Dish Networks offer to Subs is ridiculous

[mruk69]

The current offer to existing subs for a reburb DVR 501 and 508 is ridiculous. If I recall correctly I believe it $149 and $189. You can buy these receivers for much cheaper on the web from places like Dish Depot, with a year warranty from Dish Network. Why the heck would we buy something that is going to be replaced by Mpeg4 receivers. I have been subbing from 1996 and currently get AT180 and HBO + locals.
These friggin companies just don't get, whether its the Cable company Direct TV or Dish, they should ask them selves "what is the value of a customer?"

I own hotels, all located in non resort areas. Our bread and butter is the corporate clients. Tourist and seniors only travel 2-3 months a year, while corporate guests travel all year round. This is why they are bread and butter. We simply can not survive without them. Whether they come once every month or twice every week they are very important to us, even just as important as the companies that may give us over $50,000 in room sales a year. We offer them value and return their loyalty to us by giving them a $25 dollar gift card for Wal-mart or a free meal at a restaurant or even free golfing passes. The reason is simple, these loyal guests hotel stays may be paid by their company, but they can always choose to stay somewhere else instead of here. Whether we rent a room or leave it empty you still have to pay your employees, utilities and the mortgage. When you call Dish or whoever and tell them you want to upgrade to HD or something else, after they have responded with their scripted garbage think to youself how valuable are you to them.

We need to let them know know how we feel, it is amazing the kind of deals new customers may get and yet they may only subscribe to AT60. One of my Friends last year receiver a free 311, free install and all his programming for $9.99 for up to 1 year with get this "no commitment". he is going to drop them when the year is up. Some of us on the other hand have been with them for years pay over $50 bucks a month and what do you get in incentives, Jack Sh*t.

[jmc98]

i found a 522 on ebay for about the same as dish is offering for a 508

[steveo70]

Its always been that way and looks like it will continue. Screw loyalty in the eyes of dish. My parents have been subs since 95 and I've been a sub since 99. I've had to pay dearly for all my equiptment and yet its almost like pulling teeth to get any sort of incentive to stay with them.Yeah right throw a couple free PPV coupons at me to keep me? Now I am not talking about another "free receiver" but how about a discount now and then for loyal subs?

[Nick]

You guys are expecting too much. First, loyalty, what is that? Is DBS some fraternity where we pledge our undying devotion? No. DBS is a business, and we buy it every month. Longevity does not equal loyalty. If you have 'feelings' that you interpret as loyalty, get over it. To both E* and D*, you are not even a blip on the DBS revenue radar. Your monthly subscription amount is irrelevant, nothing more. I have AAEP + locals + distants + HD + Voom + warranty coverage, and for that, I pay Dish over $100 each and every month. It's a business transaction, nothing more and I do not expect any special consideration, deals, free or discounted equipment, or coupons.

Get over this "Dish owes me something" attitude. It makes you guys sound like hopeless, forlorn losers.

One more thing -- the outdated Charlie and Tech chats are crap -- nothing more than uninspired marketing hype intended to engender a sense of 'community' among members, but based on the lack of substance found on recent chats. I don't watch them any longer as I find them pointless, boring, and frankly, insulting of whatever intelligence I have left.

If you still have feelings of being special to Ergen & Co, consider these numbers:EchoStar said its satellite TV service added about
225,000 net new subscribers during the second quarter. DISH
Network had about 11.5 million subscribers as of June 30

For the quarter that ended June 30, EchoStar reported revenue
of $2.1 billion, an 18 percent increase when compared to $1.78
billion for the corresponding period in 2004. Second quarter
net income was $856 million, compared to net income of $85
million reported during the same three-month period in 2004.Now, stop expecting something for nothing and go over to AOL to sign up in the sweepstakes for a chance to win that confiscated ugly-ass yellow Hummer! :lol:

[djlong]

Well, since Dish, one week after losing my Dishplayer due to a storm, has now deduced that my switches were also fried, they say that they can get someone to my house to fix it.

In two weeks.

Is it "expecting too much" to not have to go nearly a month without service? ...after having been a customer buying the top basic package (now AT180) plus 3 premiums for 6 years?

I may not be a Dish customer in a few days.

