DN Retention Specialist offer...

[bub]

Just got off the phone with DN Retention Specialist and thought I would share in case it can help anybody else...

My history with DN has been ongoing for almost 12 years. I have the Top 200 with locals, SilverHD with PlatinumHD (huh?) and no premium movie channels and a vip722 leased receiver. My bill was $83/month before tax, before the price increase.

DirecTV is offering The Ultimate HD package, which includes 200 digital, HD, HD local networks, SpeedTV HD, HR21 HD DVR, free installation and all fees for $50/month for 12 months.

I think once DN figured out I was not kidding (and I wasn't, I was calling DirecTV right after I got off the phone with DN to set up service installation) about leaving, they matched DirecTV's offer. She gave me $40 credit a month for a year, and the free premium movie channels for 3 months. All without any commitment. I can still call DirecTV if I want to.

Just thought I would throw that out there as the DirecTV offer for $50/month for 12 months ends today. In case you don't know or haven't seen/received the offer, the number is 888-665-1340. Some of you out there might want to give DN a call...

Luck all,
George

Hey, does anybody know anything about the Ft. Smith Arkansas local networks in HD? I read the uplink report and it showed them uplinked last week but no activity since. Also, SpeedTV in HD? Anything new there. Thx...

 

[jwgreen68]

Wow! Think they'll give it to me for free if I threaten to leave? Maybe they will pay me $50/month, plus free sub, just to stay. I'm so invaluable, I deserve to get something for nothing. Maybe E* will pay my mortgage this month, since I am a highly appreciated customer that they don't want to lose.

If I had been the Retention Specialist, you would have been told "Goodbye!" "Don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out".

If Directv is that much better, then sign up. Why are you still with Dish? When these deals from Dish run out, you gonna whine and complain till you get something free again? It's people like you that cause prices to go up. Someone has to pay when someone gets something free. I swear, this country is becoming the biggest freeloader, welfare state in the world!

 

[Skyhi]

Wow! Think they'll give it to me for free if I threaten to leave? Maybe they will pay me $50/month, plus free sub, just to stay. I'm so invaluable, I deserve to get something for nothing. Maybe E* will pay my mortgage this month, since I am a highly appreciated customer that they don't want to lose.

If I had been the Retention Specialist, you would have been told "Goodbye!" "Don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out".

If Directv is that much better, then sign up. Why are you still with Dish? When these deals from Dish run out, you gonna whine and complain till you get something free again? It's people like you that cause prices to go up. Someone has to pay when someone gets something free. I swear, this country is becoming the biggest freeloader, welfare state in the world!

Was that neccessary?

OP: Thanks for the info. Some people might find it valuable.

 

[bub]

Wow! Think they'll give it to me for free if I threaten to leave? Maybe they will pay me $50/month, plus free sub, just to stay. I'm so invaluable, I deserve to get something for nothing. Maybe E* will pay my mortgage this month, since I am a highly appreciated customer that they don't want to lose.

If I had been the Retention Specialist, you would have been told "Goodbye!" "Don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out".

If Directv is that much better, then sign up. Why are you still with Dish? When these deals from Dish run out, you gonna whine and complain till you get something free again? It's people like you that cause prices to go up. Someone has to pay when someone gets something free. I swear, this country is becoming the biggest freeloader, welfare state in the world!

Wow, chill out a bit. I didn't threaten to leave, I was leaving. After 12 years of being a loyal customer, I thought it only fair to let them know why I was leaving. I didn't ask, nor did I expect, them to match DirecTV's offer. But, after they did match the offer, I thought I would share that information here.

I still am considering leaving anyways, as I have no idea when DN will offer my local networks in HD or when Charlie will allow us lowly customers access to SpeedTV in HD.

Also, in case you weren't aware, Charlie lost over 100,000 customers and still made more money! Somebody is getting the short end of the stick and it sure ain't Charlie.

