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HanoverPretzel

Last reply Feb 7, 2012 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Enough With the Unwanted Phone Calls- Is My Only Way Out to Quit Dish?

Once again, two phone calls in two days from Dish reminding me to pay a bill that's not overdue. One the day before the bill was paid, one the day the bill was paid. Both before the deadline for paying (i.e. bill would only be over due if I hadn't paid by tomorrow).

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but I really don't want these calls, and I get them almost every month now. Is there any way out of them? The DIRT team once told me I couldn't and that this is part for the course on prepaid accounts if you don't pay at least like 3-4 days before the bill is due. Can I change my phone number on my Dish account to some random number without repercussions? Maybe I could list their number and they could call themselves with these annoying messages. Of course, then I might have trouble getting something important done if I need to use the number they have on file as verification, but I don't see any other way.

The other option is to simply quit Dish when my contract expires. It'd seem silly to do that primarily over unwanted phone calls, but I've done silly things before. It's really a customer service issue- I'm their paying customer and they're hassling me for no reason, even though I've told them I want them to stop. Should I start calling them every month to remind them to transmit my channels via satellite?

I mean that's the equivalent of what they're doing to me.

And, no, I am not going to start paying earlier in the billing cycle unless I want to do it for other reasons some months.

And, no, I am not going to do auto-pay.

I want to be able to pay when I want and how I want up to the deadline, and not receive phone calls about it.

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eurosport

Feb 7, 2012

StevenD said:
Is "HanoverPretzel" Bob Haller's alter-ego?

"HallerPretzel" ?

Sent from my DROIDX using SatelliteGuys

navychop

Feb 7, 2012

Related, I'm sure.

But post 72 does help explain a lot.

I remember as a JO in the Navy, trying to get my guys to control their tempers. They did not accept that it was their responsibility. Blamed the other person for angering them. Couldn't see that they were just giving that other person power over them. Not an exact analogy here, but there's something in there.

R0ss

Feb 7, 2012

Boy has thread gone down hill...
1. Most grocery andbig box stores have amachine that writes the check. Takes just as much time as processing a debit/credit card.
2. If you are in a hurry to check out go to self check out if the store has it otherwise be patient.
3. Many mom and pop businesses prefer checks or cash. Transaction fees for card use are killing them.
4. Not everyone under 60 or even 50 has a computer smartphone or internet access. Plenty of folks that can't afford it. True there ia the public library but hoirs amd availability vary from town to town
5. Bottom line is there is no one size fits all solution.
6. Back to the original post...if the OP is paying on time no phone call is necessary.

Ross

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stardust3

Feb 7, 2012

This whole thread is 1 big pee match. Regardless prepay accounts are different and customers should have the option to opt out of the courtesy reminders if they choose.

HanoverPretzel

Feb 7, 2012

navychop said:
I remember as a JO in the Navy, trying to get my guys to control their tempers. They did not accept that it was their responsibility. Blamed the other person for angering them. Couldn't see that they were just giving that other person power over them. Not an exact analogy here, but there's something in there.

I see what you're saying here. And it's a good point to some degree. Getting angry a lot can lessen the quality of life for the person who's getting angry, and sometimes even cause more trouble for him or her. So, I try to let the little things go when I can (I'm Irish, though, so it isn't always easy).

There's a flip side to that equation, though, which is one takes shrugging things off to too much of an extreme, the repressed feelings can cause pain, too, and sometimes it encourages whatever unwanted behavior is the problem. Like, take the situation with the neighbors mentioned in post 72, things started getting that bad because I was letting stuff go for a long time, being very polite and friendly to them, ignoring the loud parties they threw that kept me up at night and the trash in my yard that my dog was eating and could have made him sick, trying to go along to get along, and despite that, they gradually just kept upping things until they were destroying my home intentionally to get back at the landlord. That's the way a lot of bullies work. You give an inch, they take a mile. You start fighting back, they back down.

