[slam]

My experience, shared here for anyone who might be interested, as I shared with whomever reads the [email protected] email:

--
to: [email protected]

To whom it may concern:

I'll try to keep it brief.

I'm a former Dish customer. Years back, when new, better equipment came out, I asked customer service for the same deal new customers got, in return for the same new commitment (I was well out of commitment at the time). I tried valiantly - made multiple calls, tried to be reasonable and simply didn't (and still don't) understand why I wouldn't be as valuable as a new customer.

I left, jumping ship to DirecTV, where I've been since, and have been happy since.

Fast forward to the present. DirecTV doesn't have their HD poop together: their "best" and newest HD/PVR is out of stock, they have some but not all of my HD locals, and OTA in their new equipment might be enabled sometime in the future. I have a friend who raves about Dish's HD quality and selection, so I decide what the hell, I'll go back.

New customers get the VIP622 for $199. But I was a customer once, years ago, so for me - the special price of $600. Right on. I once again tried to speak to multiple people and sort that out, because, well, it just isn't reasonable. I was just on hold for a long time waiting for a "coach," when the nice young lady came back on the line to apologize for the wait. It hit me: why am I trying to have the same old discussion with the same old company? Dish didn't give a damn about me then, they don't give a damn about me now. DirecTV certainly has some problems with their MPEG4 rollout, but at least they always treat me with respect. I thanked the nice lady for her time and hung up.

I don't want the receiver at any price at this point, so rest assured I'm not fishing. I finally learned my lesson and Dish will never hear from me again. I just wanted you to know.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email.

Sincerely,

Scott -------------

 

[gopherscot]

Seems odd .. I was a dish customer for 5 years, went to Direct TV for 1 year, came back and now I can get it for 199.00. Something doesn't seem right. Maybe getting dish and once a customer you can dish it up! FWIW!

 

[boba]

I would have to guess something in your previous history with DISH is negative, most GOOD customers are welcomed back with offers similar to new customer offers.

 

[Mikey]

$600 is the purchase price from Dish. Nobody gets to BUY it for $199.

 

[dave1234]

Does anyone know what Dish's policy is regarding new customers with poor/bad credit ratings or previous negative payment history?

 

[Phil T]

I occasionally get mailings form Dish inviting me back at a special deal but I have never really looked into it because I am happy with DirecTV.

 

[bderouen]

Funny cuz I had almost the same experience with Direct. I'm with Dish right now cuz when I just moved, I did the Directs free move, right? I had to wait 2 weeks for an install date. The installer was supposed to come out between2-4pm that day, and I took off from work to be there. At 7pm, after dark mind you, the installer calls me to say he is still 'on the way.'

I laughed and said "dude, it's dark!" He said....get this will ya "yeah, but today is the last day of the pay period...I want to try and squeeze it in." He FINALLY shows up at 9pm claiming 'no line of site'! He said he will get someone to call me to come out for a '2nd opinion'. Of course, no one ever called. I finally called a day or so later and was told I'd have to wait 2 more weeks for an install date. I told them that was unacceptable and that if I did not hear from SOMEONE sooner, I was gone. No one called and no one seemed to care.

So now I'm a happy camper with Dish!

 

[Stewart Vernon]

Curious...

Since the poster says he is "happy with DirecTV", why consider Dish? Then in the same message, talks smack about DirecTV... so happy or not? Also, sounds like he probably already tried to threaten DirecTV, and is now fishing for a better offer... and if truly done with Dish, why even bother to write?

Also... he proves the point I've always said... a customer who demands free stuff or quits is not worth keeping... because if he leaves, he will try to come back again later... just as this guy did.

It's fine to look for the best deal... but don't be surprised if people get wise to that and both sides stop offering deals knowing you will switch back and forth anyway no matter what they give you, because you will come back in a year or two demanding more.

And why do folks really not get that new customers are only new once? Try to get a first-time car loan or home buyer's loan more than once... you can't do it. Some deals are only for the first time, as a bonus for trying something new.

 

[James Long]

Some people are never happy ...

He doesn't want a 622 at any price point. Even though he is wrong in the prices he gives (mixing apples and oranges so to speak) I don't see any reason to try to sort him out. His decision is made. The best we can do is to point out the error so that others don't see his poor information as truth.

 

[SteveinDanville]

Hey, Slam, anybody ever tell you that you can catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar? Seems to me you sealed your fate when you gave a little too much information re: leaving for the better equipment, and now wanting back for the better equipment. Dish probably figures it can't count on you as a long-term customer.

 

[Zero327]

Does anyone know what Dish's policy is regarding new customers with poor/bad credit ratings or previous negative payment history?

Reconnection fee when restarting the account, ineligible for new customer promotions, CCA sometimes required, DIU pushed out to 1 yr.

 

[DishSubLA]

Well, try leaving your beloved Direct TV and try returning to them. They'll most likely treat you the same way that you claim Dish has. Not becuase people are mean, but because that's BUSINESS. Why not just take your business to cable? I smell sour grapes. Dish must be doing something right if people are mad that they won't take thier money when there are other TV provider alternatives out there

 

[slam]

Man. A couple insightful responses, but some real tards, too.