George

 

[wh5916]

Wow! Think they'll give it to me for free if I threaten to leave? Maybe they will pay me $50/month, plus free sub, just to stay. I'm so invaluable, I deserve to get something for nothing. Maybe E* will pay my mortgage this month, since I am a highly appreciated customer that they don't want to lose.

If I had been the Retention Specialist, you would have been told "Goodbye!" "Don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out".

If Directv is that much better, then sign up. Why are you still with Dish? When these deals from Dish run out, you gonna whine and complain till you get something free again? It's people like you that cause prices to go up. Someone has to pay when someone gets something free. I swear, this country is becoming the biggest freeloader, welfare state in the world!

DirecTV offers similar deals to new subscribers all the time...I'd love to know how many of their recently acquired subscribers are actually paying full price for their packages...and how many of them are aware of what they will be paying once the introductory "freeloader" period is over?

Offering a deal to a customer who has been with your service for 12 years, if it means keeping that customer, certainly sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

When calling retention some folks might get a good deal to stay while others might be given the number to call DirecTV.

No retention offer is going to be the same.

It is all based on a number of factors. Did you know it cost Dish Network over $700 for each new customer they sign up and it takes years for them to recover that startup cost from a customer.

So don't expect to call retention and expect to get a great deal, while it may happen chances are it might not.

 

[KAB]

When calling retention some folks might get a good deal to stay while others might be given the number to call DirecTV.

No retention offer is going to be the same.

It is all based on a number of factors. Did you know it cost Dish Network over $700 for each new customer they sign up and it takes years for them to recover that startup cost from a customer.

So don't expect to call retention and expect to get a great deal, while it may happen chances are it might not.

Scott is correct. I can attest first hand.

 

[jwgreen68]

:up:up

When calling retention some folks might get a good deal to stay while others might be given the number to call DirecTV.

No retention offer is going to be the same.

It is all based on a number of factors. Did you know it cost Dish Network over $700 for each new customer they sign up and it takes years for them to recover that startup cost from a customer.

So don't expect to call retention and expect to get a great deal, while it may happen chances are it might not.

 

[Laddyboy]

When my sister-in-law called E* last Fall to tell them she was signing up with D*, they didn't even try to keep her. They offered nothing. I signed them up with E* in 2000 with the equivalent of today's Classic 250. They had one DVR and hadn't upgraded to HD yet. They were on annual subscription for programming with locals billed monthly via autopay with no contract commitment. I was surprised given all the retention offers I see discussed here.

 

[stone phillips420]

Im gonna call and complain so i can get a deal and make jwgreen68 bill go up too!

 

[jwgreen68]

Im gonna call and complain so i can get a deal and make jwgreen68 bill go too!

 

[Islandguy43]

Im gonna call and complain so i can get a deal and make jwgreen68 bill go up too!

:up:up I already did last fall and they gave me $15 off a month for a year with no commitment. Oh, btw when I called and talk to the DN Retention Specialist (their choice not mine), I already had a install date setup with Direct, that I had to cancel.

I figured their offer would pay for my NHLCI subscription, while I hoped Charlie would come to his senses and add some of the channels many of us want so bad (i.e. the msg's in HD, YES network, MLB Channel etc.). Now that is going on 7 months later, and no progress, it will be time after the hockey season to re-evaluate and decide whether I really want to go the hassle of switching. Only this time, Charlie will have to compete with not only D*, but TWC and FIOS; all whom offer those channels and are willing to give me a deal at less than I am paying now (about $96 a month).

 

[andyin137]

There is nothing wrong with trying to negotiate a better deal,all they can say is no.I was with Comcast for a year special and called to regotiate another year deal (even if it was a little more )But Comcast insisted that I wasnt qualified for another special ,by keeping me they could have made 600 dollars(I was going to pay all at once for a year)CSR said they cant do that.So I cancelled and went with Dish and after my 24 month contract is up I too will call Dish and negotiate a Deal,they can take it or leave it,it may be a Pain switching back and forth from providers but if you can save a few Bucks more power to you.After all TV is a Luxury not a Nescessity.If todays economy gets any worse TV programming will definately suffer as entertainment (at least for me)is the last bill paid each month,Luckily I am working Full time but you never know when things can change.Always trying to save wherever I can.

