notes to netflix

[jkpescador]

Anyone ever sent anything in their return envelope just to see who gets it? Do people pass things on or track the releases ... where has this movie been ... what cities? Just wondering. I was tempted to put something from Hawaii inside.

[kimo55]

Re: netflix

da hell?! You slow things down and give em more work, will just create higher costs for us users and more restrictions.

[pzarquon]

Re: netflix

Doesn't sound like a very good idea. Their system is highly automated, and while there's still a manual element to clearing returned envelopes, I doubt something slipped into one pouch is going to garner much notice -- and if it does, you'd probably get dinged somehow for messing with 'em.

That is to say, I doubt anything would make it to another customer.

Netflix offers its own "social networking" widgets to let you share and interact with other users. If you want to do "where does this end up" experiments, you should get into bookcrossing (I've seen a few in Honolulu) or Where's George (which is technically defacing currency, but it doesn't seem to stop anyone).

[Palolo Joe]

Re: netflix

Some poor peon at the warehouse on Oahu would probably find it, wonder what kind of dummy puts something in the envelope other than cash and the DVD they're supposed to be returning, then throw it away and get back to work...

[jkpescador]

Re: netflix

I was just wondering about this. I bet someone has tried though. I bet you could learn a lot about Netflix business. I think some of the least popular titles come to us from the mainland and they have a bunch of the popular stuff here.

I did see a currency tracker ... forgot the URL where you can see where you money floats around.

[MadAzza]

Re: netflix

I did see a currency tracker ... forgot the URL where you can see where you money floats around.

Do you mean www.wheresgeorge.com?

Just signed up for Netflix and got our first three movies yesterday, watched one last night, it's back in the mail today. This s*** rocks.

[Marshall Field]

Re: netflix

You've opened up a world of possibilities. I think I'm going to start sending anonymous love letters. Maybe a political manifesto. You got to think it's going to brighten up somebody's day, right. Right.

[Tiabla]

Re: netflix

Just saw this today:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keysers...otestonetflix/

[pzarquon]

Re: netflix

What a find, Tiabla.

Holy cow. I thought John's idea was random and bizarre. But apparently, there's a whole community of folks sticking notes in their DVD envelopes (tagging them as "notestonetflix" in Flickr). Over 90 photos so far. And here's a Hacking Netflix blog post about the practice from August 2005!

Wonder what Netflix thinks of all this? A few geeks with too much time on their hands is one thing. A genuine trend would probably gum up the works pretty badly.

It's also pretty obvious these aren't making it to other customers. Just frustrated processing center employees. So what's the point?

[Tiabla]

Re: netflix

Wonder what Netflix thinks of all this? A few geeks with too much time on their hands is one thing. A genuine trend would probably gum up the works pretty badly.

Yes, I wonder as well. I'd love to hear from some Netflix employees about this. Anyone know someone who works at the Honolulu distribution center?

I just Googled "Netflix prank" and the first result was something so disgusting (and very Not Safe for Work) that I won't even post the link. Apparently someone has taken this idea to the extreme and included hardcore porno with the movies they send back to Netflix. It's one thing to do that on the sly; it's another to think it's cool and brag about it to the world. Weak.

[jkpescador]

Re: netflix

Interesting. I have yet to receive one.

What to put on my returns ... hmmm ... I think the date and place would be interesting.

[Hellbent]

Re: netflix

that flikr set is funny!