Does Dish try to "save" customers from leaving?

[blackjackmark]

Had Dish since 1995...but am seriously considerlig flipping back to cable. Upgrading to HD, and seeing that with the DVR fees and the related fees for a 622, even the basic package will be $55 + $12/mth...and I STILL would need an antenna for HD locals!

Insight is offering $51 for a dual-tuner HDDVR, cablecard, and 8 HD channels (OK, not nearly as many as DISH...but not into sports, and just how many channels can I watch at one time anyway!) and ALL my locals in HD. Granted, it's a 12-mth deal...but I figure that if they don't extend it...then I can reconsider flipping back to DIsh at that time.)

Wondering if, when I call Dish to cancel...will they attempt to counteroffer to keep me....or will my business just go away with nary a whimper from them?

 

[Ronald_Jeremy]

Bypass the Indian person that answers your call and demand to speak with Customer Retention. You may have to play phone roulette until you reach a person that speaks English natively. I have the best luck during normal business hours in the US.

Customer Retention will listen to you and they have the power to make you happy.

 

[blackjackmark]

How happy?

Bypass the Indian person that answers your call and demand to speak with Customer Retention. You may have to play phone roulette until you reach a person that speaks English natively. I have the best luck during normal business hours in the US.

Customer Retention will listen to you and they have the power to make you happy.

Are we talking a deal on the 622, waiving the DVR and/or lease fee, lower price on the programming,..or all of the above?

 

[mserrano]

In my case, they gave me a $100 programming credit ($10/mo for 10 months). I had an 811, added a 622, and switched to the Dish HD Gold. $199 was the upgrade fee and I pay the normal DVR fee.

They told me the 811 would lose the SAT HD channels (I still have them).

 

[gdarwin]

Blackjackmark,

Read this thread on the difference between Insight DVR and the 622...

Stick with Dish.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8810232&&#post8810232

 

[Hall]

Are we talking a deal on the 622, waiving the DVR and/or lease fee, lower price on the programming,..or all of the above?

I haven't read from anyone who's gotten the lease or DVR fees waived. If you politely push them enough, you might be able to get the $10 off for 10 months that new customers get + $10 off for 10 months for getting one of the HD packages. That effectively wipes out the $200 price of the 622. You'll still need to pay for it up-front though.

Also, try using a ClubDish card... get another $50 off...

 

[blackjackmark]

Also, try using a ClubDish card... get another $50 off...

THanks for the idea...but I've been a customer for 11 years...that's only for new customers, right?

 

[Poke]

Well 1st Dish is the HD leader and offers way more than any cable provider does. If you want to go the DVR route I would E-mail Dish and see what kind of deal they can get you. You might get your locals in HD but you can do that now with OTA heck anyone can Dish will offer most of the major locals in HD sometime. But locals our second on my list I rather have all the other networks than my locals due to those you can get anytime. Other nantional networks in HD you can not and Dish is HD leader there. Just with Dish your going to get more HD for your money but either way send them a E-mail.

ceo@echostar.com

 

[blackjackmark]

Blackjackmark,

Read this thread on the difference between Insight DVR and the 622...

Stick with Dish.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8810232&&#post8810232

Thanks!

SOnds like picture quality is a wash, but the DVR is the main difference. But, since it sounds like Dish really doesn't offer much to save an 11-year customer ($200, whooppee), and there no commitment to trying Insight, I may give it a try.

 

[Hall]

...and I STILL would need an antenna for HD locals!

I used to think "an antenna ?? who still uses an antenna ??" but for digital reception, it's the BEST method vs getting the channels via cable or satellite. For one, there's NO possible signal degradation vs what they cable or satellite company might do (they don't always change the signal). Two, you'll get more channels. No cable company or satellite company carries all of the sub-channels that many stations offer. Now, whether they offer anything good or not is a different matter.

The best part is, the 622 receiver integrates these channels into your normal program guide as if you are receiving them from the same source.

 

[Hall]

...but I've been a customer for 11 years...that's only for new customers, right?

Contact the executive office using the 'ceo@echostar.com' e-mail address provided. Give them your account #, a phone # to reach you at (they work 7 days a week), and politely tell them that you really want to stay with Dish but that your cable provider has an enticing offer and you'd love to hear what incentives they could offer you. Don't be greedy because they do have limits to what they can offer.

