The fees are killin' me!

[Sassan]

I called to upgrade to the 211 HD receiver, and keeping my 625 for the other two TVs.

$99 HD Plat
$12 Latino Bonus Pak
$5 Superstations
$6 HD receiver fee
$5 locals

$127 total subscription..........29 HD channels


You know, no problem. I have no issue with paying the programming fee, as thats what it costs to watch good TV nowadays. No biggie.




$99 211 upgrade fee


OK......no big deal, nothing comes free....I understand....



$49 "equipment handling fee"


Where the hell did this come from? It was VERY conveniently placed at the very end of the disclaimer I agreed to at the end of the upgrade phone call.




What are ya gonna do though. I called Time Warner, who I just dumped 2 months ago, about HD programming. $120 for the HD programming, HBO/Cinemax, and a close comparison to the Everything Pak as far as the other channels are concerned. The catch? 8, yes, EIGHT HD channels.

 

[Van]

This is why there needs to be more competition in satellite and in cable. The handling charge is one that Im not familiar with and I worked for E for over 6 years but it sounds like a variation of the installation fee wich makes me wonder if you get that charge reimbursed after the install upgrade.

 

[Sassan]

^thanks....I kinda figured it would be a charge for the labor or whatever. And guess what...I am gonna get $49 worth of work out of the guy. I am going to have 2 new rooms with the cable in it.

 

[SimpleSimon]

This sounds like a standard DIU job.

For a 211 you're only going to get ONE new room wired - unless you work something with the installer.

 

[Sassan]

^watch me.

 

[Van]

Only way I would add a second room for you is if you payed me for it, otherwise if Im there to upgrade the dish and add a single tuner receiver your not getting anything for free from me and thats most likely what your going to find with any tech that comes out.

 

[Sassan]

^understood.


I am not disappointed with the installers or the work you guys do.


I am disappointed with Dish nickle and diming every thing they can. Its $ for this and $ for that and then $ to do this and $$ to do that.....when does it stop!!

 

[sonnyboy11]

I agree with the high fees for Dish being quite the burden. This is why DirecTV needs to stay around- competition is a good thing! (as Van noted)

I do have to say though that my cable option is so poor in my area (Adelphia) that ANY price I have to pay to have Dish is almost worth it. I am still stuck with Adelphia's lousy HSI service. But I sleep better knowing I don't have to look at their lousy TV service. So I let that keep me from getting too ticked off about Dish's ridiculous fees.