[Jeff McClellan]

This always kills me. What does Ford, Wal-Mart,Sears, your local newspaper give you extra to retain your loyalty. Nothing, you are free to come and go as you please. Dish owes none of us anything. Heck, the one thing they did give us was a viable alternative to cable. That was enough for me.

[AllieVi]

You guys are expecting too much. ...
Get over this "Dish owes me something" attitude. ...I agree. Those who are upset have the choice of going somewhere else, but the subscriber numbers don't indicate that people are dropping the service. If that situation does occur, maybe DISH will have to consider changing its stance, but that isn't the case now.

BTW, my local car repair shop hasn't offered any "customer loyalty" discounts either.

[UHF]

Why the heck would we buy something that is going to be replaced by Mpeg4 receivers.

I keep seeing people say this. Maybe I heard Charlie wrong, but I swear he has said that HDTV is moving to MPEG4 and that the customers will be taken care of some how. I've never heard Dish say that ALL programming is moving to MPEG4. Did I miss some official announcement somewhere? I can't imagine they will throw the switch for MPEG4 and tell 10,000,000+ customers "screw you, buy a new receiver". It would put them out of business within a month.

[KingLoop]

...the subscriber numbers don't indicate that people are dropping the service.
I guess as long as their net subscriber numbers continue increase, E* won't focus so much on the ones that get away.

[garypen]

This always kills me. What does Ford, Wal-Mart,Sears, your local newspaper give you extra to retain your loyalty. Nothing, you are free to come and go as you please. Dish owes none of us anything. Heck, the one thing they did give us was a viable alternative to cable. That was enough for me.Wow. You're a cheap date.

The point is that the cell providers, who basically have the same business model of offering free/low cost equipment upfront at a loss, in order to gain monthly subscription revenue, DO offer the same new subscriber deals TO EXISTING SUBS, as long as they agree to a new term commitment.

Also, DirecTV has a very generous retention department. Just take a look at DirecTV threads to see what kinds of perks those existing subs get to keep them. It ain't some stuinkin' PPV coupons.

If you wanna go through life being happy with the bare minimum, or being a grouchy old curmudgeon (who shall remain nameless) that enjoys complaining about everything EXCEPT what's worth complaing abouit, go right ahead. Other people might want to receive things from their vendors that customers of other vendors receive from theirs.

[larrystotler]

Both E* & D* are planning to move ALL programming to MPEG4. It will take anywhere betwen 4-6 years to do so. They will probably do it in this order:

HD subs.
Everything pack
Movie channel subs/Top180
International
Top120
Top60

Basically similar to how they just did the smart card swap out. Due to the greater bandwidth of HD channels, they don't have any real choice other than switching everything over.

As for the whining about the offer: This is NOT a promotion. They are merely trying to unload some excess inventory. They are offering 522s to Plan A eligible subs for the $149 DishNItUp fee. I got my 721 last year through the DVR upgrade promo, but they have since gotten rid of that promo in favor of their new lease only crap.

[NightRyder]

The point is that the cell providers, who basically have the same business model of offering free/low cost equipment upfront at a loss, in order to gain monthly subscription revenue, DO offer the same new subscriber deals TO EXISTING SUBS, as long as they agree to a new term commitment.


Sure they do :sure: , tell that to my former cell provider. ;)

[Evil Capserian]

You guys are expecting too much. First, loyalty, what is that? Is DBS some fraternity where we pledge our undying devotion? No. DBS is a business, and we buy it every month. Longevity does not equal loyalty. If you have 'feelings' that you interpret as loyalty, get over it. To both E* and D*, you are not even a blip on the DBS revenue radar. Your monthly subscription amount is irrelevant, nothing more. I have AAEP + locals + distants + HD + Voom + warranty coverage, and for that, I pay Dish over $100 each and every month. It's a business transaction, nothing more and I do not expect any special consideration, deals, free or discounted equipment, or coupons.

Get over this "Dish owes me something" attitude. It makes you guys sound like hopeless, forlorn losers.

One more thing -- the outdated Charlie and Tech chats are crap -- nothing more than uninspired marketing hype intended to engender a sense of 'community' among members, but based on the lack of substance found on recent chats. I don't watch them any longer as I find them pointless, boring, and frankly, insulting of whatever intelligence I have left.

