Can I return, or not ??

[Hall]

As I mentioned in a post in the HD forum, I'm contemplating returning to Dish. When I cancelled a couple of years ago, I told the retention rep that I wanted HD service and needed a DVR. My wife and I became addicted to the convenience of a DVR ! At that time, Dish's option was the 921 .... for $1000. I told the rep I could get an HD-DVR from Time Warner for less than $10/month, so he noted that "lack of leasable HD-DVR" as my reason for cancelling. I did ask if I could return and what my options were. He said that I had to wait at least 6 months, return all of my current equipment, and have a $0 balance and if all of those are met, I could return as a "returning DHA customer" and be eligible for the same offers as a new customer.

So, I called just a bit ago to check on this before I waste any more time investigating and the rep confirms that my account does in fact state all of those things and they were entered by the customer retention rep in 2004 when I cancelled.

What am I eligible for ?? Right now .... NOTHING. I'd have to BUY all of the equipment, etc, etc. I'm confused.... Apparently there's a distinction between NEW "NEW" customers and returning "NEW" customers in Dish's eyes. He did say to call back in a couple of weeks to which I told him that's ridiculous that I should have to do that after I was told otherwise. I told him I would expect to be eligible for whatever deals they list on their website, that I've played with the DishBuilder to see what options I have, cost, gotten a semi-okay from my wife, etc, etc. Then he says "call back in 3-4 days" and I ask "are you implying that there's a deal I'll be eligible for then ?? He wouldn't say... Says offers change all the time or new ones come up and they really don't know when they will.

On a side note, I forgot my login info for "My Account" at Dish and I am no longer with the ISP I had at the time. Short of guessing my username and password, what options do I have ??

 

[lakebum431]

Use you're wife's SS# and sign up as a new customer. Get all the good deals!

 

[Mr Tony]

hall

when you cancel, dish nukes your user ID/password. I quit dish a while back and the next day I couldnt access my account

 

[Hall]

Use you're wife's SS# and sign up as a new customer. Get all the good deals!

Does that really work though ?? Don't they cross-link different things like service address ??

 

[lakebum431]

It works, they aren't that smart. Use her name and SS#.

 

[boba]

It works, they aren't that smart. Use her name and SS#.

Even with her SS# and name your phone number may connect you to the old account.

 

[whitewolf8214]

Iceberg

Why did you quit Dish? How is Starchoice compared to Dish on programming and prices? How do I get it?

 

[SmityWhity]

I suspect that after they start creating the new account for the spouse, that the service address (and phone number) would show up, however, it shouldn't be an issue.

People move all the time, and sometimes people with the same family name may move into the same place. People get divorce. Some people get married, divorced, married, divorced, and etc....

So it shouldn't be an issue. Just say, that was my ex-husband and his first ex-wife, but I'm smarter than his first ex-wife and got the property. :

 

[Mr Tony]

Why did you quit Dish? How is Starchoice compared to Dish on programming and prices? How do I get it?

I had Dish with just locals for almost 2 years. It was at our cabin and we sold the cabin so it wasnt needed.

I mainly got rid of dish due to $$. I have SC and love it. It has what I wanted
just scaled back

 

[Wired]

It seems stupid; dish dont need or want customers then?

 

[Hall]

It seems stupid; dish dont need or want customers then?

I can see it two different ways...

If I was given free equipment and installation in return for remaining with Dish (or DirecTV) for "x" period of time, then quit, I wouldn't expect to get free "stuff" again. I could see people joining and then quitting just to get newer and newer equipment. Under that circumstance, I don't disagree with them in considering you still a customer, albeit an inactive one. They could argue that you should still have the equipment they gave you. You sold it ?? Use that money to buy the equipment now.

When I joined Dish a few years ago, I did the DHA (lease) deal. I didn't own the equipment and you can't even say I got it for free 'cause it wasn't mine (to keep). They loaned it to me. When I cancelled, I returned everything except the dish itself, which they did NOT want anyway. Today, Dish wants me to pay them for the privilege of using their service. Only now that they're offering the HD-DVR for $200 and giving $200 in credits am I willing to return.

 

[Wired]

I understand the early days, but that equipment must have come with some form of minimum contract? and its now worthless... seems dish will cut off their nose to spite their face.

With everything being leased, what do they have to lose? just a subscription to gain.

 

[sprintcarcrazy]

Contact Dishstore.net, they can help with alot of issues !

 

[Hall]

Is that a plug ?? They have the ViP622 listed for $499.... Hmmmm, let me think about that.