Dish Network Prepaid Question

[aarona1983]

Hi. I am looking for info on Dish Network prepaid service. What are the pros/cons of using the Dish Prepaid card and the Green dot card? Would I be able to mix two packages such as AT100 and a movie channel? Is the only receiver available for it the 3900 series(was kinda confused because some websites had a picture of the 311 in their ad for it)? I would only be using it for about 7 months out of a year. That is why I was looking in this direction.

Thanks,

[RobP]

any rcvr is capable for prepaid, and yes you can have at100 and hbo or whatever you want

[Slamminc11]

any rcvr is capable for prepaid, and yes you can have at100 and hbo or whatever you want

I don't think that is correct. You can't just take any receiver and make it a pre-paid when you want to.

[STEELERSRULE]

I have the EXACT same setup as you:

1. YOU CANNOT GET LOCAL CHANNELS(NBC/CBS/ABC/Etc...) OR YOUR REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK ON A DISH NOW/YA! SETUP. No local Fox Sports affilliate or others(MSG also is in that group). This is stated very clearly on the website with what is available, and what is not.

Here is the link. Look closely underneath the packages availble to you:

DISH Network -- Prepaid

Now, this may change in the future, but who knows(Only the AT60 was available on this setup when it started, but now you can "almost" get anything you want outside of locals, PPV, HD, and regional sports network.

But since you ONLY have to give a ZIP CODE to verify the Receivers location, and nothing else, this appears to be unlikely.

PPV will most likely become available in the future, and the Regional sports network available to you(based on your Zip) MAY someday.

2. I too have had a problem with HBO-E(channel 300) sometimes not showing in my channel lineup. And your right, it is a PIA(Pain in the A**). Dish network customer service is useless to prepaid customers because they have no info on you(you don't have an account with them since you are prepaid customer, so they can't pull up your info). All you give them is a zip code and nothing else, so they don't know who the heck you are(no SS# or Credit card/account info for them to pull up)

But there is a solution that usually works(sometimes you have to do it more than once which is annnoying). Press and hold down the POWER button on the front of the DP301 for about 5-7 seconds. This will cause the receiver to go through a HARD RESET, and everything will need to be re-downloded to the receiver(including channel lineup info) While it is doing this, do not touch anything. I have found that this usually solves the problem. Also, I have learned to NEVER turn off the receiver once the CORRECT channel lineup appears finally. Also, I leave the channel lineup mode in the ALL CHANNEL MODE. It shows the ones I am subscribing too(in light blue/grey), and the ones I am not(in red). I just leave the Tuner ON all the time, and shut off the TV. Usually keeps evrything correct

I don't know why this has this hiccup, but it does. And the above seems to solve it.

I too like the Dish NOW/YA! service because:

A. I CONTROL EVERYTHING. I can order what tv I want when I want it.

B. I get my locals in HD/digital for free with a TV Antenna. I get the best picture available to me this way, plus I have a Phillips HDD DVD Recorder with a built in digital tuner for recording OTA channels(and from the Dish receiver directly connected to it).

C. Using the GREEN DOT MONEYPAK(found at Walmart and other stores) allows me the option of just signing up for something like HBO/Starz/Showtime/Cinemax/Any AT Pack/etc... for JUST 1 DAY if I feel like it(Unlike the Dish NOW/YA! cards found at Radio Shack which you are forced to use the full $30/$40 amount towards what you are purchasing).

Example: I like Boxing, and HBO/Showtime show alot of good boxing matches, but I don't feel like paying for those channels in $40 blocks for just the fights(movies I use Netflix). With the GREENDOT MONEYPAK I can order just 1 days worth of any programming. Watch the fight, and it will be gone(usually keeps the channel available to you for 24 hours, but sometimes longer). In the end, it costs me probably a $1 tops to see a fight.

Or anything else I want to see for that matter. You can really reduce costs doing it this way.

It is a currently a LOOPHOLE in the prepaid service that I have no problem exploiting. This may change(probably will eventually), but I will continue to do it that way as long as I can.

I hope this post helps, and let me know if I can help you with anything alse about the Prepaid DishNow/Ya system.

