“Netflix has begun using a ‘fairness algorithm’ that slows shipments of movies to heavy users to protect profits, according to an MSNBC article. Netflix revised its terms of use in January 2005 to read, ‘In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our service’. Since revising this policy last year, more and more users are realizing ‘heavy renters are more likely to encounter shipping delays and less likely to immediately be sent their top choices’ according to the article.”
via slashdot

I can attest to this— it seems the more movies Lisa and I watch, the slower the movies take to arrive. Lisa has been fighting a losing battle to keep Queer As Folk at the top her queue. The episode disks keep falling to the end. It’s very frustrating since she is trying to watch a season’s worth and NetFlix refuses to send them in any type of order. It took me ages to get A Man and A Woman. Regardless, I love the service but I can’t wait for VOD.