Let me say, that for the last 2 quarters, especially this quarter, Dish has been in major butt-licking mode, BIG TIME. For one, CSR's et al. are extremely polite as of late and sound sincere in trying to solve a problem, or keep your business. I had called over a year ago to upgrade my aunt to HD, she was just on month away from the 1 upgrade per 1 year rule, but she really wanted HD now that she bought the HDTV: she was ready to spend the $$$ big time, NOW!. The Exec Off CSR really had a STINKY attitude, and just said, "No." I asked what we could do to get her HD today, just a mere month early of the rule. "Nothing," he said. And dead silence. "Isn't there something we do, like make an exception considering she is an AEP?" "No." Silence again. "Well," I said. "You can call back in 3 weeks," he suggested. Fine. Goodbye. So, Dish didn't want her $$$ for that extra month. That is how bad even the CEO CSR's were, and I won't get into the snotty and accusatory attitude I got from an Exec Off CSR in trying to persuade her that the 301's they demand back were purchased (JVC brand) at Sears. Man she was nasty and I was PO'd, but I had the sales receipts, but she just about accused me of LYING because she believes everything she sees on her computer.
I know of some recent upgrades for friends of mine, and they were able to get Dish to come down on the upgrade price and throw in a few freebies. They were very pleased. They were trying to bargain with Dish because they thought there particular upgrades with several STB's were just too much and more than they can afford. It was great to hear Dish came through and now Dish has at least 2 more HD subs with monthly bills that have increased quite a bit.
This is far different from a few years ago when if called Dish and said you were unhappy or felt upgrade was too high or told that a competitor has a better offer, what can Dish do, you were pretty much invited to cancel your subscription and get lost.
Also, they immediatly took the HD Platinum $10 charge OFF my bill, no questions or the least bit of attitude. They just did it. Great! However, Dish is shady for not doing this for all subs automatically without subs having to call in since this is the new price structure. They used to do this, but not anymore, apparently.
It seems the word has come from high--Charlie himself--who used to be rated #1 in CS. Not for some years, at least not from JD Powers. Keep up the butt licking; you will get better quarters for the effort.