For all the trouble that we’ve had with Dish Network, this is hardly surprising… Our service has been out since Sunday night. Actually, it started acting funky Sunday night and then pretty much went down on Monday. On Monday night, I called for technical service and explained to the guy that we were having problems with TVs hooked to both boxes, which indicated to me that it was the dish itself, and not the boxes that were acting up. I also ran down a list of Dish-endorsed troubleshooting steps that I had taken. His response?
He proceeded to basically read a script aloud while he walked me through all the steps that I had already taken (and told him about). I ended up indulging him and re-doing everything just to satisfy him and get him to schedule a tech to come out.
Guess what? When we got done with the troubleshooting, he told me that — get this — the problems are most likely coming from our dish, and not from the boxes. Which is exactly what I told him when we first started talking.
So here we sit. It’s Wednesday morning, and they’ve promised that a tech will be out to our house sometime between 8AM and noon. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.
At least we got the problems with our Dish Home Protection Plan all sorted out, so this visit is covered. Unfortunately, their policy is to bill us $29 for the visit (marked down from $49 for having the Home Protection Plan) and then refund the money once they verify that there is a problem. Hmmmm… Where have I heard about this sort of thing before?
I think this is among the most vital information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on
some general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really excellent : D.
Good job, cheers
I guess I’ve been lucky, the only ongoing problem I have is after updating the Program Menu as it tries over and over to find the satellite, about twice a month it will not find the signal. Today I fussed with it for 6 hours before I finally got it to find a signal. Now realize that satellite is up 22,400 miles above earth. IF the box did not turn off after downloading the Menu, it would continue working. I will demand they change the way the box upgrades data, or else. I will start my own website about DISH and give them some technical challenge. WE can win, that’s why I started my search and found this site. Check out my website if listed, if not just gooogle Don Cordell and pick what google keeps as the first listing. I am going to put service providers on notice that this will not continue or they will be subject to review to continue to screw customers. Lets stand up and Fight Back. Good luck to all of you who have had all these problems, there is NO excuse.
I changed receivers because I had had a DVR receiver for almost a year and did not use it since I had a DVD recorder,but then began using it and considered keeping it. Then I decided not to keep it after I began recording a two-hour program by starting it manually and turning it off after two hours. Four days later I was copying the program onto a DVD and found that the DVR had recorded only the first hour and then turned itself off,so I had lost half of the show that I thought I had recorded. Also,the DVR was coming on every weekday and recording a newscast that I didn’t want,and on one occasion it switched to that channel and ruined what I had my DVD recorder set to record on another channel. This also had happened once before.
Also,on the day that I changed to a non-DVR receiver,we had to start watching the same channel in all three rooms where we had satellite. Before changing receivers,we could watch a separate channel in the two bedrooms,the same channel in the two bedrooms but different from the living room. Now,we cannot change channels in either bedroom. The person at dish thought the problem was with the remote,which I doubted all along,and when another new remote arrived the following week,it would also not work. They sent me another remote with a “1” on the front of it,so that both remotes were numbered the same. The guy that I called told me to pull out the chip and turn it over so that it read “2”,but it refused to pull out and I finally broke it trying to force it out with the handle of a spoon. I was so dissatisfied that I called Dish and threatened to cancel service,but then was told that a technician would come out the following day to repair the problem at no cost to me. If I have any more trouble after the guy comes to correct the problem,I intend to change our service back to DirectTV. I am very frustrated and extremely dissatisfied with Dish. They had better do something to improve their service if the loss of a lot of customers matters to them. Changing receivers has been a nightmare for me and changing packages has also been an unpleasant experience. I do not even have C-Span anymore and my daughter has lost all of the channels that she enjoyed. I have just spent a considerable amount of money to buy several of her favorite shows on DVD to give her for her birthday in April. I watch and record from NASA TV a great deal,and you have to have satellite to get that channel. If this wasn’t the case,I think I would go back to basic cable,the cheapest package available,and not worry with satellite anymore.
Hi Chris Wyant,
I know how frustrating it can get, and would be happy to provide more information on this for you.
Below I have provided a link that has codes for the TV model; I have also included steps to program your remote.
Link: http://www.dishnetwork.com/SupportSection/apps/remotecodes.aspx
Addressing Remote to TV:
1.) Press and hold the clear TV button until all mode lights light up.
2.) Release and TV light will be blinking.
3.) Enter code and press #. The TV button should flash 3 times.
4.) Try functions (Volume, Power, etc..) and see if working.
