Looking to come back to Dish, but I have some questions

[samalex]

Hi all.

We dropped Dish over a year ago not because we didn't like it, rather we were just looking at ways to cut costs. Plus most of what we watch is available via streaming providers like Netflix and Amazon Prime. About 6 months ago though my wife wanted to get it back, so instead of signing-up for Dish with another 2 year contract I just did Time Warner which is our only wired cable provider. I have to say their service is HORRENDOUS. So given I don't foresee us dropping cable again anytime soon I'm looking back to Dish since their service is superior and cheaper than Time Warner.

I just read through the site, and boy have things changed in two years. We had the DVR 722 which was leased so it went back to Dish when we cancelled. Now I'm looking at the Hopper and Joey so we can have it in two rooms. Is this better, comparable, or worse than the DVR 722? Just curious. Also do we need a wired connection between them or are they wireless? And just to verify they both would share the same DVR right?

Something else, when we originally got Dish probably 6-7 years ago and got our DVR 722 we paid a decent amount for the 'leased' box (which i never quite understood) and we had to continue paying the monthly fee for warranty or whatever it is. If we sign-up now for a Joey and Hopper do we still have to pay a large upfront cost? I didn't see this on the website, but just curious.

Also it says we'd get a free ipad mini if we sign-up, but the more I read seems like we get either $25 off per month for a year or the iPad Mini. Sounds like about the same value either way since the iPad minis cost about $300. We're mostly an Android house, so if we forewent on the iPad Mini could we still use the Dish software to watch our content on say our Android phones and tablets (Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7)?

The website doesn't give a very detailed breakdown of the costs, but if we signed-up for the American's Top 120 with a Joey, a Hopper, DVR service, DVR everywhere (if that's extra), and the warranty on the box, how much should this be ballpark a month? Also does DIsh still charge extra for HD? It's 2014, I'd think everything would be assumed HD now'days, so hopefully this isn't an extra charge as it once was.

Thanks as always for advice and input.

Sam

 

[samalex]

I just did a chat with Dish to get some ideas on cost (forgot they had this feature), and they answered most of my questions. With the AT 200, Hopper, and Joey here's what I got after a lengthy chat:

AT200 - $69.99 ($39.99 for 12 months)
DVR service - $12
Joey 2nd TV - $7
Taxes - about $6.16
State Cost Recovery Fee - $0.62
Protection Plan - $7 (free for 4 months)
HD - $10 (free for 24 months)

I honestly don't get that they still charge $10/month for HD. I don't think anyone has sold a non-HD TV in what 3-4 years, but they're saying in 2016 I'll have to start paying $10/month to get the service in HD? Seems like saying they'll charge $5/month for Color. Anyway, I digress.

Luckily I had Dish before so I knew what to ask. When i asked what I'd pay out of pocket for everything she said $88.99, but after I asked to itemize this I found it didn't include any taxes, fees, or the protection plan. She also said she'd have to run a credit check on me to see if I'd qualify for the leased equipment for free or if i'd have to pay for it. I'm fine with this, but I didn't do it since we're still on the fence on whether or not we'll jump back (though I'm sure we will).

Anyway, so looks like we'd be spending $65.77 for the first 4 months, $72.77 for months 5-12, 102.77 for months 13-24, and in the end $112.77, give or take a few dollars I guess.

So, from this have I missed anything?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[dare2be]

You can drop the protection plan at the end of the 4 months and not pay a dime for it.

Who knows what'll happen in 2 years with the HD fee. You might be able to get the discount extended by chatting or calling in at the end of the 24 months, or it may not even be a surcharge by then.

 

[KAB]

If you had stayed with Dish, you would have been grandfathered with HD, provided you did autopay.

 

[Scherrman]

You can still get the same exact equipment you had before if you ask for it. You do not have to get the Hopper system but it is a pretty awesome setup even though it's more expensive.

Dish changed the Free HD promotion at the beginning of the year I believe. I wouldn't worry at all about it. By the end of those 24 months who knows what the new promotion will be. As far as we know they may get rid of the HD charge altogether.

I think you'll be better off just taking the programming credits instead of the iPad. You can probably find an iPad cheaper than $399 online if you really wanted one.

Also, if you are going to sign up don't forget that you can use a referral number from a friend. You can save yourself $50 on your first bill and save your friend $5 a month for 10 months on their bill.

 

[navychop]

You can set up the current Joey in a wireless configuration or "soon" there will be an officially supported wireless Joey.


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[navychop]

BTW, take the cash not the mini iPad.


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[Centex]

Keep in mind that the Joey connects to the Hopper (actually to the node), via coax, so if you house is wired for cable, you shouldn't have any trouble feeding the signal to the Joey.

 

[satnewb]

I guess I would ask what channels/shows are there that she can't live without. One way or the other you're making a pretty significant commitment for the next couple years, and if it's only a couple channels I would think twice.

 

[navychop]

You can set up the current Joey temporarily with coax, perhaps next to the Hopper or anywhere, not required to be where you plan to watch it. Then connect the wireless and disconnect the coax. Now move the Joey to any TV in the house- no coax, just power cable and connection to TV.


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[ncted]

Don't forget to include the annual price increases! I have the 1 Hopper/1 Joey setup, and the fees look right aside from the taxes which would be different in NC. If you have to have pay TV service, Dish is definitely way better than TWC, so I'd go for it.

-Ted

 

[samalex]

You can drop the protection plan at the end of the 4 months and not pay a dime for it.


Who knows what'll happen in 2 years with the HD fee. You might be able to get the discount extended by chatting or calling in at the end of the 24 months, or it may not even be a surcharge by then.

True... But as long as Dish and DirecTV charge this I'd bet it'll be there for a while. Just seems like it should sunset like charging for touch tone.

If you had stayed with Dish, you would have been grandfathered with HD, provided you did autopay.

Yup, it would've grandfathered in... but who knew. I didn't expect to be looking at cable again anytime soon. My wife want's it if anyone's curious :-D

You can still get the same exact equipment you had before if you ask for it. You do not have to get the Hopper system but it is a pretty awesome setup even though it's more expensive.
-snip-
Also, if you are going to sign up don't forget that you can use a referral number from a friend. You can save yourself $50 on your first bill and save your friend $5 a month for 10 months on their bill.

Really? One of the pro's we're looking for is Dish in the bedroom too, so unless the Roku has a Dish Anywhere app (which it may, I haven't looked) we'll need a Joey there. But if we could get by with the DVR 722 and a Sling I'd be happy with that. I just didn't think that was an option anymore since the 722 is getting up there in age.


Also I didn't know about the referral program. Good to know ..

BTW, take the cash not the mini iPad.

Yup, we have plenty of mobile devices don't need an iPad mini... I'll take the $30/month discount.

I guess I would ask what channels/shows are there that she can't live without. One way or the other you're making a pretty significant commitment for the next couple years, and if it's only a couple channels I would think twice.

I'm looking at that now seriously. My wife mostly wants it, I'm fine without it, so I need to ask her if she's okay with spending almost $1000 a year (and more after 12 months) for the shows she watches. We have a Roku, so that's really all we need in my opinion, but then again I mostly just watch PBS, Nasa TV, and a hand full of other stations available for free already online.

 

[Scherrman]

This is why you should never go directly to Dish. They are going to push you towards the equipment they want you to have. It's best to come here first and find out your options or go to a good local retailer. We still install more 722 receivers than we do Hopper systems.