If you still have feelings of being special to Ergen & Co, consider these numbers:Now, stop expecting something for nothing and go over to AOL to sign up in the sweepstakes for a chance to win that confiscated ugly-ass yellow Hummer! :lol:

That is why need the referall program back to 12 referalls a year not 5 to save money because of business tactics like this. They dont want us to be loyal, so hell, why not try to save a buck or two or 60 a month.

[garypen]

Sure they do :sure: , tell that to my former cell provider. ;)Yes they do. I know that at the very least Cingular and Sprint do it. That is a fact.

You have also proved the point of those complaining about Dish's treatment of existing subs. You left one cell provider to get the new subscriber deal from another. So, you should fully appreciate, understand, and actuaklly agree with those who advocate the same displeasure with that aspect of Dish.

[Jeff McClellan]

Wow. You're a cheap date.

The point is that the cell providers, who basically have the same business model of offering free/low cost equipment upfront at a loss, in order to gain monthly subscription revenue, DO offer the same new subscriber deals TO EXISTING SUBS, as long as they agree to a new term commitment.

Also, DirecTV has a very generous retention department. Just take a look at DirecTV threads to see what kinds of perks those existing subs get to keep them. It ain't some stuinkin' PPV coupons.

If you wanna go through life being happy with the bare minimum, or being a grouchy old curmudgeon (who shall remain nameless) that enjoys complaining about everything EXCEPT what's worth complaing abouit, go right ahead. Other people might want to receive things from their vendors that customers of other vendors receive from theirs.


Actually I am not a cheap date. So what if I think the other party should pay for their own dinner. As for undercutting and give-aways, great practice, until your company goes under.

[Richard King]

Why the heck would we buy something that is going to be replaced by Mpeg4 receivers. Why would Dish give you a new receiver at a bargain basement price when they know that they will eventually have to replace that one in a future upgrade path to MPEG4? Charlie stated in the conference call to investors yesterday that he would rather have churn go up a notch than to have to give a deal on a box today only to have to replace it in the not too distant future. You guys really should start listening to THESE chats, not the Charlie Chats if you want real information. Charlie also implied during the call that he may be missing from the scene around Dish quite a bit because of the new management team that he has put in place. He plans to concentrate on very long term projects and his new management team will concentrate on the near term management. You can listen to a recording of the call here: http://biz.yahoo.com/cc/6/58916.html

[garypen]

Actually I am not a cheap date. So what if I think the other party should pay for their own dinner. Ah. Just a bad date.

[Jeff McClellan]

Ah. Just a bad date.


Actually at 49 married with 2 kids, the more accurate assessment would be, AL BUNDY!
But the one thing about Chuck that irks me, are how the free previews have gone bye-bye. I used to look forward to the HBO, Starz, Top 180 previews roll around a few times a year. In that area, he has gotten CHEAP for the existent customer.

[Slamminc11]

That is why need the referall program back to 12 referalls a year not 5 to save money because of business tactics like this. They dont want us to be loyal, so hell, why not try to save a buck or two or 60 a month.

your whine is getting tiresome Evil! Remember, it was people like you cheating their system that ended up getting it reduced. You cheat, get caught, then whine because you can't have it back. Very Nice.
BTW, I thought you were gone, never to return. It was so nice for the last month! I guess God really does have a sense of humor.

[tsmacro]

Actually at 49 married with 2 kids, the more accurate assessment would be, AL BUNDY!
But the one thing about Chuck that irks me, are how the free previews have gone bye-bye. I used to look forward to the HBO, Starz, Top 180 previews roll around a few times a year. In that area, he has gotten CHEAP for the existent customer.

I hear that HBO will be having a free preview over Labor Day weekend.

[Stewart Vernon]

The hotel example is actually good... but not like it appears!

Giving the "bread & butter" customers better treatment than your 2-3 month in the summer customers... is EXACTLY an example supporting what Dish is doing.

The customers that call and say "I want a better deal or I will leave" are like your 2-3 month customers who are always looking for a better deal... vs the loyalist "bread & butter"... And I would go so far as to say that Dish must ABSOLUTELY be doing right by their "bread & butter" customers or else they would be having financial problems!

The trick... some of us think we are more important than we are... thinking we are "bread & butter" when we really aren't.

As to the retention arguments... The thing is... some people are always looking for the better deal. These folk will jump ship in a heartbeat to DirecTV or cable as soon as a better offer comes along. Frankly, this means the next offer has to be even better and so forth.. and it can be a nightmare to attract that kind of customer back AND you just know they are going to complain soon no matter what offer you give them today...

