Over the past year, I've replaced my two 501's with a 721 and a 622.
Each time that I did a replacement, I told them "activate my new receiver and deactivate a 501". Since you have to install the new receiver before activating, the old receiver is always out of my system, so I have no way of knowing whether it is active or not.
Both times I have later discovered that the old receiver was not removed from my account.
I discoered this because there was suddenly two "additional receiver monthly fees" instead of one.
I use the online access at dishnetwork.com and you can go into "Recent Activity" in the statements area, and it is updated daily overnight - so the next day after an installation and activation, you can check whether the billing was done right.
Over the years, I've found that the most incompetent department at Dish is Billing. Fortunately, I've found that the phone reps are very good at correcting billing problems if you are polite, pleasant, yet firm.
Be sure to check the recent activity the next day after you call for a billing correction, as I've found on more than one occasion, that the correction was done wrong.
PS Another tip - call at night, if you can find a time that is convenient for you. I've found that for Dish Network and for all other companies, the night CS reps are more intelligent, alert and competent than the day reps. I think that - speaking frankly - the sort of person whose regular career 9-5 job is answering the phone - is not going to be someone who is really bright and ambitious. Of course, there are a variety of personal circumstances, and that may not apply to any particular person - but it is undoubtedly true generally. However, the night personnel seem to usually be college students who are taking classes during the day, who tend to be brighter, as well as more comfortable with computer systems and technology. There is also a more relaxed vibe at night, and you are more likely to get someone to agree to make that exception to the rules for you.
Each time that I did a replacement, I told them "activate my new receiver and deactivate a 501". Since you have to install the new receiver before activating, the old receiver is always out of my system, so I have no way of knowing whether it is active or not.
Both times I have later discovered that the old receiver was not removed from my account.
I discoered this because there was suddenly two "additional receiver monthly fees" instead of one.
I use the online access at dishnetwork.com and you can go into "Recent Activity" in the statements area, and it is updated daily overnight - so the next day after an installation and activation, you can check whether the billing was done right.
Over the years, I've found that the most incompetent department at Dish is Billing. Fortunately, I've found that the phone reps are very good at correcting billing problems if you are polite, pleasant, yet firm.
Be sure to check the recent activity the next day after you call for a billing correction, as I've found on more than one occasion, that the correction was done wrong.
PS Another tip - call at night, if you can find a time that is convenient for you. I've found that for Dish Network and for all other companies, the night CS reps are more intelligent, alert and competent than the day reps. I think that - speaking frankly - the sort of person whose regular career 9-5 job is answering the phone - is not going to be someone who is really bright and ambitious. Of course, there are a variety of personal circumstances, and that may not apply to any particular person - but it is undoubtedly true generally. However, the night personnel seem to usually be college students who are taking classes during the day, who tend to be brighter, as well as more comfortable with computer systems and technology. There is also a more relaxed vibe at night, and you are more likely to get someone to agree to make that exception to the rules for you.
