Done with Dishnet.

[ClerkDante]

In one of the most ridiculous business practices I've ever witnessed, Disnetwork has lost this customer for good.

I am moving on June 1st. Knowing my new address etc. I decided I would be proactive and contact Dish and make the appropriate arrangements.

I am told by the Customer Service Rep. that, if you place the order today, even if for a later installation date, your service will be disconnected as soon as I enter it into the computer.

I said What?

He said, yeah, our computer system will take the order, but because a ticket is out it assumes you are without service as it is and stops signal.

This information was also confirmed by the on duty Manager.

So I am told to call back once I leave my current residence (or no longer want service there) to make my appointment for install at my new residence.

Now I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, there generally isn't much of a lull between residences when moving.

I was then told, that be forewarned, that sometimes there can be upto a 2 week wait for an installation appointment.

So here I am, being 3 weeks proactive, and they won't do anything until I physically move and I will get service back a week or two after I move.

Bad form Dishnet, Bad form.

Currently SO thankful the merger didn't go through.

My new 2 room Directivo is on it's way, I have an installation appointment for June 2nd, and all for less than I will be selling my Dishplayer 508 for.

Buh-bye

[Tomsoundman]

I'll give you $50 for it.

[John Walsh]

When I moved a year ago there was no reason for me to even mention it to Dishnetwork except for my bill. I wasn't going to use the Dishmover Program because I use a 61.5 dish too and I would actually prefer to do the install myself knowing that the highest quality cable and components.

[toddjb]

That's too bad.

Most utility companies are a pain in that regard. Some, like the phone company are actually very good at working with specific start/stop dates.

What you are asking for is a simple computer process to implement and they are losing a customer because of ignorance. You're right, competition is good for us. As long as cable companies and sat companies keep fighting for market share are prices and support should be "competitive."

[ClerkDante]

Tom, why would you even waste bandwidth with such a silly post?

Suckers born every minute?

[Tomsoundman]

Sorry to use up the bandwith. I will try to keep jokes in the joke section.

And welcome ClerkDante, or is it Clark Dente?



oops! another joke and wasted bandwith!

[raj2001]

That sucks. I certainly won't tolerate a stupid policy like this. I wonder which is worse though, this policy or the downgrade fees?

[Mike123abc]

I had the same type of problem with Dish. I was on annual prepay and they changed everything pack to monthly, so they tried to change my account to AT150 + each movie pack individually annual sub. This cost more than just AEP monthly. So, I tried to call in a few weeks early to change my account. They could not do it in advance. They told me to call in on the first.

[RAD]

Call in on the Charlie Chat tonight and ask him why the've something so stupid.

[Richard King]

Contact a local dealer at your new location and arrage for them to do the Dishmover program for you. They will usually have the hardware in stock and they get reimbursed by Dish for the hardware and installation.

[ClerkDante]

Riking,

Thanks for the tip, but I am already done. Directv hardware is on it's way and installation date set.

I gave Dishnet more then enough opportunity to do it right.

I didn't even mention that they did this exact same thing to me a year ago when I moved last.

Such an organization is not worthy of my business. Perhaps if customers came first, things would be different.

Funny thing was, last year, when I didn't get an acceptable response and I called back and pretended to be a NEW customer, suddenly they could get me installed immediately.

So worried about adding new customers, there is little to no concern to keeping the ones they have.

[HTguy]

I believe the problem with trying to preschedule a move, even if you know the date & new address, is that unless you are keeping the same phone number they can't update the account.

Since the acct is tied to a phone no. they can't update it if you don't know what the new number is.

The work around would be to temporarily change the # on your acct to your cell phone, if you have one, or any other direct line at which you could be reached. Then change it to the new # when it's turned on.

Other than that you just call on moving day. It's unlikely you'd have to wait more than a few working days for the install.

But like Rking401 says, if you're looking for good customer service you should use a full-service local independent retailer.

BTW, is there any particular reason for this thread to be in the PVR Forum?

[ClerkDante]

Interesting idea HT guy, but I already have the new phone number and it didn't make a lick of difference to the powers that be.

Nor was there even the slightest willingness to see if anything could be done.

Just basically.......this is the way it is, tough.

So I happily head back to Directv, what's that Dishnet, now you want my business? Tough.

[Keith]

I got the same response when I moved from Texas to Virginia. I just didn't feel like arguing with them at the time, so when we were ready to move I called them and set up the install - which was 1 week later - but here's the kicker - they billed me as if I had service the entire time. They told me that was going to be the way it was when I set up the move - I tried to get a decent explanation from them and planned on calling back to argue when I got my bill - but figured it wasn't worth the effort.

[RBenson]

Wah, Wah, Wah. I'll teach you! You won't do what I want so I'll Just drop you and go somewhere else. How long before DirecTV pisses you off and you go somewhere else? Oh wait, There is nowhere else! I get so tired of people saying my way or the highway. That's whats wrong with this world today.Instant gratification!! If you don't help me yesterday, I'll leave and take my ball with me. All of these companies, (Dish, DirecTV, Cable companies etc.) Are in business for one thing! Money. There is little difference between any of them..

