ExWNYer

Well, nothing like waiting until the eleventh hour. I really meant to make the call a week or so ago but got sidetracked and finally called this afternoon...twice. I said "cancel" to the automated menu which automatically connected me to a 'Customer Retention' rep on both calls. This bypassed the frontline "grunts" and got me someone quickly. The first call I made, I said that I was disappointed that long-time customers like me (since '98) had to pay for Sunday Ticket while new subscribers got it free and it really wasn't fair. I also said that I noticed costs had gone up but I hadn't realized anything new on my services. I referred to the rep by name several times and was polite and never indignant or angry. He said he'd see what he could do. He came back and said that he could give me ST for free, $10 off of HD service for 6 months, & $10 off of my base package for 24 months. As I said, I waited longer than I had wanted to call and my first of 6 payments of $53.99 for ST had already been paid on the August bill. I asked if I could get credited for that and he again said he'd see what he could do but came back and said that, unfortunately, that wasn't possible. I said OK and mentioned that I'd gotten 3 months of Showtime free as an anniversary gift from DTV but we wouldn't watch it and asked if I get something else instead. He said he could knock off $10 a month for 6 months from my $13.99 a month Sports Package. I said sure. I then said thank you and hung up. So after the first call I had gotten: - Sunday Ticket for $53.99 ($269.95 savings) - $10 a month for 6 months off of HD service ($60 savings) - $10 a month for 24 months off of my base package ($240 savings) - $10 a month for 6 months off of my Sports Package ($60 savings) Total savings $629.95 Waited a couple of hours and did some things around the house (including watching college football, lol) then called back and talked to a different rep. Again, the conversation was cordial and I called him by name several times. We talked about personal stuff, etc. I said that my wife was thinking about bundling our internet & phone with Verizon FiOS (not exactly true so I did tell a little white lie. ) I said that she wasn't thrilled with the rising prices and that although I'd gotten ST for free, I still had to pay $53.99. He said that the other rep should have credited me the $53.99 because when I called the first time, he technically cancelled my ticket and added it back. The second rep had no problem crediting me the $53.99 and also added Starz at no charge for 6 months to appease my wife. Lastly, I asked him about Sunday Ticket To Go. Although I knew exactly what it was, I had him explain it to me and said that it sounded cool. He then proceeded to throw that in for free. At this point, I was more than happy (and just a little embarrassed). I thanked him for everything, exchanged some pleasantries, and hung up. Final result after the second call: - Sunday Ticket for FREE ($323.94 savings) - $10 a month for 6 months off of HD service ($60 savings) - $10 a month for 24 months off of my base package ($240 savings) - $10 a month for 6 months off of my Sports Package ($60 savings) - Free Sunday Ticket To Go ($49.95 Savings) - 6 months free Starz ($77.94 value) Total savings $733.89 Plus, the $77.94 value of Starz for 6 months (so $811.83, if you count that). And, I now show an $88.19 credit on my next bill. Disclaimer: My wife had nothing to do with this little caper and I threw her under the bus to accomplish my mission. I was never in any danger of her cancelling our DTV and as an added bonus, she's now in awe of my "negotiating skills". GO BILLS!!!

That's awful, m-80. Sorry to hear about your hardship. Thank God your family is fine...possessions can be replaced but life is precious and priceless. Hang in there and GO BILLS!!!

Not always... http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2008112306/2008/REG12/bills@chiefs/recap

Maybe the Jest paid him a "farewell bonus" to take Maybin as far away and as fast as possible.

Almost EVERYTHING is > ESPN ESPN. 'nuff said.

I'd say they broke down the Bills better than most national pundits. I'm especially surprised that Hoge seemed to have actually studied this team's situation and didn't just spit out the same old company line. One thing that did annoy me and is a microcosm of ESPN's laziness & lack of attention to detail is the fact that they show the Bills' old, red helmet and not the current white one. That may be minor in most people's eyes but I think it's inexcusable. Just my two cents.

