Prepaid Dish Now problem

[STEELERSRULE]

Over the past couple of days, I have tried, in vain, too add programming to my service via a Green Dot Money Pak and my DP301.

Everytime I have called the automated service, since Tues. 12/16, I have been rerouted to a customer service agent, AFTER I enter in my RECEIVER # for some reason.

No explanation. Nothing. I can't order any programming, which is pissing me off because the agents(morons) who work for Dish tell me, which I already know, that my Rceiver #, and Green Dot MoneyPak # are all valid, and it should work.

They even try it on their own, and right after typing in the Receiver #(I ALWAYS type in the info using the keypad on phone and never say it), and the automated voice asks if it is correct, and then says, "OK, just a second....", and right after that statement, and a second or two, the voice prompt says, "Please hold, while I transfer your call to a customer service agent."

I don't know why the hell it is doing this. I just ended programming on Sunday, December 14th, so everything was fine until then.

It is like the automated system has flagged my receiver or something, and is unable/unwilling to let me add new programming. Nothing.

And all I get is the runaround from the customer service agents who have no clue what the problem is(they even try it themselves using my receiver number, and Greendot Moneypak number, and get the same results. They get sent to another agent AFTER entering in and confirming the Receiver #). They tell me that there is a problem with the automated service, but I think/believe it is just an excuse to get me off the phone. They give me this crap that everyone is experiencing this, so it is an automated service problem.

Is anyone else having this issue with trying to add new/more programming to a receiver?

If you can, can some of you try the service/automated system for me, and just let me know if after you enter in and verify your receiver number if it begins to allow you to go through the process of adding more programming(It would say after verifying the receiver number, "I see you have activated a Dish Now pin before, have there been any changes to your satellite system?"

You don't actually have to order anything(I would never spend your money ), I just want to see if there actually is a problem with the automated service(which would be a relief knowing I am not the only one having these problems), or if they have just decided to treat my receiver like the plague or something.

Just like to see if you can actually get to the point of ordering more/new programming because apparently I can't anymore. This is a bummer/pisser.

PS. I know I asked this question in another thread, but I thought I would get more responses by having this in a thread of it's own.

 

[costanzas_wallet]

Are you using a Green Dot money pack 'Gift Card' or Visa?

 

[STEELERSRULE]

Are you using a Green Dot money pack 'Gift Card' or Visa?

The regular Green Dot MoneyPak reload card.

I have had this Dish Now prepaid system almost two years now, so I know what to get.

The MoneyPak has more than enough funds in it. I just ended a stint of programming on 12/14/08. It appears to be a problem either within their automated system, or they just began to hate my receiver #, as this is where the problems begin in the automated service for me.

I have confirmed with the reps that my receiver is legitimate, and my MoneyPak has more than enough funds.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this is the last couple of days, or would do me solid and just go through the steps(without actually ordering anything) and see if when you enter your Receiver # in the automated system, if it sends you to a rep immediately after that, or let's you continue, as you would normally, with ordering more programming.

If people post that they are experiencing the same thing, then that would provide some comfort in knowing that it is their automated system's problem, and, for some Ungodly reason, it has either flagged, or hates my receiver #.

 

[Hermitman]

I ordered some movie programming (Starz) today without any problems. Maybe 1 out of 10 times, I have a problem where the computer tries to send me to a customer service rep. I just hang up and try again and it usually goes through properly. I did hold for a CSR once and got the Spanish help line. When I found out the CSR uses the exact same computer ordering program I was using, I decided it was quicker to hang up and try again myself. It seems like there is a central computer system that controls the programming authorization for everyone and if its busy or updating or something doesn't seem right, it defaults to "Hold for a Customer Service Rep". And through trial and error, I found the computer's voice/tone recognition program likes a quiet background. Loud noise in the background seem to cause more errors. Keep trying. The system's working. Good luck.

 

[hye]

I'm having the same problem too, I posted on the other thread last week, someone was mentioning that the problem is with smart cards!!