[STEELERSRULE]

Yes, then the GREEN DOT MONEY PACK is the way to go.

It is pretty simple:

1. Buy a Green Dot money(Make sure it is a green dot money pack) pack at Walmart/RiteAid/CVS/etc... and load it up with the amount that you want(from $20 minimum to $500 Max). There is a $4.95 service fee when the pack is originally bought, so add that in.

Also bear in mind that after 90 days if the full amount is not used(they expect you to put the amount towards a prepaid credit card or bills before that, so I would recommend not putting more than $20 on the Money pack since you only want it for weekends on the boat) they will DEDUCT $4.95/month on the 91st day after its purchased.

An example would be if you bought it 1/1/08, then on 4/2/08(the 91st day) they would take away $4.95/month until the value is completely gone. So I would recommend the minimum amount($20) to be put on it until you see if you want more because you used it more, or not.

2. Get the receipt(this is IMPORTANT), and keep it with you. There will be an ACTIVATION NUMBER printed on it. You need this in order to activate the service(along with the Receiver number which can be found in the menu by going to option 6, then 1, then 3.)

I find the EASIEST/BEST way to do this is to is to put the Dish NOW/YA! Phone number(1-888-347-4132) at the top of a piece of paper, then the Receiver number(It is an R followed by 12 digits), and then the ACTIVATION NUMBER that was printed on the receipt where you purchased the Green Dot Money pack. This allows you easy access to all the info you need, and then you can just erase the old activation numbers/or scribble them out, and add the new one right below it. I also add the day I bought the card next to the activation # just so I know when the 91st day will hit, and therefore get that Money pack used up.

3. Then call 1-888-347-4132. This is the Dish Now service, and it is automated. You will use a combination of voice commands and typing in the activation/receiver numbers on the keypad.

For the first time activation, it will ask for a ZIP Code. Just give it one(your home one will be fine). It just wants to know where the receiver is being bought at/used. There are NO LOCAL CHANNELS or LOCAL SPORTS NETWORK available with this system(yet) so it doesn't matter which ZIP code you give.

It will ask for the Zip again for later purchases if you tell it you moved it to another location. Just don't. It doesn't affect anything anyway

I find TYPING the activation number and receiver number on the PHONE KEYPAD easier than saying it so there is no screw up. The prompt will repeat the above mentioned numbers back to you to make sure it has the right info.

4. Now you get to ordering the programming. The prompt will ask you what type of programming you want: Basic(AT Family, AT100, AT200, AT250), Movies(HBO, Stars, Cinemax, or Showtime), or Adult Channels(2 different types).

Choose which one you want. Let' say "BASIC" for now.

Say "BASIC", then you will be prompted to which one you want. Let's say AT200.

You will then be told that, you can get up to 20 days(this is just an example by the way. It will vary based on the amount on the money pack) of this programming.

You will then be asked, "Would you like to use the full amount of your money pack towards this purchase?"

Say, "NO".

You will then be asked by the automated machine how many days you would like.

Say 1, or however many days you wish(up to the max amount allowed of course).

The prompt will then repeat the number of days you said back to you and ask, "Is this correct?"

Say, "Yes" if it is. If not, say "NO." Then just repeat that step again.

It will then say fine, and tell you it is sending the signal to your receiver

It seems Dish times these purchases on a 24 HR clock at least(maybe longer). I have purchased Dish programming for 1 day and had it on until late the next day.

Example: I get the AT200 for 1 day ordered at 4:00pm on 1/1/08, and the service doesn't EXPIRE until 9:00pm/10:00pm the next day1/2/08. Go figure.

For just the Weekend, I would recommend asking for 2 days. This should get through the entire weekend if ordered on Friday(definitely if ordered on Saturday).

After your purchase the voice prompt will ask you, "Will there be anything else?".

If you say NO, it will say thank you and disconnect.

If you say YES, then you will go through the above ritual again, but then you can add more programming(movie channels or Adult) each time.

You can only do one thing at a time(like get HBO, then go throught the whole process again just to get Cinemax or whatever).

