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Ok I'll start off by saying this will be a lengthy post, but I need to give all the details.
I've been a Dish customer for 6 months now, I signed up for AT120, HD as well as international programming. I am leasing the Dish equipment. I've had some issues with intermittent service when there is the slightest wind or rain outside, but I've learned to live with it (most people wouldn't).
For about 2 months now I've been thinking of switching to Cablevision and taking advantage of their triple play offer, but I really want to keep the dish international programming since Cablevision doesn't offer what I need in that area. The Cablevision rep said he's dealt with customers like me tons of times and there is no issue with downgrading dish service to only have an international package, aside from having to pay a $5 per month surcharge for not subscribing to a basic (at least AT60) package, and also that I would have to pay a cancellation fee when cancelling any basic packages. I was fine with that. I even went as far as to call Dish network customer service to confirm what the Cablevision rep told me. I was told that there is no issue with downgrading service to only have the international programming, aside form paying the $5 monthly surcharge and cancellation fee. Since Cablevision told me in writing that they were going to pay my dish cancellation (up to $150), I pulled the trigger and had Cablevision installed this past Saturday. I figured I would leave it on for a day or two before cancelling Dish to make sure I was happy with Cablevision.
Today (11/28/05) I called Dish Network customer service to downgrade my programming to only have the international service. The first rep I spoke to told me "no problem, but I'll have to pay a prorate cancellation" but that I would have to speak to an account specialist to take care of the change in programming. I was transferred to Account Specialist 7L6 who was very friendly. I explained to her what I wanted to do and she also said "no problem, I can help you with that", made reference to the prorated cancellation and $5 surcharge, and started to make the changes in the system.
After about 10-15 minutes of mostly silence and the occasional "still working on it", she told me that the "system" was not letting her completely cancel the AT120 package, but only downgrade it to AT60. She said she wasn't sure why it wasn't letting her do it but she had to get a supervisor to "coach" her through making the change in the system. After a few more minutes of waiting, she came back and told me that because I was in a 12 month promotion, I could not cancel AT120, only downgrade to AT60. I informed her that the Dish Residential Customer Agreement explicitly states that if you opt out of the contract during 12 month promotional period, you simply have to pay the lesser of $240 or $20 per month for any remaining months. I also told her that at the beginning of the call both her and the previous rep told me this was possible. She apologized and said that she had made an error in telling me that it was possible, and that my only option was to downgrade to AT60, or cancel the service completely. This was because I was still in the 12 month promotion period.
I explored the cancel completely option, telling her that if I do cancel completely, I would simply be calling up in a few minutes to sign up for the international programming. She said ok but upon cancellation I would have to return all my leased equipment. Using common sense, I offered to her that upon cancellation I would simply keep my current equipment and upon signing up for the international package, both Dish and I would know that I already had existing equipment and there would be no need for any party to send equipment. She said that while she agreed with me, that was not possible because when you only have international programming, you can't use leased equipment, you have to buy the equipment. I asked her to produce the contract or document where this is in writing which she could not do, but assured me that she is correct. I asked her how I can be so sure when she already misdirected me once by telling me that what I was asking to do was "no problem" only to find out it was. She apologize, recommended that I return everything and go out and buy a new box from them, or go to another retailer as they "may have better pricing".
When all is said and done, I downgraded my service to include international programming and AT60. AT60 is 31.99 a month. I asked her what would happen if I requested this downgrade after the 12 month promotional period. She said the system would let her cancel the AT120 package, and the system would not require me to return any equipment in order to have only international programming. I asked her if that's the case, why is she telling me that I can't use leased equipment for international? She couldn't answer, only falling back on the line of "i can only do what the system lets me".
To sum it up, I was told more than once that I can cancel America's Top 120, leaving me with only international. I am fine with cancellation fee and $5 surcharge. I dont' want to return any equipment or purchase new equipment.
Is there anyone who's been through this before? Any help/advice?
I would like to say that as frustrating as the phone call was, Rep 7L6 was as helpful as possible. The call could have went a lot of worse, but luckily she was professional and cordial. Having said that, I'm still very upset at what seems like policies that are made up on the fly with no documents to back them up, and reps who misinformed me.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Bob
I've been a Dish customer for 6 months now, I signed up for AT120, HD as well as international programming. I am leasing the Dish equipment. I've had some issues with intermittent service when there is the slightest wind or rain outside, but I've learned to live with it (most people wouldn't).