Well, said. Why can't people feel excited to start the season?? Everyone is 0-0 and last time I checked, they actually make these teams play rather than hand them victories on paper. Imagine that. The St. Louis Rams won the Super Bowl a year after being 3-13. Am I comparing this Bills team to them? No. But the point is, nobody thought that a 3-13 team would rebound enough to have a winning record, let alone make the playoffs and the SB. These effing pessimists (no, you're not "realists") need to stop pissing in everyone's Cornflakes. You don't think the Bills will be any good? Fine. You're entitled to your opinion...and so are the "optimists". Stop bullying everyone who doesn't agree with you. Calling them morons for being optimistic?? Awesome. And what if you're wrong? Will you come back and admit it? Doubtful. You honestly saw no positives from the first teamers this preseason, especially the defense? If not, you're blind and it's unbelievable that you waste your time "torturing" yourselves by watching the Bills. Jesus H, let people have their fun. Don't you all have something to do which might make you happier...like beating your dog? GO BILLS!!!

The fact that he played well into the 4th quarter speaks volumes.

Week One critics wrong Buffalo will scalp the Chiefs The season starts well

Nope.

"OK, OK, Tyler. You can stay...but NO TEETH!"

Agreed. Good observations. That being said, I'd love it if the Bills landed Luck. Regardless, they should still be drafting high enough to land one of the several perceived "franchise" guys with their 1st Round pick in 2012. Then go O-line in Rounds 2 & 3.

Maybe. Maybe not. But the fact that you led with "WGR" tells you all you need to know. WGR...'nuff said.

And you'd be the first in line to criticize them when they didn't make the "easy decision" and let him walk down the line. This organization has certainly earned its share of derision for over a decade now and deservedly so. But fair is fair and they should also be acknowledged for doing the right thing. Without making the right choices, "easy" or not, how do you effect change and foster a winning culture?? Don't worry, you'll get a chance to blast them again if Kyle doesn't play up to his contract. It's borderline comical that nothing - and I mean NOTHING - that this team ever does or tries to do makes you happy. I imagine you'd be a real joy at a youth soccer game. You truly are a miserable bastard.

Cheap. Hmmm...I guess that explains the fact that they signed Kyle Williams to a 6 year, $39 million extension and the fact that they're trying to lock up Stevie Johnson and, perhaps, Fitz. Sorry, but your "cheap" argument doesn't hold water this time. Take a deep breath and step away from the ledge. Cheap...there's an angle that hasn't been trotted out at every turn. Unfortunately for your case, it's simply not true for every situation. Prone to exaggeration and hysteria much?

I love the Sabres and want both a Stanley Cup AND a Lombardi Trophy for Buffalo and WNY but this isn't even close...a Lombardi, hands down. Anyone on this board saying otherwise doesn't hold football as his or her favorite sport, plain and simple.

It's on the internet, Scott. Haven't you heard...everything on the internet is TRUE. Sheesh.

Not to worry, JR. I'm sure Overdorf will have him shipped out of here for a 5th by morning (a 4th is out of the question due to the injury). By my count, that would be 9 picks next year in which to "build through the draft."

I suppose we'll be labeled "too optimistic", DD.

That's refreshing. A while back, right after Drayton Florence signed, he was on WGR and they asked him if he would be reaching out to any other FAs to join the Bills. His reply? "That's not my job." That's the spirit, Drayton. Thanks.

Hahaha! That's good... BTW, #24...

I don't care Bills fans I just want all your money Signed, old Ralph Wilson

Overdorf rules now Buddy is just a puppet Ralph counts his money

Haven't you heard, Mike? Overdorf already has a plan in place to flip him for a 7th and thereby save on what would've been paid to Morrison. Sheer bean-counting genius.

It tells me nothing other than people on another message board have an opinion of him like the people here have an opinion on Poz. Some like him, some don't. Hardly a definitive assessment of his skills.