Join Dish now or After 2/1?

[leavincable]

I have been thinking about leaving cable for a while, and decided to finally do it this weekend, but then I got confused about pricing and programming changes on dish changing on 2/1 and MPEG-4/2 problems once I started browsing this site.

1) Is it better for me to wait or sign up now? I am interested in the HD programming and DVR service, but also here about MPEG4 receivers and MPEG2 receivers and I do not want to buy an outdated receiver when I join dish. Are all of these promos with free equip giving me older receivers?

2) Also, does it matter who I choose to buy from (web, dish directly, or local?) don't they all have same promos?

3) some programming things seem better if I join now, like $5 for the additional hd packages, but will I be a current customer and keep the pricing if they dont' install before 2/1?

4)Anything you would do different if you were signing up with dish for the first time? Like ask for a certain type of receiver, or an extra room, etc?

Thanks.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Since its only 2 or 3 days away why not wait. The longer you wait the better chance you have of getting the new equipment which is just being released.

 

[leavincable]

lock in price?

I think some of the promos like 6 mos of free hd, and $5 for additional hd channels sound good and it souds as if I would miss out on locking in that price? or is there no price lock any way and the price would just go up come 2/1?

 

[RobertsD]

If you do not want the Voom channels, I would sign up now, since you will be able to get the HD pack for $10(with 6 months free), instead of the New HD pack with Voom for $20(not sure if you will get any free months with this).

But, if you do this, you might not get a mpeg4 compatible 211 or 622(dvr), and if you decide you want to go with the new HD pack in the future, you would have to upgrade to the new recievers.

 

[jsb_hburg]

If you do not want the Voom channels, I would sign up now, since you will be able to get the HD pack for $10(with 6 months free), instead of the New HD pack with Voom for $20(not sure if you will get any free months with this).

But, if you do this, you might not get a mpeg4 compatible 211 or 622(dvr), and if you decide you want to go with the new HD pack in the future, you would have to upgrade to the new recievers.

Isn't the new HD Pack at $29.99 per the Some Dish Info in the DN forum.

 

[Chris Freeland]

Isn't the new HD Pack at $29.99 per the Some Dish Info in the DN forum.

That is the HD only standalone price, if you get it that way you will also have to pay an additional $6 access fee, if you get it bundled with a basic SD AT60,120,180 or AEP it is an additional $20.

 

[BFG]

Well since they program everything when you get installed, I dobut there's anyway he could get installed by 2/1. So when he does get installed the old HD pack and promos wont exist anyways. So the time doesn't really matter.

 

[wallypa]

Hi, ex-voomer here. I've been seriously thinking of leaving cable and switching to E* for their stand-alone HD packages. So I called last week and spoke with a csr. Here's what I was told: As a former customer (left E* about 4 years ago), I have to purchase the HD tuner to be able to subscribe to their HD programming only; or if I want to lease the tuner, I am required to get at least their top 60 package on top of the HD packages, which is another 30 or something dollars. I forgot to ask if they will charge me a lease fee for this. Anyway, she suggested also to call again on or after 2/1 because of the changes that will occur beginning 2/1.

So, I will wait until then and see what they have to offer.

 

[iceondsom]

To answer a couple of questions on this thread........

- The new DishHD package is $20 a month. There will not be any free months offered like the 6 mos. free deal.

- The current promotion (expiring on 1/31) offers you your first month's programming package free. In addition, you are offered HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime all free for 3 months. The HD Pak, normally $9.99/mo., is free for the first 6 months.

- Starting Feb. 1st, the promotion will offer you $100 back in the form of ten monthly $10 bill credits if you subscribe to and maintain the AT120 programming package or higher. To receive the $100 rebate you'll need to complete a short rebate form and mail it in with your first DISH bill. In addition, you will be offered the Starz movie package (8 channels) free for three months. Upgrading to a HD receiver, the Vip211, will cost you a $49.99 upgrade fee.

- IF you decide that you want to sign up under the existing promotions (before 2/1), you will need to be installed and activated by Tuesday the 31st. There is still a little time for you if you decide to go this route. If you go into a RadioShack store and purchase a DISH Network activation card AND complete the account setup phone call by 3:00 pm tomorrow (Monday), you are GUARANTEED next day installation. That way you can be assured to be installed and turned on by the 31st. Finally, RadioShack is offering a $49.99 mail-in rebate on DISH Network activation cards making your activation free.

 

[wallypa]

To answer a couple of questions on this thread........

- The new DishHD package is $20 a month. There will not be any free months offered like the 6 mos. free deal.

