[Darkman]

DishTV stupidity

Written by Staff (Staff of The Cherry Creek News and Central Denver Dispatch)
Friday, 03 November 2006

We like most things about DishTV, also known as Dish Network, the Denver-based satellite TV provider. We like Charlie Ergen's pluck (we don't like his right-wing skew to his massive political giving), but some of the company's policies are just plain stupid.

We recently tried to upgrade our satellite receiver to a fancy shmancy HD unit, to match our new fancy schmancy HD-TV, bought as a replacement for our ten-year old behemoth of a TV. But DishTV would rather lose us as a customer then provide us the same upgrade options available to new customers.
Laura 7GD, as she would only identify herself, said her DishTV system wouldn't even tell us why. They would rather lose us, according Frank Espinoza, Executive Resolution Specialist, to competitor DirecTV or even to Comcast cable than match offers made to new customers.

We hate to root against the home team, but Dish Network makes it plenty easy to do. And right now, we would strongly urge customers to look for another, more customer-friendy, satellite provider. Or even old stuffy terrestial cable, which looks better and better today-- particularly when packaged with phone and high-speed internet capabilities.

--
Source: http://www.thecherrycreeknews.com/content/view/862/2/

("The Cherry Creek News and Central Denver Dispatch, an award-winning community newspaper, reaches 30,000 readers direct by mail every month in the heart of Denver, including Cherry Creek, Country Club, Bonnie Brae, Hilltop and Lowry!")

 

[James Long]

The bad news is that most of the "new customer" options are available - especially when upgrading to HD. The story is erroneous, and despite their claim that they "hate to root against the home team" contains irrelevant comments about politics and other issues. They have their axe to grind.

 

[richiephx]

Most media news, whether it be in newspapers, tv, radio or magazines, is biased anyway; and, if it's in print, and read on the internet, it must be true.

 

[Darkman]

Maybe someone should go to them "there" and call on them to participate in this thread "here" .. to learn correct information, etc

I think you, JL, should go "there" and call on them to come "here" ... I think they will listen to you and visit us here

{EDIT} "Contact us" from their site:

Contact us 303.458.7541

 

[James Long]

Biased reporters arre hard to convince, especially when they hide the details.

We have a larger circulation than they do anyways.

 

[Zero327]

Name use is just plain mean, but I agree with James all in all. If you want someone to help you out, and the alternative if they can't is having their name splattered across forums or a newspaper, I wouldn't help you either. And if Frankie wouldn't give it to you, your payment history....well, you must have *cough* had some difficulties.

 

[compubit]

I was expecting more in the on-line article, but nope...

Sort of reminds me of things in the bigger papers like:

(Monday's Headline, day before election day)
Mayor seen with Known Prostitute

(Tuesday's correction on page 847, on election day)
In Monday's newspaper, we reported that the Mayor was seen with a known prostitute. After further research, the mayor was at the city council meeting at the time the picture was taken; rather it was person X, who looks a lot like the mayor. We apologize for the error.

 

[Denver User]

Absolutely true...

I've talked to several folks on this board with the same experience (including myself). The only time Dish Network wanted to talk was when I called to disconnect. They then wanted to offer me the world... Pretty sad IMO. Thank God for competition in the market.

So you said the magic word ( Disconnect ) if you would say that to D* they would offer the world to you too. Of course when I called Comcast to cancel my internet, no problem the agent could not have cared less. :nono2:

I'm sure when you and others first signed up with dish you got some type of promo like free receiver free HBO or free install. When I first signed up had to pay $199 for the system and installed it my self. Course that of 10 years ago and happy to pay it to have something better then cable. :eek2:

Later tried Direct got the free receivers and had to pay shipping. When disconnected from them got offered the world free HBO Free month refused. Thought cable was cheaper. Went back to cable for the "low rate" and the poor picture quality, what a mistake. Watching the Superbowl and loss my signal for 3 days!

Thought I would try dish again got the 625 and could not be happier, never watch live TV any more and find that I don't flip channels and can sit down and enjoy TV for $41 a month for locals and top 60 and DVR fee, alot cheaper than direct or cable.

Most front agents can not give the discounts or free equipment but just say the magic word "Disconnect" and they will transfer you to someone who can. But of course most people have made up their mind and don't even want to hear what they could do for you.

So if you really like paying more for TV go to the competition like cable the low rate will not last long and then you may rember why you signed up with dish in the first place.

