also have to be careful when you return a disc and ask for a replacement. Do not send back the defective disc until you have received the replacement. I marked a couple of discs when I suspected I was getting the same disc returned each time .... and I was!
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Update to my 5/16/'09 comment: As of today I'm at 44 of my last 58 Netflix Blu-ray Disc ships with cracked edges. I've lately been marking the label side with a Sharpie, no resends even though I sometimes go through five copies to get a good one. I live in Sun City, CA.
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Wow, it's amazing this problem has been going on for over 2 years. I loved netflix until I got a Blu Ray player last Thanksgiving and got something like 13 out of 19 BR discs with this damage. I had to order Iron Man 5 times until I got a good one. I called netflix customer service twice. Both times I got "never heard of this before but that does seem excessive" and the second time I got the same. I said that was BS because it's easy to find blogs like these. I asked for a supervisor and was told it was the postal service's fault and netflix would not give me any sort of credit. I quit my subscription and switched to blockbuster. Zero problems on the BR discs, but mailing is slower and selection is less, although I like being able to drop by the local store and swapping for the latest releases on the shelf, or paying $1.99 per rental after my monthly alottment of trade-ins runs out. Part of me wants to have netflix too though for the non-BR discs, but I have yet to take that step.
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I just downgraded my plan to the bare minimum to retain unlimited streaming on my Roku…3 out 6 cracked disked is enough for me to get the message…Heading on over to http://www.blockbuster.com/ to signup…For me it's the blatant disregard Netflix has for my time.
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I'm done whining about my Netflix Blu-ray Disc cracked edge problem, it's fixed!(See my post on 6/24/'09 for a description of how bad my Netflix cracked edge Blu-ray Disc problem was.)
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Just got my 5th consecutive cracked bluray. I called Netflix. Bottom line is they said blurays are more fragile and there's really nothing they can do but offer me a one-time discount on next month's bill. Based on my experience to date the odds that I will still be a customer by then are not very good, but I put in for yet-another-replacement disc (which should be here tomorrow).
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Bob, I see Netflix's high level troubleshooter(Ms G___) is attempting to contact you at the Netflix Facebook space(see my post above for a link.) Once you have spoken with her be assured you will stop receiving cracked edge discs! She is not customer service, and has power to pull any and all strings. Even if she got the local Netflix liason into the USPS automated(machine) processing today it may take a week or two, hang in there!
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I'm not happy to hear this is happening but I'm happy to hear that we weren't just unlucky or something. We've gotten quite a few that wouldn't play. I didn't see any noticeable cracks, nor have we kept an accurate count but this definitely sounds like a problem that the makers of Blu-Ray, Netflix and the shipping companies should put their heads together to figure out. They're certainly giving us cause to reconsider the hi-quality value that blu-ray has to offer versus the probability of getting to even view that quality. Not so sure anymore that the blu-ray player is worth the amount we paid for it if we cannot use it in the manner that we would like to enjoy it. Regardless of which company is to blame, there CLEARLY is a problem that should be addressed and hopefully resolved, Unless and until it is resolved I certainly intend to warn as many as I can about the hazards they could face with blu-ray. Thank you to all who've voiced your problems.
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Same problem as the above. Just upgraded to Netflix Blu-Rays a month ago. THought it was me. Mailed back Tropic Thunder like 3 times before I got a good one, and I just received the Watchmen the day or two after it's release and it arrived cracked. I complained to customer service so they can now have a record
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Same problem here with 100% failure for the last two weeks. Yes, unbelievable EVERY BD DISK had a crack or two and either will not at all or will give en error toward the end of the movie. (Discs read from the center outright). NetFlix need to change the sleeve of for the BD discs that are less flexible. This ordeal was very frustrating for my wife, and now does not want the Blu-ray anymore (which I worked hard to convince her to get) What a bummer!!!!
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I have had Netflix for several years. When I started receiving cracked BD disks, I reduced NF plan to 1 DVD out at a time and joined blockbuster. I had not had 1 cracked/unplayable disk from BB in over 5 months. I find it hard to believe on comment above about someone having the same problem with cracked BD from BB. BB envelopes are by far more superior then NF. Over all I prefer Neflix because of streaming movies.
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I have been with Netflix for 6 weeks. They have sent me 45 discs, 16 of which were cracked. The cracks are all the same size in the same place and clearly are a result of going thru the mailing machines. Netflix gave me a month free - nice - but still its a pain to have 33% of all discs turn up unplayable. I'm in Chicago
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i recently moved from victoria to round rock tx
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Don't you just love it when you are ten minutes from the end of a suspenseful movie and wham.! ..it freezes due to a crack.
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I joined Netflix again last week. In the past on dvd I rarely had any issues. I got my first 3 Blu-rays and only one had a playback issue, I sent them back on the same day and received my next 3. The first one stopped 10 minutes from the end, so I took it out and noticed the small crack on the outside. I put in the next month, same exact situation but I thought it was a DRM issue cause it was slow loading, but again stopped almost at the end and I saw the crack. So I got out my 3rd movie, the crack was in the same place only large and wouldn't even pay. I am so sad. Something should be done about this. What a waste of product. 2 of 3 movies were just released last week.
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However after switching to Blockbuster I haven't encountered the cracked Blu Ray problem yet. I know this is do to their reinforced sleeves that the discs are shipped in. Maybe Netflix should invest in tougher packaging that would eliminate their loss from damaged products and customers switching to Blockbuster.
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i've had 4 out of 6 bad blu-rays. rarely had problems in years of dvds, but 2/3 fail with blu-ray. called netflix and the rep acted like this was the first time it ever happened. will give netflix another week and then cancel if they still have problems with them getting damaged in the mail and stick with a local store. only got netflix again for blu-ray, but it's bs blaming USPS when never had problem with their handling of dvds. obviously blu-rays are more fragile so they need to either get better packaging or get blu-ray manufacturers to use a better process.