5.) If no function, repeat steps 1-4 with another code.
Let me know here if you’re unable to program the remote and I will try another possibility with you!
Tommy Faust
DISH Internet Response Team
I have just spent 1hour on trying to conect my remote to my AKAI Television.
1 attempt they hung up on me.
2 attempt agent had no experience
3 after going through all the same procedures i asked for a supervisor waited for 40 minuets nevr came on the line
4 went through the same procedure gave me the wrong information
5 spoke with a tech expert no luck left me on my own.
absolutely disgracful
Hey Scott DeCandia,
I do hope this has been resolved by now as it does sound like a frustrating situation. If the problem is continuing feel free to let me know here and I would be happy to assist you.
The protection plan does cover the shipping and handling of equipment we mail out to you, but the $15 charge sounds like it was for a technician that went out to connect the receivers. I would need to look at the account to get more information about that.
If you have any questions or would like any assistance you can reach me here; or you can email me directly at [email protected] if you have any questions about the account.
Tommy Faust
DISH Internet Response Team
The same old story once they get you locked in on a contract they treat you like crap. Im sick of speaking to the League of Nations at Customer service that start every sentence with so. My disaster started when one of our boxes went out,they replaced the box with a charge of 15.00 even though we pay for a service program. Once they replaced the box that services the tvs on the top 2 floors now when you use the remote on the basement floor it also changes the channells on the top floors completely seperate box. Imagine the hell Im going through, I asked for a service man to come out and idgi told me he could fix it over the phone he had me running up and down stairs, finally out of breath a requested very firmly a tech to be sent out. I am truly considering sending them a bill for me having to take half a day off. You see we can talk about it, but untill we do something it is not going to change.
Hello folks
In Calif, Ive been through every cable/internet company possible.Most of them were a joke! No shows,lies,terrible service in many respects,over billing,etc. It took much patience but finally Verizon came through. DON’T USE CHARTER,DISH OR THE ROADRUNNER PEOPLE.Just a thought from someone who has tried them all!
Upgraded to DVR HD with 722 receiver. After the tech left I noticed that the receiver was refurbished. You can tell if there is a W in front of the serial number. After getiing the receiver activated I could get audio form the standard channels, but no audio on HD channels. Could that be HDMI cables problems? Setup porblems? Very discouraged and upset that I was sent used equipment. Help please.
Also if you want Dish to bow down to you tell them that if the issues are not fixed for free you will go to another company.
Well I have an even better one. 7 days ago I called and said the box went out and not working. So, of course I have to go threw the dog and pony show of trouble shooting, since they don’t believe I could do that on my own. Of course it didn’t, so he will send a new box. Which will take 3 days to get to my house by UPS. On the 4th day I called and asked where it was and was informed that it was delivered. I asked, what the address was that they delivered it to? The address they sent it to was 11 miles from my home and when I took a ride to find the house it was a field. (not of dreams either) So, I called the “Excutive offices” back and was told I was accountable for the wrong address. I blew my top and said I could I be accountable for them giving UPS the wrong address. I know where I live and its not in a field. I called the office and they said they had procedures and needed to Investigate. I guess this is CSI and now there is a “team” investigating to find the BOX. Well its not in the field!. They will not cancel that order since it has been assigned to us and won’t do anything until they get that box back. Can anyone see where this is just poor customer service. I have called back 2x and left messages with Ivan in Texas Customer Care. Now thats a funny one Customer care my ass. To be continued 8 days in…..
Dish now charges you if you want to go to a lower package. They also serviced my problem I have with no voice when recording or watching TV. We have to rewind to find out what they said. They charge me 15.00 now to come out and so far it has been seven times and still not fixed. They upgraded my single DVR to a Duo which they charge me for and I don’t need. I told them I wanted to go to single and they refused and said there isn’t singles now, only duo’s. So now I am being charged for something I don’t need.
Renee,
The only reason a credit card is needed is for convenience. They offer you one-year of premium channel service for free for using auto-pay. Is one-year free worth the aggravation you have now? When you signed the 24-month agreement, did you get a “pink” copy? Did you sign up for a DHPP(Dish Home Protection Plan)? If you didn’t, every tech visit is $95.00(x4, install is an additional $100.00. What they don’t tell you is that DishMoves cost money IF you don’t have a DHPP.
Hi Bonnie,
I am glad to hear your remote problem was rectified.