So, from a business point of view... Dish seems to be operating under the notion that a new customer is hard to get, so let's give him an offer he can't refuse to get him on board... but a year from now if he starts the "I want a new deal" complaining, let him fly if he wants... because we'll spend the rest of our business lives trying to make that customer happy, knowing we never can because each offer will have to top the next one.

Personally, I think Dish is operating under a smarter business model in this regard.

[garypen]

I consider myself garlic bread. Does that get anything?

[Evil Capserian]

your whine is getting tiresome Evil! Remember, it was people like you cheating their system that ended up getting it reduced. You cheat, get caught, then whine because you can't have it back. Very Nice.
BTW, I thought you were gone, never to return. It was so nice for the last month! I guess God really does have a sense of humor.


No, its not cause of people like me that got it reduced. It got reduced because dish got greedy. They did nt want to give so much credit anymore and wanted people to stay loyal. Impossible.

[Slamminc11]

No, its not cause of people like me that got it reduced. It got reduced because dish got greedy. They did nt want to give so much credit anymore and wanted people to stay loyal. Impossible.

by your own admission you had some installer use your cards when they installed people and signed them up for dish. You paid him a few bucks so you could get your bill reduced. Greedy, that sounds awefully greedy to me. It's their game and their ball, if they don't like the way you are playing their game with their ball, it is totally in their right to take it away from you.

[motorcycle_rider]

This always kills me. What does Ford, Wal-Mart,Sears, your local newspaper give you extra to retain your loyalty. Nothing, you are free to come and go as you please. Dish owes none of us anything. Heck, the one thing they did give us was a viable alternative to cable. That was enough for me.


Ever here of Lease loyalty programs???? Or the $1500 certificate from GM every 2 yrs I get that is applicable to all promotions.

I am not looking for any promotions at this time from dish or any other provider. But I think that providers should offer compairable promotions to current subscribers as they do to new subscribers....Not including discounted programing rates...

[purwater]

The hotel example is actually good... but not like it appears!

Giving the "bread & butter" customers better treatment than your 2-3 month in the summer customers... is EXACTLY an example supporting what Dish is doing.

The customers that call and say "I want a better deal or I will leave" are like your 2-3 month customers who are always looking for a better deal... vs the loyalist "bread & butter"... And I would go so far as to say that Dish must ABSOLUTELY be doing right by their "bread & butter" customers or else they would be having financial problems!

The trick... some of us think we are more important than we are... thinking we are "bread & butter" when we really aren't.

As to the retention arguments... The thing is... some people are always looking for the better deal. These folk will jump ship in a heartbeat to DirecTV or cable as soon as a better offer comes along. Frankly, this means the next offer has to be even better and so forth.. and it can be a nightmare to attract that kind of customer back AND you just know they are going to complain soon no matter what offer you give them today...

So, from a business point of view... Dish seems to be operating under the notion that a new customer is hard to get, so let's give him an offer he can't refuse to get him on board... but a year from now if he starts the "I want a new deal" complaining, let him fly if he wants... because we'll spend the rest of our business lives trying to make that customer happy, knowing we never can because each offer will have to top the next one.

Personally, I think Dish is operating under a smarter business model in this regard.


I see this as an example of why they should offer loyal customers a good deal now and then too. If the "bread and butter" customer such as myself is what keeps Dish going then why not throw us a bone now and then. Most customers just want quality reliable tv entertainment and when they find it with Dish, Directv or cable they stick with it. I know I've had Dish over 7 years and have paid full retail for every single piece of equipment except for a DVR upgrade 2 years ago and my Superdish upgrade. I had to sign the commitment for the Superdish and the deal on the DVR wasn't spectacular, but cheaper than full price. So over the years I've bought a Dish 300 system, Dish 500 system, and 8 receivers at full retail price. I'm not saying I should get something for free even, just give me the deal a new customer gets on say a new DVR or HD box. The cellular analogy was brought up earlier in the thread and it makes sense. I've been with the same cellular company for over 7 years as well. I'm eligible for the same phone prices as a new customer when my contract expires. I pay the cheap phone price for signing a new commitment. They keep me locked up for 1 or 2 more years and I get the cool new phone at a cheap price. Everyone wins. Dish could do the same with their equipment and keep us very happy and locked up as paying customers as well. I have no problem signing a contract as long as I get something in the deal. With the programming package that I pay for Dish certainly profits in the long term over giving me a little discount on a new receiver up front. Of course as Dennis Miller used to say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

[Evil Capserian]

by your own admission you had some installer use your cards when they installed people and signed them up for dish. You paid him a few bucks so you could get your bill reduced. Greedy, that sounds awefully greedy to me. It's their game and their ball, if they don't like the way you are playing their game with their ball, it is totally in their right to take it away from you.


