So my prepaid is working on the new smart card finally. I called in frequently, but kept getting the "call back later" type response.
Yesterday morning I called (I was calling at night in the past) and the CSR said my smartcard "had been activated in the wrong system" and proceeded to correct it. The CSR came back and kept giving me status that she was still working on it, etc. Then she asked for my GDMP pin which I said I would handle myself later. Well she told me "the system won't let me activate it without a PIN" and my GDMP had only $5 that I was about to lose to fees anyway. So I had her put HBO on. She said it worked and basically had 10 days of HBO and to wait 15 minutes. Well nothing was happening, still the "smartcard is not authorized" after 5-10 minutes but I had to get to work.
Tried again last night and the automated system said my card was already activated and offered me the "programming issues" options which I took. Talked to another CSR who came back pretty quick and said it will take about 15 minutes to get programming. Didn't happen.
So tried again this morning and the CSR said, "I can fix that. I'll send the signal now, it will take about 15 *seconds*" and about 10 seconds later I got the congratulations your smartcard has been upgraded message. He said it would take about 15 minutes to get the programming. At about 5 minutes I held in the power button and when it was back up it had the normal Dish Now! channels and my HBO.
Yay! Only took about 1.5 weeks. Fortunately I have Welcome Pack programming and OTA HD anyway, so I didn't hassle the CSRes or ask for a manager etc. I was more curious about how long it would take to get done if a customer just kept accepting their "call back tomorrow" or "it will be working in 15 minutes" statements. The answer is apparently it takes about 1.5 weeks.
And this 1.5 weeks is *after* I have the smart card in my hands and try to activate it!
Since I used up the GDMP I need to go get another before trying to add anything myself, but at least my receiver is up and working on the new card.
Anyway, I'm happy to have my prepaid system updated, even if it did take longer than it should.