Losing HD Absolute. Any suggestions?

whatchel1

SatelliteGuys Master
Sep 30, 2006
9,098
51
Great High Plains
Ok. I'm really confused now. I also go the letter over the weekend. I even got a call from a CSR rep today that would not talk to my wife because she is not on the account. When I got home from work, I called the number in the letter. The CSR tried to say I would be upgraded to the AT 200 package like the letter said. I told him that was too much of a price jump and that I was happy with the HD Absolute package I had and that I was disappointed that it was going away. He forwarded me over to an Account Specialist (Josh was his name) who would be able to chose the right package that would satisfy me because. When I was connected to him, I told him that I did not want the AT200 package and that I was not happy about losing my HD Absolute package. He told me not to do anything and I won't lose it. I asked him why I received the letter, and he said that as long as I don't make any changes after Feb 1 I can keep the package at the same rate. Not what I was expecting at all from reading this thread all day.

OK something is rotten in Denmark. I'm thinking about waiting until after the 1st before I do anything.
 

iml

SatelliteGuys Pro
Sep 23, 2004
156
0
Dish is aggressively calling absolute customers, I've received 4 calls in the last 2 days, I finally picked one up tonight, they are pretty much offering $10 off and free platinum on any package to anyone. I would be surprised if they don't call pretty much everyone before 2/1.

Guy told me I didn't have to make a decision right this second but to call when I did.

I'm torn between dish america and dish america silver, I only have a $6 hd dvr fee added on mine so it isn't a huge price increase over absolute (apart from the channel loss).

I didn't pull the trigger on anything and I'm wondering how some people are getting $15 off instead of $10.
 

stardust3

SatelliteGuys Master
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Mar 7, 2006
8,730
7,187
.....
I've made my mind up from the get go that I was not doing anything until 2/1 or my package changes by itself. I am going to go 1 step further and on the 25th or so sign myself up for D* and at least have an order built for this promotion. So if I go that route I have 30 days to do my install & still be able to cash in on the current promo. If the new promo is better than the old I'll cxl the existing order & build a new 1. I am covering all bases & doing nothing for the time being & waiting to see how this all plays out.
Have not received any calls from them yet & won't answer when they do call.
 

Hall

SatelliteGuys Master
Feb 14, 2004
18,409
3,200
Germantown OH
When Dish calls, have they left messages for anyone ? We don't have Caller-ID on the home phone anymore and typically screen all calls.
 

dijohn76

Pub Member / Supporter
Mar 14, 2008
476
1
Montana, SW of Great Falls
The agent that called me did tell me what the package prices would be effective February when he was discussing the different packages. Seemed to actually know what he was talking about and was American.
What package price is retention (or the regular csr) quoting, is it the current pricing (on the AT & Dish America) or are they quoting the prices effective 2/1/11? Dish called me this morning, I wasn't available to take the call. I've got a Direct install set up so the point is moot for me, but I just wondered if the price increase is being mentioned at this time. I think we should hold a FAB (farewell Absolute bash), maybe Scott has some goodies from the CES he could hand out as prizes for the "best reason Absolute will be missed".
 

chibi

SatelliteGuys Family
May 15, 2008
88
0
Ok. I'm really confused now. I also go the letter over the weekend. I even got a call from a CSR rep today that would not talk to my wife because she is not on the account. When I got home from work, I called the number in the letter. The CSR tried to say I would be upgraded to the AT 200 package like the letter said. I told him that was too much of a price jump and that I was happy with the HD Absolute package I had and that I was disappointed that it was going away. He forwarded me over to an Account Specialist (Josh was his name) who would be able to chose the right package that would satisfy me because. When I was connected to him, I told him that I did not want the AT200 package and that I was not happy about losing my HD Absolute package. He told me not to do anything and I won't lose it. I asked him why I received the letter, and he said that as long as I don't make any changes after Feb 1 I can keep the package at the same rate. Not what I was expecting at all from reading this thread all day.
But the letter that was sent said if you do not decide you will be changed to Top 200 for you.
 

Jim5506

SatelliteGuys Master
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
8,417
4,031
Slaton, Texas
Dish called about 10 am according to my caller ID, and called back tonight at 7:30pm.

Said, as an eight year customer, I could change to any package from Dish America to AT250 with HD for life, Platinum free for 12 months and $15 off for 12 months.

Said he made the notes of what was offered on my account and I could call back at any time.

I'm still inclined to hang in there and see what happens on Feb. 1.
 

whatchel1

SatelliteGuys Master
Sep 30, 2006
9,098
51
Great High Plains
Dish called about 10 am according to my caller ID, and called back tonight at 7:30pm.

