Uh yea, I DO get it & DO understand the differences; don't have to get huffy.
Just saying the grass is NOT always greener. (TOO aware of that as well, which leads me to...)
Sorry but you did rather imply I hadn't done my homework and would be stuck with lots of SD channels
I really do want to have a very objective discussion.. I like Dish, I've been happy with Dish (4-5 years at this point) but am feeling like my original reasons for picking Dish (price) have largely gone the way of the Dodo.... and I freely admit I may have overlooked something in the pricing (and if anyone sees something, PLEASE point it out)... but at the end of the day, it all comes down to price for me. I may send my SS to retention and see if they want to work something out, and life is pretty busy (baby due in <2 months), but am betting I'll be a Direct sub by summer-time (getting my sis a $100 referral bonus at the same time).
agreed, 3net definitely looks toss-away (and ESPN3D, I don't have, nor plan to waste my $4 buying a 3DTV). For me, of the channels I watch, ESPNU is the only real plus (b/c my favorite team is too mediocre to get on ESPN 1,2
), and the wife would like having AMC. And since I haven't heard wonderful things about the BBO service, getting the Direct Extra pack for $5, is $5/cheaper vs. what was the Dish Platinum channels, so I can get Universal back, and a couple of the 2nd-tier movie channels.
I'm just amazed/shocked that Dish would end up being no cheaper than Direct for the new setup. I always thought that was their draw (still bitter about losing my Absolute, that was a fantastic deal). I think Dish really missed the boat with their new pricing.
I also admit that 2 years down the road, I will probably have to switch again, b/c there is a $10/mo incentive even on the 2nd 12 months of Direct which would then expire. So maybe then I'll be back.
Or I may just drop down to Dish Latino (wife insists we get Bravo), save $5/mo vs. Silver, and keep the 622.. but the relevance to this thread is that the Hopper/Joey pricing is nothing wonderful for the consumer, and Dish is losing the pricing edge that drew many of us to them. If that's no longer their marketing goal, so be it, I wish them luck. Its not that I will suddenly dislike Dish, its just that I will no longer feel they offer me a clear advantage vs. Direct.
for all these companies (including TWC), the DVR "fees" are becoming silly (esp since you can't? get a Hopper without also paying the $4/mo whole house fee). Its as stupid as the airlines.. they try to cut the "fares" they advertise, and then sneak in the revenue via "fees". As a consumer, I find it insulting. Just show me the bottom-line price. I'll figure it out either way, but I'm more likely to respect the company which doesn't over-complicate it. They are all in the razor vs. razor-blade game.. they think you won't notice the recurring expenses (ie. the monthly cost/fee) if they make the initial cost (the razor) low.
Me, again, I'm in it for the value.. when I realize I can get 2 more TVs with HD for the next 2 years, for ~$6/month by switching to DirectTV.. that is compelling. Seeing that it cost me $400 (on top of the $130) to do the same with Dish...that is disappointing.
