No Dvr Fees

[John Walsh]

Why don't we make a little sticky thread saying that WE WILL NOT TOLERATE DVR FEES and have people reply with JUST their signature w/ nfm in the subject.

Since Echostar obviously reads this forum they can get the idea that we will not tolerate it

[Bill R]

Sorry John, that likely won't cause DISH to reduce or eliminate the fee. What will cause them to reduce or eliminate it is if customers don't buy the DVR510 because of the fee or if customers switch because of the fee. That is just the way the market works. The fact that DirecTV has a DVR fee and customers do pay it means that a DVR fee is acceptable in the marketplace. Where the DISH marketing people missed the boat is that their software is VERY inferior (in functionality and stability) to the DirecTV TiVO software and they over priced the service (at almost $10 s month) for AT50 customers.

I wouldn't be suprised to see the fee reduced to match the DirecTV TiVos but I don't think DISH will eliminate it. I also think that it is only a matter or time before ALL (existing and new) DISH DVRs have the monthly fee. Charlie (Ergen) clearly left that options open in the August Charlie Chat.

[John Walsh]

more than likely I won't be affected by the DVR fee becaus I get America's Everything Pack but you are 100% correct in the fact that the software is inferior. Because of this it seems like apples and oranges to me. I don't think E* should be charging a fee unless others are AND they have software/hardware that actually works

[TV 38]

Sorry John, that likely won't cause DISH to reduce or eliminate the fee. What will cause them to reduce or eliminate it is if customers don't buy the DVR510 because of the fee or if customers switch because of the fee. That is just the way the market works. The fact that DirecTV has a DVR fee and customers do pay it means that a DVR fee is acceptable in the marketplace. Where the DISH marketing people missed the boat is that their software is VERY inferior to DirecTV TiVO software and they over priced the service (at almost $10 s month) for AT50 customers.

Also by having Top 150 people pay the fee, and that they had always talked about "We have no PVR fees" and then dropped it on us right before the 921 (a $999 receiver) comes out.

[md_paul]

Rather than link the DVR fee to the subscription package, I wish they would just offer two price points for the receiver:

1) Full price w/ no DVR fee.
2) Significatly reduced price w/ DVR fee.

[AllieVi]

Sorry John, that likely won't cause DISH to reduce or eliminate the fee. What will cause them to reduce or eliminate it is if customers don't buy the DVR510 because of the fee or if customers switch because of the fee. That is just the way the market works. The fact that DirecTV has a DVR fee and customers do pay it means that a DVR fee is acceptable in the marketplace. Where the DISH marketing people missed the boat is that their software is VERY inferior (in functionality and stability) to the DirecTV TiVO software and they over priced the service (at almost $10 s month) for AT50 customers.

I wouldn't be suprised to see the fee reduced to match the DirecTV TiVos but I don't think DISH will eliminate it. I also think that it is only a matter or time before ALL (existing and new) DISH DVRs have the monthly fee. Charlie (Ergen) clearly left that options open in the August Charlie Chat.
I agree. The vast majority of DISH existing/future customers are probably not even aware that DBSTalk and other DBS web sites exist or that the fee announcement was made. They will only learn of the charge when they want to initiate service or buy a DVR. When that time arrives, they will look at the options and make a choice. The fee won't seem out-of-line to them since D* is charging it, too. Charlie may have to change the fee structure, but such an action will be in response to sagging sales and increased "churn", not just complaints.

[Mark Holtz]

Right now, I have a box from Expert Satellite sitting in my garage waiting for the installer to come out. Before I head off to college, I am going to cancel my service with Dish Network. I may be hurting my hand a bit since Dish reads the board, but... the asking price to keep the service?

* Upgrade from 501 to 522 when released without any monthly DVR fees IN WRITING and FAXed over.
* Removal of the DHP fee
* Account credit equivelent to return shipment of DirecTV eqipment back and restocking fees.

Giving me "free Showtime", "free Starz", or even "free America's Everything" will not fly, since I don't watch those channels anyways. Free service for my current subscription is acceptable.

Ammo in my pocket:
* For $225, I was able to get a two tuner PVR, two additional receivers, and a triple LNB Dish.
* The proposed DVR fee structure is unacceptable especially for the functionality of the software.
* The Total Choice Plus package has all the channels I want to watch, and I don't mind losing the TMC, Encore, or Encore Themes, especially since those channels don't show movies in OAR.
* The total monthly cost for Total Choice Plus + PVR Fee + two additional receivers will be less than what I am paying now. (AT150+Locals+Supers+$10 DHP+Additional Receivers = $73)
* The installer is coming the very same afternoon, and should be a cakewalk with only one cable run required.

And... I paid $49 for a second 301 receiver (which was for a third room), therefore I purchased that additional receiver. Dish's current promotions practically gives those receivers away, therefore I keep said receiver and remote. If they want me to return that receiver, they MUST flag my account so that I am eligible for any new customer promotions after 2-3 years. Again, this must be IN WRITING and FAXED OVER.

I fully expect them to be laughing on the other end of the phone. But, the "kill" signal will not affect the receivers since they will be disconnected from the system when I place the call. This will allow me a few days to use the 501 to transfer some shows to tape prior to return.