Here's an additional source for prepaid receivers and cards.
Prepaid Dishnetwork
Shipping on the receiver was 17.00 for me.
Prepaid Dishnetwork
Shipping on the receiver was 17.00 for me.
Dish Network Prepaid Question
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Harmonyfta has receivers and cards for DishNow/YA as well. Deal right now is free receiver if you buy a 40.00 card. Have complete packages as well.
I "hope" you did not go out and do this yet, as I am almost 99% sure this will not work.
Only the GreenDot MoneyPak, or $40 Dish NOW!/YA! card, will work on the automated system.
The GDM(shorter version for saying GreenDot MoneyPak from now on) is used to turn "Real" Money into "electronic money" that can be sent too many diffferent places to pay bills/reload prepaid credit cards/etc...
Go to the GDM website(www.getmygreen.com) and see what, and where they can be used. Even DirecTV allows it's use(in what capacity, I do not know) for paying bills(online I would guess).
But the funds used toward the Dish NOW!/YA! service MUST come from the original GDM.
Do not place them on a prepaid credit card because then Dish NOW!/YA! won't know what the heck those funds are for.
You are LOADING the prepaid credit card with the GDM money, and NOT the Dish NOW!/YA! service with the GDM money.
If you were allowed to use a prepaid credit card on, let's say, EBay, but not the GDM, then "yes", you would load the prepaid credit card first, THEN buy something with that "electronic money" on EBay(I am just using this as an example. I don't know if this is allowed on EBay or not).
This because when you initially set up the receiver, the automated prompt just asks you for a ZIP CODE, and that is it.
It will have no other information(your name/address/Social Security #/Credit Card #) as to where the receiver is located. And you don;t have to connect it to a phone line.
So since this is the case, you could give it the zip code from next town over from you(which may be only a couple miles away, or possibly in a different state), which may give you different local channels, and a different(or multiplie, depending on location) Regional Sports Network which you are not supposed to be receiving due to your correct zip code.
You just may be on the wrong side of the line that has been drawsn to what you actually want to be considered your local channels and local RSN.
But you would "most likely" still be well within the spotbeam to get those channels.
And since has not other way of knowing the box is other than the zip code you gave, you would be receiving a local channel lineup "Illeagally", according to the FCC.
Not a terrible crime(no crime at all IMHO), but according to the FCC, these are the rules that they have setup for cable companies/satellite companies when it comes to local broadcasts and RSN's.
You could always just put up an antenna large enough to get those local channels you want(in you market, and out of your market), but with the RSN I am afraid we are just SOL, at this time.
I "think" you can, but I am not 100% sure.
The Dish now service runs off of satellites 110/119, so as long as though satellites are being seen, I would guess you should.
But I would get the DP301(refurbished for Dish Now servcie) to make sure.
I think you can add a Dish Now receiver to most setups, but not all.
I did it!!!
After learning so much from this forum, and especially Steelers Rule, I finally got up and running.
I first bought the receiver/antenna at Radio Shack for $99.00. Then I figured out I already had the dish antenna from when I had service before, so I just needed the prepaid receiver. Since RS did not sell just the receiver, I took the whole thing back to them for a refund. I then went on Ebay and bought a 301 refurbished (who cares) receiver for $30.00.
I had some trouble getting activated. You get NO help from Dish regular service number. One thing I did wrong was activate BEFORE I could get a signal. I wasted 4 days of my card before I actually figured everything out. Make sure you get a signal FIRST! I think you get like two channels: QVC and NASA. Once you are receiving a signal, THEN activate. I thought you had to activate in order to get the signal.
Anyway, after a lot of problems I'm finally up and running and I'm going to LOVE it this way. I'm rubbing it in to my friends and family that I have no bills and can actually get a higher programming package than they have. I just use it sparingly, maybe when there's a game on I want to see, or when my son comes for visitation.
One annoying thing is if you get 1 or 2 or 3 days, DISH shows this message every time you change channels that you are running out of days. Other than that I love it. I feel like I'm beating the system!
Note that I have been given SO MUCH misinformation from DishNetwork, Radio Shack and even Walgreens who sell the GreenDot Money Pack. This forum has been the best source of reliable information. Thank you!
After learning so much from this forum, and especially Steelers Rule, I finally got up and running.
I first bought the receiver/antenna at Radio Shack for $99.00. Then I figured out I already had the dish antenna from when I had service before, so I just needed the prepaid receiver. Since RS did not sell just the receiver, I took the whole thing back to them for a refund. I then went on Ebay and bought a 301 refurbished (who cares) receiver for $30.00.
I had some trouble getting activated. You get NO help from Dish regular service number. One thing I did wrong was activate BEFORE I could get a signal. I wasted 4 days of my card before I actually figured everything out. Make sure you get a signal FIRST! I think you get like two channels: QVC and NASA. Once you are receiving a signal, THEN activate. I thought you had to activate in order to get the signal.