Regarding my problem with the remote control sporadically not working–David and Mr T were right. We were finally able to get a tech at Dish Network who walked us through changing the remote to UHF. Everything works perfectly now, no problems since the switch. What a relief, resetting the receiver 6 or 7 times a day was getting old. Rene–your situation is ridiculous. I always pay my cable/satellite bills with a check for that exact reason–too scary to give them access to your credit card or bank accounts. As you said, try getting your money back once they have it.
I have been a DishNetwork customer for over 10 years without any problems until we moved. I was told that it would not cost us one single dime to move and upgrade the service at the new address. Low and behold after the service was installed (after the 4th tech visit to the house) and after I had to PAY $50 for a new box I decided to check my checking account balance as I was going to go on vacation and wanted to know how much I had to work with. I discovered that DishNetwork had taken $707.26 out of my checking account on that day. When I called them they said it was because I did not sign a new contract, I explained that I did indeed sign a 2 year agreement when the tech was here.
Have you ever tried to collect the money that they have taken from your account???? It seems that it is impossible!!!
First you must wait 7-10 business days to even consider getting a hint of your money. After the waiting period a request must be submitted to send the check out.
So what happens when you have been through their “process”??? Nothing!!!! Not a single thing!
I have several names and numbers and even phone numbers at their so called Exectuive Resolutions Division, a supervisor named Lilly @ 720-514-8555 ext 79661, a rep named Linda @ 720-514-8555 ext 72724, whom evidently does not do her job correctly along with every other person who has even looked at my account right down the the “free dish mover” person who was supposed to change the billing address and phone number. How does a customer move to a new address, take their service with them, still chose to have their current bill sent to the old address??? I still don’t understand that one.
So here I sit, with my checking account in the minus, and being charged $30 a day by my bank, a vacation scheduled for Monday that it appears as I won’t be taking now cos I have spent all of my money in NSF fees and for paying for a service that I evidently did not sign a new contract for, just sitting her waiting for a check to come in the mail that was electronically removed from my account that cannot be reversed, hmmmmm…..what options does a customer have??? NONE, not a single one, according to Lilly who is a supervisor in the Executive Resolutions Divison, I must wait for her phone call that my money is on it’s way, that had been sent over a week ago and was told that I would have in my mailbox by Jan 25, I wonder if it is really lost in the mail, no wait! Lilly said that it was still “pending” to be released and there was no check sent.
David and Mr. T–tried switching the remote to UHF, no success–it quit working completely and even resetting the receiver didn’t help. So we’re back to IR, but the problem is getting worse–have to reset sometimes every few minutes. Bob W–I had Direct TV several years ago, had a lot of problems and switched to Dish Network. Good service until we got the big screen and the switchover to the HD receiver–downhill after that. If they can’t fix the problem I’ll give Direct TV another try.
I myself have had issues with Dish Network with the SWITCH issue. The first problem I had was with the installer that decided to cut the extra wire I had left together when I installed Direct TV. He then connected the two ends together. After having Dish out 5 Times, while they kept splicing new ends on all the connections, I kept telling them it was the splice, run a new wire. I finally ran a solid wire from the Dish to the Receiver. Bingo problem over. Three years later another switch issue. This time only on tv can get tv at one time. If I didn’t want to get locked into a contract with a company, I would have gone back to Direct TV. Never should have left. I put Dish network and AT&T uverse in the same category as bottom end tv. Direct TV and Comcast are far superior. I realize they are expensive, But you get what you pay for.
David and Mr. T–thanks for your comments on this. We will switch the remote tonight to see if that works–just haven’t gotten around to it. But to clarify–we just have to switch the remote, nothing on the TV, right?
You are correct, Mr. T, in that it is a common issue w/ IR and UHF remotes. Particularly w/ 222k and 722k receivers. If you happen to have both receivers in your home, the issue is even more so. Fortunately, the remote switch is the last bastion of hope for the unresponsive remotes.
I just had the same problem where my LCD tv was causing interference with the IR sensor on the Dish network reciever. I was sent a new remote which I knew was not the problem but the new remote could be switched to UHF. Once I set up the new remote in UHF I have not had a problem. Tech support seemed oblivious that this was the problem. I have heard that it is very common.
Bonnie from David: Bonnie, how did you make out w/ the remote switch?
David–We’re going to try switching the main remote to UHF and see if that solves the problem. Thanks for your suggestions!
