*C to charge $4.99 on 2nd receivers!!!!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just heard from a CSR that they will start billing me $4.99 for my 2nd receiver. I was calling in to change my programming, (which they were very helpful) however, just before she ended the call, she informed me that i will be billed soon for having 2 or more receivers. I am not happy with this at all! She also added that in return, my receivers will have a lifetime warranty. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

[Bent]

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.canadian-tv.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&amp;Board=Programming&amp;Number=30213&amp;p age=0&amp;view=collapsed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=7&amp;fpart=>yup</a>

bottom of the first page

[Teacher]

I refuse to pay any more to StarChoice. I've been thinking about digital cable for some time, and this will likely be the deciding factor. Bad move on StarChoice's part, IMO. I could care less about lifetime warranty, these units have become disposable electronics; (of course, I originally shelled out $600)......a nice way to thank loyal customers.....indeed.

Paul

[**DONOTDELETE**]

So if you have 3 receiver's the $5 fee covers lifetime warranty on all 3 .
Good deal
Better than dishing out $150 for a new box.
Smart move , the $5 fee goes to their bottom line and the customer gets peace of mind.
Even with the $5 surcharge the programming is a good deal compared to our cable company.

[snoman]

I was going to drop SC for Rogers digital but I refuse to pay more that 50 bucks a month for programming.
The only way I can get the digitals I want (pick any 10 for 14.95) is with basic analog (26.00) and rent a digital box for 10.95. The downside is I would be missing a lot of the cable channels I do like or pay 70 bucks a month for ALL the analogs and digitals minus the movies and superstations (they suck anyways) and get 3 extra hook ups on the analogs and pay for 50+ channels nobody at home watches.
No thanks, for all of SC's warts and boneheads running the show even with the 5 bux surcharge it's still a bargain and no fuzzy analog cable channels.

[PlusONE]

So we only pay $4.99 once for the lifetime warranty?
If that's the case then it's not so bad.

[GOD]

LOL....I'd say there could be a lot of flower pot's hanging over 421C's . Surely they would never send back another 421C box ! /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

[Bent]

Nope, 4.99 per month flat rate for each account with # of receivers &gt;1
and I bet a lot of people would like to see their 421c's fail.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Time to sell my S.C. hardware on Ebay!

[peternm22]

Does anyone know how many SC users have 2 or more receivers? (and not wild guesses)

Peter

[GOD]

LOL...and how many are in the same house ? That's a problem affecting both provider's !

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Imagine if both SC &amp; BEV was to charge $5/receiver/month,plus programing charges/receiver as well.I would say BYE-BYE BEV &amp; SC./forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gif/forums/images/icons/mad.gifPEACE UP TOM /forums/images/icons/mad.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

They should wave or reduce the $4.99 fee for ppl that plug their IRDs into a phone jack.

[PlusONE]

Well this sucks.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I think both dishnet and DTV charge for additional receivers. Do cable companies charge for each TV it's connected too?

[Satellite_Expert]

Hate to break it to you guys - but Mr. Cogeco was partly right. SC/BEV lowballed to get sub numbers up, just like DirecTv/Dish did.

Get ready for more of this, tis only the start for Canada's 2 sky cable companies

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Rogers charges $10.95/decoder for Digital &amp; $19.95/decoder for HD.But digital programing is free on second or more decoders,as long as it the same programing.

PEACE UP TOM /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

[QualityIsJobOne]

No $$$$/probs for us 1 receiver subs!

IMO- Bring it on! /forums/images/icons/tongue.gif

[Shadedmuse]

Where is Feb Enews? in the mean time I will not get worked up over these rumours, Because all Rumours are is to stir up trouble and make people upset. If the change takes effect Mar 1st they must tell us in Enews ahead of time, because if they don't they are acting like a cable company when they are a satalite company.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Imagine if SC &amp; BEV was to charge $5/receiver/month,plus programing charges/receiver as well

<hr></blockquote>

OK Let's do some math here.BEV- $115/programing x 5/extra rceivers=$575 Total for programing +$5/receiverx5=$25/receiver+$575=$580+$115/first receiver=$695 not including VU/Feature Mags.SC-$25/programing(not sure wife pays SC)x1/extra receiver=$25+$25/first receiver programing=$50+$5x1/extra receiver=$55 not including Debut Mag.So if add them up its $750/month not including VU/Debut/Feature Mags. I think not!!! But I dought they charge for programing on each receiver,and the avrage house hold usally only has maybe one or two receivers in the home,three at the most.Only some have more than 3 like myself and some others here on the forum.Grant you this just a "wild sugestion" and does not necessarialy mean it will happen or least I hope not.

PEACE UP TOM /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well, lets see: I paid $150 for my second 401. Do I expect it to break down in 2.5 years (150/5=30months)? NO. Therefore, I am willing to take the risk and replace it at my own expense if and when it fails. Now think about it, how long have you owned your equipment? and how much you would have paid by now?

