HD Upgrade Options?

[SuperSync]

I have been a Dish Network subscriber for over 11 1/2 years non-stop.

I am getting a Samsung LN52A650 52" HD LCD this week and I am wanting to ditch my current gear (a 508 PVR & an 11 1/2 year old E* 5000 receiver). I may keep the 508 to provide a feed for my bedroom or kids room, I don't know yet.

I want to get a VIP 722 for this set, along with an HD package. My question is, from your collective experience, am I better off purchasing the 722 outright (DishStore.net, Sadoun, eBay, etc.) and using it on my new HDTV or should I call Dish and see what they would offer me?

I just installed Dish 1000.2 and a wing dish also looking at 61.5 and I need to get rid of the E* 5000 and use all DishPro equipment so I can take my Dish500 off the roof. I am HD ready up to my boxes, so I don't need a Dish tech out to do any work on-site, but in past experience they have sent one out with the equipment. I really don't want to have to be here for a tech to bring a receiver and hook it up and say it's all good, although I wouldn't mind a *good* tech peaking this 1000.2, I'm seeing about 80% of the signal on 119/110 that I currently see on my 500 that I installed.

Regardless, I'm just trying to go HD as easily (and CHEAPLY) as possible. I do NOT want to lease equipment. Is Dish gonna give me a better deal than buying the 722 outright? Or is this one of those YMMV (your mileage may vary) type deals where I just need to work with them? Will they cut me a deal since I've been around so long?

Thanks for any input.

 

[chilepequin778]

I've been 'lurking' on this site for several years and this is my first post. I have learned a lot during my 'lurking years and for that I'm forever grateful to Scott and all the other members, here ... you guys are a phenomenal source of knowledge !!!

I, too am a long time sub to E* with an E* 5000 receiver (I thought I had the only one in existance). I self-installed my system in April 1998 and have had no problems with it. Also, I have never been late with a payment nor contacted E* for anything other than to add locals a few months ago. Currently sub to the SD 200 package with HBO & SHO.

I originally installed a Dish 300 on my chimney and E* contacted me and upgraded me to a Dish 500 with SW 21 about five (5) years ago ... no cost to me. I currently get 110 & 119.

I am also in the process of upgrading everything in my house to HD and want to replace the E* 5000 with a 722 as well as add another HD rcvr in the MBR. I will upgrade to the AE package with all available HD and I am OK with a two year contract.

In trying to get everything prepped for the upgrade so as not to cause the installer(s) any heartburn, I have called E* twice now to ask questions and the only answer I have gotten is to wait until the installer shows up and he can figure out what needs to be done.

The questions I have are:

1. Does E* have a policy against chimney mounts for the satdish ? The reason I ask is that I read an obscure comment to an old post on anothe thread to that effect.
2. Does my configuration require just the addition of a second dish to get 61.5 or will the 500 be replaced with a 1000 ? If replaced with a 1000 will it need a 'wing' or second dish also?. I live in College Station, Texas 77840, btw.
3. I have two chimney mounts in place on the south side of my chimney and if necessary I will mount the dish(es) and aim it/them properly. If I do this, will an installer tweak it for me for signal strength ??

Finally, I have read posts over the last year or so about "playing CSR roulette" and finally getting someone at E* to make a special offer to an long time customer with an excellent record and credit history, saving many $$$ on an upgrade like this. But, I seem to be to be striking out. I am not one to whine and beg, but I don't want to leave money on the table out of ignorance or timidity (is that a word ?????). Any suggestions ??

Again, THANK YOU, SCOTT AND ALL SATGUYS ... you guys are the greatest!!!!!

TIA for any info.

 

[justin2380]

I have been with Dish for about 11 years as well and we just upgraded to the VIP 722. I think it is cheaper to go with Dish and just pay the lease fee. If you get it from dish they will make you pay the lease fee no matter what.

I called them and told them that I wanted the free 722 and the CSR told me she could not do that for me. So then I said I would be cancelling. You get forwarded on to an "account specialist" and you tell them you will cancel if you do not get a 722 since d* is offering one for new customers. They will help you out. They had a installer out in 2 days along with a free 722!! I did however have to sign a 24 month contract.

 

[SuperSync]

Well, I bit the bullet and called today. No free 722 receiver. All I could eek out of my CSR was the standard $125 "installation fee". What a crock for someone to bring out a receiver and connect it to my existing Dish 1000.2 & 61.5 dish setup.

That's what erks me about the process. I don't mind paying a reasonable amount for the receiver to be delivered but why do I have to have a tech come out for it?

I suppose I could at least talk him into peaking my 1000.2 since I don't have a meter. I'm sitting at about 75 on 119, 65 on 110 and 40 on 129.

Oh well, it'll be a while, the earliest they could get me in was 1.5 weeks from now.

That's my upgrade experience. Oh yeah, and she wanted me to cancel my "DVR-fee-less" 508 unit and upgrade to a newer DVR unit with a monthly fee. Imagine that. Wow, and they'll buy back my E* 5000 for a whopping $10. What a deal.

 

[JINXR]

Well call up and tell them you want to cancel and be serious about it. They won't let you off the phone until they at least make an offer to keep you.

It took 3 phone calls to get a good deal, and it was one hell of a deal. BTW, on the third call I told them I was canceling it to go to DirecTV... maybe that was the trick?

 

[rogerpl]

I upgraded my 311 to the 622, knowing he would probably bring 722 which he did, got them to install for 50.00.