For about 2 months now I've been thinking of switching to Cablevision and taking advantage of their triple play offer, but I really want to keep the dish international programming since Cablevision doesn't offer what I need in that area. The Cablevision rep said he's dealt with customers like me tons of times and there is no issue with downgrading dish service to only have an international package, aside from having to pay a $5 per month surcharge for not subscribing to a basic (at least AT60) package, and also that I would have to pay a cancellation fee when cancelling any basic packages. I was fine with that. I even went as far as to call Dish network customer service to confirm what the Cablevision rep told me. I was told that there is no issue with downgrading service to only have the international programming, aside form paying the $5 monthly surcharge and cancellation fee. Since Cablevision told me in writing that they were going to pay my dish cancellation (up to $150), I pulled the trigger and had Cablevision installed this past Saturday. I figured I would leave it on for a day or two before cancelling Dish to make sure I was happy with Cablevision.
Today (11/28/05) I called Dish Network customer service to downgrade my programming to only have the international service. The first rep I spoke to told me "no problem, but I'll have to pay a prorate cancellation" but that I would have to speak to an account specialist to take care of the change in programming. I was transferred to Account Specialist 7L6 who was very friendly. I explained to her what I wanted to do and she also said "no problem, I can help you with that", made reference to the prorated cancellation and $5 surcharge, and started to make the changes in the system.
After about 10-15 minutes of mostly silence and the occasional "still working on it", she told me that the "system" was not letting her completely cancel the AT120 package, but only downgrade it to AT60. She said she wasn't sure why it wasn't letting her do it but she had to get a supervisor to "coach" her through making the change in the system. After a few more minutes of waiting, she came back and told me that because I was in a 12 month promotion, I could not cancel AT120, only downgrade to AT60. I informed her that the Dish Residential Customer Agreement explicitly states that if you opt out of the contract during 12 month promotional period, you simply have to pay the lesser of $240 or $20 per month for any remaining months. I also told her that at the beginning of the call both her and the previous rep told me this was possible. She apologized and said that she had made an error in telling me that it was possible, and that my only option was to downgrade to AT60, or cancel the service completely. This was because I was still in the 12 month promotion period.
I explored the cancel completely option, telling her that if I do cancel completely, I would simply be calling up in a few minutes to sign up for the international programming. She said ok but upon cancellation I would have to return all my leased equipment. Using common sense, I offered to her that upon cancellation I would simply keep my current equipment and upon signing up for the international package, both Dish and I would know that I already had existing equipment and there would be no need for any party to send equipment. She said that while she agreed with me, that was not possible because when you only have international programming, you can't use leased equipment, you have to buy the equipment. I asked her to produce the contract or document where this is in writing which she could not do, but assured me that she is correct. I asked her how I can be so sure when she already misdirected me once by telling me that what I was asking to do was "no problem" only to find out it was. She apologize, recommended that I return everything and go out and buy a new box from them, or go to another retailer as they "may have better pricing".
When all is said and done, I downgraded my service to include international programming and AT60. AT60 is 31.99 a month. I asked her what would happen if I requested this downgrade after the 12 month promotional period. She said the system would let her cancel the AT120 package, and the system would not require me to return any equipment in order to have only international programming. I asked her if that's the case, why is she telling me that I can't use leased equipment for international? She couldn't answer, only falling back on the line of "i can only do what the system lets me".
To sum it up, I was told more than once that I can cancel America's Top 120, leaving me with only international. I am fine with cancellation fee and $5 surcharge. I dont' want to return any equipment or purchase new equipment.
Is there anyone who's been through this before? Any help/advice?
I would like to say that as frustrating as the phone call was, Rep 7L6 was as helpful as possible. The call could have went a lot of worse, but luckily she was professional and cordial. Having said that, I'm still very upset at what seems like policies that are made up on the fly with no documents to back them up, and reps who misinformed me.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Bob
4 Replies
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1465 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x58r9TBois
Direct YouTube Link - Meta VR Glasses: What Vision Pro 2 COULD Have Been!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x58r9TBois
Direct YouTube Link - Meta VR Glasses: What Vision Pro 2 COULD Have Been!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
0 Replies
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0 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
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.