Anyway, after a lot of problems I'm finally up and running and I'm going to LOVE it this way. I'm rubbing it in to my friends and family that I have no bills and can actually get a higher programming package than they have. I just use it sparingly, maybe when there's a game on I want to see, or when my son comes for visitation.
One annoying thing is if you get 1 or 2 or 3 days, DISH shows this message every time you change channels that you are running out of days. Other than that I love it. I feel like I'm beating the system!
Note that I have been given SO MUCH misinformation from DishNetwork, Radio Shack and even Walgreens who sell the GreenDot Money Pack. This forum has been the best source of reliable information. Thank you!
off grid
Is any one using these off grid?
I have a cabin in the boonies
I don't want to keep the receiver on all the time it will keep the inverter on and
drain the batteries.
Will it loose the programing I turn it off?
thanks
tom
Is any one using these off grid?
I have a cabin in the boonies
I don't want to keep the receiver on all the time it will keep the inverter on and
drain the batteries.
Will it loose the programing I turn it off?
thanks
tom
The DP301 MUST BE connected to the satellite dish at the time of initial activation, and I am assuming, it(the DP301) must be "at least" plugged in at the time of initial activation in order to receive the signal.
The DP301 does not have to be "turned on"(green light on front panel is on), but must be at least plugged in and connected to the satellite dish(for 110/119. I think the info is sent on 119, but am not sure) for the initial setup to work.
After the info is placed on the receiver(this takes about 15 minutes tops. It actually takes less, about 10-15 seconds, for you too actually begin to "view" the channels you subscribed too, but for all the info, I think it takes about 15 minutes. I would wait this long to avid any screwups), you can move receiver anywhere you want, and not worry about losing the info.
One time, I had over 30 days left of programming, but had to move the unit, and it was left off(disconnected for satellite and not plugged in) for about 15-16 days.
When I reconnected the unit, it showed that I had 14 days of programming left on the unit, even though it had not been connected for over two weeks to anything.
So once that initial download is sone, the info must be stored somewhere either inside the unit, or at Dish, or most likely BOTH. It may send out the info sporadically to that certain receiver(since Dish would have the receiver number) to keep it up to date, but this I do not know.
But in the inital connection, YES, the unit must be:
1. Plugged in. Not on, but at least plugged in.
2. Must be properly connected to the satellite Dish for reception of signal
You could try using a cell phone at your cabin, unless you are way out in the boonies, and have no cell service.
Or you could activate it at your home(if you have Dish there), and then take it with you when you go, and connect it to an already set-up and waiting Dish 500 so you don't waste power.
I just spent an hour or so with Dish Now! and Green Dot (a futile exercise) because Dish Now! insists that I need a 16 digit activation number, but the one on my Wal-Mart reciept is only 14 digits. Has anyone else had this problem? Green Dot doesn't recognize any of the numbers I have either. What really irritates me about this is that I used the activation number back in August, and I know it hasn't expired. What's going on? THere is no 16 digit number on the card, and none on the reciept.
No, YOU are right.
The activation number printed on the WalMart receipt is, indeed, 14 digits.
What I don't understand in your post is:
1. You bought the greendot moneypak back in August?
2. Are you sure you have enough funds left on the card?
It should work with no problem.
Your receiver number on a Dish NOW!/YA! DP301 receiver is 12 digits. On most dish receivers, I believe the receiver number is 11 digits(including the letter R, so that would make it 10).
My guess is that you have no funds left, or your missing a step.
Is your satellite dish and receiver all setup and connected?
Try calling 1-800-GREENDOT again, and ask to get a balance on the card you have. Your activation number should be all the info they need.
It make take a little prodding, but I have done this before when I had no idea what I had left on that card, and it worked just fine.
And the Dish customer service(ESPECIALLY with Dish NOW!/YA!) is COMPLETELY USELESS. They know less about the prepaid service than they do about everything else. If it is not in front of them on their little script cards, they don't know what the hell to do.
I just got Dish Now installed. I'm a total novice, but found it very easy to install. Activated with a $40 Prepaid Dish Now Card no problem. EXCEPT, I activated AT100 thinking that it had Fox News. Boy was I wrong! So, I've got 36 days of AT100 in the system. Does anyone know if I can upgrade to AT200 by using Green Dot Money Pack and have it effective immediately. My fear is that if I try to add more programming, it will just tack it on to the end of the current 36 days.
I'd appreciate any help anyone can give me as we all know that Dish customer service is useless for Dish Now prepaid. Thanks.
I'd appreciate any help anyone can give me as we all know that Dish customer service is useless for Dish Now prepaid. Thanks.
8kiddad,
I PM'd you what I think are two possible solutions.
Try the AT Family Pack(Fox News Channel is in there) solution first using a Grenndot MoneyPak as this would be the cheapest way to go. Add like 3 days of programming(starting Monday), and it should work fine. Comes to like $2.01 for 3 days of ATFamily Pack.
If not, do the AT200 upgrade, and you will get Fox News Channel. It comes to like $4.50 for 3 days, if they don't let you do the ATFamily Pack thing.
