Retention Discount?

[stardust3]

Maybe it's cheaper for them to invest time & money into acquiring new subs rather than retain existing longstanding/loyal customers.

[lparsons21]

Maybe it's cheaper for them to invest time & money into acquiring new subs rather than retain existing longstanding/loyal customers.

It would appear that way, wouldn't it?

I think that their thinking is that it would take too big of a discount/incentive to keep the current customer compared to what they will do for a new one.

But I would think that not having to pony up the equipment would offset much of that. The speculation and postings I've read all seem to think that at the end of 2 years, the new customer isn't even profitable for them yet. Personally I think that is hogwash. The figures I've seen bandied about for the cost of the receivers seem higher than I would think they should be. But that installation cost is certainly a factor too.

I think that at the end of 2 years, if you would sign up for another 2 years, they could offer maybe 6 months of the pricing a new customer gets and come out ahead. And that would look pretty attractive to most of those looking at switching, imo.

[papalittle]

Why should Dish/Direct worry about losing customers? Most customers will switch providers as their contracts end and then return when their new contract ends.

[Islandguy43]

It's what I'm about to do. Monday I'm calling direct. I contacted a dirt member and was pretty much offered nothing. Sooo, I'm bargain hunting now. Good luck with whatever you decide!

If you are going to Direct the best deal is usually AAA discount; which gets you $10 off a month for 20 months on top of the national advertised deals.

DIRECTV | AAA Western & Central New York

[johnjay06]

I was actually gonna use my credit union discount and a referral discount. Or is the aaa one better?

[johnjay06]

Why should Dish/Direct worry about losing customers? Most customers will switch providers as their contracts end and then return when their new contract ends.

I wouldn't leave. I just wanted a little more than was offered. 5$ off per month for 12 months, and I had to agree to two more years. Not very good IMO

[Super Dave]

When I left all Dish could do was $10/ month for a year, not even close to our savings. Now my brother in law has Direct and every channel, when he called them they cut his bill in half to $85/month with every channel and 2 DVRs. Now that's an offer!

[ardeel]

i cant stand retention discounts, not sure why, i just do. if i ran dish (or any company for that matter ) i would never consider them, not ever, because my focus would be to provide a superior product that my customers would never want to leave. with dish their product is not the programming. you can get that any where. their product is the delivery and service to the user of the programming. and over the years customer service, tech support, silly gargon like "primary receiver fee of $9.00 is included in the programming" or $5.00 for phoning in a pay per view and a long list of other things that confirms they think im stupid is what currantly sours active customers into leaving

[Yespage]

When I left all Dish could do was $10/ month for a year, not even close to our savings. Now my brother in law has Direct and every channel, when he called them they cut his bill in half to $85/month with every channel and 2 DVRs. Now that's an offer!

Dish wouldn't match a promotional offer and you seem to think that means they are stingy? $10 off a month for a yr is a pretty nice deal.