Bonnie from David: It has been my experience that the type of receiver will be a difference in the remote issue. Some receivers have the remote sensor at the bottom face of the receiver. Others have them to the right face of the receiver. With 222, 722, 922 the remote sensor is at the bottom face of the receiver and must not be pushed too far back into the entertainment center or the sensor can’t pick up the remote control. Have you ever swapped an IR remote to a UHF remote?
David, it’s just with TV1. The TV is mounted on the wall on a swivel mount, with the receiver sitting on an open back table about 6 inches below the TV. The receiver is sitting on top of a DVD player/home entertainment system that came with the TV for free The remote quits working after the TV has been on for a while–sometimes an hour or two, sometimes several hours. You can change the volume and turn the TV on and off, but nothing else. So then you have to turn off the power to the receiver, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. It reboots and searchs for the satellite, etc etc, then the remote works again.
Bonnie from David: What exactly is the issue w/ the remote? Is it with just TV1 or both? Is your receiver inside of an entertainment center? Any type of closed back piece of furniture?
David–I’m from San Antonio TX. Sympathetic Dish TSR–the TV is flat screen LCD and the remote is still not working properly, but we haven’t yet tried switching it to UHF–we only did that when the technician was on the phone. We will try it again to see if it will fix the problem.
Just a quick question, The customers listed in the above comments are from what part of the country? West coast, East, North or South?
Thanks for the suggestions–when we first called in the tech had us go through the whole thing of changing the remote to UHF, etc but unfortunately it didn’t fix the problem. I guess we could try again–we now have 2 perfectly good remotes for the same TV. This will sound dumb, but I don’t know if the TV is LCD, probably. It’s a great big Sony flat screen on a swivel mount. We’ve pretty much given up and accepted that we’re going to have to turn the receiver off then back on and then let it reprogram itself every time the remote quits working–2 to 3 times a day. It’s annoying but it’s the only thing that works. I do feel that it’s some sort of interference, like what you suggested, either that or the receiver is overheating or something.
@ Bonnie: Is your HD tv a Flatscreen LCD style? If so then a new remote should have fixed the problem as long as the new remote was put in UHF mode, instead of IR. LCD HD Flatscreen TV’s can cause IR (infra-red) interference making the #1 remote to work sporadically if at all. The solution for this is to send a new remote and place it in UHF mode by inserting the green chip in the bottom that says “1 uhf” not just green with a “1” on it. Your best bet is to go to the website and do a tech chat with an agent. All of the tech chat agents are advanced tech support agents and that way they can email you screenshots and pictures of how things should be set up to make the remote work with the receiver. I am sorry that you have had so many problems with getting this fixed correctly. The agent that sent you the new remote should have insured that you knew how to correctly set up the new remote to correct the issue.
We’re on our fourth HD receiver since last year. The first one went out completely, the second one wouldn’t work with the remote control all the time (first they had to send a new remote control even though it was obvious that was not the problem), the third one overheated (fan not working)and crashed after two hours; with this one, just like the second one, the remote control only works sporadically–you can’t get the channel guide, change channels, wind backward and forward etc. You never know when it’s going to work or not, and it only applies to the HD TV in the family room–the old, non HD TV in the bedroom that is connected to the same box works fine all the time. And of course, we have to go through all the same diagnostic crap every time we call. Prior to getting the HD receiver we had no problem at all–anyone have any idea what’s going on? Should we switch to Direct TV? (no cable in our area).
I am a lead-tech with dish (Mich). If you have a super-dish get rid of it, get a 500 dish. If you have a 522 rec upgrade to 625 rec. Do not get the 622 HD DVR go with the 722 VIP its alittle more but its worth it. dish is also coming out with a 922k HD DVR, with sling box technology. That means that you can control your DVR while on a pc or your blackberry, watching live TV or your recordings. One more thing if you have alot of problems w/ dish like signal problems and such its because the installer did a half ass job. thanks
We called to downsize dish, economy, and they talked us into a free hddvd upgrade from dish 500. They installed the new receiver fine, on time as promised, BUT it quit working after 6 hours. 1 1/2 hours later, and many swear words, being disconnected twice by csr, I demanded to speak to a supervisor, The best the tech rep could do was mail a new receiver in 7days. I demanded the installer be sent out the next morning. Finally after speaking to the supervisor (virginia) the scheduled the rep to return the next morning. 12 years of dish, @ 79.00 per month, and thats the best customer service they can give. Let me know if anyone decides to sue. I’d be happy to join a class action suit.
