I Told You So

If you are a Dish Network customer and want to save money on your bill then read this blog as the info in it can save you up to $120 a year.

This weekend Dish Network changed its promotions and packages. If you check the Dish Network homepage TurboHD is gone and is no longer mentioned on the site.

In addition if you check out the site, you will notice that the $10 a month Platinum HD package is “Included FREE with any HD Package Option.” There are no asterisks, no fine print nothing.

Over the weekend many of my members of SatelliteGuys were able to get the $10 a month charge for the Platinum HD Package removed from their bills, and are now getting the Platinum HD package for no extra charge. This is a savings of $120 a year!

I myself even got them to remove the charge from my bill, and it was easy to do, I just did it via Dish Networks online chat.

My Operator Ian was happy to help me out and verified that the Platinum HD channels were included at no extra charge.

Scott Greczkowski: Does that include the free platinum package?
(23-12-3) Ian H.: Yes that does include the Platinum channels at no additional cost.

I like Dish Networks online chat as it gives you a transcript you can save. Many of my members used the online chat to get the price adjusted without any issues at all and a number of these members posted a copy of their transcripts online.

Dish Network’s Chat CSR’s mentioned many times that the Gold HD and Platinum HD package are now one in the same.

Here are some transcripts of Dish Network CSR’s that were posted to the SatelliteGuys website over the weekend verifying this information.

(23-12-3) Brad T.: That is correct, starting today, your Gold HD and Platinum HD package are the same package, for $10 alone rather than $10 each.

(03) Chris V.: May I know the changes you wish to have on the account?
mhowie: I understand that effective today the Platinum HD package is included in the HD package. My account still shows it as being separate and is shown as an additional charge. All the HD channels should be $10. Can you please make the appropriate change?
(03) Chris V.: I’d be happy to assist you with that.
(03) Chris V.: I’ve made the necessary changes on the account and the Platinum HD is free on the account.

(03) Sharon K.: I have added this to your account right now. You will receive Platinum HD for free from now.
(03) Sharon K.: You are all set. Have I handled everything to your satisfaction?
Me: with no extra charge???
(03) Sharon K.: No. There is no extra charge.

Then there were others who were told by Dish Network CSR’s that this change was going to happen automatically, such as in this case with Dish Network customer William Turner. Below is Williams transcript with Dish Network representative Adam S.

William Turner: I understand that effective yesterday, the Platinum HD package is included in the HD package. My account still shows it as being separate and is shown as an additional charge. All the HD channels should be $10. Can you please make the appropriate change?
(24DrDcb) Adam S. J48: There will actually be no need to make the changes. The system will update it sell. If I remove anything it might cause the platinum channels to go away temporarily. The information you received is correct though.
William Turner: How long will it take to get this changed on my bill?
(24DrDcb) Adam S. J48: It will be updated before you next bill is sent out.

However something happened today and from the transcripts being posted online Dish is now making it harder for existing customers to get this Platinum HD package for free.

See this transcript from SatelliteGuys Member Patricia Thomas

(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: Thank you. I see you’re asking about the combined Gold/Platinum HD package?
Patricia Thomas: Yes. As of Aug 1, Platimum HD is now included free. However, I’m still charged $10 per month for it.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: I can advise you on that.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: Unfortunately, that promotion is only available for new Platinum HD customers.
Patricia Thomas: So, I’m being punished for bring a valued customer. That doesn’t make sense. There are many others who are getting it for free and they’re not new subscribers. Can you double check this issue, please.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: OK.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: give me a moment to see what I can do for you.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: Ok, Patricia, as a courtesy, i can go ahead and make this change for you, give me a minute to process it.
Patricia Thomas: Oh great. Thank you.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: OK, let me get this completed.
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: OK, expect a prorated credit for the Platinum HD charge from today to 9/3 to post tonight, lowering the current balance due.
Patricia Thomas: And this will now be $10 less a month, correct?
(23-12-3) Lynn M. Jr.: Correct, the new monthly rate is $77.99 + tax now.
Patricia Thomas: That’s brilliant. Thank you. I hope Dish management see this issue and rectify it for all those with the platinum package.

Others are reporting the same issue being told that the free Platinum HD package is only for new customers, however CSR’s are still making the changes to their account.

(For more chat transcripts and success reports of SatelliteGuys members please CLICK HERE)

This info matches what was told to me by Dish Network spokesperson Kathie Gonzalez on Friday who said the free Platinum HD package is only for new customers and existing customers who have never subscribed to the HD packages before.

However looking at the Dish Network website, there is no mention anywhere that this is a special promo at all, nor does it say its only available for new customers only. Dish Needs to do the right thing here and credit call their current customers paying for the Platinum HD package.

From where I sit not giving the customers the Platinum HD package is false advertising, anyone can print out the Dish Network website and send a copy over to their states attorney generals office, and I am sure the AG’s will side with the customers on this one. (And does Dish really want to be in hot water again with the states AG’s offices?)

Now understand I don’t think we are trying to cheat the system at all here. We only want whats advertised, DishNetwork.COM is a website used by both current and new Dish Network customers. The advertising clearly says “with any HD package” there is no fine print, no astericks which then clearly makes this offer available to any Dish Network customer with any HD package. There is no reason to pay $10 a month for a package when their own website is announcing the package is free for everyone with a qualifying HD package.

Making this package free for everyone who subscribes to a qualified HD package (as advertised on DishNetwork.COM) will make their customers happy and less likely to churn. If Dish uses this to their advantage then this move could be the smartest thing they have done in a long time.

One more thing, since they dropped the Turbo HD packages from their website the only packages left are their Classic Packages… Since they are the only packages left I don’t think that makes them Classic’s anymore. Dish needs to drop the “Classic” from the package names.

I hate to say I told you so, but if you remember back on July 17th I said this was going to happen. (CLICK HERE for that Column)

If you want to save some money on your Dish Network bill and have some patience and good manners then give them a call or use their online chat. It’s one phone call or chat that could save you $120 over the next year. Bet you never thought you could save money by reading this column did you?

Thanks for reading “The Satellite Dish” here at MultiChannel.COM