The process can seem tedious, but it is worth it IMHO.

YOU CONTROL EVERYTHING.

****One thing I should note. Try ordering the programming before 8:00pm EST(maybe 9:00pm at the latest). I tried ordering programming LATE(After 10:30pm EST) one night(I think it was a Saturday night) and the prompt told me it could not process my order, and sent me to TECH SUPPORT. I think it has to do with the time, but am not sure. I was told by a Rep that maybe my Money Pack had been used up, so I went out and got another $20 one the next day. Turned out not to be the case, since I had over $11 left on the one I had. I tried that Money Pack on Monday around 5:30pm EST, and it worked just fine. The System to order programming may only be availble for normal business hours. Just something to keep in mind.****

This is the best way to save money on just using the service on weekends or just to cut costs.

No sense in paying money on something you are not using, or watching.

The $40 Dish Now cards found at Radio Shack MUST be used in the full amount at the time of activating them.

Those would be good if you wanted to prepay for months at a time on Basic levels of programming(or just movies or adult. Whatever floats your boat) at home if this is your main source of TV(For locals you would need an antenna of course). For the Local Sports network, you would be currently SOL with this system, but that may change in the future. Who knows.

With the Green Dot Money Pack, you get to choose the amount you want to use, and for how long.

No other satellite or cable service can even come close to this. Ordering the amount of tv for 1 day. The next best thing will be full A La Carte programming(ordering just individual channels from the AT packs).

You can just order any movie channel or adult programming with no AT packs for 1 day if you want now with this system.

No other satellite system offers that. No one.

This type of satellite system is perfect(unless you want multiple rooms which may be down the pike with a revamped 322 down the line. This is the MOST LIKELY next step/phase in this service) for people with a boat, cabin, summer home, RV, whatever.

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

I know the above is ALOT to digest, but is actually pretty simple when executed.

It is just typing out what to do(then reading it. I would print this) is a LONGGG PROCESS

[STEELERSRULE]

The above 2 posts were from another thread.

[Stargazer]

I think PrePaid is a great idea. If they got past the local channels and sports issue and made them available with dual tuner DVR's then this could be a mainstream that they could use.

[aarona1983]

Thanks for the info, even though they were met for another thread.

I already have an ATSC receiver with an antenna so I can get my locals. (Plus most are in HD )

I just had one question on the Green Dot money pack. When it is time to put more money on it, do I have to go to the store(in my case Wallgreens) to add money to it, or can this be done online, or do i have to buy a new card?

Sounds really neat I can order programming for a day at a time.

Thanks again

[Stargazer]

I think you can add money to it without going back to the store as it is like a credit card in a way but I am not sure.

Being able to order programming a day at a time would be great for those that are not home that much as it would save them a lot of money. Only thing is they charge you a fee on your card after so long if you dont use it but still it is a great alternative than having to pay for programming that you do not watch.

[STEELERSRULE]

Actually, the GREEN DOT MONEY PACK is used to ADD funds to a pre-paid credit card, or a bill where using the money pack is allowed by that company.

Dish is one of them.

After 90 days, if the full amount of the money pack($20 minimum-$500 Maximum with a $4.95 handling charge each time you add money to the moneypack) is not put towards a bill, prepaid credit card, etc... then a fee of $4.95 is assessed every month to the money pack until all the cash is used up by you, or the $4.95/month drains the moneypack of funds completely.

I doubt the DVR thing will ever happen with this set-up. Dish and others just make too much money on the monthly fees from their regular customers.

I can however see a 322(dual tuner digital receiver), a 222(dual tuner. 1 HD and 1 SD) down the line for a 2 room set-up. The 222 will have the ATSC tuner for off air antenna use, and with the continued evolution of HDTV, they may begin to offer a Prepaid HD lineup for those customers as well(the new HD packs may become available down the line). But this is probably years away.

The locals will probably not happen due to strict FCC laws, but the Local Sports network "MIGHT" down the line. Who knows

Also PPV may be available down the line as selling PPV prepaid cards(starting at $100 in value to be put towards PPV only) would be an easy step for them to accomplish