I did.

 

[Zero327]

So you said the magic word ( Disconnect ) if you would say that to D* they would offer the world to you too. Of course when I called Comcast to cancel my internet, no problem the agent could not have cared less. :nono2:

I'm sure when you and others first signed up with dish you got some type of promo like free receiver free HBO or free install. When I first signed up had to pay $199 for the system and installed it my self. Course that of 10 years ago and happy to pay it to have something better then cable. :eek2:

Later tried Direct got the free receivers and had to pay shipping. When disconnected from them got offered the world free HBO Free month refused. Thought cable was cheaper. Went back to cable for the "low rate" and the poor picture quality, what a mistake. Watching the Superbowl and loss my signal for 3 days!

Thought I would try dish again got the 625 and could not be happier, never watch live TV any more and find that I don't flip channels and can sit down and enjoy TV for $41 a month for locals and top 60 and DVR fee, alot cheaper than direct or cable.

Most front agents can not give the discounts or free equipment but just say the magic word "Disconnect" and they will transfer you to someone who can. But of course most people have made up their mind and don't even want to hear what they could do for you.

So if you really like paying more for TV go to the competition like cable the low rate will not last long and then you may rember why you signed up with dish in the first place.

I did.

True enough but there's something to be said for customer loyalty too. You'd be surprised how many people screamed "GIVE ME ONE NOW OR I DISCONNECT!" when the 622's were released. Then three days later "GIVE ME ANOTHER OR I QUIT!" at which time most were told to take a walk. You can only cry wolf so often before the wolf comes a callin'.

Marketplace competition was once a methodology that kept companies honest and ensured the customer was always taken care of. That said, these days customers are all about grabbing as much as they can for as little as possible, which in most customers' books equates to everything for nothing (I'll take 3 622's, no DVR fees for ten years, a phonex jack - no make that three for all of my new 622's, a 301 just because I want another and can I get that King size?) And ALWAYS with the newest most expensive toys.

Consumers have a massive pull on the marketplace, but the instant a consumer starts placing undue pressure on a company (DTV, DISH) because they have "deep pockets" consumers are going to find out exactly what fun fixed pricing can be. How long can people continue to use the "disconnect' cry before DISH and DTV get together, talk about it, and come to an agreement on what to do about it. And what if even Comcast got in the middle? It wouldn't be a contract of course, that would be restriction of trade amongst other things. But what if... Suddenly those five dollar credits for three months and free receivers don't taste so good, do they?

Can DISH and DTV afford to lose some boxes and a few five dollar fees? Sure, noone is disputing that. The problem, is that YOU and about half a million or more other people are all having that same exact thought at the same exact time. Suddenly, those five dollar fees become five million dollars. And that three hundred dollar piece of equipment becomes fifteen million dollars in equipment. And just at overall cost to keep a customer for DISH, divided over a customer base of 12.46, that's about $1.05 per customer. And that's not even counting the Time Without Service credits, repair issues, false claims, fradulent contracts, signal pirates, etc...

And you thought you were nickel and dimed to death.

 

[Ohioankev]

I know Charter tried to offer me the world when I told them to turn my $40 /month cable modem off when I switched to AT&T DSL. Hell in the long run AT&T paid me to sign up for thier service between rebates(Got a wireless gateway for $30, after a $50 rebate), a $50 Visa Check card.

When i switched to DISH NETWORK through AT&T, I got a 625 reciever leased, the $49.00 equipment fee was waived, my first months programming was free, and another $50 visa gift card. I still get about $15 credit on my AT&T bill too.


The deal Charter wanted to give me, my internet connection for $24.95/month for three months. I said Disconnect.

I have no problem listening to what they want to offer, my main reason for switching to DISH anyways was lack of UPN on my cable system. The funny thing is as soon as I shut off my cable, after four years of requesting UPN non-stop, three months later after my DISH was installed i went to my moms and UPN was on her TV lineup.

 

[SaltiDawg]

Absolutely true...

I've talked to several folks on this board with the same experience (including myself). The only time Dish Network wanted to talk was when I called to disconnect. They then wanted to offer me the world... Pretty sad IMO. Thank God for competition in the market.

So why does a happy DirecTV customer feel it neccesary to continue to beat a dead horse by bashing Dish in a Dish Forum?

You ought to write for the cited newspaper.

