After nearly 19 years... is this the end of Dish for me?

Cut down to the Welcome pack, Smart pack or America pack to save money. Then add back in HBO for $10.00. If you want add DISH movie pack for $5.00 -1/2 price. That might get you down on your programming price while keeping movies in the mix. I haven't had the 622 in years. I went with the 722 then 722k and then 922 -don't ask and then the hopper , and now the hopper with sling. I am now grandfathered at $12.00 dvr fee-for now ,but I pay $10.00 for a super joey and $7.00 for the joey for my 15 year old boy- who barely ever uses it.

The FEES have exploded with DISH and that is why I think the bill is way to high. It costs me $29.00 a month just to operate my system ,BEFORE programming is paid for. But the hopper records all 4 networks at night using one tuner -so no need for timers -unless you want to save a series.I only have top 200 -which will now go to $79.99 a month next bill. Add to the HBO for $10.00 and Movie pack for $5.00 and I am now up to $123.00 before tax. If I didn't have credits off my bill through May of this year , I would of already cut way down on my account. I think anytime my bill goes over $100.00 a month it is too high.

I have even thought about Tivo for ota only and getting FULL ota guide data for my sub channels that DISH won't provide. Most of the cable channels that we have in the programming packs show nothing but reruns from network tv -that we saw years ago. Along with that add reality crap tv shows to the mix and infomercials and we have what passes as Pay tv today. I too have thought about cutting it out, due to the yearly programming price increases and the increasing DISH fees. But I love DISH's new hopper/joey equipment and I've had DISH for 19 years this month and I feel like I have invested a lot of blood ,sweat, and tears with all the buggy equipment that came before it. Don't know if I will invest in the newest hopper 3 with 16 tuners, because it would mean a total reinstall of a dish with hybrid lnb, trade in my super joey , and then pay $15.00 for the hopper dvr fee ,but my fees would stay the same at $29.00 a month ,because I would go to a regular joey instead of super joey. The new receiver sounds great ,but there really isn't ever a need for me and my wife to record 16 shows or 20 shows at a time (with the ptat 4 networks and 1 ota tuner recording at a time). Especially since I have already said that there is rarely ever anything on but reruns , informercials and reality crap to choose from. I really find that I watch network tv and the ota subs channels more now days than the cable shows.

In the end I think the main reason why I have stayed with DISH is this website:Been a member since 03. If I didn't have others in this online community to talk to about my DISH system , complaints, etc, I would of gone a long time ago. Maybe that is why you feel conflicted as well. Misery loves company and in this instance you might be more miserable without DISH and this site to commiserate with than to cut the cord entirely. I just wish that DISH would allow more ala cart smaller programming packs so we could have more choices to choose from. But that is what SLING tv is about .
With the Hopper 3, my fees will go down by about $12 per month. I have four HWS, and two Joeys, so I pay $62 in fees, with the Hopper 3, that should go to $50 per month.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheKrell
If your primary viewing has become local channels, a change in the package you subscribe to is a no-brainer. I have to think you have the Everything package if you're paying almost $200/mo.

Where are you located that you get that many channels with just an indoor antenna ? All of Dayton's stations are UHF but Cincinnati has a mixture. I only have a UHF antenna so I don't get any of those...

Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
 
I've considered dropping Dish before, but only while I was mad at them. Both times the issues were resolved to my satisfaction, or more. I have no problem with the company itself.

About 15 years ago when my service went from $50 to $70 a month I said if the price of my service goes over 100 bucks a month, I'll cut back. I have, a little. But now with the latest not-so-insignificant price increases my level of service has reached just a hair under $200 bucks a month.

For perspective: $200 a month was about what my car payment was for my first and second new cars. And I owned them after 4 years. $200 a month will take care of my Bengals' season ticket AND my sister-in-law's AND a spare, plus parking, PLUS tailgate supplies for the season! $200 bucks a month will give me a darned good cruise every other year.

So... what is my alternative?
Drop the level of service? I considered that, but there is no level of service where I don't get a massive amount of bloatware and the few basic channels I do watch.

I'm a TV/Movie junkie. But I find myself watching mostly local channels lately. Most of the cable shows I liked have ended or will be ending this year and/or are available on Hulu for free eventually, or on the relatively cheap Hulu plus. Netflix is not a replacement for the premium channels, but Netflix + Hulu Plus + HBO Now + Channel Master DVR plus would come very close to replacing what I have now (and actually watch) and run about $40 a month, after the initial cost of the DVR (249-300 bucks.). I could even try to go without the DVR plus at first. That still leaves me with just under $160 a month in savings and I can watch just about every program I ever watched.

As of this moment, my ISP doesn't have (published) download caps, but I know that could change. I have plenty of bandwidth with my current plan so there would be no cost incurred there at the moment.

