Too Little Too Late

[crokett]

Well I am a Dish Network customer as of today. Called DirecTV Sunday to say I was thinking of cancelling and could they match Dish's offer of 4 TVs hooked up, with 1 receiver upgraded to DVR. Actually they didn't have to match, they just had to hook up a 3rd TV and not have it cost me anything. Guy says he can give me a free DVR/HD receiver normally 200 bucks, but my monthly bill will go up to 75.00. I called Dish back and scheduled the install. After it was hooked up called DirecTV and said I wanted to cancel. Rep transfers me to someone else who then makes an offer that comes close but is still not Dish's offer - is a couple bucks more/month. If they offered it to me Sunday I might have stayed. I explained this to her and told her to tell her bosses not to make customers call a 2nd time if they really want to keep them.

[Uncle Cracker]

Don't blame you one bit. I don't like dealing with companies that assume I just got off the boat this morning. I hope everything works out for you on this.

[Al R.]

As I am single now and barely watch TV, other than news and some movies, which I can watch it all on the internet as well, what I did after been tired of these companies as well, is that I went to Radio-Shack, got a digital antenna for 100 bucks. I had a long flag pole and installed it myself. Now I have 12 channels for free. I had to get a digital converter box to my old 43 inches screen TV, but I got it with some bonus I received…all together like 120 dollars.

[atgcpaul]

As I am single now and barely watch TV, other than news and some movies, which I can watch it all on the internet as well, what I did after been tired of these companies as well, is that I went to Radio-Shack, got a digital antenna for 100 bucks. I had a long flag pole and installed it myself. Now I have 12 channels for free. I had to get a digital converter box to my old 43 inches screen TV, but I got it with some bonus I received…all together like 120 dollars.

I pretty much did the same thing but for a little cheaper. I get at least 20
channels over the air and fill in the rest with Netflix, Redbox and online
streaming. If cable were a la carte I might go back. Otherwise I like saving the extra $40/month. Not for everyone but works for me.

[Al R.]

It sounds good. I have about 12 channels because I’m living kind of a country side now, but if I was in the middle of a larger city I’m sure I had many more channels.

[cgallery]

Customer retention 101: Don't wait until the customer is uttering the words "I've switched to Dish, please cancel my DTV service" to make your final best offer.

[cabinetman]

Our 'drop off' problem with AT&T (DSL internet) still hasn't been solved. It looks like our only out will be to drop DSL, and go to Comcast cable, which will include TV (eliminating Direct TV), and going to Vonage, which will eliminate AT&T (phones).
.

[docrowan]

If cable were a la carte I might go back. Otherwise I like saving the extra $40/month. Not for everyone but works for me.

That is something that infuriates me about cable TV - all these packages that you have to buy that include channels that you don't want and have to pay for. I get basic cable - about 20 channels, but even it includes two shopping channels that I'd love to block from coming into my house. Imagine if you want Wood magazine having to buy Quilting Bee Monthly and Ladies Home Journal along with it.

[phi1l]

I tolerate the shopping channels, they pay to be there, so they (theoretically) make everything else cheaper than it would be.

[BrazosJake]

Been threatening to do the same thing for a while. We're long-time customers, they clearly don't care. Anytime we need service from them, it's like pulling hens teeth. If LOML weren't such a sports and HGTV junkie and 7-yo Disney channel addict, I'd drop it in an instant.

IIRC, one of the arguments for paying for TV was no commercials. So now I pay $90 per month, and still have to look at obnoxious adds. The ones they run during NFL games now are so bad I can't let my son watch the game.

[Uncle Cracker]

I tolerate the shopping channels, they pay to be there, so they (theoretically) make everything else cheaper than it would be.

No, they just make the cable companies and the networks richer. The advertisers are supposed to pay the bill, but as you saw with the recent Fox/Time-Warner showdown, even shows you can get for free on the airwaves will cost you on cable, so you know the carriers aren't gonna use infomercial or shopping channel revenue to make things easier on the consumer. Good ol' American greed...