I am in Arkansas. We’ve had ALOT of rain lately, like the last 2 weeks. We are getting locale channels only on one receiver and none at all on the other one. Of course nothing at all has been done to solve this problem. And of course they will credit our account for none of the missed days of programing.
After five failed HD boxes and Dish trying to charge for service calls and shipping, I cancelled the service. On the “exit interview” they offered upgrades and rebates on service to stay. We went with ATT Uverse. I was amazed at the difference. They were there on time, did the installation, everything went smoothly. Then in about three weeks we begn to see the pixilating freezing tha we had with DISH. When I called they had a technician come out within hours, trouble shoot the problem and no service charge. It happened three times before they solved the problem. The first time they traded out the gateway, it was fine for a few days. A second visit they traced all of the wiring. Some of the cable had been there from DISH and they replaced it, and they adjusted the settings on the gateway remotely from their tech support. Finally they had me move the dvd player the hd box was sitting on to get it away from any magnets or interference that could be causing it. They solved the problem without fees, without playing the lets turn stuff on and off game, without down time and without making me be my own service tech. And hey, it can be storming outside and I have HD TV! I also have 8 TV’s around te house each on their own Uverse box. I had four with DISH but two of those could ony show what was on the main box it was attached to. DISH has a defective product, inadequate technical support and a higher cost in time and money to do business with them.
While my call to DN finally resulted in the Technician’s return with a new DVR, it was not before being told to (1) point the RF Remote toward the DVR, and (2) run a bit of Coax cable and plug the antennae into it… and (3) they could send me a new antennae…(piece of L-shaped wire).
They wanted to charge a 6-year customer $29.95 for the service call.!! Reversed under threat of cancellation.
My four remotes simultaneously quit working, after years of a range of 50 feet, suddenly had a range of 3 feet or less, and intermittant at that. Not a battery problem… But MIGHT be fixed by running that coax from the first floor to my upstairs bedroom. Rf mouse tail 45 feet long!
Is the competitor any better? I can now get TV on DSL, so Dish Network better start improving their service.
We were on our sixth failed HD box and they pulled the you have to pay for shippng and I blew up. I fired them and got a refund for down time. When I was getting the RA number (need it to put on the return box) They offered a free upgrade to the box with more memory – Ha! Like that would have worked! Even when the old boxes were working there was a terrible freeze and pixillate problem that they said was industry wide and they were working on new software to fix it.
I have ATT Uverse now – installation crew on time, professional job, 8 TV boxes, more powerful wireless internet than my old ATT subscription, and less cost. THen a freeze and pixilate problem began. I called and they had a service rep there the same day. He replaced a cable. That did not work so the next day I called again. They had a service rep there in two hours, he replaced the modem and the problem is completely fixed. No down time, no attempt to fix it over the phone, no shipping boxes back and forth – I am thrilled that I dumped Dish.
My HD box started bellowing out smoke and sparking. The best part was when the so called technician asked me to plug the box back in so I could do a reset. My wife was laughing at my colorful response.
Then they tried to charge me for the shipping because I did not have the home protection plan. This is when I really blew up. I have had dish for over a year and was asked when I first signed up if I would like the free home protection plan. Sure, what a deal. Then they started charging me for it. So I canceled it, except they continued to charge me for it. I must have called to cancel it 6 times.
They tell me that since I tried to cancel last week they were going to refund me the 5.99 on a future bill and then put me on the hook for the shipping charges.
I am curious if they expect me to pay for the return shipping of the old box.
To #12, Luis, let me guess, all you had to do was press the “guide” button to get your channels back because you were on the wrong favorite list. Because that is the only thing you can possibly do to make your channels disappear and then reappear all by yourself. I agree, the whole transferring black hole sucks, but wow, it’s not rocket science.
My HD DVR crashed today as well.I called their tech support and was also told to plug it in to another electrical source (which obviously wasn’t the problem).
After about 20 + minutes they agreed to send me another free….except shipping. I argued that this is THEIR equipment and it shoud be THEIR responsibility to pay for shiping. I also told her that if they do not correct this issue with no charge to me, I promised her I would not renew my subscription and would switch services. At that point they agreed to replace it free including shipping. We shall see what happens with the new one. Now I have to live for several days with no HD, that should be prorated off my bill.
I had the dish for 1 year – only the HD package, and it is great. Only now the switch got bad and they will send a repair person. They wanted to charge me the “discounted” $29 but I challenged that and got it credited back (afaik). I think they must have improved their customer service recently? All 3 techs I spoken to were friendly and helpful, plus there was no wait time whatsoever once I said “representative” to the robot.
