DSTV: Downgrading package online costs R114?

faniebraai

faniebraai

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Like the title says. I'm currently a DSTV premium subscriber, and need to start cutting the cord. I'm going to downgrade my package to the R29 package, for incase I regret my decision I can easily upgrade again without a whole reconnection issue.

So scheduling the downgrade online, very easy process. But why do they charge me R114? Surely this can't be an admit fee????
 
faniebraai said:
Like the title says. I'm currently a DSTV premium subscriber, and need to start cutting the cord. I'm going to downgrade my package to the R29 package, for incase I regret my decision I can easily upgrade again without a whole reconnection issue.

So scheduling the downgrade online, very easy process. But why do they charge me R114? Surely this can't be an admit fee????
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Welcome to the EasyView club! I followed that route more than 5 years ago and have never regretted taking the plunge. It is a wise move because if you do decide to go back to a Premium service, at least the decoders and SCs are still on their systems. MC has this habit of simply making the decoders disappear on the their systems and declaring the SC no longer useable if the decoders are not still on your account.

Another thing to watch out for is that MC does not automatically restore your service back to premium. Do this for a few months on the anniversary date to check.

When is the date on which your service falls due every month? MC charges you a pro rata charge up to that date when you downgrade your service. That should explain the R114.00 charge.

But in general, the workings of MCs billing systems is a mystery most of the time. The accounts are pretty difficult to read and reconcile what with all the charges and reversals that take place every month.
 
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Weird, I also downgraded, but phoned the call centre. There was no charge.
 
Geoff.D said:
Welcome to the EasyView club! I followed that route more than 5 years ago and have never regretted taking the plunge. It is a wise move because if you do decide to go back to a Premium service, at least the decoders and SCs are still on their systems. MC has this habit of simply making the decoders disappear on the their systems and declaring the SC no longer useable if the decoders are not still on your account.

Another thing to watch out for is that MC does not automatically restore your service back to premium. Do this for a few moths on the anniversary date to check.

When is the date on which your service falls due every month? MC charges you a pro rata charge up to that date when you downgrade your service. That should explain the R144.00 charge.

But in general, the workings of MCs billing systems is a mystery most of the time. The accounts are pretty difficult to read and reconcile what with all the charges and reversals that take place every month.
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This, check the prorata.

I'm a R99/month chap due to kids and wife ( TLC ).
 
Kosmik said:
This, check the prorata.

I'm a R99/month chap due to kids and wife ( TLC ).
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How can there be prorate when my billing date is the 1st, and that's what I'm scheduling the downgrade to?

I have contacted DSTV and twitter, and they are helping me out... I'll confirm outcome shortly (hopefully)
 
PVR access fee is only charged if you opt in for it on EasyView. But believe me, it is really difficult to wean oneself off the PVR facilities even on the low end packages.
 
Geoff.D said:
PVR access fee is only charged if you opt in for it on EasyView. But believe me, it is really difficult to wean oneself off the PVR facilities even on the low end packages.
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No need for PVR with just SABC :crylaugh:

Anyway, the DSTV representative on Twitter was very helpful, next amount payable is R29. ;)
 
faniebraai said:
No need for PVR with just SABC :crylaugh:

Anyway, the DSTV representative on Twitter was very helpful, next amount payable is R29. ;)
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Don't you believe it! There are some really good shows on SABC. Like for example, if you are a Sci-Fi nut and enjoyed "V", Season 4 is running on SABC 3 Tuesdays to Fridays in the afternoon at 15:00.
 
3 months back I downgraded from compact R365 to R99 package. Still I think I'm wasting money I'm thinking of downgrading to R29 package or cut dstv all together then get open view HD.

Even on dstv access package R99 I mostly watch etv channels and sabc. Music wise I listen to Namibia radio station Kosmos (876). Hence I'm thinking of downgrading to R29 package
 
faniebraai said:
Like the title says. I'm currently a DSTV premium subscriber, and need to start cutting the cord. I'm going to downgrade my package to the R29 package, for incase I regret my decision I can easily upgrade again without a whole reconnection issue.

So scheduling the downgrade online, very easy process. But why do they charge me R114? Surely this can't be an admit fee????
Click to expand...

Do you still get the discount of Showmax with that package?
 
Maruti.learns2rock said:
3 months back I downgraded from compact R365 to R99 package. Still I think I'm wasting money I'm thinking of downgrading to R29 package or cut dstv all together then get open view HD.

Even on dstv access package R99 I mostly watch etv channels and sabc. Music wise I listen to Namibia radio station Kosmos (876). Hence I'm thinking of downgrading to R29 package
Click to expand...

Not sure of radio station access on OVHD but yes the ultimate is to just go that way.

The only thing is at the moment OVHD does not have a PVR capable decoder. That is the only aspect still keeping me on Easy view.
 
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