David_Jr
Supporting Actor
I have been a satisfied DISH customer for over six years now. Last week I heard a story on the news that my locals, Albany, NY, are now available on DISH network. So I called to see about getting them. I currently subscribe to "distant networks" east and west coast along with the superstation package. I called and asked if I could swap NY stations for the Albany stations. They told me I could, but I would need a new "Superdish". When I upgraded to Top 150 a couple years ago I had to upgrade to "dish 500" dish. Apparently this new superdish hits three satellite slots, and the Albany channels are on the third slot. They told me I could get the superdish with free installation as long as I agree to keep my programming on credit card autopay for 12 months. I already do that so I said yes. While I was on the phone, I asked about HI Def programming. The CSR told me that the HD programming would be avaailable on the third slot as well. I asked about getting CBS HD. He spouted the party line about having to be qualified to get it. He then told me that he had never seen anyone turned down for it that applied. Now I'm thinking about getting a HD set. So then he tells me I have to talk to someone else to finalize the transaction. The second person I talked to told me about all the restrictions, cancelation fees etc. I asked her if there were any deals available on hardware. She told me that I could get a free upgrade to a DVR 510, which is like a TIVO, if I agreed to keep my monthly bill on credit card autopay for two years. All I would have to do is return the receiver it is replacing. I said no problem. She asked if I was replacing my 4700, which is in my living room. I said no, my 2800, which is in my bedroom. It's basically a no frills model. She said ok. Then she starts reading the fine print and says, Oh by the way there is a $4.98 per month fee for the DVR features. I almost said no deal, but we have been having a lot of problems with the reliability of our JVC VCR lately so I was really looking forward to the DVR especially for free. But then it's not really free. Is this still a good deal?