I tried today (01/05/09) and still no luck, anyone add programming in the last few days? anyone figuered hoe to solve this problem, thanks.

 

[hye]

I can't beleive it, I still can't add more days, it's been 3 weeks now, I even called yesterday and spoke to a supervisour who said that the system is down and they are working on it.

I tried every hour of the day but still after entering my PIN (GDMK) & receiver no. it transfers me to customer support.

I checked my card and I do have the purple G3 smart card, I bought the system a month ago and it worked for 3 days and then I could not add any programming.

I wounder If someone else can call with my receiver no. and a different PIN and see if they'll be able to add programming (without actually doing so) just to see if they go by to ordering programms.

My receiver works and I get the TV guide and some of the free channels.
any thoughts? thanks.

 

[r10fret]

Try calling from a different landline phone number if available, do not call from a cordless phone or a cell phone as the DTMF tones my confuse the system, pull up your system info screen and enter the R# and S# from that screen, when it asks you if there has been any changes to yor system say yes instead of no. Also answer no to has your system already been installed and see what happens. Failing that I have heard of instances where a GDMP can get used up by someone else because theives went into the store and took cell phone pictures of all the moneypak numbers and then drained them once they were activated. My local KMART has to keep them behind the customer service desk to prevent this. The employees still have access to the numbers and could be writing them down so it is not much assurance. MP's are very unsecure, unlike most cards which make you rub off the paint to get to the PIN the GDMP does not. So are you sure that the MP still has funds on it?

 

[kentuckygirl]

Its the porn that is doing it

hey guys, I found this forum when searching the internet for an answer to why I could not add programming. Looks like I found some kindred souls.
Way back in December...around the same time you all started having problems...I had the same problem exactly. No matter what i said or entered in the phone, as soon as I gave the receiver number, it put me on hold for a rep.

I did get to speak to one girl who said she noticed that the only receivers that were having trouble adding time were ones that had previously had adult programming. hmmmm.
Then it got real weird. It started speaking to me in Spanish...the automated operator was speaking in Spanish. I give up.

 

[r10fret]

WARNING do not any more funds to your international subscription at 61.5 if you sub to channels 620 and 621. After you pay your funds you will get a slate on channels 620 and 621 telling you that the channels have moved to 118 and that you need to call 1 888 255 5044 for a free dish upgrade. When I called that number I was not eligible for the upgrade because prepaid dishnow subs have no account numbers and their R# is invisible in the system. This is fraud! Dish network prepaid is still actively collected funds as of today when I added 2 days for these two channels and now all you get the slate. I have called exec dept again and they did nothing again, I demanded a name and phone number of the person in charge of prepaid dishnow they claim to have no such info, I told they I am contacting attorney general of CO to report them for fraud, This will be the same way they handle the smartcard swap for prepaid boxes, collect everones funds and then shut the channels down and keep their money, prepaid customer service is a complete laugh too, after waiting on hold there I was disconnected, BEWARE. The prepaid system is dying a slow death and dish is laughing all the way to the bank!

 

[Claude Greiner]

The pre-paid service is not worth the hassle!

Your better off just switching it to a regular paid account where you have far greater options to pay your bill and add and change programming.

I stopped selling the service when I could never keep enough pre-paid programming cards in inventory. When I had cards available, nobody ever bought them and they expired and I lost money. When I don't have them, then people ask for them

 

[kentuckygirl]

I don't want a contract

that is why I chose the prepaid system.

You others who can't add programming can pm me about the adult thing if you don't wanna post it here, but I was wondering if that was it. Has some anti porn fanatic managed to flag all our receivers that had adult programming?

 

[wingman_100]

I've received the adult programming before and I get the same scenario as everyone else. As soon as I type the receiver number in the phone, I get sent to the cs reps. This is really pissing me off. If anyone knows a solution, please write here. Thanks

 

[Zorak]

I activated a pre-paid 301 on 12/28 via the phone number steelersrule suggested in an earlier post and ordered the AT250 package for 2 days with a green dot money pack. It worked flawlessly. I haven't done anything with the system since then but will try again in a few days and report back. Sorry to hear of your problems.

