For Those Considering Leaving Dish...

[PopcornNMore]

For those considering leaving Dish think again.

I'm currently helping my parents understand their DirecTV bill and ways it can be reduced.

They have (DirecTV):
Lowest Package: Choice with 140 channels $56
DVR Fee: $7
FOX NY/LA: $3.50
SD DVR Receiver (paid over $125 and its a leased receiver)
Plus taxes monthly bill is around $72 a month

I get (Dish Network):
Lowest Package: Top 120 with over 120 channels $39.99
FREE HD channels
DVR Fee: $6
Currently have 3 months of HD Platinum and Starz for FREE
HD DVR Dual Receiver (never paid a dime for it)
Plus taxes monthly bill is around $48 a month

I pay $24 less per month and have the best HD DVR available, FREE HD channels plus often get lots of free 3 month promotions from time to time.

 

[tomcrown1]

If you think that is bad wait untill Feburary when the folks at direct tv get a look at the plan rate increases.

 

[dishrich]

Uh OK, well I have DirecTV & I get FREE HD access as well. Many existing D* customers have been getting their HD fees waived for 2 years. (it will most likely be eliminated for ALL D* subs by then anyway)

I have 3 HD DVR's & didn't pay ANY upfront fees for them as well - & oh BTW, their SD DVR has no monthly fee, just like yours is, so I have NO idea what the point of bringing up the "leased" part is? (the 1st leased receiver on D* is always FREE, just like yours is... )
If they want to upgrade to HD, there should be no problem with them also getting a FREE HD upgrade. (& the fee waived as I pointed out)

I don't even pay a DVR fee (lifetimer here)

They're paying for FOX DNS, while you aren't - why??? If they have local channels thru D*, why would they even need FOX DNS?

You're also getting a LOT less "real" channels than they are - a more fair comparison would be between their pkg & AT200; but then it makes this post, well, less useful... DirecTV does offer a comparable pkg (Select Choice) for $40 I believe, but you have to call a CSR to ask for it. If you do a search over at the D* forum, someone should have the lineup listed.

The point is - sometimes DISH is cheaper, sometimes DirecTV is - but at least compare apples to apples when you make a comparison commercial...

 

[Milmanias]

You can have your parents call and threaten to cancel. The retention CSR can provide the Select Choice package Dishrich mentioned, and they would not be under a 2 yr contract like they would as new customers with Dish. I changed to Dish in February because I don't watch too much tv, and as long as I have Discovery, History and a few kids channels I'm fine, so I changed to Dish for the 120 package. Unfortunately I had Dish installed and then called D* to cancel, that's when I was informed of the Select Choice and it would've fit my needs and I wouldn't be under a contract with Dish.