140 Replies
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2320 views
S
when was the last time they innovated something
I'd probably say when they came up with their M-series of processors with integrated memory. That allowed Apple to get away from the inefficient Intel CPUs that were limiting their notebook computers.when was the last time they innovated something
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.
The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
10 Replies
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227 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UJXAJfomcE
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Report
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UJXAJfomcE
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Report
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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4 views
Supporting Founder
Does anyone here use Apple Home/HomeKit with HomePods or Apple TV to automate smart devices in their house? We have had Amazon's Alexa set up in our house for the last 10+ years and I have been waiting to switch them out to Apple for a few reasons; We are already in the Apple ecosystem with our phones, tablets, and computers. I have never liked Amazon's stance on privacy and I really like that Apple has pushed for privacy for a long time.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
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24 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.
In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.
cordcuttersnews.com
In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.
Comcast Just Lost 274,000 TV Customers & 144,000 Internet Customers In Just Three Months | Cord Cutters News
Comcast Corporation reported its third-quarter 2026 results on October 22, showing continued erosion in its domestic residential broadband internet and video customer bases as competitive pressures intensified across the connectivity market. The company recorded a net loss of 144,000 domestic...
cordcuttersnews.com
20 Replies
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770 views
'Rockford Files' Reboot Gets NBC Pilot Order
I grow tired of all the reboots. Most I don't bother with but will depend on the actor chosen.
I grow tired of all the reboots. Most I don't bother with but will depend on the actor chosen.
23 Replies
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859 views
I hope they can find enough Pontiac Firebirds to keep the show going.
The one where Beth is telling him about her cat is one of my favorites. "...he's not very discriminating". 
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
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....
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....
68764 Replies
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2686091 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
6 Replies
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178 views
Fox Closes $22 Billion Roku Takeover, Says Streaming Platform Will Remain ‘Open Ecosystem’
Surprise! Fox Corp. has closed its acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
variety.com
Surprise! Fox Corp. said Friday it has closed the acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Thought some might find this encouraging. It turned out good but I still feel a little bad about it.
Had to drop by Walmart on my way to the store this morning, I had enough time but no time to spare either. As I was walking across the parking lot I noticed an older gent pushing his buggy with a confused look on his face. I said hello as I passed but he didn't respond...something was bothering him. I kept walking and then stopped and chided myself for being in too much of a rush. I turned around and asked him if he needed some help. Turned out he had NO idea where he had parked his truck. He told what color and model and looked around...nothing. I asked him if he had tried his key fob, he wasn't sure what I was talking about and got it out and handed it to me. Hit the lock and listened for a horn like my F150 does. Nothing. Finally I hit the panic button and we heard his truck...it was on the complete other side of the parking lot. He thanked me and I went on about my business.
I felt bad however because I almost didn't stop. I was so focused on what I had to pick up that I almost just kept walking without seeing if I could help. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. It seems that as we age it is easy to focus more on ourselves and ignore others which is why you'll see footage of these muggings in big cities and people just walk by the wounded victim who is laying on the sidewalk.
Moral to the story: Don't let your humanity die just because so many others have allowed theirs to.
Had to drop by Walmart on my way to the store this morning, I had enough time but no time to spare either. As I was walking across the parking lot I noticed an older gent pushing his buggy with a confused look on his face. I said hello as I passed but he didn't respond...something was bothering him. I kept walking and then stopped and chided myself for being in too much of a rush. I turned around and asked him if he needed some help. Turned out he had NO idea where he had parked his truck. He told what color and model and looked around...nothing. I asked him if he had tried his key fob, he wasn't sure what I was talking about and got it out and handed it to me. Hit the lock and listened for a horn like my F150 does. Nothing. Finally I hit the panic button and we heard his truck...it was on the complete other side of the parking lot. He thanked me and I went on about my business.
I felt bad however because I almost didn't stop. I was so focused on what I had to pick up that I almost just kept walking without seeing if I could help. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. It seems that as we age it is easy to focus more on ourselves and ignore others which is why you'll see footage of these muggings in big cities and people just walk by the wounded victim who is laying on the sidewalk.
Moral to the story: Don't let your humanity die just because so many others have allowed theirs to.
3 Replies
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54 views