This will be the last straw for me to reduce my programming from Gold Choice Plus to Gold Choice - just as a starter.

It seems like they (*C) are hard at work finding ingenious ways to milk us further but they cannot figure out how to fix their dismal HDTV offerings (sorry /forums/images/icons/blush.gif, I know this is not the HDTV forum).

[Teacher]

For the channels we watch, the local cable outfit gives you the digital box if you sub to their movies for two months, then 39.95/month for everything we want. Free install, up to 3 additional free analog outlets.

I doubt SC would give you a brand new current model receiver if your 421C flaked. Maybe a refurbed 421C. In any case $5 per IRD just is not worth it to me for what we watch and what we receive.

I suppose SC will catch the people who have multiple receivers under one account, but at different homes sharing the cost, etc. This is the piracy that you don't hear much about. I don't think it is rampant, but you'd have to have your head up your ass to think that it isn't fairly common.

Guess I'm getting high speed while I'm at it.

Paul

[Teacher]

Just spoke with a CSR at SC. Yep, starting March 1st an extra $5. This must be the question of the day, because she asked if the $5 per influenced my decision to cancel my service. I've got a feeling these CSRs are shaking their heads at this decision.....I don't think I'm the only one feeling this way. Oh well. Other than some minor inconveniences, my SC experience has been quite good.

Paul

[davidnb]

That would be a great idea to wave the fee for receivers that are plugged into a phone line. Maybe what both providrs should do is up that fee to 20 dollars for a second receiver not plugged . It would cut down on second receivers in a friends house on the same account.

[I_M_Norm_Al]

With Canada's <font color=red>Cable in the Sky</font color=red> beginning to add cable like charges, and better PQ/choice showing up on some cable companies, the return to cable has begun. Both SC\BEV realize, the mature DTH market in Canada is fast approaching.

I would not be surprised to learn that merger talks, at some level, are not ongoing.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Can we say no to that so called extended warranty ?

[Teacher]

I asked.....the CSR wasn't sure, but she believed that you could not.

Paul

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Is bell going to do this too, if not I'll switch to expressvu .

[snoman]

You guys get the feeling Jim Shaw is trying to destroy the DTH arm of his operation and keep the Cancom infrastructure to feed his cable empire?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm not aware of any BEV plans to do so. But chances are someday they will have a fee for additional receivers.

[XBR_II]

You have to assume the odds are pretty good that if StarChoice can sucessfully impose a fee like this, the other will soon follow. This sort of thing makes me wonder what other fees or price increases may be just around the corner. While I understand the need to achieve profitability, this doesn't strike me as the way to go (I'll probably end up cutting back on my subscription to offset the extra cost).

[davidnb]

A CSR told me the samething today. I guess its time to look into BEV. I don't supose by any chance they have a trade in going on?

The CSR told me she couldn't beleive it either when she heard about the 4.99 fee.

[Filthy]

I have 3 Evu receivers, there is no way I would pay an additional $120 a year because of extra receivers That I originally paid for!!! If Evu ever did do that, I may be convinced to go down the dark path, or just plain sell them and go grey!

[CSM]

Sure sounds like a "death rattle" to me. A desperate attempt to grab some cash. These are not nice people.

[GOD]

Well...I don't like this one bit either . I just can't see it being enforced this way on existing customers . New one's yes . Something is not just right about this info . I bet it will be different than what we are hearing before it is implimented ! It could be a ploy to trick Bell , who knows , but it seems awful strange that they would not mention ANYTHING to the dealer network about it . Now...if they really want to save money , why in the heck are they giving out Elliptical dishes when most people will NEVER need them ? I could not figure that out . LOL...Arthur ! /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif Surely it would be much cheaper to have single 24 inch dishes with a dual LNB . They would work great in most areas . If somebody want's Dual sat , make them pay like the earlier customers with round dishes who must do so if they want HDTV . The only other possible thing I forsee if they are going to charge this extra fee on extra receivers is that hardware prices for new customers will go down to 49-99 + taxes [and that's not counting ANY program credit into the price] for a new system in order to get new subs . Plus 2nd receivers will be dirt cheap to buy . That could force Bell's hand into also making this change or omething similiar . A lot of Bell subs sure as heck want NOTHING to do with a phoneline connection whatsoever[but we won't get into that again ] , as they don't seem to want to go lower on their current offers , which as Skyway , who retails both , pointed out in another thread , is on paper a better deal with Choice when you look at the offers by both . Who knows...but it is fun to speculate what might happen ! LOL...as a dealer I'm just as concerned as much as everyone else here...actually maybe more concerned than everybody else ! Please note....it's all speculation at this point !

[PlusONE]

I sure hope your right about it being just speculation.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I dont like it mainly because I'll be forced to take it. The idea of buying an extended warranty is ok but give me the choice , give me something like the offer for the outdoor equipment(simple sat) , I give you my receiver, you give me the warranty, i would go for that....