I am an attorney and we are considering a class action suit against DISH for the repeated problems with their HD DVR’s crashing. We have had 5. They each work well for about a month to two months and then the hard drive booting loops and crashes. Each time I call I get the person reading the script – this last time they said that the wall plug was the problem! Tell my computer that – I used that wall plug for surge suppressor on my computer until I rearranged furniture and now the DISH box is on a surge suppressor on that plug. But it is the plug not their hard drive crashing! Right! We are firing them and going with a competitor.
I have had Dish for almost 18 months and I hate it!!! I haven’t been able to use the TV in my sewing room because the remote won’t work. I did call customer support (and luckily I didn’t get Haji in India) and we got it to work–for one day. I will have it removed on Dec 1st because it will be exactly the number of days on my contract so they won’t try and charge me for the equipment. It kills me when its a bright sunny day and the satellite stops working, I can understand if its snowing outside but not on a sunny day. The worst part is the sales people lie to you to get you to sign up. Never again. Their corportate offices are in Salt Lake City, filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau did get a response but didn’t help the operation at all.
I have had dish network for (3) YEARS. i’VE BEEN OVERCHARGED CONSTANTLY IN (3) YEARS. In the fall of 2007,Dish network contacted me and said that their satellite was moving out of orbit and they needed to make some changes to my dish. Enevitably what happened is that after two-three reschedulings, the contractor came out and moved my dish 100 feet away from my home and charged me for moving it. It wasnt my satellite that moved out of orbit,it was their satellite. dish network sux. they only want your payment each month,and dont give a damn wheather you are getting service or not!
Now the new location isnt working either,no programing no nothing,and the want me to pay 29.00 for something they cant get right.this should be against the law!
We bought a new 42 inch HD tv for Christmas, once a month I go to tech services with dish network and now they want $100.00 to send a technician to come out to check the box that does not and has never worked properly. I am tired of the run around quick fixes that do not work effectively!
They won’t give us a station that’s advertised on their network. Why give 30 days of viewing the TVOne station if you did not want us to subscribe to the network? My neighbors in the next county (Broward County Florida) that is less than 10 miles away are viewing it, then why advertise the availability on station 121 when you won’t let North Miami area view it?
All I want is good service for the money I am paying and non discriminatory practices regarding programing.
I welcome your recommendations.
I totallay agree the dish network has the worst service. I don’t recommend to go for the dish network. I have a check switch problem for more than 3 to 4 months and getiing only half the channels.
I had a DVR 500 without any issues for 4 years and I became very attached to it. DISH implemented a new software program and 3 days later, my DVR crashed.
I jumped through all the hoops with tech support, read off the same hard drive error and then waited for a replacement DVR. The replacement arrived and I followed programming steps, another drive error and the unit could not be programmed. Called tech support, more of the same and they offered to send a repair tech and charge me a fee, along with shipping and handling on the unit. Much arguing ensued and I was sent a tech at a reduced fee with a warranty program and shipping fees were waived.
I waited around for the tech all day, only to find my appointment had been cancelled by Dish. Another call to Dish, more arguing, another appointment and still no working Dish.
The tech adjusted my satellite dish, installed a new DVR and took one with him. He told me it could be two hours before I could record, but at least I had channels. No, no, no, I said! “What’s the point of a DVR if it doesn’t record?” Finally got it to record and he went on his way, after I tipped him. (I’d rather pay the installer directly, than DISH, just for them to pay the guy a percentage.)
Twenty-four hours later, after the software update, the box starts shutting down after 15 minutes and reboots itself. Works for a few minutes, and reboots, even during record time. Back to tech support. We go through the whole crap again and they send me another box.
I connect the box, call tech support straight away and make them sit with me through the programming and install process. I run through all the serial numbers and express my displeasure at being without service for about a month, get some measly adjustments and basically, I’m pissed. I lost DVR functionality twice and they tried to charge my credit card for the DVR’s. That really pissed me off.
I took my sweet time about returning the last two DVR’s and DISH has insisted I pay for them. I blocked them on my credit card, called DISH and told them they have the DVR’s and I’m not paying for faulty equipment.
They’ve cut me off for non-payment and now tell me that the DVR’s must be tested for customer damage. Major growling ensued on my part, for how I’m to be charged for equipment that was faulty on arrival; only to be told I will be credited, if DISH determines I did not cause the damage.