 

[jrbdmb]

If I had been the Retention Specialist, you would have been told "Goodbye!" "Don't let the door hit you in the A$$ on the way out".

And maybe that is a small part of the reason that Dish lost over 100K subscribers last quarter while DirecTV added subs.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

I've not once called retention, I just look Online ,Under "MY Offers" and Got $10 off for 12 months ,as well as $20 Credit for 3 months. Just for doing nothing.
I've just got a 211k installed for $25 as well.
D* can keep it Offer,and its equipment.

 

[KAB]

They are going to lose another one next week. I have no LOS to 129 on which Indy locals will soon carried. My current HD comes from 61.5. I called retention to ask if they would swap out ONE of my two 722's with a 722K, so I at least could record two network shows at a time. They said yes...for$100.00 and a new contract and only a $5.00 per month credit. In the end, I decided that after two HD years I wanted my LiL's. I received a mail offer from D* that will save us $40.00 per month, and then $5.00 less a year afterward than what we're paying E* now. So, circumstance is really why I'm switching. But E* not bending over just a little more made my decision a little easier. One thing that bothered me was the gal I talked to had to keep getting off to ask her supervisor. I did not feel that I was getting much direct attention. I may try again before next week.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

And maybe that is a small part of the reason that Dish lost over 100K subscribers last quarter while DirecTV added subs.

D* adds subs because they treat New customer like Kings and Queens, While exsiting customers don't get crap!
Sorry But E* Treats its exsiting Customers way better then D*. They might drop channels ,but E* still makes good on it ,atleast for me anyway.
I've Only been with E* since July 4th 2007, and in that time I've gotten 2 Free HD DVRs,1 for $49,(722) a (612) for $49 and a (211k) for $25 , While Getting HBO and Starz Promotion Twice ,Free for 3 months, HD platinum Free for 3 months, and Now $10 off for $12 months. All in less then 2 years

5 Years with D* I got HD extra pack Free for 3 months, 1 free SD SVR, $5 off for 6 months and Free HBO and Cinemax for 3 months.
Most of D* Credits I got From Retention . So I canceled Service , And they were Burning up the phone lines Offering Free HD DVRs to me. Keep them D*

 

[wetz73]

Years ago when I dumped cable for E*, I told the cable company that I was leaving because I was going to be getting a much better deal with E*. The cable company basically told me I'd be back because I'd get fed up with the "constant signal lost". Some retention deal!

 

[mviewer]

I think jwgreen68 just looks for ways to harrass people. Here is a response I got from him on mentioning that people may be to get credit on their bill for an ice storm that hit a couple months back.

I was without power for 2 days due to the ice storm. But, I don't see how that is Dishs' problem. Their equipment was here and everything was in good working order. It's not their fault that I didn't have electricity to be able to use it!

I have some food that I couldn't eat because I didn't have electricity for my stove to cook it. Maybe I should ask Oscar Meyer and Green Giant for some credit?

I, like you was just letting people know that it might be a posibility to get help on their monthly bill. (BTW I went 12 days without power). I am glad Dish cut you a deal, good for you.

 

[theoak]

I've not once called retention, I just look Online ,Under "MY Offers" and Got $10 off for 12 months ,as well as $20 Credit for 3 months. Just for doing nothing.
I've just got a 211k installed for $25 as well.
D* can keep it Offer,and its equipment.

Well Hemi ... I owe you one :up

My "offers" have always been lame ... like Dish it up for example and that's it.

I thought hey ... lets see if there is anything there ...

To my surprise I had HBO and Starz free for 3 months and PlatinumHD free for 3 months. That is a $90 value total. Via chat I had them set it up so the packages would be automatically removed at the end of the 3 months.

My DVR will hopefully be busy the next three months ... which will be good when the summer re-runs kick in ...

Thanks again! :up