Dish Network

[snagel]

Over the last several months we have had problems with our Dish Network...pictures freezing, DVR recordings stopping half-way through shows. A couple weeks ago called their Tech Support and after checking several things they thought either the hard-drive was crashing or a problem with the dish itself. They suggest to try a new box and if that didn't fix the problem they would send a tech out to check the dish. Well, the new box didn't fix the problem. So, last night I called the Tech Line again. The Tech Guy had me reset the box and unplug it and said it's working. I told him this didn't fix anything (I've done this on multiple occasions). He said it's working now. I told him that almost every night we come home to watch our DVR programs and only get about 10 minutes because the picture freezes. When we try and watch live TV it often freezes. I asked him multiple times if they would send a Tech out to look at the dish and he said he couldn't because it was working with the "reset". We went back and forth on this for several minutes. He said he is making a note and if this happens again to call them back. I told him I've called atleast 10 times on this and simply wanted a tech to come out and look at the dish. He continued to say he could not do that. I told him that if I could not watch the programming that I pay for every month that I would have to cancel. He seemed perfectly fine with this and said they would hate to lose me as a customer, but would cancel our programming. I told him that I didn't want to cancel, just wanted something to work. Again, after several minutes he tried to convince me that the problem was fixed. This ended in a screaming match on the phone with guy. He kept telling me to call back if we had any more problems. I ultimately told him that the only call back they would receive is when I cancel my subscription. Again, he was fine with this and offered to cancel it. In the end, I told him that if it froze up one more time I was tearing the equipment out and throwing it in the front yard and he would need to send a tech out to pick it up. Again, he said when that happens just give us a call. AAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!!

So, it looks like my days with Dish Network are numbered. What can you tell me about Direct TV? I'm sure they offer DVR systems - any input on their service? What can you tell me about Tivo (I know nothing about Tivo)....Can you buy a recorder and use it with basic cable?

Any other options?

Snagel

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by snagel

Over the last several months we have had problems with our Dish Network...pictures freezing, DVR recordings stopping half-way through shows. A couple weeks ago called their Tech Support and after checking several things they thought either the hard-drive was crashing or a problem with the dish itself. They suggest to try a new box and if that didn't fix the problem they would send a tech out to check the dish. Well, the new box didn't fix the problem. So, last night I called the Tech Line again. The Tech Guy had me reset the box and unplug it and said it's working. I told him this didn't fix anything (I've done this on multiple occasions). He said it's working now. I told him that almost every night we come home to watch our DVR programs and only get about 10 minutes because the picture freezes. When we try and watch live TV it often freezes. I asked him multiple times if they would send a Tech out to look at the dish and he said he couldn't because it was working with the "reset". We went back and forth on this for several minutes. He said he is making a note and if this happens again to call them back. I told him I've called atleast 10 times on this and simply wanted a tech to come out and look at the dish. He continued to say he could not do that. I told him that if I could not watch the programming that I pay for every month that I would have to cancel. He seemed perfectly fine with this and said they would hate to lose me as a customer, but would cancel our programming. I told him that I didn't want to cancel, just wanted something to work. Again, after several minutes he tried to convince me that the problem was fixed. This ended in a screaming match on the phone with guy. He kept telling me to call back if we had any more problems. I ultimately told him that the only call back they would receive is when I cancel my subscription. Again, he was fine with this and offered to cancel it. In the end, I told him that if it froze up one more time I was tearing the equipment out and throwing it in the front yard and he would need to send a tech out to pick it up. Again, he said when that happens just give us a call. AAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!!

So, it looks like my days with Dish Network are numbered. What can you tell me about Direct TV? I'm sure they offer DVR systems - any input on their service? What can you tell me about Tivo (I know nothing about Tivo)....Can you buy a recorder and use it with basic cable?

Any other options?

Snagel

I've heard these same horror stories about almost everyones phone support... I would call back and ask for a higher tier support - there are bad apples in every large companies tech support, and I'd say that you probably got the bad one. Certainly, when we used to have Dish, we always got good customer service, so, I doubt its a companywide policy...

Direct TV is always an option, and I've always been happy with their service as well...

[ScubaToys Larry]

Any chance you can get verizon Fios by you? It is a bundle with phone, a billion HD channels, and lightening fast fiber optic internet. I can download a 30 meg file in about 5 seconds... amazing quick. That whole bundle runs about 80 bucks here... And yes, they have a DVR

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

Any chance you can get verizon Fios by you? It is a bundle with phone, a billion HD channels, and lightening fast fiber optic internet. I can download a 30 meg file in about 5 seconds... amazing quick. That whole bundle runs about 80 bucks here... And yes, they have a DVR

yah, FIOS is awesome.... AT&T's implementation, Uverse, is not as great, but still good...

Only problem with either one is the extremely small coverage area...

[mocepts]

I can't get FIOS out in the sticks, but I know my brother-in-law had all kinds of issues with his FIS in the DC area and ended up canceling. And also, you have to watch Verizon when they are installing FIOS. They buried this little known step in the contract where sometimes when they install your FIOS, they will rip out all the copper running to your house. People were canceling their FIOS, only to find that now they had to pay hundreds of dollars to get copper ran back into their homes.

As far as Direct TV, I've had mine for 4 - 5 years, and am very happy. My HD and DVR services work great! Only problem I am having is that I have some trees starting to creep into my line of sight that I'm going to have to hack down.

[TJDiver]

We have Direct TV and love it. Their menu system is better than other services we have used in the past...at least it seems more intuitive to me. We don't use a DVR so I couldn't speak for that aspect of their service.

[okieguy]

I've had Directv for several years now and I have been very happy with their service and support. Every time I call to change my programming (downgrade) they offer me a better deal, I'm hoping to get them down to free for everything for 12 months... My two DVRs have worked fine. My only issue? Like any satellite service as soon as we start getting some bad weather we lose signal, which sucks when tornados are blowing through Oklahoma. When that happens I have to get online or listen to the radio for information.

That being said, my next step is to switch to ATT Uverse before next storm season (unless Directv gives me that free deal). I already have fiber to my house and use it for my phone and internet and have never had any down time in over two years.

[JCAT]

So, it looks like my days with Dish Network are numbered. What can you tell me about Direct TV?

I kicked Dish Network to the curb years ago because of fraudulent billing practices. I've had DirectTV since then, very satisfied. Even had their downstream internet for a while until I could get DSL.

[Skred]

Originally Posted by JCAT

I kicked Dish Network to the curb years ago because of fraudulent billing practices.

Can you elaborate on this a bit?

[Vercingetorix]

I have Verizon FIOS here in Irving,Tx. Very fast, as Larry mentioned. I use it for my internet and television.

Might I suggest another approach with Dish. The next time it fails, call the tech support. When the rep says to unplug and plug-in, do so. When he asks if the reboot resolved the problem, repeat after me:

No, it did not. The picture is still frozen.

That's right...LIE and LIE hard. The intent is to get a on-site tech support at your house. If it requires a lie, then do so. If you feel guilty about lying, I suggest the beer of your choice to ease your conscience.