Dish Network, why you do me like this?

[bpasker8]

So we took advantage of the "too good to be true" HD 811 receiver and a 301 receiver for $50 plus a $50 rebate on your first bill and free install. Everything seemed to be going great, thanks to a ton of help from this website, with our install date approaching tomorrow. Until the dreaded call occured this morning, the cowards couldn't even ask for me, the installer told my wife they didn't have the 811 and didn't know when they would. :(

Needless to say I am irate to all get out, so I called Dish Network to be hung up on during a transfer to the sales dept? And when I called back got a guy that was young and stoned out of his gorge.... He called the installer who told him the same line of not knowing when they would have the hardware, but that they'd call me as soon as they did, "should be in a couple of days" he said. Yeah right! I then asked him if he knew who the installer was so I could call them myself and he said no.... no?! He just called them, how does he not know?!

Well all said and done, I'm sitting here with my digital cable from mediacom (who by the way don't even know ESPNHD exists for pete's sake) and crying over the HD advertisments I can only dream about.

Anyone have any ideas or insider information as too when the 811's will be shipped out? And how can they charge me the $50 when they don't have the product, its like buying a car and then saying you can't have it. I think I speak for all of the scorned Dish Network customers when I say.... WTF???!!!

[kevinw]

Yep and you are not the only one this has hapened to. Mine was canceled once for lack of equipment.
I suggest patience because Unless your willing to shell out 4-700 dollars for Direct or 50 out of pocket for DISH is a pretty good deal.

[mark64]

They cancled on me twice. Let it on voice mail. I was as upset as you. My only suggestion is to find a local dealer. That is what I ended up doing. I got it installed the next day. I am just now finding out how lucky I am. I was with Direct tv before and was upset with them when they wanted soo much to upgrade.

[bpasker8]

I sent an email to Dish's executive escalations team regarding their lack of service in providing me the 811. Yesterday a very friendly lady called me indicating she and Dish Network were very sorry for the delay in my service and that my re-schedule date was 1/18/04 and that for my troubles she'd give me three free months of my local channels. I had have the courage to tell her to shove it up her arse, $18 for a six week delay in getting my service? But considering her kindness and that she half ways sounded sincere I let it go and decided to wait my turn in getting my service.

[Plucknbach]

I would go to a dealer. They usually have them in stock. I just recently signed up with Dish. When I initially called to inquire about the 811, I was told that there was a waiting period for the hardware. They said that their promotion is so successful that they're not able to meet demands timely. With this I decided to go to a local dealer and (lucky me) they had 2 in stock. I signed up through them and I took the unit home to ensure I had posession. It was installed 2 days later.

[bpasker8]

that's a good idea, but can I do that if I have already signed up with Dish over the phone? I thought this deal was for new customers only and if I cancel my order with them I'll already be in the system.

[mark64]

I had allready signed up over the phone also. You can clx and tell them how mad you are and that you may be going with someone else and then sign up with a local dealer. Then 2 weeks later you will get a call from a customer service rep saying she sees you clx your install and wondering if there is a problem and they is anything she can do to fix the problem. I had a hard time not laghing in her face.