Well I didnt start the game. The game was started way before I even got up to bat. I didnt make any rules. What got dish ticked off is I hit some ground balls which got me to base instead of regular singles and dish didnt like it so they went ahead and changed the rules to their own likeing. I admit nothing.

[Darkman]

The rules.. laws.. and even Constitution DO get ammended on occasion ;)

[Stewart Vernon]

I consider myself garlic bread. Does that get anything?

It might enhance the effect of the pointing and laughing at Nike wearers... but other than that, not sure what the garlic will get you!

[Stewart Vernon]

No, its not cause of people like me that got it reduced. It got reduced because dish got greedy. They did nt want to give so much credit anymore and wanted people to stay loyal. Impossible.

For some reason, this reminds me of the guy who breaks into someone's house and falls and gets hurt, then sues the homeowner.

I doubt it was singularly you who got the limit cut to 5... but I suspect if Dish found out a lot of people all over the country were doing the same thing, getting the referral benefit without actually referring... this would be motive enough to reduce the program.

From Dish point of view... they were paying "referral" bonuses to people who would have joined anyway, since it wasn't a real referral... so they were the ones being cheated. I can't blame them for making the change. I would be hard pressed to find 5 referrals, especially to find 5 more each year! So your 12 a year and "finding" 12 more the next year and so on had to look very suspicious to the Dish bean counters.

[Stewart Vernon]

I see this as an example of why they should offer loyal customers a good deal now and then too. If the "bread and butter" customer such as myself is what keeps Dish going then why not throw us a bone now and then. Most customers just want quality reliable tv entertainment and when they find it with Dish, Directv or cable they stick with it. I know I've had Dish over 7 years and have paid full retail for every single piece of equipment except for a DVR upgrade 2 years ago and my Superdish upgrade. I had to sign the commitment for the Superdish and the deal on the DVR wasn't spectacular, but cheaper than full price. So over the years I've bought a Dish 300 system, Dish 500 system, and 8 receivers at full retail price. I'm not saying I should get something for free even, just give me the deal a new customer gets on say a new DVR or HD box. The cellular analogy was brought up earlier in the thread and it makes sense. I've been with the same cellular company for over 7 years as well. I'm eligible for the same phone prices as a new customer when my contract expires. I pay the cheap phone price for signing a new commitment. They keep me locked up for 1 or 2 more years and I get the cool new phone at a cheap price. Everyone wins. Dish could do the same with their equipment and keep us very happy and locked up as paying customers as well. I have no problem signing a contract as long as I get something in the deal. With the programming package that I pay for Dish certainly profits in the long term over giving me a little discount on a new receiver up front. Of course as Dennis Miller used to say, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

Don't get me wrong of course... I would love to see loyal subscriber offers or discounts that are comparable to the new customer offerings... but I don't feel like I'm owed anything like that. I feel like I'm owed what I pay for every month, and if I have a problem with reception or equipment I'm owed a tech rep that will help me resolve the situation.

Beyond that, it is gravy. Almost everything else I buy is obsolete within a few weeks (computers, stereo equipment, TV, toys, etc etc) so I'm accustomed to making a choice now and living with it until the next great thing catches my eye and is affordable.

So while I wish for the stars... I understand the business model and it just makes good business sense. As long as they treat loyal customers fairly, I can't complain if I don't get the best offer of the day every year.

[Evil Capserian]

You guys are failing to see the point of this thread. We are loyal customers to dish and have been for many years. Every month we pay our bill and are expected to be treated better than some joe schmo who signed up last month and than decided to bail out, when it comes time to promotions for loyal customers. But instead we are treated worse than new customers. So we have to take measure into our own hands and do what needs to be done so we feel better about being a dish network customer. And you can take that to the bank.