One of my big regrets in life was being bullied as a child. Eventually, when this stuff was going on daily with the same kids, instead of waiting till they had something planned and vastly outnumbered me and threw the first punch, I should have found the regulars, isolated them, and bashed a few heads into lockers the next day. I think they would have respected that and backed off. Instead I made myself a victim by refusing to fight back, and went through years of hell that could have been avoided and will never completely be emotionally be resolved for me (Because, obviously, they are now adults, and I would never confront someone about stuff they did when they were young and immature- they aren't the same people anymore). But I really should have done something at the time.

So, yeah, I see your point. Someone does something little to me occasionally, I try to let those things go. Getting angry and holding onto it over small stuff doesn't do me any good, and also may not be entirely fair to the people doing the stuff, who may just have been having a bad day or whatever. But when people go balls to the wall after you, at some point, anger can be justifiable, and you have to fight back, because to do anything else would be cowardly and set yourself up for more victimization. I mean, there is a line that gets crossed at some point.

Okay, enough about the neighbors and back to television. You're right, anything that happens with TV is the small stuff. Not worth getting angry over. And I'm not really truly angry over it, beyond the little hints of anger it takes to type up a post or two about something. Actually, I like Dish. I want to be able to continue as their customer. But I don't need the extra aggravation of unwanted phone calls and stuff long-term. If I can't find a way around that that I'm happy with, long-term, I'll switch providers when my contract is up. Which, you know, is fine with me in the grand scheme of things. Whatever. But I think talking about it here at least lets them know some customers aren't happy with it. So, when they look at their financial reports and wonder about customer churn, they won't have to be puzzled, they'll know that some of it is from customers who are unhappy about the harassing phone calls and on-screen notices over bills that aren't overdue.

My thought is that with big companies, if you're unhappy and may switch, it's good to just in a friendly way tell them why. If enough people tell them about it, maybe they will change how they do things to something people dislike less. Or, if nothing else, maybe someone like me who would have an issue with this and is looking into Dish will see this thread today and decide not to subscribe, so I've done that person a favor and saved him or her some aggravation.

I think if I had done more research or heard about some of this stuff with Dish in advance, I would have called Directv first instead and seen what they could offer me. At the time, I had no Internet and could only look things up on the library wifi or whatever, though, so I couldn't scout out too much stuff. Hopefully, I'm helping the next person find the tv experience most suitable for him or her, though.

Like if Dish would either change their policy, or if I help prevent someone from picking Dish if they'll be unhappy with it, than it'll have been worth posting the thread.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 50 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

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hwkn

Today at 2:50 AM

PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors

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Today at 10:00 AM

Still Loving You - Scorpions

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Bobby

Today at 11:24 AM

hwkn said:
PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors

ClarkGable said:
You're Still A Young Man - Tower Of Power

No Match, back to:
People Are Strange - The Doors

Isn't Life Strange - The Moody Blues

FTA4PA

Today at 12:09 PM

Strange Days - Nazareth

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gms49ers

Today at 1:17 PM

Dancing Days - Led Zeppelin

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dishstaller

50 minutes ago

Dancing in the Street - Van Halen

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

53 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

MacBreak Weekly 1048

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AqVr7wezCQ

Direct YouTube Link - MacBreak Weekly 1048
TWIT's Website
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Linus Tech Tips

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:02 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Linux 7.3 Optimizes Gaming VRAM on 8GB GPUs #shorts

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iJustine

Today at 1:12 PM · posted in iJustine

New colors of the HomePod Mini 2! Blue, pink and green!

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bmgQFnQEqVo

Direct YouTube Link - New colors of the HomePod Mini 2! Blue, pink and green!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

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TRG

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 12:29 PM · posted in Local Radio Discussion

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

(Washington, DC) - The U.S. House has passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, marking a major step forward for broadcasters and listeners who have pushed to keep AM radio available in new cars and

wabcradio.com

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dishdude

Sep 18, 2026

It's probably been 2 decades since I've listened to an AM radio station. Very rarely listen to FM any more.

