811 Upgrade Offer

[mdonnelly]

Well, yesterday Dish put up a message on my 811 saying that the 10 VOOM channels from 9470 to 9481 wouldn't be viewable on my receiver after August 15th. The message said to call 1-888-609-5972 for a "special upgrade offer".

I called the number this morning, went through the "technical support" path in the automated system, and got the regular upgrade group. When I mentioned the "special upgrade", he transferred me to another specialist. Both people I spoke with were very knowledgeable and very helpful.

The offer was:
1) they send me one 211 receiver
2) $10 off for 10 months
3) no contract extension
4) free movie package for 3 months
5) I return the leased receiver
6) leased receiver fee increases by $1

Bottom line, I get $9/month off for 10 months, then my bill goes up by $1. I took the deal.

 

[RandallA]

Nice deal! You'll like the 211, it's a very solid receiver compared to the 811.

 

[Poke]

Yeah you will enjoy the new MPEG4 receivers mdonnelly compared to what you had. Let us know what you think once you get it in.

 

[mdonnelly]

Actually, this will be my 2nd 211. I upgraded one 811 eighteen months ago. This will replace the bedroom receiver. And you're right, I do like the 211, but I'll like it more when they fix my OTA dropout issue. I won't have the 811 to fall back on.

 

[Poke]

Yeah maybe the next update will take care of the OTA issues. I don't use OTA so it does on effect me but keeping fingers crossed for those that it does effect.

 

[RandallA]

Actually, this will be my 2nd 211. I upgraded one 811 eighteen months ago. This will replace the bedroom receiver. And you're right, I do like the 211, but I'll like it more when they fix my OTA dropout issue. I won't have the 811 to fall back on.

That's right, you already have one. Look at it this way, we know they know how to fix the OTA issue because they fixed it with the last software update.

 

[Turboff]

They didn't mention an 18 month commitment?

 

[mdonnelly]

They didn't mention an 18 month commitment?

See line 3 - "no contract extension".

 

[DWS44]

did you already have the new HD package with your existing 211 or were you still on the old HD pack+VOOM?

 

[mdonnelly]

did you already have the new HD package with your existing 211 or were you still on the old HD pack+VOOM?

I was on HD Gold, then it changed to AT250 & HD Pack. So yes, the "special upgrade" is available to anybody, old pack or new.

 

[joprandi]

I just got off the telephone with them and there was no mention of the contract extenstion until I got to the automated confirmation. This lasted about 3 mintues and the last part said I was agreeing to 18 months, which I did not commit to. Talked to an account specialist and he told me either 18 months or $198 no exceptions.

 

[RandallA]

When I upgraded to my 622, I asked several times if there was a commitment and they said NO everytime I asked. A few weeks later I called and they told me that yes I had agreed to the 18 months commitment, I argued with them but they told me EVERYONE has to agree to the 18 months commitment before doing an upgrade.

 

[mdonnelly]

I didn't do anything automated. The rep went out of her way to state that there was no contract extension (I'm in the last month of my 18 month commitment for the last Dishn'-it-up upgrade, and she saw that on her display). As always, YMMV.

 

[joprandi]

I just got done with my 18 month upgrade for the 622. I tried to explain to the specialist that I am happy with my 811 and 6000 and if THEY weren't taking away something from me I would need to upgrade, he agreed, but wouldn't budge.

Remember when they got us to buy the adapter for the 6000 they said, this will be all you ever need to receive high quality HD programming.

 

[SatelliteGAL]

I upgraded two receivers to 622's in Jan and did an 18 mo commitment. Now they are upgrading my 811 and 6000 to 211's at no charge plus free trial of Starz. I had no problem starting my 18 mo commitment over.

 

[Indy]

I upgraded my 6000 and 811 about 3 weeks ago. Never mind the details, I changed my mind about posting them.

 

[joprandi]

I e-mail ceo@echostar.com about having to make an 18 month committment for something that they were changing. The lady that called said there should be no additional committment and she would be sending out 2 211's to replace my 811 and 6000 at no cost.

 

[Al K]

Nice deal! You'll like the 211, it's a very solid receiver compared to the 811.

I had a single tube am radio that was a solid receiver compared to the 811.

 

[digiblur]

Remember when they got us to buy the adapter for the 6000 they said, this will be all you ever need to receive high quality HD programming.

Sell the 8PSK 6000 adapters on Ebay to cover your costs.

 

[jynxsee]

Just got off the phone and my 'special offer' was as follows.

1. Free 211 to replace my 811.
2. 18 month commitment (which I just wrote ceo@echostar.com about)

I'll be glad to have all newer equipment as I never was happy w/the 811. Incidentally, they said they'd give me a $10 credit if I send them the 811, which I own. I will probably take them up on that as the other methods of selling are too much trouble for the low rate of return...unlike a Dish 6k.