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Get away from Netflix! I had so many unplayable blu-ray discs from them. I began to believe my player was at fault but it was not so. I have now rented about forty or so blu-ray discs from Blockbuster (both on line and from the store) and have not had one single issue. Out of the many, many discs I received from Netflix I had probably two that worked fine.
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I was unaware of this issue until I popped in a cracked blu ray from Netflix and it made the most horrible grinding noise in my player. Now, the player won't play anything at all, even my favorites that used to play fine.
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I've recently had a 100% failure rate on Netflix Blu-ray Service. The small fracture experienced on the outer edge of the disc is identical to the photos shown on this site. Customer Service was entirely understanding ("this is costly for us both in terms of damaged discs and lost customers"), responsive ("we'll refund you for the lost service"), and committed ("we are working on a solution") to the issue.
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I don't believe it is the sleeve. I left Netflix a month or so ago when I received Slumdog three consecutive times with the same crack. If it were the sleeve, I do not think the cracks would be a seemingly identical as they are. The crack could occur anywhere in transit from Netflix to you mailbox. The crack have to be caused by something that is done to every single disc. Here is my theory: First, I assume that the netflix warehouse is mostly automated. I cannot imagine that they could stay in business with the tens of thousands of employees it would take to open, scan, pick, and stuff all the envelopes they send out. So, I think they have robots (for lack or a better term) that process shipping and returns. I am sure they have some humans who provide random quality control checks but not that many. If you compare a DVD to a Bluray, you will notice the Bluray is thicker slightly. It is my theory that the "picker" robot that pulls the title from inventory is calibrated for the thinner DVD. When it grabs a Bluray it "pinches" too hard thus causing the crack. I called Netflix customer service and explained my theory, hoping netflix would be able to correct the problem. I too was a loyal 7 year customer. Reading this blog, I see that netflix has done nothing except charge more money. I have had blockbuster for a few months and while their selection of Blurays (especially tv series) is weak, I have not recieved a cracked disc yet. I will, however, run back to netflix if they fix the problem. (with out charging the customer for it)
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I think if they made the Blu Ray sleeve the same material as the one you get in the mail for streaming Netflix to your PS3, that would be a more sturdy material, since the other sleeves are so soft, they can crack the edges.
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This problem has been occurring for me almost as long this thread has exsisted. In fact I got maybe 2 out of 20 or 30 blurays without a crack, and those didn't play all the way through. is there ANY HOPE for a fix? I strongly believe it is the DVD being placed in the edge of the envelope. I switched to blockbuster recently, and their blurays ship in the middle of the envelope..not one cracked one yet, however i would switch back to netflix in a heartbeat, as BBs selection and service isnt as good.
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Interesting. We have seen quite a few bad bluray disks from Netflix and so out of curiosity I did a search to see if anybody else has. Well, wow...
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I just called Netflix again, I received 4 blue ray movies, 3 were replacements and one was new. Well 2 of the replacements and the new were cracked. The same crack that is displayed above. I have been a Netflx customer for over 1 year and I really liked them until I became a Blue Ray customer. Nine out of every 10 are cracked and keep complaining and resending them. I'm thinking about cancelling my blue ray option.
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Footnote to my post above. Check out this link from an article dated April of 2009.
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For what its worth I quite Netflix over this last Summer and (regretfully) joined BlockBuster (whose website, selection and shipping times are not as good as Netflix) and have not had a single cracked BluRay since. The BlockBuster shipping envelope, which forces the disc to remain in the center of the envelope (and in particular, away from edges that postal sorting equipment grabs the envelopes at) is simply a superior design. That Netflix is too cheap to redesign their envelope speaks volumes about their commitment to delivering a quality service. Some brilliant MBA there undoubtedly ran a calculation that shows its cheaper for them to simply raise the BluRay tax to pay for the cracked discs and ignore the real problem. Of course that calculation might fall apart when more customers than they thought might leave over it, actually do, so if you have this problem, just leave and go to BlockBuster. You'll at least get discs that work (if not the discs you really wanted, as fast as you wanted them). Of course, it might all be pointless, since it is possible that the percentage of Netflix customers who care about BluRay is too small for it ever to matter enough to their bottom line for them to invest in fixing the problem. Sigh.
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I too am one of the Netflix fans being forced to leave and go to Blockbuster. Since about September almost 100% of all Blu-ray disks come with a small crack on the outer edge, identicle to the one above. I have called netflix but all they do is say sorry we will send you a few free disks. Well crap its an unlimited account so what the frack does that help to send me more cracked disks? I don't want, or have a desire to receive damaged movie rentals. Fix the problem Netflix as this customer really likes your service and website design. But I wont pay a monthly fee for nothing but damaged disks. Sorry...... I would like to say thanks for ruining my movie night with my friends I had planned for later today, but BOTH movies Cloverfield and A Perfect Getaway are damaged.
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Same issue since December 2009 so far more than 20 discs cracked and I'm growing tired. Called Customer Service and same drill, a free movie here, discount there, etc. Netflix must have a big reserve to be waisting these many discs, so I'll continue to order replacements and see if they get the picture and I'll keep calling them to refund me for the extra charges without being able to watch Blu-Ray. The only hope they said is that a Netflix employee will actually follow the mailing route of the post office (what little man inside the envelope?) to see where the problem is. Come on Netiflix!!!! Change the design of the envelope so these discs stop from getting damaged! We'll see how many more damaged blu-rays discs they can absored as losses and hopefully they will get the picture. |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 October 2007 ) |
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I agree with everyone above - Netflix needs to get their $H*t together and redesign the disc packaging. 
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