Even with Lifetime returning to the Dish Network lineup I'm still on the fence regarding the Big Upgrade: purchase, lease, leave. Anyway, I placed a call into Tech Support while on speakerphone and thought I'd make a decision based on how well the call went. I called at 8am and the phone call lasted an hour, but the time I spent talking to the CSR was less than 10 minutes...big computer problems.
Me: I would like to add a 622 on my account in addition to the 942 I current lease, can I do that.
Tech: Yes you can...for $299
Me: Ok, let's do that.
Tech: Computer problems, please hold...
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, the program is for an upgrade only...sorry about that.
Me: Ok, can I upgrade an 811 to the 622?
Tech: Let me check with my supervisor.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, yes you can...wait...please hold.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, you can only upgrade your 811 to the 411.
Me: Hmmm. Are you sure?
Tech: Wait, you don't need installation so you can upgrade a 811 to a 622.
Me: Ok, let's do that.
Tech: Sir, wait...the system says single tuner HD DVR, but when I scroll down it says dual-tuner DVR...let me check with my supervisor.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, let me apologies...we were trained on this system, but the computers are totally screwed up. The reason it says single tuner is because it is replacing a single tuner system.
Me: Ok, I'm ready to place my order (gave him my credit card number). I just wanted to verify that I could upgrade my 942 after 12 months and that an installer is required to come out and bring the 622.
Tech: Yes sir! Wait...the computer just popped up with a HD Enabling fee.
Me: What is that...I'm upgrading the a DishHD package.
Tech: I don't know...let' me check with a supervisor.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, I apologize. Something completely off the wall popped up on my computer screen, please hold.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, there is a glitch with ordering DishHD programming. It currently says you have AT180 and NBA and it cannot let me add the programming package. It gives me an inconsistency bundling error.
Me: Ok, until the Lifetime issue I had AEP...I now have AT60 with Showtime. Why does the system say I have AT180 with NBA - I'm lost?
Tech: Sir, let me place you on hold.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, I talked with my supervisor and I cannot commplete this order. It will have to go to ERT and they should be in within 5 minutes. Let me place you back on hold. I am very sorry for the problems.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, my supervisor has a workaround to this problem and he can complete the order without ERT getting involved. Let me place you on hold while he schedules an installation date. Oh, I need to go over some disclosures with you: $400 fee if you fail to return the receiver; $49.99 fee if you cancel the order and return the receiver to us.
Me: Ok, so I would be charged $49.99 post installation should the receiver not live up to my expectations?
Tech: That's correct.
Me: Ok, that's fine.
Tech: Let me place you back on hold.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Ok sir, due to demand the earliest install date is 21 Feb...can I set you up with an installation date from 1-5pm?
Me: Sure
Tech: (goes over some installation information). Also, I have a few more disclaimers for you: there will be a $240 fee, prorated at $13.33 per month, should you cancel service prior to your 18 month service committment. There will be $5.98 DVR fee (blah, blah, blah). There will be a $6 HD Enabling Fee waived with (yada, yada, yada). There will be a $49.99 fee should you cancel at or before installation.
Me: Wait, earlier you told me the $49.99 fee would be charged post installation should I return the receiver (i.e. the receiver sucks and I don't want it).
Tech: Ahhh...that's correct, but let me check with my supervisor - one second please.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Ok, the $49.99 fee covers shipping your receiver to the installer and other fees involved with processing your order. It will be charged if you cancel your order at anytime at or before installation.
Me: Hmmmm. You previously mentioned the $49.99 would be charged at or after installation...now you're telling me it will be charged at or before installation. Which one is it? Ok, so you're telling me that oh, lets say a week goes by and I'm read that the 622 receiver is the worlds biggest piece of garbage. You're telling me that I will be charged $49.99 fee should I cancel my installation two weeks prior to my install date?
Tech: Let me ask my supervisor.
Hold: .................................
Tech: Sir, that's correct...you woudl be charged that fee.
Me: Ok, I'm not getting a warm & fuzzy feeling about this receiver and there are too many problems with the ordering process. At this point I would like to terminate this ordering process.
Tech: Ummm...so you want to cancel?
Me: No. To cancel an order implies that I ordered the receiver and would then be subject to the $49.99 fee. Just undo what you've been doing.
Tech: Ok, let me remove this from your account. (big sigh!)
Me: Sorry about that, but this ordering process doesn't give me a good feeling about the receiver nor the DishHD product. I'll just wait and read the reviews at this point.
Tech: I don't blame you...