A 10 year Dish customer needs advice

[cparker]

How are you certain that you will be getting HR24's? D* will not specify which equipment you will get. I believe you will get whatever the installer has in stock. Are you purchasing them from another source?

I went with a local installer. I get all the same deals as D* is officially showing on their web site, but this outfit has been recommended to me by several people and the quality of their work apparently sets tehm apart. They also don't charge for service calls. They make MOST of their money on repeat customers as they sell TVs at prices that compete with the big box stores, they service what they sell. AND..... I worked with the owner's cousin about 20 years ago

 

[ronfelder]

I think he means that it will be difficult to reduce your total bill with Dish even if you can get a new HD DVR and HD dish for free. But I don't think so. You should be able to get new equipment for maybe an installation fee if you dicker a bit. Then the charges for programming would be the same as long as you get the HD Free deal.

The only way to lower your monthly is to lower your subscription level I think.

And yes, D* will beat that during the promo period, but probably not after that.

Being with Dish for ten years there's no reason that they won't put in either a 1000.4 or 1000.2 for free plus the hd dvr. They did that for me and i've been with them for that long too. I think if you are a sub in good standing they will do that for you. You'll need to ask.

Ron

 

[foghorn2]

I did not know 10 year olds could have a dish account.

 

[topcat5]

I have AT250, Platinum HD, a VIP622 and a VIP612. No premiums. ..

Indeed. What I don't like about AT250, is that Dish loaded it down with movie channels that I don't watch but the next step down drops a lot more than these channels. DirectTV does have an AT250 equivalent that doesn't include the the TMC/Encore stuff and it seems to be a little less money. I wish that Dish would offer this as well.

I give Dish high marks on their DVR interface and features which are pretty good. All the other providers seem to have issues with getting this part right.

 

[Islandguy43]

I have AT250, Platinum HD, a VIP622 and a VIP612. No premiums.

Switching to DirecTV I'll have a pair of the new HR24 DVRs, Choice Ultimate package, Whole Home DVR. With all of the discounts and promos I'm saving about $400 my first year. The second year when all the discounts go away, my bill will be about $3 less than what I'm paying E* now.

This all takes into account the early termination fee I'll owe E* and the $99 upgrade to get the second DVR from D* starting out.

Is Satellite Solutions doing your install? I spoke with them at the Erie County Fair and they seemed very knowledgeable and told me, they would guarantee the latest HR24's and they would handle any and all service calls instead of subbing to the service plan.

 

[Islandguy43]

I did exactly this. I really didn't want to switch. But they couldn't offer me anything that would resolve the current situation or make me happy about it. If $15 a month off for 5 months and/or HBO and Starz free for 6 months is all it takes to make you happy, then you can probably stay with E*. And it wasn't just one thing. Several things lead up to making the decision.

In the end.... hey I could get D* installed on Thursday and E* could settle everything and light the dropped channels back up on Friday. Changing is more inconvenient for ME than it is for E*. But, hey..... it's just TV.

So make sure you're ready for whichever way it goes. Don't get mad. Just get what you want and move on. It is what it is.

They just don't understand how passionate Sabres Fans are!!!!

 

[cparker]

Is Satellite Solutions doing your install? I spoke with them at the Erie County Fair and they seemed very knowledgeable and told me, they would guarantee the latest HR24's and they would handle any and all service calls instead of subbing to the service plan.

Yes, sir. That's who I went with. I've also talked to them at a couple of shows so once I was talking to Pete on the phone I remembered him. And other folks that have used them have highly recommended them for the quality of their installs and their service afterward. I like dealing with local businesses. He guaranteed me brand new (not refurb) HR24s.... although I'm not sure there are refurb HR24s yet anyways... and one of their installers lives about 6 miles down the road from me so if they get a cancellation or something he's going to move me up on the schedule.

 

[cparker]

They just don't understand how passionate Sabres Fans are!!!!

Indeed.... but as I've said, it wasn't just one thing that made me schedule a D* install. It's going to be different, for sure. I really like the E* DVRs, but.....

Some folks are real passionate about loyalty to D* or E*.

Hey if my local grocer runs out of whole wheat bread because he's in a pissing match with the bakery over pricing, I understand. But I also go somewhere else that has whole wheat bread. And I don't get all ticked off at the grocer. It's just bread.

 

[Jhon69]

Indeed. What I don't like about AT250, is that Dish loaded it down with movie channels that I don't watch but the next step down drops a lot more than these channels. DirectTV does have an AT250 equivalent that doesn't include the the TMC/Encore stuff and it seems to be a little less money. I wish that Dish would offer this as well.

I give Dish high marks on their DVR interface and features which are pretty good. All the other providers seem to have issues with getting this part right.

Since the difference is $1. why bother?.DirecTV's Choice Extra is $63.99 and Dish network's AT250 is $64.99.So for $1. more you get ten movie channels with Dish network and no commercials.

 

[Islandguy43]

Yes, sir. That's who I went with. I've also talked to them at a couple of shows so once I was talking to Pete on the phone I remembered him. And other folks that have used them have highly recommended them for the quality of their installs and their service afterward. I like dealing with local businesses. He guaranteed me brand new (not refurb) HR24s.... although I'm not sure there are refurb HR24s yet anyways... and one of their installers lives about 6 miles down the road from me so if they get a cancellation or something he's going to move me up on the schedule.

Yep, I have heard nothing but good things about them, and will use them when I finally do make the move.

 

[thesaint]

Calling Dish one last time...

When I started this thread I really hoped this FX thing would be fixed before I really had to switch...

But I see this is going to continue...

America's Top 250 (522 DVR)
DVR Service
HBO
Monthly Charges= 86.99 (excludes taxes/credits)

I was hoping to at least keep the same current rate with a new HD DVR receiver and HD channels.

I am so lacking tech knowledge I know absolutely nothing about my actual satellite dish except that its outside my apt. bedroom window.

After reading all the promotion info it seems like the current dish HD for life promo has to include automatic bill pay (don't like that)

I can't believe being a long time subscriber in good standing gets me nothing, I'm calling Direct tonight and see what they can do since I am still willing to switch.

A friend e-mailed me this:

Dishpronto offers Dish Network Basic Programming Packages at $5 less than the original price. So that makes the America’s Top 120 only $19.99 per month which is good for 12 months, then it’s the regular price of $29.99 per month.

But I have NEVER heard of them so I am leery.

I wanted any suggestions on what I should realistically ask for from customer service...

Is there a particular receiver I should request?

Will I need a new dish if I upgrade to HD?

Thanks again u guys are great

 

[rapidturtle]

You will need a new Dish for the upgrade to HD.
If I were you and you want to stick with Dish, then I would call them up, and tell them you want a 722k (HD DVR), and if you don't get the upgrade for free, then tell them you are going with D*. If they don't help you out, then just switch to D*.