Dish Network FlexTV Questions..

[peano]

I think the info for that PPV/VOD to be allowed to your box, may still come over the phone line.

Nope, it comes by satellite. If you order PPV online you do not need a phoneline connected. And since Flex is prepaid you can't use your remote to order anyway.

Also, the $5 fee for the second receiver is not waived if a phone line is connected. That only applies to Dual Tuner receivers.

So.......there is no need to have a phone line connected with Flex for any reason unless you have a dual tuner.

 

[jeffmn]

peano "So.......there is no need to have a phone line connected with Flex for any reason unless you have a dual tuner. "

^^^I agree ^^^

When I said I was being billed earlier, it was based on what I saw logging online.... But now recieved my paper statement, the payment is due a few days early. The "services from/to" dates are all correct. So it appears they just want the money a few days before they turn it off.

So I have no problems.. all is well, amount is correct, dates are correct.

 

[Stargazer]

Tried to get Dish Network sales in my area. A lot of people dont have credit cards or good credit and Dish wants money upfront as a result. That was not a problem until Directv got a better offer. They are telling me that Directv requires no upfront cost and no credit card and they still got HD DVR installed in the first room for free. The second HD DVR was only $75 more. How can you compete with that? You can't unless you sell Directv too. Anybody know of an online retailer that gives referrals for finding Directv customers without a credit card? I don't know if they had to run a credit check on them though. If they did then that could still be an advantage that Dish Network has but Directv might have something for those customers too.

 

[r10fret]

So.......there is no need to have a phone line connected with Flex for any reason unless you have a dual tuner.

Or unless you cant stand listening to constant clicking sounds when it is trying to dialout every couple of hours.

 

[Stargazer]

Or unless you want to get audited by the audit department. Depends on your situation.

 

[chdn]

I see on the back of the bill that it says that additional receiver is $5, but monthly charge will be waived if it's continuously plugged into a phone line or internet connection. QUOTE]

How does one plug into an internet connection?

I have no idea, maybe the newer boxes can connect using a cable directly into your modem. I don't think my box can, as long as old junk works for me, I don't need a new box.

 

[wasjr]

As I had posted earlier, I was looking for minimal service for a lake cabin that we go to 2-8 nights per month. I ended up going with Flex. I did have the upfront $179 which was the $149 fee for the dish, receiver, & installation, plus $14.99 for the first month's service, plus tax. I had one tv connected with the Welcome pack and locals for $14.99 per month. I also added the 5 Cinemax channels for a penny in exchange for auto pay. The installation was Friday and went smoothly. The installer even left sufficient wire, already connected to the dish, for me to hook up a second receiver later. While I was unable to watch the Alabama game on ESPN Saturday night, I did get to watch the local hockey team with a free preview.

As others have had happen, I set up an online account this morning and while the amount due showed $.01, the account balance showed $67.05. I called dish and they said that the online info was wrong and I only owed the $.01 for Cinemax.

As to the charge for the duo receiver. I tried to have this waived, under the theory that I should not be penalized simply for not having a phone line at the cabin, but they would not do it. As outlined in the terms and conditions that have previously been linked, the fee for a duo receiver is waived if connected to a land line, OR there is no fee if you have a DVR package. The terms and conditions reflect that there is always supposed to be a fee if you have a multiple receivers.

 

[chdn]

Are we the lucky ones?

Is prepaid dish only for us who already got in on it or can someone still buy a receiver and start up a prepaid service with their pay in advance program.

 

[jeffmn]

It's called "flex" and they can still get in if they can find a somewheree to sell it to them.
For the $149 equip and set-up charge

It's just that those of us that already had Dishnow, we have the equip and are setup so we just call in to switch over.

 

[wasjr]

Is prepaid dish only for us who already got in on it or can someone still buy a receiver and start up a prepaid service with their pay in advance program.

See my post just before yours. I did not have prepaid. I originally wanted to do the prepaid program but that program was replaced with FlexTV. Usage is on a monthly basis instead of a daily basis as with prepaid. Anyone can call 1800-333-DISH and they will set you up.

 

[chdn]

Good to know that someone can still have prepaid. I'm thinking about setting up my mom with a donkey clown flex plan too.

They finally fixed my billing problem, so all is forgiven:, but I hope this is it, no more problems for at least 1 year.

I still want someone to make all these channels available on KU band if anyone is listening. You will have one customer right here. I think I will just buy a KU band set up and play around with it.

I still got all these channels that I didn't pay for. Lucky me. I deserve it. We all deserve to get something extra for all the trouble.

 

[sixraven]

Flex TV YES

l

Hello folks.

