Oh happy day! Netflix drops a dollar off my monthly fee

I received an e-mail today from Netflix. Usually I delete those messages right away, assuming they're advertising something or encouraging me to sell Netflix to my friends. But the subject line on this one caught my eye: "We're lowering the price of your Netflix plan!"

ME?? MY NETFLIX PLAN IS CHEAPER?!? YAY!!

I have the one-at-a-time unlimited plan (meaning I get one DVD at a time, but as many as I can watch and return in a month), and I've enjoyed it, although recently I had been a bit down on Netflix. I had to return three DVDs as Damaged/Unplayable in the last couple months -- one actually had a crack right down the middle -- and it's a big downer. I'm a little suspicious that they've been getting a lot of complaints and that's why they're lowering the rates. No hint of that in the e-mail, though:

Great news! We're lowering the price of your 1 DVD out at-a-time plan to $8.99 a month plus applicable taxes. Now you can enjoy Netflix for less!

You don't need to do a thing - except pay less. Your membership will automatically move to the lower price and be reflected in your Membership Terms and Details. The lower price will take effect beginning with your statement on or after July 23, 2007.

Your $8.99 plan not only gives you 1 DVD out at-a-time but you can also watch 9 hours of movies and TV episodes instantly on your PC each month - for no additional charge.

Enjoy!
Your friends at Netflix

Well thanks, friends. It's only one dollar, but it is still one dollar. In fact, it's a 10 percent price cut. Let's just hope I can play all these DVDs you send me.

Photo by Jessica Roberts for LAist