Happy New Year

So, Happy New Year everyone. Hope you all had a safe and festive new year. Now, on to more interesting things. On Saturday, I received a post card from DishNetwork. Now, you may be thinking (as I did) that they were going to thank me for being a loyal customer, and wish me a happy DishNetwork filled 2009. It was not. Instead, it was a letter that stated:

Dear Valued Customer:

DishNetwork does everything it can to control our costs and keep our prices low. Unfortunately, due to changes in regulations, we will be increasing our rates in February. The program package that is referred to as America's Top 200 will be changing it's name to America's Platinum 200 and the new effective rate will b e $57.99 per month.

Thank you for your patronage,
James DeFranco
Executive Vice President, Sales and Distribution, Marketing

So, of course on Monday I had to call DishNetwork as I needed more clarification. Today I pay $44.99 for America's Top 200. So I called the customer service line to find out what I was getting for $13 dollars more a month. Unfortunately, I spoke to someone who I could barely understand but would bet my mortgage does not live in Minnesota. After 7 minutes, I came to the conclusion that the only thing I was going to get for $13 more a month was the opportunity to call it America's Platinum 200 versus America's Top 200.

So I have decided to write them a letter. It will read as follows:

Dear Jim:

I do everything I can to make sure my expenses stay low. Unfortunately, due to overall economic uncertainty, I will be decreasing the amount I am paying you in February. The program package that I refer to as America's Top 200, I will now refer to as America's Middle 200 and the new rate I will be paying you is $34.99.

Thank you for my patronage,
Dan Smith
Executive Vice President of Household Expense Control

They have my phone number, so if they want to get in touch with me, I mean my "customer service line" they can call.

I'll keep you posted as to how it turns out.

No matter what though, I love my girls....