High Definition (HD) Deals for Existing and New customers

[ju421019]

Hi, I am Dish Network Subscriber for 2 years.

Right now I have Dish 522 DVR on the Dishnup program on a $5 a month lease.

My TV is going bad and im thinking of getting a LCD or Plasma or DLP.

At the same time im thinking of making the plunge to Dish HD.

But my question is what is my best offer for existing customers.

I want at least one HD DVR receiver with two outputs. I have a Superdish and also subscribe to international channels. Would I have to get a new dish for HD?

These are the options I was thinking:

1. Just pay whatever Dish has for existing subscribers to upgrade to HD.
2. Cancel, have my wife sign up, take advantage of any new customer deals out there.
3. Keep Dishnetwork, downgrade to just international channels, open new account with DTV for HD offers.

I need help fellas.

Thanks!

[Rob Glasser]

The upgrade cost for a new sub vs an existing sub to lease a ViP622 is the same, $199. Also, you are eligible for a HD upgrade credit for subscribing to an HD metal pak for the first time, which is $10 a month for 10 months. This upgrade covers the cost of any equipment to give you HD. This mean mean replacing your Dish or putting in a new Dish in addition to your SuperDish. That is decided by the installer.

Basically it will cost you $99 when all is said and done to upgrade.

Finally, welcome to DBSTalk.

[TheTony]

There is a difference between new and existing customers:

New customer: $199 to lease the 622. Two $100 programming rebates - one for new customer, one for customers new to DishHD. No lease fees (assuming DHA).

Existing customer: $199 to lease the 622. One $100 programming rebate, assuming customer is new to DishHD packages. $6 lease fee (due to Dishn' It Up).

It's clearly a better deal to be a new customer with a 622.

[dishbacker]

I thought if the 622 was your only leased receiver, the $6 lease fee was included in the monthly subscription (as long as you have another owned receiver on the account) and therefore would not be charged the lease fee?

[ju421019]

Can someone clarify the lease rules - since right now with a Dish 522 i am paying a lease fee too.

Also - what's the best method for me to start as a new customer.

Would it be to cancel my account and say im moving out of the country.

Then the next day call back and sign up as a new customer using my wifes information, saying we just moved to this residence?

Thanks!

[CABill]

If you obtain the receiver under the existing subscriber DISH'n It Up (DIU) program, you will pay the lease fee for the receiver - even if it is the ONLY receiver on the account. Notice that the original poster appears to only have a single 522 (obtained under DIU) and still pays $5/month lease on it. If you already have a receiver on the account that wasn't a DIU receiver, it is included with the monthly sub and the cost / month for that receiver plus a 622 would be the same as the cost of only having the 622 on the account. If the original poster were to Add a 622 and keep his 522 (DIU) active, he would have to pay $11/month lease fees. If he replaced his 522 with a 622, the monthly bill would increase by $1, plus $20 for DishHD package. If he did sign up as a new customer in his wife's name, the $6 lease fee for having the 622 as the only receiver on the account wouldn't apply.

[CABill]

Then the next day call back and sign up as a new customer using my wifes information, saying we just moved to this residence?

You don't have to be "completely new" to qualify for the same offer as a "truely new" sub. A previous subscriber that has been gone for 6 months, had service for 6 months before leaving, left in good standing, .... can also sign up under the regular DHA plan. Signing up at the same address the next day with the wife's info seems doubtful. The total cost / month is only $1 more than you pay now for the 522 (plus the increase for HD programming). You are paying $200 to start a lease of the 622. If you were to purchase the 622 (probably find something around $450?), the $6/month lease wouldn't apply (as long as it was the only receiver on the account). If you keep another receiver on the account, you will pay $6/month for the 622 as either a lease fee or an additional receiver fee if purchased.

[TheTony]

Granted, a new customer is eligible for an additional $100 in rebates for the first 10 months of programming.

So, what makes a customer unique to Dish? A different name and phone number? Is the phone number on an account required to be the same as the line that the receiver is plugged into?

[ju421019]

I think a new phone number is require, different name, and SSN.

By the way what was DHA stand for?

I did purchase an additional Dish 322 receiver that I want to add, but was thinking of adding it as a new customer.

Now orignally we were dish customers at this address under my fathers name and home phone for several years - we cancelled -- then signed up again, added like #2B to the address, my name, my cell.

Now, if I was to cancel, then sign up with our original home phone and address on file, would that be fine?

Basically, it seems like if I sign up as a new customer there is a better avantage, especially siince right now im paying for home protection plan per month, it seems like new customers have option of getting it for free for 18 months, with a commitment.

[garys]

As far as HD, existing customers are treated the same as new customers, no real advantage. Plus if you used the original phone you would be a returning customer. Again no real advantage on that either, unless they called you to get you back. That usually happens when you first cancelled, so don't see that as a way to go either. There is a rebate for adding the HD packages, that takes most, if not all the cost of upgrade fee.

[Rob Glasser]

By the way what was DHA stand for?


It stands for, Digital Home Advantage. It's the name they give their plan where you lease all the equipment from Dish and agree to a time commitment, usually 18 months.

[TheTony]

As far as HD, existing customers are treated the same as new customers, no real advantage. Plus if you used the original phone you would be a returning customer. Again no real advantage on that either, unless they called you to get you back. That usually happens when you first cancelled, so don't see that as a way to go either. There is a rebate for adding the HD packages, that takes most, if not all the cost of upgrade fee.

Assuming a 1:1 for receivers returned and added, there is difference. This is in the lease fee and in the extra $100 rebate new customers are eligible for.

That said, does Dish require the phone # on the account to be the same line that is connected to the receiver? Especially for folks with cell phones and VOIP service, I think this is a good question.

[thk63]

Question: I have a model 3800 unit and my DISHPRO adapter appears to have gone bad on the UNIT. I only use this unit on my PC. I figure it will cost me $25 to $75 to repair this, so I just as well see what upgrade options I have before going that direction. I would really like to get a new HD DVR system, but don't see myself getting a HD-TV for at least 6 months to a year. At the very least I would like to replace this 3800 with a dual tuner unit. I currently own the 3800, a 7200( not activated), a 510 and lease two 510. I'm looking to to have 5 outputs 4 of which would be DVR, what kind of upgrade is available to me? Can I still receive the HD content and output it to a SD TV.

[ju421019]

I signed up as a new customer using a deal from Fatwallet through some discount partner program.

Now my question is about the setup -- I got the Vip 622 scheduled along with the Dish 322.

I will have it four rooms but right now I have cabling setup to the switch which can take like 5 receivers.

Now, I have the DP34 with the Superdish currently.

Will they use the DP34 switch so I can tell the guy juts connect the other cables in there for future receivers I want to add.

Also, will they be putting another dish for HD, or can Superdish capture both HD, etc.

The rep over the phone told you will be needing two dishes, i didnt tell her the house currently has a superdish.

So those are my two questions that i need help with:

1. For the Dish 322 and Vip 622, will the installation require a DP34 switch, I am hoping it does so I can tell the installer connect the 5th room wire to it too. Can I make that request with him?

2. For Intl + HD -- is Superdish fine, or will they install two dishes?

Thanks!