It Worked!
I called and added 5 days of the Family Pack so that I could get Fox News for election coverage. It worked! The only downside is that the 5 days are running concurrently with the 36 days of AT100 that I had already loaded and most of the channels overlap. Oh well, lesson learned! Thanks Steelersrule!
I called and added 5 days of the Family Pack so that I could get Fox News for election coverage. It worked! The only downside is that the 5 days are running concurrently with the 36 days of AT100 that I had already loaded and most of the channels overlap. Oh well, lesson learned! Thanks Steelersrule!
8kiddad,
Are you saying that the 5 days you added to the overlap channels(take The Biography channel for instance) were not added to them?
For example, let's say the Biography channel had 32 days left, you added the 5 days to AT Family pack. I would think that 5 extra days would be added to the overlaped channels, but I could be wrong. It would just make sense.
Now, of course, a new channel like Fox News, would only be available for the 5 days you purchased.
Strange.
Hi newbie questions-sorry
I live north of Watertown New York lets say!
I am about to activate my unit with a $40 card but want to know in very simple terms how I can get 1 -2 days here and there and ask for specific things like HBO?
I went to the drug store and looked at the green dot money pre paid cards- they had visa and mastercard- does it matter which you get?
The first time I activate the card- I have to have a month of programming is that right via Dish prepaid card?
What options do I have re the type of programming -what is the best cos I understand you get no local channels-so no NBC etc right?
Thanks everyone
I live north of Watertown New York lets say!
I am about to activate my unit with a $40 card but want to know in very simple terms how I can get 1 -2 days here and there and ask for specific things like HBO?
I went to the drug store and looked at the green dot money pre paid cards- they had visa and mastercard- does it matter which you get?
The first time I activate the card- I have to have a month of programming is that right via Dish prepaid card?
What options do I have re the type of programming -what is the best cos I understand you get no local channels-so no NBC etc right?
Thanks everyone
I live north of Watertown New York lets say!
I am about to activate my unit with a $40 card but want to know in very simple terms how I can get 1 -2 days here and there and ask for specific things like HBO?
I went to the drug store and looked at the green dot money pre paid cards- they had visa and mastercard- does it matter which you get?
The first time I activate the card- I have to have a month of programming is that right via Dish prepaid card?
What options do I have re the type of programming -what is the best cos I understand you get no local channels-so no NBC etc right?
Thanks everyone
I know the thread is long, but is all in there.
I will try to sum up.
1. DO NOT GET THE PREPAID VISA OR MASTERCARD. That is not what you want. Those are prepaid credit cards that "use" things like the GreenDot MoneyPak for RELOADING.
You want what is called the GreenDot MoneyPak. They sell them at places like WalMart and Rite aid. They are green, mixed with white on the front of the of the card, and is CLEARLY CALLED GreenDot MoneyPak. This is what you want. It costs at least $4.64 for the service charge everytime you load up the card with cash($20-$1,100).
ALWAYS KEEP THE RECEIPT WHEN YOU BUY THE CARD, ESPECIALLY FROM WALMART. This is a big deal. On the WalMart receipts expecially because on those they print out an "Activation Number" that is needed when using the card. The ones bought at Rite Aid/Eckerd Pharmacy, I think, have the number imprinted on the bottom of the card, so no activation number is printed on the receipt from those places. You just use the BIG numbers on the bottom of the GreenDot MoneyPak.
2. Those $40 prepaid cards found at Radio Shack MUST be used in full at time of activation of programming, no matter what you get. It is all used up no matter what you want to get.
Only the GreenDot MoneyPak allows for someone to order 1 day, or as much money/time that is allowed on the money you placed on the card, at a time of programming.
You could order 5 days of AT200 if you want, and then order just 1 day of Starz and HBO if you felt like it.
Hell, you can pay for an entire year up front of the basic programming(or any movie channel/porno/some international), like AT250, if you felt like it.
But only with the GreenDot MoneyPak.
Read this thread. I go into great detail on what to do, and how to use it.
hi, i live in Canada. what's the best way to get the prepaid service?
my mom wants a few international channels from dish. she presently has a subscription thought a relative in states. but, they are considering to take a service with dish, so we thought of switching to dish prepaid.
at the moment, she's got a PVR 522. does she have to get new equipment? or can she still use the PVR 522, cuz she need the pvr feathers.
let me know guys.
my mom wants a few international channels from dish. she presently has a subscription thought a relative in states. but, they are considering to take a service with dish, so we thought of switching to dish prepaid.
at the moment, she's got a PVR 522. does she have to get new equipment? or can she still use the PVR 522, cuz she need the pvr feathers.
let me know guys.
STEELERSRULE is right. <quote>.1. DO NOT GET THE PREPAID VISA OR MASTERCARD. That is not what you want. Those are prepaid credit cards that "use" things like the GreenDot MoneyPak for RELOADING.</quote>. I bought and loaded a GreenDot Visa, Dish told me at activation I had to buy 1 months service.
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