Perhaps the customer meant that Dish would pay for the replacements, which is true, Dish will most likely make the FREE OF CHARGE swap-outs when the time comes near the end and the last hold-outs not have bitten for DUI's. In that sense, his is going to be right.
However, the 311's are better in almost every way to those old, musty, crusty, FUGLY interface 2600's. Good heavens. In that sense he was a complete ninny to turn down a FREE upgrade today with all the benefits of a 311 compared to a 2600. I'm sure he thinks is , "WINNINGGG!!!" (as Charlie Sheen would say) by holding on to those 2600's that will surely increase in value over time (ironic humor) and have absolutely NO TAKERS on ebay (no irony there). Some people . . .