Sunday, August 27, 2006

what happens to netflix dvds when you return them

There is an article in the New Yorker regarding what happens when the movies are returned to a Netflix distribution center and what sort of work goes into getting the returns processed so quickly and the new movies shipped out. I'm impressed. I don't know why, but I thought that with the volume Netflix receives per day that there was more automation. I didn't take into account the human hands that touch the discs, file, sort, and prepare the next load of discs to come out.

When I sign up for Netflix in October after a six month (or longer) period of time without the service to save some money, I will have a greater level of respect for the work that goes into getting the rentals in my grubby little hands two days after I put the first disc back in the mailbox to return.

The starting wage of the employees is stated to be $9 per hour when hired as a temp, but it doesn't say how much the employees make when they are hired on full time after three months if they are fast enough. Hopefully they get a raise.

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