Okay, done with my call(s) for the year.
To recap:
1) First call
Made my first call maybe 2 weeks ago, and the best I was offered was --
- $20 off p/m for 12 months
- Free ST (not max)
- one time $5 credit (lol)
2) Second call
I think I lost the opportunity to get a deal on this call because we found that the rep from the first call had inadvertently updated my records in the system as if I had accepted her offer, so the second rep was saying I was already under a new contract. I did still mention the 'deal' I was being offered from Dish, but the second rep said he couldn't offer me anything better than the first rep. This call ended with me scheduling a cancel date 2 weeks out.
3) Third call
I actually missed their attempt to call me yesterday, but picked up today. I forget the exact title she used, but I think this rep called herself something like a retention specialist or something to that effect. She said she saw I was canceling and asked why. I told her about my (fictitious) 'deal' with Dish and what that came out to monthly. After I finished she said to give her a second while she tried to see what she could do for me to 'beat' Dish's deal, and ended up offering --
- $33 off p/m for 12 months
- $10 off p/m for 12 months (apparently I should already have qualified for this by virtue of being enrolled in Auto Bill Pay, but whatever)
- $5 off p/m for 12 months (the manager I spoke with after this called it a 'customer loyalty discount')
- Free ST (not Max -- I have to pay $17 for 6 months for the 'upgrade', but I figure the $20 off p/m below cancels this out for the first 6 months and then some)
I apparently also already had this applied on my account, which I determined was incorrectly added (again, since I never accepted her offer) by the first rep I had spoken with --
- $20 off p/m for 12 months
After I formally accepted this 3rd offer, the third rep she said I could call her back on her 'direct' line in 12 months time to discuss any available promotions at that time. She then handed me over to her supervisor who re-confirmed what I was signing up for.
So 2015 is in the bag, but like many have reflected here, it was certainly much harder this year. Wonder if it's even going to be possible next year, what with ATT coming into the fold.
Good luck to everyone else who has yet to get an acceptable deal.