DISH NETWORK

I called Dish Network after a disappointing experience with another cable provider. I ordered service and scheduled my installation appointment over the internet. It was easy and the online interactive help feature was very useful. One night before the scheduled appointment, the local installation company called to say they needed to reschedule. I was very disappointed (after my previous experience,) but I rescheduled for the first available opening (4 days later.) The installer arrived early, at 7:30 am (appointment window was 8-12.) He brought the appropriate equipment (I had specified on the internet order that a non-penetrating mount would be required for our flat roof.) He was pleasent, efficient and competent. In about 90 minutes we were up and running with HD satellite service and a beautiful picture.

They were excellent. Dish provided at no charge, a new satellite dish, two new DP44 switches, new cable runs, and assistance setting up the receiver.

I have a technician come out at least twice. First time I was told that a tree was blocking a signal, and I was told the same on another occasion when another technician came out. I have had the tree severely pruned. I still can't get many of the channels that I've subscribed to. It's very annoying because I have to schedule for Saturday, and I'm told they will arrive between noon and five as the parameters. I thus have to stay home. Their offers have not been competitive with their competitors, but since I have their service bundled with AT&T, I feel stuck.

The house we purchased had an existing Dish Network system. We often lost signal during thunder storms, which are common in St Louis. During a severe storm, the Dish system failed completely. We tried to get them to come out & service it, but they couldn't schedule an appointment for 2 weeks, which was an unacceptably long delay. We ended up switching to cable.

AFTER CREATING A SPREADSHEET TO SEE WHO HAD THE BEST T.V. SERVICE RATES (DISH, DIRECTV, OR CHARTER CABLE), WE DECIDED TO GO WITH DISH NETWORK BASED ON PRICE. WHEN WE CALLED TO MAKE THE INSTALLATION APPOINTMENT, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT WAS TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AWAY. WE SIGNED UP AND WAITED. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ARRIVED TO DO THE INSTALLATION, HE WALKED ALL AROUND OUR HOUSE THEN TOLD US THAT OUR HOUSE WASN'T A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SATELLITE BASED ON THE TREES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR SLATE ROOF. SO, AFTER WAITING OVER TWO WEEKS FOR SATELLITE, WE WOUND UP GOING WITH CHARTER CABLE. I'D TRY DISH NETWORK IN ANOTHER HOUSE BASED ON THEIR GREAT RATES, BUT I'D BE SURE TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS WHEN I SET UP THE APPOINTMENT.

GOOD JOB. THEY ARRIVED ON TIME, INSTALLED THE DISH QUICKLY, AND DIDN'T MAKE A MESS.