Here's What Resolution Team Told Me

[hemway]

I have a 2800, 501, 811, and a Dish1000 antenna, all of it owned by me. I had to pay the big bucks for the 811 & 501 because I was already a customer and wasn't entitled to any 'new customer' discounts.

After the recent Charlie Chat I emailed ceo@dishnetwork.com and asked for some clarification on the upgrade plan that was laid out during the chat. I wanted to know what my equipment was worth.

This is what I was originally told:

Effective February 1, 2006 the model VIP622 and VIP411/211 will be available for a lease upgrade. The model 622 will have a lease upgrade fee of $299.00 and will include the installation of the receiver and a DISH 1000 if needed. If you currently have a model 811/6000 and would like to swap this for a VIP411/211 the swap out fee is $49.00. Any other model receivers have an exchange fee of $98.00.

If you currently have a Model 921 or a 942 I would recommend waiting until April 1, 2006 to take advantage of a greater savings. The replacement and return of a 921 or 942 for the VIP622 will have an upgrade fee of $299.00 (including installation and a DISH 1000 if needed) PLUS a $200 Rebate. This offer will only be available starting
April 1, 2006.

I followed up that email response asking for a little clarification based on the equipment I already have and this is what I was told:

On Feb 1st, I'll be able to lease a new vip622 HD receiver for an up front lease charge of $299 plus a monthly $5 lease fee and a monthly $5.98 DVR fee. No equipment trade in required.

I'll also be able to exchange my 2800 receiver for a new vip211 HD receiver for an exchange fee of $98 plus a monthly lease fee of $5.

I can keep my 811 (will use it for SD programming unless I purchase a 3rd HDTV) but will have to pay an additional outlet fee of $5.00 a month. I can take the 501 out of service and sell it (if I can).

I asked if I still had to pay the installation fee on both receivers and was told that currently ship option is not available for dual tuner receivers – that may change before Feb 1, 2006. There will be a ship option for the VIP 211 for $49.00

The last question I had was what type of programming commitment is going to be required for this lease option and was told a 18 month commitment of Top 60 or above plus the HD package.

I hope this answers some of the questions out there.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

The last question I had was what type of programming commitment is going to be required for this lease option and was told a 18 month commitment of Top 60 or above plus the HD package.

This may be true in your case but not for everyone, it all depending on your rating with Dish Network and how long you have been a customer.

Most folks will have no commitment other then the one that they must stay subscribed to one of the new HD packages which are also coming out on February 1st.

 

[DWS44]

So they told you that you could get TWO MPEG4 Upgrades?!? ...that you could use the lease upgrades to get BOTH a 211 and a 622?!?

That goes against all we've been hearing that's been clarified by Dish officials...that we could only get ONE MPEG4 upgrade? Am I missing something?!?

 

[gdarwin]

So they told you that you could get TWO MPEG4 Upgrades?!? ...that you could use the lease upgrades to get BOTH a 211 and a 622?!?

That goes against all we've been hearing that's been clarified by Dish officials...that we could only get ONE MPEG4 upgrade? Am I missing something?!?

I'm going to quote from the DISH'n It Up Agreement which was included in my 211...

Eligibility. <snip> Maximum of one model 811, 411, or VIP 211 reciever per DISH'n It Up tranasction. Maximum of four total leased tuners per account (including previously-leased equipment). Maximum of two leased model 811, 411, and/or VIP 211 receivers per account (including previously-leased equipment). Only one participant per household. Participation is limited to one DISH'n It Up transaction in any twelve (12) month period. <snip>

Maybe this is the issue...

If this is the case I plan on buying a few more receivers...

 

[hemway]

I've been a customer for over 5 years and have CC auto-pay so they get their money every month. When I purchased my 811 or 501, I didn’t have to commit to a minimum programming commitment. I didn’t even have to subscribe to the HD package.

One thing that stood out that I’m not happy with is I’ll be paying a $5 lease fee on both leased receivers (understandable), but I have to pay an ‘additional outlet fee of $5.00 a month’ on the 811 which is owned by me and currently being used. I thought there was not charge for the first receiver and then additional charges for all receivers after that. Am I wrong?

I’m going to wait until February 1st to see what shakes out for upgrades. At that time I’ll look at all of my options, *E, *D, and local cable) and make a decision. The only thing I don’t like with *E is the HD package. None of the Voom channels are of interest to me so if they broke up the HD package into two tiers, I defiantly would stay with *E.

I also asked about buying receivers, and I was told that at this time they didn’t have any information on the sale of the 622 or 211.