 

[STEELERSRULE]

Just too update:

I still could not activate the receiver via a GDMP, as of 1/5/09, and have pretty much given up.

I got a refund on BOTH of my GDMP cards with no problem(other than the $4.64 charge at WalMart for loading the cards).

That is an interesting thought on the previous porno purchase KentuckyGirl makes. I have purchased porno in the past, but I can't see how that would affect everything, but you never know.

Right now, I still have Dish500 and DP301 receiver, but they are disconnected from each other. Maybe, when the weather improves(8 INCHES OF SNOW in NW PA, and counting!), I will reconnect it, and try again.

I have since switched to TWC and there HD Box. Like the VOD(when it works. Mine has worked once since I got it a few days ago. They say they are having major problems with the VOD service of TWC out of Akron, OH, which is the HUB for Northeast OH, and NW Pennsylvania. Is there any quality control anymore!?), and the fact that they get the MLB network.

Hopefully(wishing, mainly) TWC and the NFL will resolve their issues and add the NFL network to TWC Digital cable.

But that is where I am at this point. Very disappointed with Dish. Could have been a breakout type of setup for Dish, but they have ruined it for me. For now. I could be back if things shape up.

 

[Hermitman]

I added some Showtime days this morning with the GDMP and no problems. And previously ordering adult channels had no impact. From reading all the past problems, it seems the difficulties started around the same timeframe and with only a few receivers. I think this problem is not a csr or tech problem but an IT problem. If IT had done a mainframe update around that time, this may be one of the unexpected consequences (bugs). The csrs and techs probably wouldn't know when mainframe updates were done and what changes were made to the programming. The best way would be for IT to use their testbed and trace your receiver number, finding out what subroutine is causing it to reject to "Standby for a CSR...". That's if Dish does their own software and doesn't outsource it overseas. Example: Just because your receiver number is shown as valid doesn't mean its acceptable for Prepaid use. The computer program probably has several different subfolders indicating which receivers are good for what service, like HD, VOD, PVR, Family, Prepaid, etc. That way a model 301 receiver won't be allowed to sign up for HD programming. And with millions of receivers out there, yours and a few others' receiver numbers could have been put in the wrong subfolders or there may be receiver number duplication. So when your receiver number is run through the program filters, its found in an unexceptable subfolder for Prepaid use and your order is rejected. I don't know if you can get past the csr and tech personnel and put in a request to IT for a receiver number trace. Probably not, but I think that would be the next logical step. Know any Dish higher-ups? Good luck.

 

[kentuckygirl]

we shall see what happens....

When I get my new smartcard....

Afterholding for about an hour for csr...on the Spanish line no less....I finally got to speak to a human, who after hearing "English please" spoke better English that the English speaking operators, lol.

She was aware of the problem, but really did not know how to help me until I mentioned this thread and the other thread...about the new card...yada yada...and the next thing you know, she says "hold on ma'am, my supervisor is telling me something ....

She comes back on and takes my address and name so she can send me a coupon for 40 bucks of programming and a new smart card.

 

[r10fret]

Spanish customer service is actually located in the US, at a call center in AZ or El Paso, TX so its no wonder they can actually speak English and have some remote earthly idea of what dishnetwork even is. Compared to the reps overseas they are a breeze to talk to, now if they only had the tools and training to actually solve problems that would be great.

 

[hye]

Hi all, Finally some good news! I was able to add more programming yesterday (01/12), I pretty much gave up too but said let me try again and hopefully I'll get t talk to someone who knows something....and what you know! it actually did NOT transfer me to csr, instead I was able to add basic & movie channels for another week.

I don't know what happened but it might of been that the "system was Down" and they figuered it out.

I hope everyone else got their service back, if not; try again because you never know; for now don't order adult channels if you think that was the problem ( I doubt it) untill the time to reload again or buy a new PIN.

Good luck to all.