Multichoice/DSTV - Are we getting shafted?

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Deez007

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Greetings everyone

Something occurred to me the other day when my DSTV decoder bombed out on me. Either Multichoice is really really shafting their customers or I'm missing something.

Dstv packages range from R200-R700pm, now if we had to compare that with the cellular industry. If we take out a cellphone contact for about R200pm they give us our device for free, on a R200pm contract you can get a cell phone worth around R3500 for FREE!

With DSTV, apart from the fact that they are an absolute ripp off in terms of what we pay and the quality of service we get. They still charge us for our decoders, they have this DSTV Explorer available now and it sells for around R2500. Why does DSTV still charge us for device instead of giving us the option and sign a contract and get the device for free??

Multichoice has multiple revenue streams, first they have over 3 million subscribers, do the math it's shocking what they make on subscriptions alone. Then they get a generous income from advertising, advertising revenue that they make due to their large PAYING subscriber base. They also charge u for decoder insurance which is another revenue stream. According to Paytel they also make money on all their incoming phone calls, no wonder we stay on hold for so long when we call their call center.

Is it just me or are we really being shafted here, PROPERLY?
 
If you have been here since 2010, then surely you would have noticed multiple threads discussing DSTV and how they are ripping off consumers?
 
Deez007 said:
Greetings everyone

Something occurred to me the other day when my DSTV decoder bombed out on me. Either Multichoice is really really shafting their customers or I'm missing something.

Dstv packages range from R200-R700pm, now if we had to compare that with the cellular industry. If we take out a cellphone contact for about R200pm they give us our device for free, on a R200pm contract you can get a cell phone worth around R3500 for FREE!

With DSTV, apart from the fact that they are an absolute ripp off in terms of what we pay and the quality of service we get. They still charge us for our decoders, they have this DSTV Explorer available now and it sells for around R2500. Why does DSTV still charge us for device instead of giving us the option and sign a contract and get the device for free??

Multichoice has multiple revenue streams, first they have over 3 million subscribers, do the math it's shocking what they make on subscriptions alone. Then they get a generous income from advertising, advertising revenue that they make due to their large PAYING subscriber base. They also charge u for decoder insurance which is another revenue stream. According to Paytel they also make money on all their incoming phone calls, no wonder we stay on hold for so long when we call their call center.

Is it just me or are we really being shafted here, PROPERLY?
Click to expand...

Dude... you are speaking to the converted.

No love for Monochoice on these forums.
 
Oh and to add to the OP: Don't ever let your HD PVR decoder ever stop working - it's R550 to "swop" it out for a working second hand one. Unless you cough up an extra R30 each month for decoder care :/

And yes, Multichoice are shafting us and as above, we know it.
 
Invest in Naspers, who own Multichoice. Get some of your money back in share price growth and dividends.

Its strange how moment you own some shares in something, you don't mind their excessive profits so much.
 
Well yes, they are shafting us, but they don't work with contracts. You can cancel at any time, hence why they don't just hand out the hardware...
 
Actually you getting shafted from Vodacom, MTN, CellC, Virgin etc for taking a contract. R399 plus call charges what good is that for you? You'd be more hard done if you took out a Multichoice contract and still have to pay for the Movies and series and sports channels you get
 
If you compare what you get internationally is not that bad. As for decoder prices, they make a loss on each one they sell but your access fee of R70 plus some of your subscription makes up for the loss over 12 months.
 
lcbxx said:
If you compare what you get internationally is not that bad. As for decoder prices, they make a loss on each one they sell but your access fee of R70 plus some of your subscription makes up for the loss over 12 months.
Click to expand...


How is it that they make a loss on each device they sell us? Please elaborate....

Also do you guys remember that Carte Blanche birthday fundraiser they did a few years back, they aimed at raising about R20 million but they ended up getting way way more than that from corporate South Africa. Yes, it was a job well done and the money went to various good causes but I noticed that whilst almost all the banks donated as well as loads of other companies..some in excess of R1million... Multichoice/Naspers donated R0.00 ...nothing, nada! Sure one of their programs hosted the fundraiser but surely a group as large as Naspers could afford to have made a donation as well?
 
DStv is very expensive, it's true.

But I continue to pay for one thing: sport. DStv's sports coverage is without doubt the best in the world.

I have lived in several countries, and been many times to many more, and often discussed and compared these things with locals. People elsewhere cannot believe what excellent coverage we get. Even for major events like Olympics or other top event (eg athletics, swimming, etc), DSTv's (or more accurately, Supersport's) quality and breadth and extent of coverage is unrivalled.

If you're not a sports fan, I don't think there's any justification for DStv - it's a rip-off. With IP-delivered services, and K/C-band free-to-air services (I have a 2.4m dish as well) there's just no way I'd pay whatever DStv happens to cost these days.

But sport makes it worthwhile for me. Like many here, I work hard. My pleasures are few. I seldom if ever watch DStv movies (maybe 2 a year). But when major tournaments and games are on, it's great to tap the remote keys up and down the SS channels.
 
Yes, Supersport is by far the best sports provider I have ever used. They are great. Worth R700 per month?

Well I still pay it for various reasons, sport being one, but it is hellishly expensive at that price point...
 
It is a crazy price point. Years ago we canned DStv after the Super Rugby season. I was back on two months later. They have me by the sport-broekie.
 
Arthur said:
DStv is very expensive, it's true.

But I continue to pay for one thing: sport. DStv's sports coverage is without doubt the best in the world.

I have lived in several countries, and been many times to many more, and often discussed and compared these things with locals. People elsewhere cannot believe what excellent coverage we get. Even for major events like Olympics or other top event (eg athletics, swimming, etc), DSTv's (or more accurately, Supersport's) quality and breadth and extent of coverage is unrivalled.

If you're not a sports fan, I don't think there's any justification for DStv - it's a rip-off. With IP-delivered services, and K/C-band free-to-air services (I have a 2.4m dish as well) there's just no way I'd pay whatever DStv happens to cost these days.

But sport makes it worthwhile for me. Like many here, I work hard. My pleasures are few. I seldom if ever watch DStv movies (maybe 2 a year). But when major tournaments and games are on, it's great to tap the remote keys up and down the SS channels.
Click to expand...

Spot on, Arthur.
 
supersunbird said:
Invest in Naspers, who own Multichoice. Get some of your money back in share price growth and dividends.

Its strange how moment you own some shares in something, you don't mind their excessive profits so much.
Click to expand...

Yes we are getting shafted so complain to the shareholders. .......
 
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