I was utterly devastated to learn that the prepaid option was coming to an end. I have absolutely NO will to be involved in some contract or commitment and the idea of installing the dish and paying for what you want when you want myself was like a dream come true until I learned of its ending.

So I read of this new FlexTV option. Apparently you still buy the equipment but you have to "Load" funds into their system and purchase by the month with of course a requirement to get one of the standard packs of channels before you can get HBO... That is an assumption because I have found little info that is straightforward. One source says free installation another says 150 USD activation. So like the prepaid topic I request info on this program. Please assume I am completely without knowledge on this topic. As such some questions.

A) Where can I find official info?
I called Dish Network and signed up for Flex using my existing Dish Now DP301 and Dish 500

B) Can I only get it through a local retailer?
Called DishNetwork

C) If no to above is a local sat business the best way to go on this?

D) Is installation free? Mandatory?
Used my existing equip from DishNow that I installed myself ( I'm female and was not a hard job, just follow the instructions )

E) Is there an activation fee? Does this fee mean the cost of a basic setup? (Basic SD Tuner wire and dish?)
Cost me 52.99 included locals walked in and turned on Sat and had programing already playing.

F) Is it true that if I pay for the tuners from them I will not incur any "lease fees" up to 6 receivers?
Don't know n/a for me.

G) I have 3 Receivers from my parents who had ended their subscription to Dish years ago. Model: DP301 is it possible to reuse these receivers with a new smart card? If so I assume these smart cards are provided by dish or the retailer?
Mine is a 301. I received a new purple card a few months back while still using Dish Now.

H) If I wish to use 2 receivers in the same room. Is it allowed to install a splitter inside a room? Is this likely to cost?
n/a for me

I) Is there an accurate list to the cost from Dish or the retailer of receivers? I am kinda sorta interested in HD but if just the receiver costs 200 USD I will be perfectly fine with SD.

J) How does Dish Network collect payment for this? Am I allowed to "Fill" an account with funds to be used for programming? Can I use paypal?
I paid first with Credit Card on phone, will send a check as they send a paper bill to me now. I will still be paying in advance. If I decide not to pay for 1 month or 6 months it is just a $5.00 reconnect fee.

I like it better as I don't have to find a DishNow card and enter info each month. I have access to DishNetwork features and PPV. Local weather on Weather Channel. I love it. Hope this helps. I can also drop to a lower plan when ever I want to if money is short.

I know that with a bit more searching I could find some answers to these questions however, I have already found contradicting info so I would rather hear it from the experts on this forum. Thank you for your help and info!

 

[jeffmn]

Not to be rude or anything

But you waited nearly a year to make your first post.....
And then decided to do it answering a post that has 11 pages of answers and disussion. That's kinda funny.

Anway, I think the new prepay is going work well for me too.

 

[jakesnakemd]

Flex TV experience so far...

Switched my prepaid over to FLEX at the end of last month and got Dish Family and locals for Myrtle Beach. We left there on 10/7 so I just brought the box with me to see what I could do in Maryland. It works fine up here (but no locals due to alignment change) and I tried to hook it up with a switch (so I could use my current box with the FLEX box), but the cable run is over 100 ft and screws up both boxes. May experiment with an inline amp and/or just run another cable to the second box. In any event, would suggest those that have one at a weekend/occasional location just bring the box back to their primary location and hook it up to get their money's worth. So far, since we can get any programming we want now, this FLEX thing seems like it will work.

 

[chdn]

Prepay far in advance

Has anyone prepaid far in advance, or even 1 extra month in advance?

I just want to know if that will cause a problem, because it lets you choose a different amount and I'd rather just put in $100 or $200, but I don't want to loose my money.

 

[chdn]

Q&A

Here is my version for these Questions.

A) Where can I find official info?
You Can't

B) Can I only get it through a local retailer?
Buy the set up on ebay

C) If no to above is a local sat business the best way to go on this?
NO, just use ebay if you want it cheap

D) Is installation free? Mandatory?
It's not mandatory, if it was, I wouldn't have gotten it. It's not free for those who can't do it themselves, you will probably pay $200

E) Is there an activation fee? Does this fee mean the cost of a basic setup? (Basic SD Tuner wire and dish?)
I didn't pay any activation fee, I didn't pay for any activation fee on their regular service either. Receiver was $50 including shipping on ebay and you can get a dish for $35 to $50 including shipping too, but I chose the dish 1000 for $99 including shipping because the dish 1000 looks cooler than the dish 500 and I want to look cool, even though I don't use satellite 129

F) Is it true that if I pay for the tuners from them I will not incur any "lease fees" up to 6 receivers?
Buying is the only way to go, I wouldn't lease them

G) I have 3 Receivers from my parents who had ended their subscription to Dish years ago. Model: DP301 is it possible to reuse these receivers with a new smart card? If so I assume these smart cards are provided by dish or the retailer?
I would think you could use any receiver since they switched to the flex plan service. I wouldn't get any smart card from a dealer, they would probably charge you $50, I would just call up and say I want to activate and if you don't have the purple card, I would just say, oh no, what will I do, I didn't know I would have to put out any more money, I guess I will have to wait until I can save up the money to buy a new smart card. They will probably send you out one for free.

