The $399 or $299 price for loyal subscribers is the reason I want to jump to Dish. Hell I could go there and get 2 Hoppers and be locked in for two years. If I don't like it I could jump back after my Dish contract is up and get all the new deals with Direct.
So I can understand why people switch between the two for the new deals and cheaper prices. I like Direct and all but at the end of the day its only TV.