I’m not paying DISH for their bad equipment. I’m not paying for service I don’t receive; and I’m not “loaning” them $400 for extortion tactics, in the hope they will credit my account. The last supervisor asked if I wanted to cancel my account.
A $20 set of rabbit ear antennas from Walmart would give me one channel most days, two, if the weather’s right. I’m seriously considering it.
I am a new customer for Dish Network. And having big time problems with Dish Network services.
The first time I called they didnot showup at my house, and the tech notes said that the signal is not avaialble at the house. They charged me 49.99 for activation by using my credit card.
After weeks of calling and talking over phone back and forth, finally they gave my money back.
Second Attempt: I called a local retailer this time thinking that I can catch hold of them locally if I have any issue with them.
But this time, they are charging me 5$ extra because I dont have a home telephone and they gave me a dual receiver 322 with two lines. But the point is I told them during my first concversation that I dont have land line phone at home.
So they realized the mistake after checking the phone records and apolozied to me over the phone both sales person and mamager level at the retailer.
Now they offered me the option of Pay Back services, with whom I need to work over the phone and explain my whole story and get the 5$ credit every month.
I am thinking is it really worth the headache??
Conclusion: Dishnetwork has a very poor service, I am not satisfied. Look for better options.
Suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
I wasn’t getting any local and most of my other 250 channels on my regular receiver, so I called to get that fixed. After telling the first person what my problem was and he told me that he had to transfer me over to the technical support. After I waited again, I was apologized to again, and they had me troubleshoot my receiver again, and again I was told that I was going to be transfered to the tech department, which I was just transfered to. Before I could object, I was transfered. I was once again apologized to, and I had to tell my story again, and I was told that I was once again going to be transfered to the technical department, WHICH I HAD BEEN ON!!! I refused this time and asked to talk to a supervisor, the agent refused to let me talk to a supervisor as there was “no reason to need to talk to a supervisor.” I was promised that I was going to be transfered to the correct department, so I agreed and was once again through the loop. I figured out that I could change something in my receiver so that I could see my channels again and hanged up on the new apologizer. An hour and four people that could not fix something that easy? Worst customer service I have seen.
PLEASE, somebody help me!! I’ve called three times and put on hold forever…ok, a slight exageration. The “Tips Lady” kept waking me up.
Number one TV shows it is set to dule TVs, but the middle button is off. Number two TV wasn’t responding to the remote. I changed the batteries. I did the Recover thing and nothing. I have no idea what else I did, but number two TV only shows Channel 60 and won’t do anything else. I have always gotten such good service from the Dish Network, please please help me.
Everything is true about Teletech aka DishNetwork Echostar. Dishnetwork CSR is run by Teletech in US and other parts of the world. I’m glad I got Direct tv. I think they still do Verizon also.
DISH Network is the worst, hands down, when it comes to automated phone service. I’ve gone through the phone system instruction seven times in an attempt to resolve my technical problem. This annoying automated male voice asks me, after pressing the correct number for technical support, to “check the batteries on your remote.” I do so, because I don’t want to appear scatterbrained in the opinion of the automated voice. God forbid. Batteries good.
The voice begins each sentence or question with ‘Okay…’ or “Let’s see…” in an apparent attempt to ingratiate me. I did a reboot. I reset the remote. I went through this each of the seven times I’ve called. I even had a new receiver sent to replace what I assumed was a broken receiver. Not the problem.
For my last foray into the beloved world of customer service, the human person (for whom I waited an astounding 46 minutes) told me I must go through the steps by phone before a technician is sent, or pay the price out-of-pocket for the call, which is $29.95 per hour, including drive time. I refused to go through the steps yet again. I asked to have a technician sent and reminded them of my warranty. I overheard this actual human person, Tiffany, speaking to another actual human person about how she finally “did” her brother’s friend, and hopes no one finds out. I was almost so bored with the aforementioned 46 minutes of mind-numbing phone hell to actually care about her sex life. Really. She returns to the line to tell me that I will have to speak to a supervisor. This sounds like a fabulous idea to me. Then, dead line. Ooops, we were cut off. Damn, I won’t find out who was on top and if they cuddled afterwards. I call back. This time, after chatting with automated Dish Man, a conversation sprinkled with my, “Sure thing, co*ksu*ker!” to his cheerful requests, I get a human in 22 minutes. I note that this is less than half of my original wait. I count my blessings. I tell this new human, who has just completed a weeklong community course in English as a Second Language, that for two months I’ve been experiencing the same problem, and I need help. I want a human to come to my home. I remind her that I’m still under warranty and throw in that DishMan has called me a valued customer at least twenty times. She is unimpressed, but schedules the human technician after two jaunts of “Um, hold on a minute…I need to,… um,…just hold on, okay?” She schedules the service call. I rejoice in that fact that although I’ve used foul language with automated DishMan, I’ve kept my actual conversations with the humans quite professional; cordial even. “Thanks for your help, honey-dumplin, I’ll be home on Thursday awaiting my technician!†(No, I didn’t SAY ‘honey-dumplin,’ I only thought it.)