 

[Richard King]

we don't like his right-wing skew to his massive political giving

ANOTHER typical uninformed media IDIOT babbling on about something they know nothing about and didn't bother researching. It took me under a 2 second Google to come up with this: http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Charles_Ergen.php
Charles Ergen (bio)
Echostar Communications founder, ceo
$377,050* Republican
$402,600* Democrat
$27,500 special interest
total: $807,150

So much for the validity of the rest of the story.

Aside from proving their lack of integrity and laziness, what does that have to do with the story in the first place?

 

[Richard King]

They can be contacted here: http://www.thecherrycreeknews.com/component/option,com_contact/task,view/contact_id,1/Itemid,3/

I just sent them the following:

Media Stupidity.
Re your story here: http://www.thecherrycreeknews.com/content/view/862/2/
"DishTV stupidity"
and your comment: "we don't like his right-wing skew to his massive political giving".
What does the (fabricated) political leanings of the CEO of Echostar have to do with the story? This is simply ANOTHER example of the laziness and the fabrications printed by the media seen on a daily basis. If you guys keep this up you might be able to work for a real newspaper someday. It took me a single Google search to come up with this:
http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_...rles_Ergen.php
Charles Ergen (bio)
Echostar Communications founder, ceo
$377,050* Republican
$402,600* Democrat
$27,500 special interest
total: $807,150

So much for the validity of "the rest of the story".

 

[Darkman]

hehe, Good going Richard!

I could NOT find a proper Contact me earlier (maybe didn't look hard 'nuff) .. but you DID!

Would be cool if they come join this discussion

 

[Richard King]

I didn't post a link to this site, but feel free to go there and do so.

 

[Darkman]

maybe done already..

 

[Radio Enginerd]

So why does a happy DirecTV customer feel it neccesary to continue to beat a dead horse by bashing Dish in a Dish Forum?

You ought to write for the cited newspaper.

I'm an engineer, not a journalist. Big difference!

I wouldn't say I'm beating a dead horse, just trying to make a point. At least a portion of that column was true as I experienced the same thing on MULTIPLE calls and disconnect threats. It wasn't until I called to actually disconnect that I was truly made the offer.

If anything, I feel like the ignorant one. I should have used the "I want to disconnect" line in many of the initial calls I made. The reality is I didn't want to disconnect. Instead I said things like "I'm thinking of switching" and "I got the following offer from DTV".

The facts: 4 year customer in good standings, owned my equip. I asked for the same promotion that is offered to new customers... No premiums or anything. Would not honor until I said the words "I want to Disconnect".

Based on principle alone, I have a hard time believing that anyone reading this doesn't agree (whether its Dish or DTV) that is no way to handle a customer of good standing that you DON'T have on a contract…

I have no axe to grind, just stating a fact in a huge flaw in customer service. A flaw that probably exists at DTV as well.

 

[Richard King]

I got a response....

Richard--

Your search does not cover Echostar/Dish's giving through PAC's,
527's and trade groups. Not to mention giving to state candidates.

Ergen is well known to both R and D fundraisers as very R heavy.
Call any R Washington fundraising consultant, or the finance people
at the NRCC or NRSC--- perhaps then you might know a fraction of the
story.

Most of Ergen's political activities take place not using personal
funds. When you check in to the reality-based world of political
finance, email us. We'll welcome you.

Thanks,

Guerin Green
[email protected]

303.458.7541

Publisher and Editor
North Denver News
Cherry Creek News & Central Denver Dispatch
reaching 70,000 readers monthly

http://www.northdenvernews.com
http://www.thecherrycreeknews.com

To which I responded...

Well, if you would like to get technical, your story mentioned ONLY the
giving of Charlie Ergan (by name) and said nothing about the donations of
the corporation. If you have a source for the donations of the company give
me a link as I did for his personal donations. Personally, I doubt that you
have such a link.

You still didn't answer what this "information" has to do with the subject
of the story.

Richard King.

 

[Darkman]

You are welcomed guest now Richard

Tell 'em to come here

 

[Richard King]

Another follow-up:

Another quick Google:

Top 25 Media Companies' Campaign Contributions, 1999-2002^
http://www.capitaleye.org/mediacontribs.6.2.03.asp
Company
(listed in order of revenue)*
2000 Election Cycle
2002 Election Cycle
Company Total
D
(%)
R
(%)

EchoStar Communications
$893,800
$1,118,075
$2,011,875
53
47

Where is this right wing bias?