Should I sign this lease?

[Walker1]

Hi, I have had Dish for almost 2 yrs. on a lease. I have the top 60 pkg., a DVR, and local channels. I have not had any problems with Dish regarding service or billing issues.

I got an offer from Dish. It says if I sign up for 18 months I will get what I already have plus the middle pkg.- (200 chs.) for only $8/mo. more than I'm paying now. There will be NO price increase during the 18 month term. My question to people who like and are satisfied with Dish is: Does this sound like a good deal? Would you jump on it? And why?

Thanks for any useful comments.

 

[kenny911]

Not really a good deal if you get stuck with a contract.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Not a good deal at all.

I would only sign a contract like that if they were doing some upgrading to my equipment as well. (Such as a HD DVR)

 

[bhelms]

How much would it cost you if you add the additional channels (upgrade) in your own? I assume that you are under no contract now, so make sure that the upgrade would remain that way. Then compare the difference to the offer you received. More compelling questions (for me) would be: are the additional channels ones I would want, and do I envision moving or changing providers (like, will FIOS become available to you?) in the next 18 months such that I would have to terminate early? (And that can be done for as little as ~$13/mo. for your remaining months.) Also - Are you thinking of an even more significant upgrade, to like HD, in that same period? If so, I'd wait for that instead as there is a limit to the number of upgrades you can do...

 

[Walker1]

Not a good deal at all.

I would only sign a contract like that if they were doing some upgrading to my equipment as well. (Such as a HD DVR)

Scott, I talked to a rep. He says I can do "Dish Up' that gives me a VIP-622 DVR, top 200 channels, locals, and it's for 18 mos. with a $149 installation charge minus a $50 cr. It would end up costing me $99 to get the VIP DVR. I am planning to buy a new HD Sony LCD TV in the next few months.

Is the PQ on non HD chs. just as good on the VIP-622 unit as the 625 non HD DVR? I don't much care about HD at this time, but I don't want to have to pay alot for a swap out later. What are your overall thoughts?

I would be leasing again and the local cable co. has no packages that would interest me. Thanks.

 

[Walker1]

How much would it cost you if you add the additional channels (upgrade) in your own? I assume that you are under no contract now, so make sure that the upgrade would remain that way. Then compare the difference to the offer you received. More compelling questions (for me) would be: are the additional channels ones I would want, and do I envision moving or changing providers (like, will FIOS become available to you?) in the next 18 months such that I would have to terminate early? (And that can be done for as little as ~$13/mo. for your remaining months.) Also - Are you thinking of an even more significant upgrade, to like HD, in that same period? If so, I'd wait for that instead as there is a limit to the number of upgrades you can do...

It would cost me $5 more a month. I have an existing lease that expires on June 6 2007. The rep told me they would waive the rest of that lease if I do another 18 mos. and take the HD DVR with 200 ch. pkg. My bill would be $48 plus $5 for 2nd tuner plus taxes. There's a $50 cr. on the Dish Up deal.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

That is a much better deal.

The PQ looks good on the SD channels on the 622. And you can watch the HD channels on your SDTV which gives you additional channels.

 

[Walker1]

That is a much better deal.

The PQ looks good on the SD channels on the 622. And you can watch the HD channels on your SDTV which gives you additional channels.

Thanks for your help.