I clearly stated what the problem was with DirecTV - they've been great but their HD rollout is very ungraceful, and I want decent HD. No, I didn't try to work them for anything. Nor did I try to work Dish for anything - I only want the same deal another person could get with the same commitment. No, I had no bad history with Dish - I always paid my bill, never had any issues, I just wanted their second PVR when it came out, for what new customers would pay, again, in exchange for the same commitment. I wasn't asking for anything free; I just wanted decent equipment as most enthusiasts on boards such as this do. No, I didn't mix my apples with my oranges - the $600 was the only option the CSR had for me as a "returning customer."

So, why do some people want to make it out like I did something wrong? Some people just have problems, I guess.

So if I'm done with Dish, why did I post, one A-hole asked - because that's what forums are for, Einstein - to share information. And, I guess for arguing. I'm ashamed of myself and feel kind of dirty for even responding to your smug little attacks. I'll have to try to not do that any more, seriously.

 

[DishSubLA]

Let me add that I know of several Dish subscribers who have gotten all sorts of rules waived and gotten very generous deals that come very close to or even, after computing, match new subs offers. However, those subs subscribe to the higher packages for years, buy PPV's, have upgraded in the past--well, you know where this is going: in short, it makes financial sense for Dish to waive the rules when a sub's bill is higher than the average amount. Perhaps, not perfect, but that's business.

 

[CABill]

No, I didn't mix my apples with my oranges - the $600 was the only option the CSR had for me as a "returning customer."

You can read the Terms and Conditions to see new subscribers and "returning customers" do have the same choices - as long as you had service for 6 months, have been gone 6 months, and DISH likes your prior account history. First time subs do have an option to not commit to 18 months that isn't a choice for returning customers.

http://www.dishtv.com/terms_dha04.jsp

This offer is limited to: (i) new, first-time residential DISH Network subscribers and (ii) former residential DISH Network subscribers who: (a) previously maintained for no less than six consecutive months an active DISH Network account in good standing status as determined in DISH Network's sole discretion; (b) voluntarily disconnected any and all prior DISH Network accounts; (c) timely paid any and all balances owing under their prior DISH Network account(s) in full; and (d) have not received DISH Network programming or other services during the six-month period prior to activation under this promotion ("Former DISH Network Subscribers").​

Lots of former subscribers have returned under this plan and received the same terms that a first time subscriber gets.

 

[agreer]

Does anyone know what Dish's policy is regarding new customers with poor/bad credit ratings or previous negative payment history?

When I worked at Radeioshack in 2004 we were told about a program by which olks could pay $240 up front, get their choice of equipment and programing with no credit check or credit card and then get a $10 rebate each of the first 24 months, thus you get your deposit back (something the cell companies aren't so great about) and you can have all the whistles and bells.

 

[Nick]

It's simple -- as a returning sub, you're not as wonderful as you think you are.

Neither D* or E* really want subs who are identified as 'switchers'. All MCVP's
are concerned about their overall "churn rate", something that Wall Street looks
at when evaluating a company's performance. A sub who leaves then wants to
come back as a former customer is so identified, and their business is viewed
as a potential negative. Don't expect them to roll out the Red Carpet.

If you can, sign up under the name of another adult member of the household,
using an alternate billing address, such as a PO box if you have one.

 

[Phil T]

It's simple -- as a returning sub, you're not as wonderful as you think you are.

Neither D* or E* really want subs who are identified as 'switchers'. All MCVP's
are concerned about their overall "churn rate", something that Wall Street looks
at when evaluating a company's performance. A sub who leaves then wants to
come back as a former customer is so identified, and their business is viewed
as a potential negative. Don't expect them to roll out the Red Carpet.

If you can, sign up under the name of another adult member of the household,
using an alternate billing address, such as a PO box if you have one.

Hmmm.

7+ years with E* and 3+ with D* always on autopay and never late. It seems I should be worth something to them. :eek2:

As long as D* retention keeps giving me free upgrades & programming for a committment I will stay with them, but if E* would offer me a free 622 or 2 to come back, I would sure think about it.

 

[gjrhine]

Perhaps you are not taken seriously when you use such language as "poop" and "what the hell".

 

[Stewart Vernon]

Think about it like this...

Suppose you (Dish) and your neighbor (DirecTv) do not like each other much... and a new guy moves into the neighborhood... You each try and become his friend, inviting him over for the big game or trying to fix him up with your cousin or whatever and talking shop...

Eventually he chooses to be your friend (Dish)... and things are cool... but after a year goes by, you find that he wants to be invited over more often and asks your wife to fix him special dinners that he likes... and he wants to meet more of your cousins... and starts to say things like "if you are really my friend, you would do more"... and then you find out your neighbor has been offering him stuff to entice him to become his friend still.

Then one day, your friend decides he likes your neighbor (DirecTV) better... you are hurt, but you can't really do more for him than you already are... so you lose your friend to your neighbor...

Another 6 months goes by... and your ex-friend suddenly wants to be your friend again! But only if you do all the stuff you used to do when you first wanted to be his friend, and only if you forget that he left you...

Do you want this guy for a friend when he will just as likely bolt the next time he gets a better offer again?

Now think about business... when you aren't friends with your customers... if there is no loyalty, then there is nothing... so no need to bend over backwards for someone who will want to come back later anyway... and when he does come back, already knowing what "the other side" is like... why offer him more then than you offered before?