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Jimbo

Today at 8:35 AM

I am 1 that wants the AM to Stay ....
That said, since '08 I have had Sat radio available to me ... I think I have turned on AM 3 or 4 times, just to see if its still there.

Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.
Even FM, I haven't really had on since '13ish, I may turn it on from time to time, just to see if its still there.

harshness

Today at 10:10 AM

Jimbo said:
Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.

Automation has seen to that. You can't get evening drive traffic reports where I live, much less disaster reports.

dishstaller

Today at 10:41 AM

dishdude said:
Very rarely listen to FM any more

That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.

Reactions: Mr Tony

Jimbo

Today at 11:03 AM

dishstaller said:
That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.

Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?

dishstaller

Today at 12:29 PM

Jimbo said:
Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?

No, just regular FM stations. One is the country station I mentioned and the other is a Talk Radio station which used to get fantastic results but honestly, since the death of Rush Limbaugh, talk radio just doesn't do as well. There were two guys who had an early morning show which was hugely popular here in the southeast but one of them retired a couple years ago and the show just doesn't garner the same numbers as it used to.

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TheForce

Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 11:49 AM · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone

Apple Event September 2026

Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.

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comfortably_numb

Oct 10, 2026

Can't remember if I've posted this yet..

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfL5seXJyWU

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Foxbat

Sunday at 7:05 PM

IFixIt has published their Teardown and they had some positive things to say about the iPhone Duo. It still showed some dust ingress into the hinge assembly but seemed otherwise well-sealed.

But with a considerable number of reports of the main screen dying with similar failures, AppleCare+ should be a no-brainer for this phone.

slow_poke_pete

Sunday at 8:31 PM

comfortably_numb said:
Can't remember if I've posted this yet..

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfL5seXJyWU

most carriers do. that's why they send updates that slow phones down!! i buy unlocked phones no effect to me

slow_poke_pete

Sunday at 8:32 PM

Foxbat said:
IFixIt has published their Teardown and they had some positive things to say about the iPhone Duo. It still showed some dust ingress into the hinge assembly but seemed otherwise well-sealed.

But with a considerable number of reports of the main screen dying with similar failures, AppleCare+ should be a no-brainer for this phone.

hope you have apple care a screen job is 1000.00

. can we say over priced garbage!!!

slow_poke_pete

Yesterday at 4:36 PM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv0BssMerjA

Reactions: comfortably_numb

harshness

Today at 10:17 AM

Gone are the days when Apple "perfects" what debuted years earlier on an Android phone.

comfortably_numb

Today at 11:49 AM

harshness said:
Gone are the days when Apple "perfects" what debuted years earlier on an Android phone.

Or better yet, innovate something "completely revolutionary!"

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 11:22 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Will AI Be Rejected in Game Development's Future? #shorts

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SkyWatcher57

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 11:17 AM · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

KOQIT receivers

Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank

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(((Garyd)))

Sep 7, 2026

SkyWatcher57 said:
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank

Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary

Reactions: navychop

slow_poke_pete

Sep 10, 2026

SkyWatcher57 said:
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank

a good surge protector will help to.

Reactions: SkyWatcher57

SkyWatcher57

Sep 11, 2026

(((Garyd))) said:
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary

Hi Gary, still working on getting you those

SkyWatcher57 said:
Hi Gary, just saw this, ok, I'll grab some pics tomorrow and post them. thx

Still working getting you those pictures, nice weekends means yard work and fall prep, thanks

Reactions: (((Garyd)))

k4otl

Thursday at 10:09 PM

Anybody know how to add "hidden" audio channels like for 101 W Ku or 105W C band on these recvr's? I've exported the database file but don't have anything that will read or edit it.

cyberham

Thursday at 10:25 PM

For 105W C, you scan in the Westwood tp normally. Then select the audio channel you want. Not necessary to manually enter. On 101W, you must manually enter.

k4otl

Today at 11:17 AM

cyberham said:
For 105W C, you scan in the Westwood tp normally. Then select the audio channel you want. Not necessary to manually enter. On 101W, you must manually enter.