[Darkman]

Are you going to go and beat them up also maybe? :)

[Evil Capserian]

Are you going to go and beat them up also maybe? :)


Maybe, but only if after the fight I end up feeling better about being a dish network customer. See, sometimes fighting doesn't solve anything and sometimes it does. You just have to ration out the end result of the fight. You see most of the time I am always correct at the end. I stand behind my points 100%.

[Stewart Vernon]

You guys are failing to see the point of this thread. We are loyal customers to dish and have been for many years.

I guess I just view things different than some people. I have an agreement with Dish Network that if I pay my monthly bill, they will provide me with service for that month. That's pretty much it. Anything beyond that is gravy.

I pay my car bill every month too, but don't expect General Motors to give me a free car when I've finished paying mine off for being a loyal customer. I'm just doing what I agreed to do, as are they.

Every month we pay our bill and are expected to be treated better than some joe schmo who signed up last month and than decided to bail out, when it comes time to promotions for loyal customers.

Now here you're mixing apples with oranges... A new customer that decides to bail out is someone they aren't interested in retaining... so they don't offer that customer anything at all to stay, and good riddance to them when they exit the door.

I don't expect to be treated better than anyone just because I've been around several years. Think of it from the other side of things... Say you are a new customer, but you are told that you aren't as valuable to them as their old customers, and of course their old customers will always be older than you so you will never be good no matter what.

I've been to stores where "loyal" customers were given preferrential treatment, and sometimes I've been the loyal customer... and seen how new customers would get the short end of the deal because they were new... and I always thought that was unfair too.

In an ideal world, all customers should be treated equally... but I understand why companies will give promotions to new customers as enticement. Why entice someone who is already there?

[Evil Capserian]

I guess I just view things different than some people. I have an agreement with Dish Network that if I pay my monthly bill, they will provide me with service for that month. That's pretty much it. Anything beyond that is gravy.

Actually your agreement is a bit more complex than that. If you dont pay the bill, dish has the right to turn off your tv and charge you for equipment fees and violation of contract. You pay your bill only so dish won't do that.

I pay my car bill every month too, but don't expect General Motors to give me a free car when I've finished paying mine off for being a loyal customer. I'm just doing what I agreed to do, as are they..

I pay my car bill too and I do expect at the end (not a new car) but at least a few hundred off the next car I lease from them. Its called customer loyalty bonus and so far everytime I got a new car lease, i got this bonus.



Now here you're mixing apples with oranges... A new customer that decides to bail out is someone they aren't interested in retaining... so they don't offer that customer anything at all to stay, and good riddance to them when they exit the door...

Im not mixing anything up. A new customer who bails on dish within the first few months deserves nothing like you said, but someone who sticks with them year after year after year should get something more than the joe schmo who bailed. Otherwise, why should I stay? To build loyalty of course. I know someone who own a little store and 75% of his business is repeat customers who come back because of the service they get. They can go buy groceries at any store but choose his store because of good service.

I don't expect to be treated better than anyone just because I've been around several years. Think of it from the other side of things... Say you are a new customer, but you are told that you aren't as valuable to them as their old customers, and of course their old customers will always be older than you so you will never be good no matter what....

Non sense. Once you show your a repeat customer for over a couple of years, you should be treated just like all the other customers who have been with dish for years. You build credit with them. Its all about trust. Credit card companies work this way too.

And my final point is if a company fails to see you as a valuable repeat customer than you have 2 choices. 1. Dump them and go elsewhere or 2. Take matters into your own hands and do what is necessary to make yourself feel better for being a customer with them. Provided its all legal of course. :)

[Stewart Vernon]

Actually your agreement is a bit more complex than that. If you dont pay the bill, dish has the right to turn off your tv and charge you for equipment fees and violation of contract. You pay your bill only so dish won't do that.

I disagree here. If you kill someone, you will get prison time or the death penalty... but the reason I don't kill people isn't because of that... but because I believe that it is wrong and I have no desire to do so. The punishment is immaterial and irrelavent to me, because I have no desire to do the thing which is wrong.

Similarly, I agreed to Dish that I would pay my monthly bill on time because I wanted the service they provided... not because I was afraid of the penalties of not paying my bill.

If the only reason you do something is because you are afraid of what will happen if you don't... that's a very aggravating way to live I would think.

I pay my car bill too and I do expect at the end (not a new car) but at least a few hundred off the next car I lease from them. Its called customer loyalty bonus and so far everytime I got a new car lease, i got this bonus.