[davidnb]

Yes we should have received a choice about the warrenty. It wouldn't have been so bad if they gave me the receiver, but I just purchased one last year. I have both receivers plugged into the phone line and now the cable company in the sky comes up with this.
Time to cross over to the darkside...

[XBR_II]

I don't like how the ground rules have suddenly changed mid game. With basic cable, you don't need to buy a second or a third box if you happen to have more than one TV. With satellite, you do. OK, I'm willing to pay a higher cost upfront for the purchase of secondary receivers, but I do object to getting slapped with a monthly service charge tagged on after the fact.

You can be assured that when subscribers find out about this, phone lines will be jammed with irate callers. StarChoice will have accomplished two things: they will have p*ss off their existing customers and further reduced their competitive position vis-a-vis Bell and cable. In the process, they will be faced with higher churn rates and lowered revenue as customers cut back on their subscription packages. I hope they give this a lot of thought.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Clearly there are a few reasone they are doing this :

1) Extra revenue (another way vs Bell's new $20 minimum)
2) They know many families are sharing accounts (people have two or three receivers in different homes)
3) They know they will get away with it.

I was thinking of adding another receiver (I currently share 1 with 2 TVs), but the $5 is enough to stop me from doing that. Should see a lot of *C receivers going up for sale on E-bay in the coming months.

[snoman]

Post deleted by ddire

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Anyone know if it is possible to reaim the SC dish at nimiq or do you need their dish too?

[davidnb]

You need another dish and LNB for Nimiq I beleive. I plan to remove the SC dish and mail it back to SC's head office, in pieces.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

You can mount a BEV lnb on a S.C. round dish with little handy work. But I would recommend going with a new BEV dish.

[GOD]

Somebody did hit on a good point about it just matching Bell's new intro price for new customers . I can see that...but it will udoubtedly be upsetting for existing honest customer's .

I guess the biggest question now is...will Bell follow suit ? If I was them I would...but not for 3-4 months . I suspect that's what we will see take place...if this new charge does go forward like described from SC .

I wonder when they were going to inform the dealer's !!! It is alway's nice to hear it on the street first ....NOT !

[XBR_II]

God,

I'll bet you my Bell calling card ExpressVu will follow in step. Five bucks a month represents a 10 per cent increase for the typical sub. As a guess (and I don't have hard numbers to base this on, so I could very well be wrong), it has the potential to add some $30 million to StarChoice's bottom line, assuming somewhere between 1/2 and 2/3rds of all subs have two or more receivers. In reality, the numbers could prove lower if churn rates head higher and customers, like myself, downgrade their subscriptions.

[JoeDude]

They would be foolish to follow suit (assuming the rumours turn out to be true).

I honestly can say they will not end up making more money. Most people I know who got into satellite did so becuase they didn't do alot of things like the local cable companies.

I was talking to a few people about this yesterday at a friends place and they were almost all in agreement that if this does happen they will drop the current package they are in. Which is in all but one case the Super 12 Package. Most will go to the Super 9 or the Super 7 (one for sure because he has 4 receivers). That includes myself as I have 3 receivers.

In the end Evu (if they would do this) will loose 5-10 bucks per person. Granted we don't make up a percentage, but I'm sure many people will do the same.

Let's hope they put some serious thought into this. If both companies were looking into curbing the 'multiple family' abuses, there are better ways to do it. Charging more to people who don't abuse it is a cheap cop-out for simply wanting to charge more money.

Try me and I'll gladly put my money where my mouth is. I've been spending too much time as it is watching TV.

JD

[XBR_II]

Yes, it would be stupid for them to follow suit, but when you are losing as much money as BEV, you have to assume the temptation to do so is strong.

I use to recommend StarChoice to friends. Can't see myself doing that any more. "Yes, you have to buy a box for each television you own and, yes, you pay an extra fee each month if you buy more than one box". Doesn't strike me as an award winning pitch.

[cdnman1]

I've recommended StarChoice to several friends also. I am not a dealer but I'm sure that I have sold at least 10 subscribers.

Now everytime StarChoice screws up I feel terrible. All my brothers have StarChoice systems for their Canadian programing and they all also have been using grey systems for most of their programing.

I have been defending the CRTC and StarChoice for too long now.

Why is it that the honest Joes always get screwed? I will be cutting my subscription from Diamond Billingual to the basic Bronze!

[XBR_II]

Maybe someone should sit down and explain the "Downward Spiral of Death" concept to the powers that be over at StarChoice. Here's the executive summary: Raise rates, people cut back on the product or service, revenue falls, which leads to another rate increase, further cut backs and defections, and an even greater renvenue shortfall..... and on it goes.

For me alone, this $5.00 surcharge will result in a $15.00 monthly net loss ($180.00 /year), as I cut back my subscription to basic Gold. Push me further, and I'll cut all the way back to Bronze.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I too recommend Star Choice and I will continue to do so as the alternative is Bell who insist on having the RCMP harass small gray market dealers who I depend on for my other dish.

While the $5 is clearly unwelcome, Bell has instituted a $20 minimum charge which isn't much better.