Dish Network and local channels

[BobAndDonna]

I recently dumped DirecTV (after over ten years as a customer) and we're taking our first trip without satellite TV. We're currently in a favorite campground that has 12 channels of fuzzy SD cable and no stations over the air. We find the one thing that we miss is network news.

I would get a dish "pay as you go" system if I new I could switch locations as I travel in order to receive the local NBC, CBS and/or ABC affiliates.

I spoke with a neighbor in a fifth wheel a few stops back who said he did exactly that and it was a fairly simple process. Does he know a secret, or is it actually that easy?

[AllegroD]

ken burke wrote:

gafidler wrote:
I have Dish and you can go on line to change locals or call the 800 number and they will change them every time you move.

Do all locations support local channels with Dish? I found out that Direct TV does not cover all areas with SD. I think that you can get Direct TV using HD.
ken

I have had DISH PAYG for several years now and cannot change locals online. I must call and change your service address. I do not know about a home account.

All local channels are regional. examples re Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Denver, Decatur/Springfield, IL. It is based on your service zip code. When you call and provide an updated service address they should tell you what city your locals come out of.

[ken_burke]

gafidler wrote:
I have Dish and you can go on line to change locals or call the 800 number and they will change them every time you move.

Do all locations support local channels with Dish? I found out that Direct TV does not cover all areas with SD. I think that you can get Direct TV using HD.
ken

[MrRetired821]

robm717 wrote:
RE: "I then called another number for RVsupport"
What number did you call, and are they able to take care of your PAYG issues and access your dish account? If so, I'd sure like to use that number versus the 800-333-DISH

I called the number "to activate a Dish for my RV', 1-800-472-1039. The guy I talked to did confirm that there is no fee to stop service under this type of account. He also said that they had just been talking about this very issue that day and needed to get it cleared up. He also sent an email to the RV support department (phone number unknown) to credit my account for any pause fees that where charged. He called it a "pay as you go flex account" I know what you are talking about when you call customer service. I don't think that those folks at that number (1-800-472-1039) can do anything to your bill. I called them trying to confirm about the $5.00 pause fee I was being charged was wrong. Next time I have to stop I think I will try it on line and bypass the Dish customer service.

[robm717]

RE: "I then called another number for RVsupport"
What number did you call, and are they able to take care of your PAYG issues and access your dish account? If so, I'd sure like to use that number versus the 800-333-DISH

[Bill_Satellite]

Try using the work disconnect instead of pause if you are using PAYG. You don't want to cancel, just disconnect until it's time to reconnect. If you do nothing, the service will automatically terminate after whatever length of time you initially signed up for.

[MrRetired821]

Bill.Satellite wrote:

MrRetired821 wrote:
When I disconnect they call it "Pause" and charge me $5.00 a month until I reactivate. Still trying to figure that out. Dish's web site say no fee to start or stop service under this particular plan.

If you have PAYG service you will not pay a $5/month fee for discontinued service. That means you paid to purchase your receivers, signed up specifically for PAYG and you are on the month to month service. If you have any other setup then you are, or were, under a contract and pausing that service will trigger a $5/month suspension fee for up to 6 months per year.

I called to deactivate yesterday and was transferred to account specialist who also said I was going to be charged a $5.00 fee for pausing even though they knew I was on the PAYG plan. I then called another number for RVsupport and that guy confirmed they have a problem with Dish and its customer support not understanding the PAYG plan. He confirmed that there is no fee associated with this plan for stopping service. He said they are going to try and get it where the customer service operators are aware of this plan and try to fix it. For me he sent an email to someone to refund any fees for pausing I had been charged during my time with Dish. He also CC'ed me so I know he did it. Hopefully it will be easier next time.

[Bill_Satellite]

MrRetired821 wrote:
When I disconnect they call it "Pause" and charge me $5.00 a month until I reactivate. Still trying to figure that out. Dish's web site say no fee to start or stop service under this particular plan.

If you have PAYG service you will not pay a $5/month fee for discontinued service. That means you paid to purchase your receivers, signed up specifically for PAYG and you are on the month to month service. If you have any other setup then you are, or were, under a contract and pausing that service will trigger a $5/month suspension fee for up to 6 months per year.

[robm717]

Yes, the $5. They must be told repeatedly that you have "pay as you go" and don't pay a fee to stop/start.

[MrRetired821]

When I disconnect they call it "Pause" and charge me $5.00 a month until I reactivate. Still trying to figure that out. Dish's web site say no fee to start or stop service under this particular plan.

[robm717]

"disconnect" just till I want to use it again when we camp again. By "disconnecting" during the month, at least in my experience, you can get credit for the unused portion of the month. Still have pay as you go. Just wondering what number people use to ensure the best chance of communicating with a knowledgeable rep no matter the hour of the day.

[Us_out_West]

robm717 wrote:
Just an update...called tonight, Saturday, 13 Sep at 8:30 PM Eastern time. Had to go thru 2 guys to make them understand that I wanted to disconnect my pay as you go, and I wanted to know what my credit would be. Twenty minutes later, after explaining my request in several different ways, I think my request was understood. They were most definitely not in Denver.

You want to disconnect your Pay as you go???

So what plan are you on now???

[robm717]

Just an update...called tonight, Saturday, 13 Sep at 8:30 PM Eastern time. Had to go thru 2 guys to make them understand that I wanted to disconnect my pay as you go, and I wanted to know what my credit would be. Twenty minutes later, after explaining my request in several different ways, I think my request was understood. They were most definitely not in Denver.

[robm717]

I called on a weekend...he tried his best, but I don't believe he was in this country (little clues such as accent and grammar). I have pay as you go, and several days after my call to restart my service, I got an email to remind me of "my appointment" for the technician to come to my house to hook up my equipment. I do not have dish at my house. Went to the "chat" to straighten that out. I arrived at the campground after hours, but if during normal hours the reps are US based, that's great news.

[GoPackGo]

RE: 800-333-3474. What do you mean by 'outsourced' ?

I call that number about once every week or two to change my service location. The last time I did that, I had an extended conversation with the tech regarding the different satellites. He was located in Denver.

Tim