I guess we have different ideas on what loyalty means. IF you are only doing something (like staying with Dish) because you want and expect something special in return... then that isn't being loyal.

Loyalty is sticking by an old friend even when he does something wrong, because he is an old friend who has earned your loyalty in the past. If you bolt and run at the first chance, then you aren't really loyal after all.

So, saying you deserve something from Dish simply because you pay your bills on time for several years... and if you don't get special treatment, you will leave or figure a way to cheat them as "payback" for not getting special treatment... that actually demonstrates lack of loyalty in my opinion.

Once you show your a repeat customer for over a couple of years, you should be treated just like all the other customers who have been with dish for years. You build credit with them. Its all about trust. Credit card companies work this way too.

Are you sure that's how you feel though? Say you were a loyal Dish customer for 10 years... and another guy is a loyal customer for 2 years... don't you really believe that you are entitled to something more? Wouldn't you say "but I've been loyal for 10 years, I deserve something better than some new guy who has only been here 2 years"? In my experience, once you start ranking folks like that, it never ends and some will always be new no matter what, kind of like how the pyramid scams work.

[AllieVi]

Evil,

Do you perceive that D* and cable provide more loyalty benefits than DISH?

[jsanders]

Have you considered changing your name to Evil Dead Capserian? :) Just a thought....

The Mom and Pop store can great their loyal customers better because they know them. Who here can call up Charlie on the phone for a little chat because we are a loyal person??

If you want to encourage loyalty, it can't be done on a personal basis. If that is an objective, it should be done with *incentives*. You can't make CSRs be nicer on the phone to you because you are a loyal customer. Charles Schwab does this, and gave me a separate number to call for customer service with a guarantee to talk with someone in 30 seconds. Loyalty has nothing to do with it though, it doesn't pay for that tier of service.

The E* business model may or may not justify loyalty as being profitable to them. I don't know if we have discussed it from that perspective.

[Evil Capserian]

Have you considered changing your name to Evil Dead Capserian? :) Just a thought....

The Mom and Pop store can great their loyal customers better because they know them. Who here can call up Charlie on the phone for a little chat because we are a loyal person??

If you want to encourage loyalty, it can't be done on a personal basis. If that is an objective, it should be done with *incentives*. You can't make CSRs be nicer on the phone to you because you are a loyal customer. Charles Schwab does this, and gave me a separate number to call for customer service with a guarantee to talk with someone in 30 seconds. Loyalty has nothing to do with it though, it doesn't pay for that tier of service.

The E* business model may or may not justify loyalty as being profitable to them. I don't know if we have discussed it from that perspective.


whatever. I made my point and im sticking to it

[jsanders]

Evil Dead Casperian? How about another thought. You change your name to Hugh Jass? or Ben Dover maybe?


Maybe you didn't understand me, I was not insulting you. I would appreciate it if you would retract the above mentioned statement.

To give you the benefit of the doubt, I will explain my statement.

Here is a quote from you in post #8 of this thread: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=432126#post432126

I know Im dead but I just came back to find out where chaddux lives so I can come and beat him up for you all.

You called yourself dead in that thread, and that was with reference to this thread:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=44501

In that thread, you told everyone that you were saying goodbye.

So, calling you Evil Dead Casperian is a fitting reference to your return to the message boards. In other words, it was a way of saying, "welcome back". :welcome_s

[joshhyde]

Why would Dish give you a new receiver at a bargain basement price when they know that they will eventually have to replace that one in a future upgrade path to MPEG4? Charlie stated in the conference call to investors yesterday that he would rather have churn go up a notch than to have to give a deal on a box today only to have to replace it in the not too distant future. You guys really should start listening to THESE chats, not the Charlie Chats if you want real information. Charlie also implied during the call that he may be missing from the scene around Dish quite a bit because of the new management team that he has put in place. He plans to concentrate on very long term projects and his new management team will concentrate on the near term management. You can listen to a recording of the call here: http://biz.yahoo.com/cc/6/58916.html

Wouldn't it make more sense to offer these as leases? If the timeline of 4-6 yrs. for MPEG4 is correct (I think it will be faster), lets see... $5 times 48 mos. equals $240! They get money now and get rid of soon to be outdated inventory. That makes sense to me.