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> netflix et al have reduced stream quality due to increased load OT, but why am I still paying full price for less-than-full quality? Same with Amazon - why a

> netflix et al have reduced stream quality due to increased load OT, but why am I still paying full price for less-than-full quality? Same with Amazon - why am I paying for two-day Prime shipping even though it's impossible to get that level of service right now? /rant

azinman2 7y ago
Because a black swan event has occurred, life is anything but normal right now, and people are generally concerned about things that are far more important.
- stronglikedan 7y ago
  I understand that, but it's trivial for them to temporarily reduce the amount they're charging me, since I'm not getting what I'm paying for. I'd see it as them during their part to help the people in this crisis. But alas, I digress, as it was just an opportunistic rant, and I feel better for getting it out.
  - vinay_ys 7y ago
    You have the option to opt into a SD only plan, don't you?
    - toomuchtodo 7y ago
      Reduces the number of simultaneous streams from 2 to 1 as well.
    - stronglikedan 7y ago
      Of course, but that's comparing apples to oranges, so not really relevant.
stjohnswarts 7y ago
Because that's life during a national emergency. If you don't want to pay it then stop paying it, NF and Amazon will let that happen. I assume Amazon might even prorate your refund.
oh_sigh 7y ago
I'm fairly certain that neither Amazon nor Netflix promise you anything more than best effort on their streaming quality or delivery time. You can always cancel your contract with them if you don't like it.
- jaywalk 7y ago
  Sure, but if I'm signed up for a 4K plan and Netflix has entirely disabled 4K, they cannot possibly provide me what I'm paying for. Note: I'm not even sure they have disabled 4K, it's just an example.
  - hunter2_ 7y ago
    Seems a bit like when a congested campus has a "space not guaranteed" paid parking program, and you opted for a tier that includes VIP spaces. The VIP spaces near your building are currently being restriped so you can't use them. Should you automatically get bumped to the non-VIP tier since it no longer brings you value? No, you stay on that tier because theoretically it offers you the VIP spaces at other buildings (like the 4K streams in places that aren't collaborating with Netflix on decongestion strategies).

azinman2 7y ago

Because a black swan event has occurred, life is anything but normal right now, and people are generally concerned about things that are far more important.

stronglikedan 7y ago
I understand that, but it's trivial for them to temporarily reduce the amount they're charging me, since I'm not getting what I'm paying for. I'd see it as them during their part to help the people in this crisis. But alas, I digress, as it was just an opportunistic rant, and I feel better for getting it out.
- vinay_ys 7y ago
  You have the option to opt into a SD only plan, don't you?
  - toomuchtodo 7y ago
    Reduces the number of simultaneous streams from 2 to 1 as well.
  - stronglikedan 7y ago
    Of course, but that's comparing apples to oranges, so not really relevant.

stjohnswarts 7y ago

Because that's life during a national emergency. If you don't want to pay it then stop paying it, NF and Amazon will let that happen. I assume Amazon might even prorate your refund.

oh_sigh 7y ago

I'm fairly certain that neither Amazon nor Netflix promise you anything more than best effort on their streaming quality or delivery time. You can always cancel your contract with them if you don't like it.

jaywalk 7y ago
Sure, but if I'm signed up for a 4K plan and Netflix has entirely disabled 4K, they cannot possibly provide me what I'm paying for. Note: I'm not even sure they have disabled 4K, it's just an example.
- hunter2_ 7y ago
  Seems a bit like when a congested campus has a "space not guaranteed" paid parking program, and you opted for a tier that includes VIP spaces. The VIP spaces near your building are currently being restriped so you can't use them. Should you automatically get bumped to the non-VIP tier since it no longer brings you value? No, you stay on that tier because theoretically it offers you the VIP spaces at other buildings (like the 4K streams in places that aren't collaborating with Netflix on decongestion strategies).