Dish Network Sucks

[ithildin]

Here I rant!

I've been a good customer to Dish Network for years. So now I have the HD TV, and I want to upgrade. I call and am told I'll have to pay $100!!!!!!! to upgrade my DVR! No thanks, dudes. I send an email to customer service to tell them how screwed up that is. The response I get whines about how they can't afford to give away HD DVRs for free. Except they do exactly that for NEW customers. From their website:

* Our Best Offers- sign up today!
•HD FREE for life
•$15 off per month
•Free upgrade to HD DVR
•3 months free HBO and Showtime
•3 HD receivers for free

So old customers are subsidizing the freebies for the new ones. And even though I have to pay for the new DVR and the HD programming, I still have to sign a new two year contract! It's lose lose lose no matter which way you look at it. Remember when the cell phone companies used to pull this crap? Am seriously considering switching to Direct TV at this point because I am steamed! I replied to their reply, for all the good it will do, pointing out their new customer offer. What a freaking scam!

Later: Too funny! I ranted on Twitter, and guess what? Dish Network is on Twitter and replied. They're singing the same song as the email reply I got, but it was still an interesting occurrence.

Comments

[pat-t.livejournal.com]

Directv upgraded my HD free. I think I paid $50 for the dvr because I had just received the free upgrade on the other one. Somethng like that. I don't remember now. But I didn't have to sign a contract or anything.

But it was the same thing with their sister company, Hughes Net for my internet. I get free upgrades on the modem, but I have to sign a 2 year contract. But since we don't have cable capability here, Hughes Net is the only game in town.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's the old cell phone business model - and it worked so well for them! /sarcasm.

[killabeez.livejournal.com]

DirecTV is awesome. If I could get it here, I would in a heartbeat. You should absolutely switch -- because DirecTV also gives stuff away to new customers.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

I was looking at their website yesterday, and it seemed like they had some really good offers. Thanks for the input - good to get some actual customer thoughts.

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

Often when you threaten to leave they all of a sudden can give you deals. Is your contract up with them if so I'd switch to direct TV that's what we have and we love it.

Still it sucks to treat new customers better than old.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Nope, my contract is long up. I'd always been happy with them till this. I feel like I'm pond scum compared to the new customers they're giving the world too.

And I updated this post! They tweeted me! How funny is that?

[strangevisitor7.livejournal.com]

that's too funny. If you have no obligation to them, I'd switch to Direct TV - if nothing else you'll get all their new people deals plus if you mention a current customer (such as myself) we both get $100 rebate.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

Oooh! Better and better!

[grachonok.livejournal.com]

It looks like they're forgetting they are not the only company in the region.

[viridian.livejournal.com]

Can't you just tell them you'd like to cancel and then sign up as a new customer? They might give you the free upgrade just to avoid the hassle.

[reality-hammer.livejournal.com]

While DirecTV gives me "freebies" from time to time I'm thinking of switching to Dish (so I can switch back) because the best deals of all are only given to "new" customers as well.

Something I dislike about satellite TV is the extra monthly charge for each receiver. There's nothing to justify that to them (as an expense) and is just a way of padding the monthly fee. Cell phone providers have the same business model.

Hmmm, I sense a business opportunity here! :D

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hedgewytch_/]

Grr we have the same thing here with Sky no fucking respect for current customers ;(
To be honest it is Good to have Twitter presence, that's how to get on the ground and see what the customers were saying.
If you were to slag them off and go on and on about them on Twitter and Facebook etc they have a serious problem. Word travels fast and they need to put out the fires.
He should now be offering you a deal to prevent you doing that

[gracedlace.livejournal.com]

That is so screwy. LOL that they're on Twitter.

[tpena19.livejournal.com]

wow! they twitter stalked you? creepy. I say switch over.