Wow, Direct was not interested in my business!

[darrencp22]

Here's the scoop.

I am a Dish customer and former D* customer. I am interested in switching back. I'm even interested in swallowing the $160 termination fee from E.

However, I subscribe to center ice, which I paid $160. I was willing to eat E*s cost on this, but asked if D* can prorate the package for me as the season is close to 2/3rd over (i'm not going to pay another $160 for 30 games).

They refused to do it. There's only so much money I can justify losing making this switch, but that is just the breaking point. I guess they dont want me as a customer!

 

[Neutron]

Talk to customer retention.

Maybe they can credit your account the 2/3 of the cost of center ice and charge you for the full amount, making your part 1/3.

 

[darrencp22]

Talk to customer retention.

Maybe they can credit your account the 2/3 of the cost of center ice and charge you for the full amount, making your part 1/3.

I dont know. I had my mind up after much debate (mainly due to hardware as I prefer E*'s)

I shouldnt have to go through work to want to be a customer. I know D is not getting all of this money but i'll be spending 300+ by the time I switch. I'm viewing this as a sign that I should stay with the sinking ship.

 

[uncrules]

In the past there was half season offers for all of the sports packages but in looking at D*'s web site that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

I'm surprised you weren't able to get various programming credits that would've offset the CI cost. Other members of this site switching from E* to D* have gotten some of those.

And lastly, if you call back and play the CSR roulette game you might have better luck. Unfortunately not all CSRs give out the same deal. Also, when you call and the automated voice starts asking for you to choose who you want to talk to, say "retention." That department is usually the best place for getting good deals.

 

[goaliebob99]

Yea I though there would be a half season package.. Dont understand why that there isnt one.

 

[boba]

Maybe your previous D* subscription wasn't one that D* wants to renew. Maybe they figure it is more profitable to them if you stay a DISH customer. Sometimes customer that bounce from provider to provider cost more than they are worth.

 

[Greg Bimson]

As I recall, the half-price deal normally starts after the mid-season free preview.

So, if you can wait until 27 January, when the NHL CI free preview is on DirecTV, you will probably find at that time the price will drop on CI.

 

[Indiana627]

In the past there was half season offers for all of the sports packages but in looking at D*'s web site that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Probably after the all star game this weekend they'll offer the half season deal. They are also offering a week long CI freeview starting on 1/27, and I'm sure they'll run endless promos to the affect of "to enjoy all this hockey for the rest of the season, order now at half price." Just my speculation.

 

[charper1]

They want you as a customer BUT they are not going to be hijacked to do so. I can see why they refused. They are not in business to haggle prices like buying at a garage sale.

 

[cforrest]

Usually half-season packages are after all-star game for both NHL & NBA packages. I would wait a week after the all-star game and see if the half-season offer happens, it should. Then make the switch then.

 

[jacmyoung]

Yes you can haggle but need right timing. The sales rep can’t do what he/she can not do.

First off, if you can sign on as a new sub, do so and get better deals. I have a thread titled “$240 additional savings” check it out, spend time to read to the end because the deals just kept getting better. If you qualify for all the discounts in there, you may not care about the $160. Also I heard someone told E* he was moving to Canada and got his termination fee waived.

My wife had a D* account a few years back, we still get D* letters asking her to return, but when I ordered D* two weeks ago I used my name, the same address and phone#, as a new sub. Your mileage may vary.

Once you place the order, you can then call retention and haggle. I can easily see retention applying $160 to offset your NHL cost. You can always cancel the order before installation.

 

[darrencp22]

I wasn't asking for the store! I didnt want to pay the full season price for a package that only had 30 games left, simply pro-rate it.. even halve it.. which is still a better deal on there is LESS than a half season. Thats hardly a "garage sale".

 

[jacmyoung]

I wasn't asking for the store! I didnt want to pay the full season price for a package that only had 30 games left, simply pro-rate it.. even halve it.. which is still a better deal on there is LESS than a half season. Thats hardly a "garage sale".

Keep your eyes on the ball darren, don't be distracted

 

[Cincyray]

Well center ice isnt the reason you are willing to switch then wait till hockey is over then do it. If you want more hd then forget about the hockey and do it now simple as that.

 

[Stargazer]

There's always next year.

 

[iwc5893]

They want you as a customer BUT they are not going to be hijacked to do so. I can see why they refused. They are not in business to haggle prices like buying at a garage sale.

Another thing to consider with this -

If the OP is willing to break contract with E* to switch to D*, then there is no guarantee that he won't break contract with D* to go somewhere else. It costs D* several hundred dollars to get a new customer, when you include promos, rebates, installation, and equipment. They need you to remain a customer for a set length of time just to break even on what they give you.

I can also see why D* would pass on that offer as well.

 

[charper1]

Yup, Yup!

 

[dfergie]

Aye... think about it, Direct and Dish are not up there for our convienience... but to line their pockets.

 

[Juan]

Here's the scoop.

I am a Dish customer and former D* customer. I am interested in switching back. I'm even interested in swallowing the $160 termination fee from E.

However, I subscribe to center ice, which I paid $160. I was willing to eat E*s cost on this, but asked if D* can prorate the package for me as the season is close to 2/3rd over (i'm not going to pay another $160 for 30 games).

They refused to do it. There's only so much money I can justify losing making this switch, but that is just the breaking point. I guess they dont want me as a customer!

You are better off waiting till the D* ownership issue clears. Johm Malone (Liberty Media) has a long history of screwing over cable customers with package changes and rate increases (some twice a year) when he ran TCI cable

 

[stuckingoo]

It's best for you to ride out the hockey season.....around next fall you should get a pretty good picture about what Dish can deliver with the new sats. Unless they continue to be tight lipped about everything....then just jettison them and make the switch. One thing that p*ssed me off about Dish is their up-to-the-last-minute negotiations with MLB and NHL. You know D* ain't gonna jack with the sports fans like that.