[csschrot]

I know it is to late for ClerkDante but I find it funny that most people contact DISH direct. I local retailer will always be better to deal with and work with on most sitituations.

It seems to me that if people would just work with someone local it would solve most of the issues that customers have with DISH and even Direct.

JMO

[Crazy 1]

Originally posted by RBenson
Wah, Wah, Wah. I'll teach you! You won't do what I want so I'll Just drop you and go somewhere else. How long before DirecTV pisses you off and you go somewhere else? Oh wait, There is nowhere else! I get so tired of people saying my way or the highway. That's whats wrong with this world today.Instant gratification!! If you don't help me yesterday, I'll leave and take my ball with me. All of these companies, (Dish, DirecTV, Cable companies etc.) Are in business for one thing! Money. There is little difference between any of them..

Thats right they are in business for the money, But if they want to keep customers that they already have, they should treat them like people. Because word of mouth is the best advertisement, Try to work with your customers and usually it will bring more. Crap on them and they will find someone else to get their services from.

[Darkman]

no use to be even talking about this, as his "2 room tivos are on their way" :)

of course all this was unfortunate...but i d still say, why "make an elephant out of the fly" - life is too short for it...

sometimes we have to put up with Pain...no biggie...for example:
(if he had been subscribing some ethnic channels, such as Russian, Greek, etc - those "tivos" would not help 'im then, and definatly wouldn't be a solution....

[tampa8]

Though I kind of understand being a little upset, Darkman's "elephant into a fly" really applies. I also wonder if you called Direct in advance saying the same thing what they would say?

[StevenZ]

Not to stir the pot, but when I moved across town on Friday March 21, Dish took care of me. They waived the $99 dishmover fee, had an installer on my roof the following day, gave me a SW64, and added a D300 for the locals. Free.

[Maybe they felt sorry that I have a DP7200. Nah!]

Verizon, OTOH, shut off my # Friday morning, before the movers arrived, and didn't turn on the same number (!) at the new house until 4 days later.

YMMV

[ClerkDante]

In response to Tampa's above comment.

I was previously a Directv customer and did go through a move while with them. I was able to set an appointment several weeks out. I had service up until the date of the move, and service immediately upon arrival at the new destination.

To Mr Wahh Wahh Wahh up above, it isn't a matter of my way or the highway.

It is a matter of having used both sevices, determining between the 2 which was the better, with customer services being the biggest deciding factor, and choosing the best one.

Revenue is generated by existing customers, not potential customers. Word of mouth and keep existing customers happy is the key to any successful business.

[Kryspy]

ClerkDante,

Moving is an inconvenience deal with it. To leave a service just because they couldn't make a install appointment ahead of your move date leaves me to believe there is more than meets the eye here. My guess is you preffered Directv to begin with and are just using this petty excuse as just that an excuse to rant.

Kryspy

[Darkman]

hehe

[ClerkDante]

Kryspy,

You clearly have never worked in customer service, or even the slightest idea of how a good business should operate. If you had bothered to read my initial post you would see that despite having this same problem with them at my last move, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and maintained service.

Bottom line is, they made no effort to ensure customer satisfaction. That and only that is my problem. The quality of product and signal has been fine, customer service however, in this, as well as other dealings, has left a great deal to be desired.

Also, if you had read my last post, yes, I like Directv better. I spent several years with them. Was offered a great deal a year and a half ago and decided to give Dishnet a try. Product was good, service was poor. Never had such problems in my years on Directv. Now we know why Directv puts such emphasis on customer service in their marketing, their nearest competitor doesn't provide any.

Call it a rant or complaining or whatever you wish. In my dealings with Dishnet I encountered what I believe to be a very poor business practice. One I felt other members should be aware of.

You want to blissfully continue to pay for poor service, completely your choice, I myself though, like to get the most out of my money, and give it to a more deserving company.

[Crazy 1]

That's exactly why I left E* " Customer Service" It seems they love to get new customers, But the #@$$ with the existing customers. D* customer service is better hands down!

[marko]

I think there are times where you really have to work to get what you want talking to customer service. How many calls to dish network did you make? Just 1? You have to try at least 2-3 times, my guess is you might of talked to someone that could of figured it out, or at least figured out the time an install might actually take (instead of up to....). At the very least, if you were active on the board before, you could of came here and asked a question (but looks like you might of just came here)

Unfortunately dish customer service to me, is like cable/phone/electric. Have to expect the worse. Although I will say, I've never had to call customer service (except minor programming changes). So the whole idea customer service being that important is overrated in my opinion. Just like phone/cable modem, only have had to call them once.

[Marcus S]

Unless you want a PVR and god forbid you are into HD, they have nothing to offer. A 6000 w/obsolete 1980's EPG is not a exciting attribute of their current and future vapor hardware offerings. All E* needed to do was face lift the 6000. Instead they choose to loose existing subscribers and taunt potentials, with coming soon.