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I ordered an 811 reciever at the beginning of December after the special deal was announced on this forum. My original install date was December 15th, which was then pushed back to this past Saturday, January 17th. The installer showed up at the beginning of the appointment window and did all that was necessary to install the reciever, then he called DISH to shut off my old receiver and activate the 811. This is where things started to go wrong.

When I originally called to buy the reciever, I got the $149 deal. I specifically asked if there were any programming commitments that were attached to this deal. I was told no. I just had to give them $149 and I would get the reciever. On Saturday, with the installer standing by, the DISH CSR told me that I had to agree to a years commitment of the HD package. I told her my story and she said the HD package was required. I went to the next level and her supervisor gave me the same story. He then told me that he thought he remembered that the package was required only for DHP customers. He checked with his "executive support", but came back with the same answer that I had to sign up for a years HD programming. At that point, I told DISH that I no longer wanted the reciever and I had the installer pack everything up and take it away.

I know that if this requirement had been mentioned when I ordered the reciever I never would have ordered the reciever. I dont like it when DISH or any company tries to force me to commit to a service and I have held off buying new equipment from DISH because they always tie any specials to these kinds of requirements. Also, I dont have a HD television right now and would have no use for it. I just wanted the 811 so that I would be ready when I buy a HD TV later this year or next year. And the price was too much to pass up.

So my question to the group is, can anybody back me up on my belief that there were no programming requirements when this deal was first announced? Has anybody gotten the 811 without having to commit to the HD package? Or did I just get a CSR when I ordered who didnt know the specifics of the deal and said something he shouldnt have?

I plan on writing an email to the ceo@echostar.com address to see if they will do anything. I dont hold much hope at this point. If anybody has any other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks.