Netflix to close its used DVD store

Netflix giveth, and Netflix taketh away. Last week, we got word of Mac support for Netflix streaming, HD streaming on the Xbox 360 (and maybe even the Roku player), and Netflix on TiVo. But now, the movies-by-mail giant says it's exiting the used DVD business.

In a post on its community blog, a Netflix spokesperson said that the company's used DVD storefront, which sells used discs for as cheap as $5.99, will close up shop after November 30.

"As you know, our core business is delivering great movie rentals to you on DVD by mail and instantly to the computer and TV, so we've decided it makes sense for us to focus exclusively on that," the post reads. "We're sorry for any inconvenience ... but we're excited about being able to spend the extra time focusing on continually improving our core rental business for you."

Sound familiar? That's basically what Netflix execs said about the initial decision—ultimately reversed—to do away with Profiles, the popular Netflix feature that lets you set up multiple DVD queues under a single account.

In this case, however, I'm guessing that Netflix's used DVD stores will in fact close, and stay closed. While Profiles was a clever, one-of-a-kind feature (and essential for those of us whose roommates and/or loved ones have ... well, questionable taste in movies), there are plenty of used DVD alternatives out there, such as Amazon, eBay, and Second Spin.

And based on all the announcements last week, it's clear that Netflix has decided to double down on streaming video—a smart move, given the writing on the wall.

So, will you miss Netflix's used DVD store? Or are you OK with the company concentrating on "core" features like Net streaming?

Related:
Netflix community blog