That’s a question, folks.  Purely a rhetorical one, until I introduce this.  I was reading this story over on The Consumerist that detailed a lady by the name of Dana’s encounter with Netflix.

Now, I’ll say this about Netflix. I don’t usually have call to say an unkind word about them, and having been a subscriber myself for around about the last two years now, I say that they’re generally top-notch.  But check out Dana’s story:

So I received this email from netflix. I wasn’t able to view their instant movies on TV last time I was a member (in 2007). So, I decide to give the trial a shot and see how the instant movies on TV works. I click through to their website, click on rejoin, and am asked to update my billing information. My credit card has expired, and since the free trial automatically renews at the end of the trial period, they need my new credit card information before I can sign up for the trial. This is understandable, and so I update my address and provide them with another credit card’s information. Once I do I’m told I do NOT qualify for a free trial as I am an existing customer. Even though it specifically says below and on their website that this is for new customers and certain former members. I believe this email was a scam to get updated credit card information from me… the intent was never to offer a free trial. Shady business from Netflix!

Well…CERTAIN former members can mean a lot of things.  And frankly, I’m not sure Netflix did anything really out of line by saying that, essentially, Dana may have qualified for a free trial.  Because she may have, really.  Though the mail Netflix sent, available on The Consumerist, sure seems to suggest Dana could have a free trial, and it’s pretty short on caveats and fine print to hide behind either.

I’m not sure Netflix did anything WRONG here, but I definitely wouldn’t describe it as being totally above board, either.