Dish Network HD Receiver Upgrade

[red hazard]

I just got off the fone with one of the famous E* CSRs. I asked about updating my AEP to HD and was told I could get a Vip622 for $149 minus $49 rebate. I almost went for it but asked for what the total charges would be. (Those CSRs are well trained in providing half truths). Incredibly there would be a leasing fee on top of the purchase price ( I think it was 6 bucks a month but it pissed me off so bad I forgot). I thought I read somewhere that the 622 was available on a special deal for $149(?). I've had the AEP for at least 4 years with auto-pay. I started investigating into this after realizing I should have been also getting the Starz HD included which I would be getting if I had a newer MPEG4 capable receiver. Anyway, how can I get the best deal and what realistically can I expect by threatening to quit. (Actually I am seriously considering getting in on DirecTV intro.)

Thanks

 

[gdarwin]

This is the lease deal. If you were to purchase the 622 it would cost you at least $479.00.

 

[red hazard]

HD Receiver Upgrade Fees

OK. I will look into making a 622 purchase.

According to BFG's thread regarding fees, the AEP (or whatever it's now called) includes the DVR fee. However, according to the CSR I talked to yesterday, the AEP reduces the $5.98 HD DVR fee by $3.98 for a net cost of $2.00. I have not read that anywhere on this site though and given the abysmal track record of CSRs, I don't know what to believe. Is the total HD DVR fee waived if one has the AEP plus the HD package? (Thanks for a knowledgeable reply)

 

[nsafreak]

That's a new one on me. I just ran through the Dish Builder on Dish's website and it makes no mention of the DVR fee if I select the AEP. What the CSR is talking about sounds like the DishDVR Advantage plan. Basically the AT200 with locals and the DVR fee all bundled into one. I'm pretty sure that the AEP still waives the DVR fee.

 

[griz_fan]

If you've never had HD service with Dish, you can get a pretty good deal on a lease upgrade to the 622, that's what I just did. I'm trading in my 510 DVR for a 622. I have to pay $149 up front for the equipment upgrade, but there's a rebate form (does someone have the PDF link? I can't track it down at the moment) that will give you the $49 rebate, and if you've never had HD from Dish previously, you'll also get a $10/month upgrade for 10 months, essentially offsetting the initial hardware upgrade fee.

After that, all you're left with is the lease fee of six bucks a month. You'd have to have the 622 for more than 6 1/2 years before purchasing it at $479 would start to make sense.

I know Dish is bad about the nickel/dime fees (and even worse about explaining them), but if you focus on the bottom line, how much do you pay per month relative to what you get, I find Dish to be a really good deal, even with the lease fees.

Depending on what you're looking for, the DVR advantage plan my be a good option, it could save you a few bucks a month.

As far as bailing out looking for a better deal from DirecTV, that may or may not be a good plan. There may be good reasons for going with D* over E*, but bargain-hunting isn't one of them. D* has their share of issues, and you'd most likely just wind up trading one set of problems for another.

 

[DishDave]

You'd have to have the 622 for more than 6 1/2 years before purchasing it at $479 would start to make sense.


Not true the 622 holds a very HIGH value on Ebay.

 

[MikeD-C05]

LIsten UP! There are NO DVR FEES , I repeat NO DVR FEES on AEP or AEP + hd pack. NONE , nada, zilch! I have had AEP for years and then Platinum Pack and now AEP + hd pack and I have never had any dvr fees at all. That is the discount for having AEP in the first place. A reward if you will, for subbing to just about all the channels you can.

 

[red hazard]

If you've never had HD service with Dish, you can get a pretty good deal on a lease upgrade to the 622, that's what I just did. I'm trading in my 510 DVR for a 622. I have to pay $149 up front for the equipment upgrade, but there's a rebate form (does someone have the PDF link? I can't track it down at the moment) that will give you the $49 rebate, and if you've never had HD from Dish previously, you'll also get a $10/month upgrade for 10 months, essentially offsetting the initial hardware upgrade fee.

After that, all you're left with is the lease fee of six bucks a month. You'd have to have the 622 for more than 6 1/2 years before purchasing it at $479 would start to make sense.

The figure and the rebate for the privilege to lease the 622 matches what the CSR said. However, he said nothing about the $10/month upgrade for 10 months which I assume is an "upgrade discount"(?) even though I never had the HD pkg. Is there a link to that somewhere? I sure could not get this info navigating the Dish Network site.