So talk me down! What am I overlooking with this possible change? I currently have a 622, 612, 211 (without DVR).
All my TVs are web enabled or have a Roku or web enabled BluRay player with the apps mentioned above.
TNGTony, 19 years is a long time. It would be worse than a divorce if you left DISH. You are a long time Staff Member/Supporting Founder of SatGuys and have helped out a lot of members with issues. You would miss DISH and SatGuys too. You can work it out. Hang in there, we would miss you..
 
I DUMPED dish when they jacked up extra receiver fees from 5 to 7 bucks to 17 bucks. this corresponded to the end of their sub number growth.

I am proof anyone can remain here even if they dont subscribe:)

I moved to tivos with lifetime service bought used here, and comcast cable card fee was just a few bucks each.

right now i am cord cutting going to use a tivo for on line streaming......

with me tv, and now antenna tv, along with a streaming service i am a happy camper....
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeD-C05
Tony, several folks have come on lately regretting the cord cutting idea. Just make sure you take emotions out of the equation. And make sure you do ALL THE MATH! But more importantly, is it really worth it?
 
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
For me personally the game changer to seriously scale back is when streaming/vod became available. Regular tv just does not have the same appeal anymore. At least to me anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KE4EST
I have been thinking of doing the same for a few years. Nothing against Dish personally, the whole industry is getting over priced. I actually think Dish has done best at trying to keep the prices down, especially compared to DirectTV.

One option to consider, depending where you live, some providers (Cable, UVerse, etc) can offer some good deals if you bundle multiple services from them, assuming you need all those services.

The big question I have with all this is "Where does it end"? All the providers can't just endlessly raise prices and expect consumers to just keep paying. There is a price point where tons of people are going to start saying enough is enough. I think we are getting close. I get the feeling the Cable/Satellite providers are going to suffer the same fate as the home phone providers. I would still have a land line if I could get one for $10-$15 a month but a very basic land line in my area costs $35. I have other options so I just won't pay $35 for a land line any more.
 
Can't you just cut back on the receivers?

I don't understand how some people spend so much on equipment. There isn't value there. The money is in the channels. Get a 722, get creative with wiring and slash the bill without slashing the actual entertainment.
 
Tony, several folks have come on lately regretting the cord cutting idea. Just make sure you take emotions out of the equation. And make sure you do ALL THE MATH! But more importantly, is it really worth it?

judging by the cord cutter shows available, theres more available to cord cutters than regular channels.

antenna tv and me tv are free ota and offer the old shows i really enjoy

i think the cable satellite tv providers are going to see their businesses collapse. their prices and fees have no regard to affordability. plus lots of people are using sling type options to view programming from friends who still subscribe....
 
When my bill goes up to near $100, that's when I go on chat and see what they can offer . Out of all the providers I've had, Dish has been the only one that will give me a break . If it weren't for the receiver fees, it wouldn't be so bad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeD-C05
I've been on the Welcome Pack for about two years now. Did that when I decided to start actually using my Amazon Prime account for something else besides free shipping. I did add HBO for $10 recently, but that was mainly to have access to HBO Go on the Roku. Between that and OTA there is way more programming than I could watch. It also helps that I work 60+ hours a week 10 months out of the year... no time for anything else but binge-watching the recorded stuff on DVR or on Roku. I will probably start a 2-year contract again if I decide to get a Hopper 3. I'll trade in my long-in-the-tooth ViP-722 and backup ViP-211. Should have given up the ViP-211 long ago but I needed it when the 722 died the first time. My bill for Welcome Pack, HBO, and the two receivers is $44 and change per month. Amazon is $100 a year and broadband is $55 a month.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeD-C05
TNGTony, 19 years is a long time. It would be worse than a divorce if you left DISH. You are a long time Staff Member/Supporting Founder of SatGuys and have helped out a lot of members with issues. You would miss DISH and SatGuys too. You can work it out. Hang in there, we would miss you..
I don't plan to go anywhere. Most of my posts here lately have been on the networks and other entertainment forums.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will probably make a decision in the next few weeks. After I recover from the depression I am suffering at the hands of my beloved Bengals.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fhsucade07
I don't plan to go anywhere. Most of my posts here lately have been on the networks and other entertainment forums.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will probably make a decision in the next few weeks. After I recover from the depression I am suffering at the hands of my beloved Bengals.
You can do what I am doing, I went on pause to see if I really missed DISH. I've got about 5 months more before I have to separate and 3-4 programs I want to record off the hard drive. Not a DISH problem just too little program content for the monthly subscription cost, especially with sports not being important. PBS is much more my type of programming than ESPN is, what a difference in programming costs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stardust3
After I recover from the depression I am suffering at the hands of my beloved Bengals.
Though a Falcons fan, I am even a bigger fan of my beloved Georgia Bulldogs and so rooted for Cincinnati and AJ Green. Jumped for joy when AJ connected with AJ for the "winning" touchdown. What a stunning (and stupid) collapse. You have my utmost sympathies.

PS...we "met" many years ago on alt.dbs....newsgroup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TNGTony

Can I use a NAS for EHD on HWS or Hopper 3?

Free premiums for 3 months

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)

Latest posts