Hello everyone,

I live in Winnipeg and currently subscribe to the IPTV service offered by local phone company MTS. They don't currently offer HD and I recently purchased a 42" plasma and it feels a waste not to use it to its full potential. So after finding out HDTV is on the horizon but won't be here for "a while" on MTS I called up Shaw to see about their HDTV PVR solution.

Keep in mind I am very happy with MTStv and the second they offer HDTV I will be switching back so I am not too keen on the idea of purchasing hardware. Especially after I found out the box was $748--that's a bit excessive for just (approx.) one year of TV viewing before I go back to MTS.

So on Monday (boxing day) I called Shaw and asked if I bought the box and tried it for a month, could I return it. After checking with their supervisor they said that since I am an MTS customer I needed to speak with a special rep who deals with MTStv customers but they were certain I couldn't return the box once I purchased it. That didn't sound too appealing. They said the special MTStv queue was closed on boxing day and to call back tomorrow.

So the next day I called the Shaw call centre, identitified myself as an MTS customer and they transferred me to the special queue for current MTS customers. After speaking with one of their reps he told me that I could return the 6412 box, but only within a 2 week window. He then said "in early January" as in "the first two weeks"--Shaw "will be making the 6412 available as a monthly rental," as well as "possibly significantly dropping it's price for purchase of the 6412." The rep was so sure of this that he insisted I do not sign up for Shaw at this time as it "would be a waste of $748." So he took down my name and phone number and said he will call me the second he can sign me up to rent the 6412.

One more thing: The package they are offering us MTS customers is pretty good. All channel tiers as well as movie packages for $40/month for the first 3 or 4 months (I can't remember how long) then it goes up to $60/month. I pay MTS $80/month for basically the same packages (I get I think 3 more channels than Shaw currently offers) but without HDTV. Very competitive pricing. A savings of $20/month adds up over the year!

Just thought I'd share this potentially great news with those of you who were interested in the 6412 without paying the high fee (if, for example, you're planning on staying with Shaw for just a short period of time).

He then said "in early January" as in "the first two weeks"--Shaw "will be making the 6412 available as a monthly rental," as well as "possibly significantly dropping it's price for purchase of the 6412." The rep was so sure of this that he insisted I do not sign up for Shaw at this time as it "would be a waste of $748."

Now there's some good news! I've been holding off on the 6412, waiting for a decrease in price. (As are a lot of others I expect).

That is really good news. I've been waiting a long time for a price drop as well. Does that mean the 6200 will be getting cheaper as well? I would love to buy the HD Box....Don't really need the PVR.

That is really good news. I've been waiting a long time for a price drop as well. Does that mean the 6200 will be getting cheaper as well? I would love to buy the HD Box....Don't really need the PVR.

Since I was potentially switching from MTS he offered to sell me the HD box "cheap." I didn't bother to ask the price as I am not interested in purchasing hardware. He then alluded to being able to rent all but the basic boxes soon, so I hope that's true!

That is really good news. I've been waiting a long time for a price drop as well. Does that mean the 6200 will be getting cheaper as well? I would love to buy the HD Box....Don't really need the PVR.

You need a PVR you just don't know it yet. Trust me. Once you get one you'll never want to go back.

yup, what bellerophon said.

Do you know if the 6412 rental plan is only for Winnipeg, or is it going to other regions (like Vancouver) as well?

Do you know if the 6412 rental plan is only for Winnipeg, or is it going to other regions (like Vancouver) as well?

The rep didn't say. I would recommend calling the Van rep and see if they know anything about renting a box. Just pretend you're interested in getting an HD PVR but you're hesitant about the price, that's when my rep volunteered the info.

I called in Vancouver a couple of times this past week. They said no changes, nor did they know of any coming down the road.

I am holding out for a few more weeks, then I'll just suck it up and buy one.

The pricing by Shaw, in Vancouver, however, is criminal.

I called in Vancouver a couple of times this past week. They said no changes, nor did they know of any coming down the road.

I am holding out for a few more weeks, then I'll just suck it up and buy one.

The pricing by Shaw, in Vancouver, however, is criminal.


Please be more specific?
Pricing for hardware or programming???

Fox....

For the hardware.
They should at least have a rental option, most others do.

They're making tons off of the programming.

Maybe it will take them losing subscribers to satellite to reduce the hardware cost.

I just moved back to Vancouver, and I'm not at all impressed with Shaw.

For the hardware.
They should at least have a rental option, most others do.

They're making tons off of the programming.

Maybe it will take them losing subscribers to satellite to reduce the hardware cost.

I just moved back to Vancouver, and I'm not at all impressed with Shaw.


Small FYI... Shaw sells all their hardware at a significant loss!!!
Dollar value per channel I don't think can be matched unless you go into grey market satellite. Packaging with Internet/Digital/Phone/Cable is a pretty good value I think. ONE HECK OF A BILL THOUGH!!!

I love the idea of finally renting the HD boxes! Any ideas of cost?

Fox

Any updated info as to when the price drop will happen and how much will they drop the price?

Nope.
I called again today, to complain about the terrible picture on TSN HD during the Canada gold medal game yesterday.

No price drops on the horizon, and no credit for the poor picture during the first period.

After speaking with one of their reps he told me that I could return the 6412 box, but only within a 2 week window. He then said "in early January" as in "the first two weeks"--Shaw "will be making the 6412 available as a monthly rental," as well as "possibly significantly dropping it's price for purchase of the 6412." The rep was so sure of this that he insisted I do not sign up for Shaw at this time as it "would be a waste of $748." So he took down my name and phone number and said he will call me the second he can sign me up to rent the 6412.

Shaw has no plans to rent the HD box at this time, nor will there be a price reduction as far as anyone knows at the Winnipeg office. So I guess we will see in two weeks, but my hunch is nothing is changing with their current policies.

The gauging continues...

I just went through Shaw's training course and asked about the whole renting thing, including talking to some of the managers and even as far as they know, there are no plans to offer a rental option. I was told they will eventually once there are enough in circulation but that probably won't happen for atleast another year.

Future shops current flyer has it for $699.00 (a bit of
a savings) plus some program credits that we as Shaw subscribers
normally can't get.
Man I was lucky at the end of December when I picked up my
6412 and the Shaw customer service person gave me a $498
credit for my 2 year old 6200 box.

Well, today is Jan 16, still no price drop in the HD dcts yet.

Ybot, are you able to call and get an update?

I was in the Shaw outlet in Edmonton a couple days ago and enquired about rentals. Women at the counter had not heard anything about rental and was doubtful due the cost. Once concern was how people would treat a rental vs one that they own. Somewhat understandable, but I hope the rentals are coming.

Sure alot easier to justify $20 or $25/month to my spouse than $550 (after best price, rebates etc).