I’m supposed to have a technician here between 8 am and noon today. I mean “was supposed to have…” I called in at 12:30pm to the automated system only to be told by DishMan, “Okay, I see that you have a service call scheduled for (second automated voice; this time female) Thursday, March 15th, 8 am to 12 pm. (now back to male voice) Please continue to wait for the allotted time.” Then I’m rerouted to the main menu. Okay, I think, perhaps they meant Eastern time. Cool. I think I’m being quite reasonable, considering that I’m a bit limited to television programming because I live in a remotely rural area. I am also not afforded the luxury of finding and killing DishMan with my bare hands, but I digress. Now, it’s 2:40. I’ve called back, spoken to a human (31 minutes this time) and, while I didn’t use an epithet, I did become belligerent. They tell me the technician is “en route.†He must be flying right behind the monkeys that are exiting my a$$.
I found your Web page while seeking information on how to contact Dish Network direct. Originally I was told with what I though was a contract that I would pay $49.99 with a $10 rebate for the first 10 months, bogus.
I paid an initial fee of $49.99 to get the Dish Network. After that: November billing was $75.91, January billing was $114.59, February $157.98, March $88.45. And when I called to complain I would get the response that the problem was fixed and I would see the adjustment on the next bill. It did not happen, 1-800-333-3474.
Here is an unconfirmed address given to me during one of these calls: Echo Star Satellite LLC, Dispute Resolution, P.O. Box 9040, Milton, CO 80120. I asked for a phone number to confirm, he had none. I checked Map Quest, no such place.
Arnold M
Lynn, call their corporate headquarters.
See here and here.
We have been without a proper working receiver for several months although we are still charged for complete service. We have spent in excess of ten hours on the phone with techs and when they could not resolve the problem we had them send a tech to the house this week.
the Tech called Dish discussed all the problems and said they would send us a new 622 receiver. Today we received an empty box. I called to see where the replacement receiver was and they said none was on the RA order. Now why would I send a receiver (942) they made us purchase for a $1,000 from one of teir dealers without having a replacement in place? This is not the first frustrating experience with them, but the most costly and most frustrating. I recomend noone get Dish Network. If anyone has any information where to go to compain about Dish or how to resolve the problem I sure would like to hear from them.
Yes, we really should dump them. I just haven’t had the time to do so (which is a lame excuse because of all the time I’ve spent straightening out problems). The thing is, we really like the TV service and the hardware, and I’m not sure that we could set things up exactly the same way with DirecTV. But then again, if there were fewer headaches, that would probably be a fair trade…
Every time I read one of these posts, I think to myself “he should just dump them and go with DirecTV”. I’ve had them for several years now without a single problem in billing OR service. And that’s through four moves.
My second issue was switch problems as well. I called when I first saw the problem (a Sunday night I believe) and they had me do some stuff that didn’t fix the problem and a technician came out on Monday. Wasn’t home when he/she got there, so I’m not sure what they did (and, of course, the wife doesn’t care enough to find out :-), but it was fixed when I got home.
I think though, that in our case, the switch that was causing the problem was tied to the box (we only run one box) and not the dish.
I’m trying to remember exactly what the first problem was….I think it was just very poor reception about a month after we got it set it…no error messages or anything like that. But again, they had them out the next day and got it resolved. That one I’m assuming was just realignment of the dish.
Norm, my best guess is that service will be a mixed bag no matter where are you, as there are good and bad contractors everywhere. I’m just hoping that we get a good one!
Do you mind sharing what your problems were when you had to have service people come out? In our case, we haven’t been able to hold a satellite signal, and then last night we started getting error messages about ‘switch’ problems.
I wonder if service issues/problems are tied to particular areas of the country since they contract a lot of that out. I know a lot of ppl here have had problems with Dish Network (and I’ve got my own horror story about their billing system…yikes!). But the two times I’ve had service people come out to my house they were there the next day and able to take care of the issue quickly.
Norm