Slickdeals forum discussions report that some of Amazon customers accounts are closed as they are involved in "extraordinary number of incidents" -- as indicated in the mail received by the effected user :

Hello from Amazon.com.

A careful review of your account indicates you've experienced an extraordinary number of incidents with your orders and corresponding shipments.

In the normal course of business, the occasional problem is inevitable. The rate at which such problems have occurred on your account is extraordinary, however, and cannot continue. Effective immediately, your Amazon.com account is closed and you are no longer able to shop in our store. I am very sorry for any disappointment this may cause.

Please know that any accounts related to yours have also been closed. If you were to open a new account, the same will result and it will also be closed. In the event that you attempt to do so, we will not accept the return of any additional orders, nor will we issue further refunds in connection with any future orders. We appreciate your cooperation in refraining from using our web site.

If you require additional assistance, or have any concerns, feel free to contact us directly at account-appeals@amazon.com.

Please do not contact regular Customer Service again, as they will no longer be able to assist you.


Regards,

Account Specialist
Amazon.com

This not unique to Amazon who is willing to lose their customer to better service other users. Netflix admitted in the past of delayed shipping to its heavy users. For heavy users Netflix penalized them by shipping the movie DVDs the next day . Sprint is parting from its high maintained customers.Sprint canceled some customers accounts due to excessive calls to customer service.

Amazon with its recent cancellation of post-order price guarantee is looking after cost effective ways of improving customer service and parting from its system abusers by taking these strict measures. It is interesting to see what formula is used by Amazon in canceling the accounts -- Just number of returns to number of total orders by amount ??

Labels: Amazon.com, Blockbuster, Business, Customer, Customer Service, Deals, Netflix, User, Website

Would it be nice if we rent the expensive stuff instead of owning them ? A company "Bling Yourself" does the same exact thing - like "Netflix" video rental one has to just order the expensive show off item on rent. The item is fedexd and once the purpose is met you will post the item in the returned envelope.

Here is the whole process :



I feel this fills the gap when one gets bored of items they own to wear it to the party.

Labels: Deals, Netflix

Netflix site is temporarily unavailable on Monday - March'24 and this may lead to some delay for those customers who are waiting for DVDs on Tuesday - March'25.

Labels: Movies, Netflix

Blockbuster sent me a surprise holidays gift -- my subscription rate INCREASE from $9.99 to $11.99 -

To continue to bring you the unmatched convenience of both online and in-store DVD rentals, your monthly subscription fee will change slightly from $9.99 to $11.99. This adjustment† will go into effect on your next billing cycle on or after December 27, 2007. The benefits of your subscription plan will remain the same...and it's a value of $21.99!

So the question is what now ? Continue with Blockbuster -- I like online BB's return the DVD and get an exchange movie in from BB Brick & Mortar store.

If you plan to continue with Blockbuster then check out bbgreatgifts where Blockbuster gives some valuable free gifts for playing a game.

Here is what I got for first time from Blockbuster great gift giveaway online game:

1) 25 complementary 4x6 prints from Snapfish
2) Free Microwave popcorn single redeemable at BB stores

Click me for Blockbuster great gift giveaway online game.

Other Alternatives:

I searched if there are any good coupon codes for Netflix -- didn't find any.

Redbox's is a revolutionary business model allows customers to rent DVDs for $1 per day, with no late fees. Redbox has DVD rental kiosks, mostly in supermarkets between checkout lines and exit.These kiosks are available at select McDonald’s® restaurants, leading grocery stores (Jewel Osco) and other retailers nationwide growing from 93,000 rentals in 2003 to more than 21 million in 2006.

These kiosks from Redbox will have a long way to go if Redbox wants to become a serious contender against Blockbuster and Netflix.

Free Redbox DVD codes :

Redbox codes generally give you a free dvd rental for one day. Some codes do even more - even giving up to 5 free dvd rentals at one time.

Click me for free DVD codes

Labels: Blockbuster, Deals, Movies, Netflix

Here are some of latest Blockbuster money saving deals.

1. Blockbuster is running a promotion snack card deal.Card costs $5.99 and is good for a free - soda, candy or popcorn up to $1.99 in value, one per day for 30 days.For $5.99 you can get a free snack with every movie Remember it's good for one snack a day, it expires 30 days after you buy the card.
2. Blockbuster rental rain checks - This is totally hit or miss kind of deal.Try this go to BB on late Saturday or Sunday evenings.Locate shelfs for gauranteed in stock or free on us DVD place holders.Make sure there are no DVDs and go ask for that DVD.Most likely BB will not have it.The reason on Sunday evenings is that the renters usually return Friday rentals late in the night.BB will write you a rental check for that movie that you can rent it once in next 30 days.This way I saved $3.99 for each new DVD rental.
   
3. Blockbuster online members get 20% off on candy, soda, and popcorn at all times in store
4. Free Xbox Live Gold Membership 48-Hour Trial Offer Expires 04/30/07. Receive a free 48-Hour Xbox Live® Gold Trial card with the rental of any Xbox 360 game.
5. Free for 1 month trial:

Blockbuster Friends and Family Code too
Promo Code : 1285ta
Website : www.blockbuster.com/bbfamily

Netflix Free for 1 month.
Website :http://www.netflix.com/SpecialOffer
Netflix 1 month free promotion code: 80004745.

Labels: Blockbuster, Deals, Movie Rental, Netflix