Get a ClubDish card # available (PM me if you'd like one) but don't mention this to the rep until near the end. Again, politely ask if you can use it.

 

[Stargazer]

I tried having the lease fee waived when having multiple problems with Dish Network (technical and billing issues) and they said they would do NOTHING but take off the wrong charge off of my bill. I finally talked him into a free month of programming. This was probably partially due to the fact I pay one year in advance and he knew he had me telling me there were not refunds on programming paid in advance. I wonder how the Attorney General's Office would feel about this? The guy did say that he has limits and I am sure they do but they are not going to give you anymore than they have to. They will offer nothing unless you ask half the time it seems. They do not seem to be fighting to keep their customers like they used to. I have seen Directv fight to keep theirs or let them come back for no charge (Dish charges a $25 reconnect fee).

 

[rockymtnhigh]

...

Insight is offering $51 for a dual-tuner HDDVR, cablecard, and 8 HD channels (OK, not nearly as many as DISH...but not into sports, and just how many channels can I watch at one time anyway!)

Most of E*'s HD channels ARE NOT sports channels. Yes, there is ESPN and ESPN2, and World Sports, but the bulk of the channels are not sports.

 

[Bobby_M]

Cablevision in NJ stole me from Dish exactly two years ago by offering me the silver pack + 2 tuner HDDVR for $60/m first year and 75/m second year with no commitment, activation or lease upgrade BS. Now that it has gone up to full price $85, I start scouring dishnetwork.com only to find the same lease upgrade fee for the 622 (200 bucks). There is just no way they're going to get me back until that lease fee is gone. The only HD channel I'm missing on cable is Discovery HD, I have everything else I want.

As to the OP, Dish called me about 5 times after cancellation, each time upgrading the retention specialist up the food chain. I explained what I was getting with Cable and they couldn't touch it.

Bobby

 

[Hall]

There is just no way they're going to get me back until that lease fee is gone.

For a new customer, that $200 is offset by $200 in credits over 10 months. Granted, you're not officially a new customer now and never will be.....

 

[riffjim4069]

Duplicate...

 

[riffjim4069]

I called to cancel the other day and was transferred to a retention agent. I told her that we have really enjoyed out service, but we're both busy and don't have much time for TV. Additional factors are dirt cheap "Ditch the Dish" cable offer, and Verizon FiOS TV coming to town (3 miles away), plus lots of free OTA in the area. The agent seemed surprised that I would cancel since I own two 622, so she offered me $15 discount for 10 months and waived the $5.99 DHPP fee.

That seems to be right priced to me, so I think I'll keep the service. I just don't feel we should be paying a $15-$20 for DishHD these days. Anyway, I didn't have to beg for any deals...I just pay all my bills they day they are posted online and, when asked, I told them their prices were no longer competitive.

 

[Digital Dude]

Unless Dish cussed me out they couldn't posibly do anything less than DirecTV did to try and keep us at $120/mo.

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I used to think "an antenna ?? who still uses an antenna ??" but for digital reception, it's the BEST method vs getting the channels via cable or satellite. For one, there's NO possible signal degradation vs what they cable or satellite company might do (they don't always change the signal). Two, you'll get more channels. No cable company or satellite company carries all of the sub-channels that many stations offer.

In back-to-back comparisons on my 51" Sony CRT I actually gave my Insight Cable locals the slight nod over the OTA locals (as viewed through my Dish 811 and LG DVD/ATSC Tuner). OTA is good, but subchannels can squeeze them a bit. My Insight locals are absolutely pristine.

I ended up keeping Dish for the Brazilian channels (for my wife) and get my HD locals through Insight, along with their HD pak and DVR for $32/month. No commitment. Very satisfied customer.

Edgar in Indy

 

[Hall]

In back-to-back comparisons on my 51" Sony CRT I actually gave my Insight Cable locals the slight nod over the OTA locals (as viewed through my Dish 811 and LG DVD/ATSC Tuner). OTA is good, but subchannels can squeeze them a bit.

I'll be the first to say that only your eyes and what they see are what matter, but something ain't right.... Sub-channels or not, they still exist coming from the TV station. They're allocated "X" amount of bandwidth for (1) or as many channels and sub-channels as they want to offer. Insight is receiving the same signal, even if they're receiving it via microwave or fiber, the station is still outputting the same signal.

If you had tried just one receiver, you could certainly point the finger at it, but you've tried two....

Again, if you think they look better, that's all that matters.