H) If I wish to use 2 receivers in the same room. Is it allowed to install a splitter inside a room? Is this likely to cost?
Now why would you want to use 2 receiver in the same room? If you want one in the bedroom too, you don't need a splitter, the dish 500 dish lets you hook up 2 cables, But who knows, maybe if you don't have 2 outputs, it might work, they say no, but I've never tried it.

I) Is there an accurate list to the cost from Dish or the retailer of receivers? I am kinda sorta interested in HD but if just the receiver costs 200 USD I will be perfectly fine with SD.
If you really want to spend the money on HD, then you can afford the regular plan, so why are you here in the prepaid area. SD is all you need, just sit back farther from the TV and it will look just as clear as HD and you save all that money.

J) How does Dish Network collect payment for this? Am I allowed to "Fill" an account with funds to be used for programming? Can I use paypal?
Credit card, debit card, green dot money pack, electronic funds tranfer from your bank account, and I think they will take a check too, but I'm not trusting them with my bank info, check is too slow, green dot cost $4.95, I don't use debit cards. I'm using my GDMP until it's gone, then I will pay with a credit card, but no auto billing, I don't need any surprises on my bill.

There you have it, my answers to the questions, as you see, there is nothing on tv to watch, so I'm here wasting my time.

I think someone forgot a K

k) How is customer service, is it easy to get my set up activated?
We'll activating Dish Now was a total NIGHTMARE!!! but switching to the new flex plan wasn't too bad, but still had a billing problem!!!! but they fixed it, so now as long as there aren't any more problems, I think I can relax and watch some TV peacefully.

L) someone elses turn to do an L

 

[jeffmn]

D) Is installation free? Mandatory?
It's not mandatory, if it was, I wouldn't have gotten it. It's not free for those who can't do it themselves, you will probably pay $200

$200? I don't think that is right, the $150 is supposed to cover it. Or most of it.

Im pretty sure someone above a few posts, called Dish directly and they arranged the install.

 

[peano]

Flex TV is $149 including dish, installation and a 301,311 or 322 receiver.

 

[chdn]

Flex TV is $149 including dish, installation and a 301,311 or 322 receiver.

That's pretty good, that's a good deal then, everyone should grab that deal.

One time the manager at one apartment wouldn't let me get on the roof to adjust the dish and I had to have a professional do it and it cost $99 just to turn the dish a little.

Times have changed, 3 cheers for dish.:up

 

[Zachstar]

I will admit it is an interesting offer.

May I get feedback on if this scenario is possible? I want to get the everyday Dish Family pack and then on top of that add the Basic Turbo HD package tho I note with worry that I seem to be unable to find Turbo HD anywhere anymore...

I will want to get 3 HD DVR receivers. I figure that it involves some serious cash (300-400) But the cost of setting up 3 HD PVR units for the computers would be astronomical. I will not have the time to "Channel Surf"

I assume my monthly cost will be under 50 USD can someone tell me a round number? And I mean final cost not any promotional things...

If such a system can be done I will likely remain with dish for upwards of 2-3 years and maybe even longer if economic conditions continue to improve. Ive spent over a year now in chaos of season DVDs and recording crappy quality cable and I've had enough... I only very rarely watch an episode more than once. and if so it's because I am sitting down and watching a channel live. I have to admit I am a 21 year old man and yet I will likely spend most of my time watching Boomerang when I am not watching DVR recordings.

You may be thinking at this point. "If that is the case why not just become a regular customer and be able to participate in promotion x y and z?" Well I do not want to be tied to a contract that can damage credit if I have to stop diverting funds due to whatever comes up. And I will actually own the equipment that will last for atleast a decade due to the extreme cost of phasing out old equipment. (My 301s are dinos yet apparently they can still be used) If things get seriously tough I can end and sell the equipment legally (I assume I can due to having actually paid for it?) That is worth the initial investment. Especially as I can convince the folks that this is a long term thing that will be stable and not have to change every few months. No hunting for battery covers to prevent huge fees and the sort.