- The current promotion (expiring on 1/31) offers you your first month's programming package free. In addition, you are offered HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime all free for 3 months. The HD Pak, normally $9.99/mo., is free for the first 6 months.

- Starting Feb. 1st, the promotion will offer you $100 back in the form of ten monthly $10 bill credits if you subscribe to and maintain the AT120 programming package or higher. To receive the $100 rebate you'll need to complete a short rebate form and mail it in with your first DISH bill. In addition, you will be offered the Starz movie package (8 channels) free for three months. Upgrading to a HD receiver, the Vip211, will cost you a $49.99 upgrade fee.

- IF you decide that you want to sign up under the existing promotions (before 2/1), you will need to be installed and activated by Tuesday the 31st. There is still a little time for you if you decide to go this route. If you go into a RadioShack store and purchase a DISH Network activation card AND complete the account setup phone call by 3:00 pm tomorrow (Monday), you are GUARANTEED next day installation. That way you can be assured to be installed and turned on by the 31st. Finally, RadioShack is offering a $49.99 mail-in rebate on DISH Network activation cards making your activation free.

Thanks for the info. Do you have any scoop from E* in terms of promos for new customers who wants to subscribe to the HD packages only (Voom programs, etc.), starting 2/1. I still have the old voom dish on my roof facing at 61.5. Do I need to replace that with a new dish if I want the E* voom package only?

 

[BFG]

haha. Dish does not promo the selling of HD only. To get that you'll have to buy the receiver and pay $29.99 / month w/o locals

 

[Mainstreet]

2) Also, does it matter who I choose to buy from (web, dish directly, or local?) don't they all have same promos?

If you want the current promo, contact a local retailer and see if they can install you by Tuesday. (look in the Yellow Pages under Cable or Satellite)

You also have to think about service after the sale. Everyone who signs up for DISH gets the standard support and service from 800-333-DISH. If you sign up through a local store, you get a local # and local support in addition to what others get. This is a value added service that can be worth it's weight in gold if needed. Just find a reputable business - not all are created equal. (There are horror stories from retailer installs, just like there are horror stories from DISH direct installs - do your homework)

 

[Chris Freeland]

haha. Dish does not promo the selling of HD only. To get that you'll have to buy the receiver and pay $29.99 / month w/o locals

And don't forget the $6/mo access fee for a total of $35.99/mo w/o locals or $40.99/mo w/locals if all you want is HD only. And you will have to buy your equipment at full price if all you want is HD.

 

[leavincable]

thanks for all your help!

Some other questions, does it make sense to request 4 rooms up front or can I add rooms and receivers later without it costing much?

if I can get it set up by tuesday, and I am leasing equipment can't I just request the new box on wednesday for mpeg4 but still have my promos?

Even if I sign up today but they can't install until next week wouldn't they honor the terms I signed up with?

 

[Mainstreet]

thanks for all your help!

Some other questions, does it make sense to request 4 rooms up front or can I add rooms and receivers later without it costing much?

if I can get it set up by tuesday, and I am leasing equipment can't I just request the new box on wednesday for mpeg4 but still have my promos?

Even if I sign up today but they can't install until next week wouldn't they honor the terms I signed up with?

The packages and pricing are changing Feb 1. Activation date is the key.

If your account is installed and activated before Feb 1, you get the current HD package and current promo. The first bill would be at the current rate, then subsequent bills will reflect the new AT60/120/180 pricing.

If you are activated after Feb 1, but signed up for the current promo before Feb1, you will get that promo, i.e. 12 off for 3 months or first month free, HBO/SHO/CIN free for 3 months, etc, but your package pricing would be at the new rate from day one. You would not be able to activate the old HD Pak, or $5 Voom package.

Even though you're leasing the equipment, you can't just change your equipment out "willy nilly". You generally have to have been active for at least a year before you are offered any decent equipment upgrade options. Even then, they aren't free. You need to get the proper equipment at the time of your initial installation. This will save you some headaches later. You will not be able to just "request a new box" after you are activated.

 

[leavincable]

wouldn't the 6 mos of free HD service also be honored even if activated after 2/1? My package rate i understand would change, but shouldn't that be rolled into existing promos?

 

[Mainstreet]

wouldn't the 6 mos of free HD service also be honored even if activated after 2/1? My package rate i understand would change, but shouldn't that be rolled into existing promos?

The way I understand it, you will not be able to have the $9.99 HD package activated at all after 1/31/06. They will not be giving 6 months free on the new HD channels, so I guess the answer to your question would be "no".