Welcome Pack Eligibility

kenskibum

SatelliteGuys Family
Original poster
Jan 21, 2008
73
4
Lopez Island WA
I was a Dish customer for over 8 years before I cancelled 2 months ago because of the lengthy contract dispute. Now I'm considering coming back with the Welcome Pack. When I called today to ask about this, they said the lowest package I could sign up for as a "new" customer was the Smart Pack.

I did see a post from years ago saying if you owned your own equipment you could sign up for the Welcome Pack. I was planning to buy my own 211K and I still have my owned dish in place. Is this true? Can I sign up for the Welcome Pack as a new customer with an owned receiver?

If that is not possible, I'm wondering how long do you need to have the Smart Pack before you can downgrade to the Welcome Pack? Just trying to save money and still have my locals. OTA not possible for me. Thanks -Ken
 
I remember seeing a post that Welcome pack wasn't available to new customers, BUT after you haa new account you could downgrade to Welcome Pack. Contact DIRT member for clarification/help.
 
I am not sure if you can sign up with the welcome pack or not, but I do know that the second the work order is closed, you can call in and have your package downgraded. May even get a discount back for the difference.
 
My understanding you can't come back for 90 days and need to be in good standing with no balance owed like ETF or non returned equipment. May be different if you own equipment however, plus doesn't make much sense to turn new account away but who knows.
 
My understanding you can't come back for 90 days and need to be in good standing with no balance owed like ETF or non returned equipment. May be different if you own equipment however, plus doesn't make much sense to turn new account away but who knows.
60 days
 
Keep calling back until you get a CSR that will sign you up. Its' called CSR roulette. When I downgraded to the Welcome Pack, I had to call in. The Welcome Pack is not an option in your online account.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pattykay
I did hear from DIRT and you have to start with the Smart Pack and then you can downgrade to the Welcome pack. I think they need to change the name of the Welcome Pack because with a name like welcome, it sounds like a starter pack for a new subs.
 
I can confirm you can get welcome pack with the right owned equipment no contract VIP 211 non DVR for traveling. I was passed around a couple times when I refused other packages. Only did it for locals (OTA not available) and sportsman pack in HD not available on Directv.

I just did this its 90 days.


Quote: "How Does FLEX TV Work?

You must be a first time DISH Network subscriber or a former subscriber that left DISH Network in good standing more than 90 days ago."

I did get the Welcome pack its available with owned equipment like the portable Dish setup but not advertised.
 
I can confirm you can get welcome pack with the right owned equipment no contract VIP 211 non DVR for traveling. I was passed around a couple times when I refused other packages. Only did it for locals (OTA not available) and sportsman pack in HD not available on Directv.


I just did this its 90 days.


Quote: "How Does FLEX TV Work?

You must be a first time DISH Network subscriber or a former subscriber that left DISH Network in good standing more than 90 days ago."

I did get the Welcome pack its available with owned equipment like the portable Dish setup but not advertised.

Where did you get that quote from? It's not remotely true the Flex Pack is easily available to anyone. Did you somehow mix up two things or is posted incorrectly somewhere? Are you talking about getting the Flex pack or Welcome pack.
 
I agree with Tampa... that does not apply to the Welcome Pack at all. And FlexTV sounds similar to the FlexAccount which is something entirely different. To become a returning customer and get former customer benefits, it's 60 days in good standing.
 
Now it's looking like you might not be able to get the Smart Pack as a new customer. Found this today...
The Smart Pack is now called the Flex Pack. Our new value package reaches new heights with the Flex Pack – formerly Smart Pack, DISH's most affordable programming package!
It's all very confusing. Now I wish I hadn't cancelled after 8+ years, but my owned 211K is on the way, so I will need to sign up as new customer for something.
 
Now it's looking like you might not be able to get the Smart Pack as a new customer. Found this today...
The Smart Pack is now called the Flex Pack. Our new value package reaches new heights with the Flex Pack – formerly Smart Pack, DISH's most affordable programming package!
It's all very confusing. Now I wish I hadn't cancelled after 8+ years, but my owned 211K is on the way, so I will need to sign up as new customer for something.
Ahem! If Flex Pack is the package formerly known as Smart Pack, then Flex Pack should include Science Channel, and Locals should also be included in the base Flex Pack. :p
 
Perhaps the "message" means that there are plans to phase out/grandfather Smart Pack and only offer Flex Pack to new customers.
 
Perhaps the "message" means that there are plans to phase out/grandfather Smart Pack and only offer Flex Pack to new customers.
I have been afraid that they are planning to do the same thing to Welcome Pack. They had better offer substantial Loyalty discounts, just like they did when they eliminated the Absolute package, if they force Welcome Pack subscribers to switch to Flex Pack.
 
Why would you think they would offer substantial loyalty discounts to those that are minimal subscribers?
Because of the inconvenience of being forced to switch packages. Since the HD feeds were added to Welcome Pack at no additional cost, Welcome Pack has become almost as good of a deal as the Absolute package used to be, maybe even a better deal than that was. So, perhaps the handwriting is on the wall for the Welcome Pack, and Dish will try to force those subscribers to upgrade. If that is the case, Dish will get a lot of complaints unless they offer temporary discounts to offset the increase in price.
 
Why would you think they would offer substantial loyalty discounts to those that are minimal subscribers?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Because they would want minimal subscribers over no subscribers. Forcing people to pay almost twice as much to remain a minimal subscriber is not going to go over well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pattykay
***

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)