Seems like I remember that now, with my V9 I manually entered anyway on 105, easier for me to pick the channel later

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techristian

Last reply Today at 11:07 AM · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

NEED SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW FTA BOX

IS Amiko MIRA 3 any good ???
Can you recommend the best to cover all bases. NO BEEPS on certain channels 101w (NEWSMAX ,NEWS NATION), a clock that keeps working STEADY for timed recording ,solid unit with good lifespan. My Amiko died AND my Linkbox has NO Favorites Button and BEEPS on many channels. Picking up 105 west with a NEW SHED IN THE Way with 6 foot Cband ..95 percent quality ...unbelievable.

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techristian

Saturday at 8:49 PM

Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko?

YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!

DAN

Reactions: FTA4PA, primestar31, cyberham and 1 other person

primestar31

Saturday at 10:47 PM

techristian said:
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko?

YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!

DAN

That's great!

Many people have all sorts of power bricks laying around. Provided the plug fits, and it's the right polarity and same voltage and the same OR higher amps, why not try another one IF the device you want to try it on doesn't seem to work right.

Reactions: cyberham

JFOK

Saturday at 10:54 PM

primestar31 said:
That's great!

Many people have all sorts of power bricks laying around. Provided the plug fits, and it's the right polarity and same voltage and the same OR higher amps, why not try another one IF the device you want to try it on doesn't seem to work right.

primestar31,

Could you explain to me what a power brick is ?
Thanks,

John

primestar31

Saturday at 10:59 PM

JFOK said:
primestar31,

Could you explain to me what a power brick is ?
Thanks,

John

Some people just call them power supplies (which really isn't a good fit in this case), some call them "wall adapters" but it's an external power supply or AC adapter that converts (AC) from a wall outlet into low-voltage (DC) that an electronic device needs to run.

Reactions: JFOK

techristian

Saturday at 11:17 PM

[Give us a summary of what you receive with a 6-footer. I'm very curious.]

Right now on C band getting 105w, a Mexican channel with 95% quality and I am near Detroit! I'm recording a TECHNO MUSIC FESTIVAL today from Mexico ..if you can believe it.....and yes that SHED is partly in the path so I'm puzzled. There are also christian channels on 105w.

cyberham

Sunday at 12:43 AM

techristian said:
...Right now on C band getting 105w, a Mexican channel with 95% quality...

105W has some very strong transponders. I received more than four transponders using a 41-inch dish recently. See here.

k4otl

Today at 11:07 AM

techristian said:
[Give us a summary of what you receive with a 6-footer. I'm very curious.]

Right now on C band getting 105w, a Mexican channel with 95% quality and I am near Detroit! I'm recording a TECHNO MUSIC FESTIVAL today from Mexico ..if you can believe it.....and yes that SHED is partly in the path so I'm puzzled. There are also christian channels on 105w.

The Westwood One Mux on 105W would likely be receivable, has some good music channels on there. It does scan in, but it's more convenient to manually enter the PIDs, check out Lyngsat for the channels: EchoStar 105/SES 11 at 105.0°W - LyngSat

I use a 10 footer (only C-band dish I have), but it's very strong.

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Enough With the Unwanted Phone Calls- Is My Only Way Out to Quit Dish?

Song Name Game Part 3!

MacBreak Weekly 1048

Pros Try AI-Cloned Engineering Tools

Linux 7.3 Optimizes Gaming VRAM on 8GB GPUs #shorts

New colors of the HomePod Mini 2! Blue, pink and green!

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

House Passes AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act

Apple Event September 2026

Will AI Be Rejected in Game Development's Future? #shorts

KOQIT receivers

NEED SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW FTA BOX