Said, as an eight year customer, I could change to any package from Dish America to AT250 with HD for life, Platinum free for 12 months and $15 off for 12 months.

Said he made the notes of what was offered on my account and I could call back at any time.

I'm still inclined to hang in there and see what happens on Feb. 1.

Staying put till the 1st. Then I'm gonna push for America's Gold + Platinum w/ discount of $15 and try for the 3 months of HBO & SHO. Someone else got this expect package was top 200.
 

brad1138

SatelliteGuys Pro
Mar 20, 2006
1,218
387
Red Dwarf
Ok. I'm really confused now. I also go the letter over the weekend. I even got a call from a CSR rep today that would not talk to my wife because she is not on the account. When I got home from work, I called the number in the letter. The CSR tried to say I would be upgraded to the AT 200 package like the letter said. I told him that was too much of a price jump and that I was happy with the HD Absolute package I had and that I was disappointed that it was going away. He forwarded me over to an Account Specialist (Josh was his name) who would be able to chose the right package that would satisfy me because. When I was connected to him, I told him that I did not want the AT200 package and that I was not happy about losing my HD Absolute package. He told me not to do anything and I won't lose it. I asked him why I received the letter, and he said that as long as I don't make any changes after Feb 1 I can keep the package at the same rate. Not what I was expecting at all from reading this thread all day.

Did you get the impression that he set your acct to not change to the top 200 Feb 1st? Or do you think he meant everyone will still have AbHD if they do nothing?
 

gqmagic

SatelliteGuys Pro
Nov 17, 2004
160
1
Pasadena, Ca
I think its less than 100 people with absolute ( well we know now there's less) , if enough bail out early like some are doing maybe they'll leave the rest of us (10 -20 or less) alone :)
 

StanUbankit

SatelliteGuys Pro
Jan 28, 2006
179
0
Baytown TX
I dunno, I really believe the pack is gone come Feb 1, but I've been wrong before! I can't see Dish going thru these motions, sending the letters and making the calls. I suppose you don't have anything to lose by not changing before 2/1, worse thing would be getting put in the 200 pack. I got two calls today, I was able to take the 2nd call, about 7pm, nice of Dish to wait till dinner was finished! I listened to the spiel, told the rep I have a Direct install scheduled, that Direct would be cheaper over the next two years (choice xtra vs at200) for me, then she tried to tell me that the Direct credits expire after one year, did I know that? I said yeah, it goes down to $14 in months 13-24, for some reason she wanted to argue with me about that, told me several times that "dish is the lowest cost provider, etc". Not a very professional approach to trying to keep a customer, IMO.
I was offered the deal on at200 that was in the letter, hd free for life, free platinum for a year, and $10 off the at200 price for 12 months. Maybe she had been dealing with some gnarly absoluter's......... Do you suppose if you don't make a switch before 2/1 that the discounts will be off the table?
I can't imagine that, but hey, we're talking about Dish here! I wish everyone luck in the decision they make, I know I'll never see another cheap package like absolute, it was sure nice while it lasted!
 

stihlersfan

Active SatelliteGuys Member
Jan 12, 2006
24
0
But the letter that was sent said if you do not decide you will be changed to Top 200 for you.

I asked him why I got the letter since that was how I read it too. His answer was that if I make any changes after Feb 1, then I would automatically get changed to the Top 200 package.
 
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stihlersfan

Active SatelliteGuys Member
Jan 12, 2006
24
0
Did you get the impression that he set your acct to not change to the top 200 Feb 1st? Or do you think he meant everyone will still have AbHD if they do nothing?

To me, he sounded like everyone that has it currently will still have it. If you make any account changes after Feb 1, then you will automatically get switched to the Top 200 package. Not what I was expecting at all after receiving the letter and reading posts here. I guess I'll just not do anything and if it switches to the Top 200 on Feb 1, then I'll call and lower my service to the Top 120 or explore other options.
 

Offroad

SatelliteGuys Family
Feb 13, 2004
102
0
Is there a comparison somewhere between Dish America (lowest package) and AT100?
I'm wondering if that would be a better deal than what Customer Retention just switched me to.

Anyway, I went from Dish Absolute to:
Top 120
Free HD for life
HD Platinum free for 1 year
$15 a month reduction for 12 months

I have a 722 DVR with locals.

I was told my bill would be $30.99 per month plus tax (for 12 months), but currently I see $45.99 for my bill online.
If I understood correctly the $15 per month credit will show up next month.

Are locals now free on all packages?
Does this price sound right?
 
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