 

[SpenceJT]

So, let me get this straight. Will it be possible for me to trade-in/upgrade my "owned" 921 to a leased 622 for $99 (in April after rebate), and lease a second 622 for $299?

If so, I'm in, and will decide on what to do with my 811. I may retain it if I can keep it as my "primary" box, then have the two leased 622's listed as secondary units. I sure as heck won't be activating it if Dish won't allow me to have it as my primary (no additional fee) unit.

Regards,
Spence

 

[Reefer123]

Nope you are only allowed one MPEG4 receiver upgrade at this time.

 

[SpenceJT]

how about one upgrade from 921 to a 622 and an additional leased 622?

Only one is considered an upgrade right? ...or am I smoking something that I should be selling.

 

[Carl B]

If the initial, owned receiver no longer is w/o fee, this is worse than I thought. Plus, I'm w/ HEMWAY, the VOOM channels aren't of any interest to me. But, they are going to double the cost of the HD-Pak because of them.

The route to my video future is guided by the objective to maintain my monthly bill at the same or less than it currently is (accepting reasonable annual increases for inflation) and not to purchase programming that we won't be watching. OTOH, E* is trying to pry more dollars from each sub and improve their margin. It is beginning to look like E* and my family are becoming incompatible. I guess I'll start reading all those Comcast offers closely. Unless the final E* offers and prices improve, I'll be out of E* by summer.

 

[Reefer123]

ok people ONE MPEG4 upgrade, no matter how you slice or dice it. If you need more than one you pay full price for the second.

 

[hemway]

I've got it in writing (email) that I can lease a 622 for an upfront cost of $299 plus the monthly lease ($5) and PVR ($4.98) fees. I can also trade my 2800 in for the $98 211 deal. That sure sounds like I can get two MPEG4 receivers.

As for getting two 622's, I didn't ask.

I still need to check with D* and the local cable company to see what they have to offer. I know locally, they offer the same HD channels that *E currently has less the Voom channels and already has my locals in HD.

 

[Fredinva]

Hemway,

Where did you get the "monthly lease fee of $5"

There is NO MONTHLY LEASE FEE !!!!!!!!!!

$5 extra receiver fees, yes.

fred

 

[hemway]

If you read my first entry, it clearly states I can get a 622 for the $299 upfront lease charge and the monthy lease ($5) and DVR ($4.98) fees. I can also trade my old 2800, along with the $98 upfront lease charge and the monthy lease ($5) fee to get a 211. I've got this in writing (email).

I didn't ask about getting two 622's because I don't need two and can't see paying an additional $299 for something I don't own.

I'm still looking at all of my options. I'm going to look at D* and the local cable company. Cox has the same HD channels that *E currently has less the Voom channels, which I don't want anyway, plus they already have my locals in HD.

 

[Carl B]

I'm an E* sub since '99 w/ owned equipment, premium packages, the HD-Pak, and a perfect payment record. Similar to HEMWAY's situation. If what they told him is as good as it gets, it sucks. I'll be in the market for a different TV service provider late this spring.

 

[Yota86]

Hemway,
Where did you get the "monthly lease fee of $5"
There is NO MONTHLY LEASE FEE !!!!!!!!!!
$5 extra receiver fees, yes.
fred

There is a lease fee,
New Monthly Charge(s) 12/21 to 01/20
AMERICA'S TOP 180 47.99
LEASED RECEIVER FEE 5.0
ADDL RECEIVER ACCESS FEE 4.99
SUPERSTATION PACKAGE KWGN 5.99
FOX NETWORK 1.5
DISH FLICKS 1.95
DISH NETWORK HD PACKAGE 9.99
VOOM ORIGINAL 5.0
CHICAGO FOX 1.5
Account Charges $ 83.91

 

[M Sparks]

Yota, how many receivers do you have?

I still haven't seen a solid answer on this. I have no real problem with the upgrade offer unless there's a monthly fee. I only have a 942, and don't mind swapping.

 

[Yota86]

I own two 301's and lease an 811. The lease fee takes the place of the additional receiver access fee.

 

[hemway]

Go to this thread to see all of the package rates and new additional fee structure.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=32421

 

[Carl B]

I own two 301's and lease an 811. The lease fee takes the place of the additional receiver access fee.

But, under the new fee schedule you will pay one lease fee and two additional receiver fees or about $5 for each receiver owned or leased. The first receiver is no longer w/o fee.

 

[hemway]

I was told that if my 811, which I own, is my primary receiver, there won't be a additional receiver/outlet fee on that There will be a lease fee on the two leased reveivers (if I get a 622 & 211). This is from Corporate.