Satellite TV in RV

[B.G. Smith]

I have had Dish Network in the trailer for several years and always have to call them when I go on a trip, they turn off my service when the system is not used for a few days (their explanation for this is that someone may be stealing the service). Even though I don't use the dish at home I continue to pay for the service so how could someone be stealing the service? Anyway, is there anything else out there that is not so much of a hassle? I have a dish here at home, one in the trailer and one at the deer lease, I just carry the receivers with me when needed at each location. This was all agreed to at initial installation. I also pay extra for network programing but can only get Atlanta or Las Angeles unless I am in the Dallas area or Oklahoma, then I get the Dallas stations. Any help would be greatly appreciated. bg

 

[DonTX]

I have "fought" it for years, only with DirecTV. Currently I pay for two receivers, one in the RV and one in the house. I pay for local channels, but that service is "spotlighted" to my home area, so on the road no locals.

IF I want to get network feeds, I must establish a separate account for the RV (equals much more money than just an extra set) and have to send them the title for the RV and wait several months. My current system is the best I feel I can do for a reasonable amount of bucks. I COULD pay for only one receiver, and take it with me in the RV when I roam, but elect not to have the hassle. I have never heard of cutting off unused service, that must be a "Dish" thing.

 

[JMetzger]

I don't know why you should be having a problem. I have Dish, one receiver in the house & one in the trailer. I have never had to call Dish to activate my service except for a new receiver or smart card. The only way anyone could use your service would be someone using your receiver or your receivers smart card. I pick up all my programs & east & west coast anywhere in the country. I have heard of some people with Direct TV having simular problems.

 

[BDW]

I have Direct TV and didnt use a reciever for a while and they discontinued it even though I was still paying for it. It took a phone call and a few minutes to reactivate it. I was told the reciever does it when it is unpluged for a period of time. Mine was being stored.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I had Dish for 7 years - $140 month. I signed the form several years ago stating I had an RV so I could get local channels on my Dish.

One day, after 7 years of paying month in month out, they call up to do an audit. I had the same issue as having to activate the RV receiver every time I went on the road. They got an ear full. I told them to send out their own auditor and perform the audit themselves - I was not and did not do it for them. I owned all my own equipment and did not qualify for any free upgrades - only new customers.

The next day, they shut my programming off right in the middle of my wife watching her favorite Soap Opera show.

I called them up and asked them for how long was my bill paid up in full - for the next 18 days. After I mentioned that a lawyer would be contacting them to determine why they shut off a customer that was paid in full for the next two weeks, they turned my service back on.

The next day, I turned them off by switching service.

It never occurred to them that a loyal customer that had been willing to part with over $10,000 for TV service was disposable.

 

[jelag]

I had Dish for almost 10 years and wanted to move to HD with a new TV... . wanted a deal... they said NO... .

I switched to Direct and got it at Costco with the new HD TV and got $300 cash card, discounted service from Direct for 12 months and 2X's the warranty on the Sony.....

I call dish to turn them off... and 5 people have to talk to me and try and keep me as a customer... . and they owed me $35 that I wanted back... they begged me... I told them, had you offered me any of these deals your now offering before I signed up with Direct I would have stayed... they suggested that I call Direct back and cancel... I told them that I was a loyal customer for 10 years and since they didn't have the consideration to give me the deals until I tired to switch that they didn't need my business... .

I'm with Jumbo Jet... . the people who answer the phone can't make a single decision other than the script they are reading... and by the time you get to someone who can make a decision outside of their script your so upset you'd never go back...

I've been taking my receiver to the trailer when we go on vacation... almost all the places we stay at check in usually have the locations to aim either dish or direct..... I did have an extra dish with Dish and when I told the guy from Direct what I was going to do... he said here is one of ours. . theirs won't work with your new receiver... .

He also mentioned that a part that attaches to the receiver usually fails. . and he usually talks about a service contract... . but said they don't track the repair parts so he left me two... . free of charge. .

Off the subject but I think important... . I READ..... Cell phone companies have found that it cost $15-18 to get a new customer and $26-30 to make an unhappy customer happy from a screw up... . so if you get unhappy and your contract has expired they let you walk... too costly to keep... if your contract isn't expired and you can't prove their fault they charge you $175 for an early termination fee... . I have 4 phones... . and no contract... . we just get a new phone if one breaks... most of our stuff 2-3 years old... but they don't have the hammer over us... . If I get pi**ed I just walk... .

BTW - I personally think both industries need some adjustment in how to take care of customers... I personally try to treat customers the way I like to be treated... . that means no answering machines, voice mail... . etc... yea we do screw up sometimes but I try and take care of that as well... . just my dollars worth... .

 

[Ponz]

When we got Dish network I purposely got the DVR for the living room and a second standard reciever for the bedroom. The DVR stays plugged into the phone jack and when we go camping the second reciever goes to the fiver. This way I can still record shows at home and still have Dish at our campsite. I really enjoy that DVR. Record your favorite shows then zip thru the commercials. Ponz