BBB sat complaints

[whatchel1]

Here's info on the complaints that the BBB is getting on Sat companies. I read this on SkyReport this morning.

The Better Business Bureau says it has compiled 53K complaints about satellite providers across the past three years with DIRECTV drawing 39K complaints and DISH getting 13K.

Most complaints center around "complex policies and fees," says the bureau. Early termination fees (reportedly as much as $600) and introductory offers are two key problem areas.

D* is showing 3 times as many as E* How did that happen?

 

[eacalhoun]

Here's a link to read the entire story from Broadcasting & Cable:

Better Business Bureau Spotlights Satellite Service Complaints - 2010-08-03 21:39:11 | Broadcasting & Cable

 

[MCSuckaDJ]

The Better Business Bureau says it has compiled 53K complaints about satellite providers across the past three years with DIRECTV drawing 39K complaints and DISH getting 13K.

Where did the other thousand go?

 

[Claude Greiner]

Because lately dish network has been giving into those complaints and attempting to resolve then, where as Directv is not doing anything.

As a dealer I have gotten several Bbb complaints. Every single one of them is about customers coming up with some lame excuse to get out of their contract without paying a cancellation fee

Nothing we did wrong, but It looks like if you complain to the BBB you will get what you want just to go away

As far as I'm concerned the BBB nothing more than an organization that can legally blackmale other companies

 

[whatchel1]

Don't know

Where did the other thousand go?

Boy I didn't add up the totals but someone can't add. I guess the other 1k are hiding out.

 

[whatchel1]

Same feeling

Because lately dish network has been giving into those complaints and attempting to resolve then, where as Directv is not doing anything.

As a dealer I have gotten several Bbb complaints. Every single one of them is about customers coming up with some lame excuse to get out of their contract without paying a cancellation fee

Nothing we did wrong, but It looks like if you complain to the BBB you will get what you want just to go away

As far as I'm concerned the BBB nothing more than an organization that can legally blackmale other companies

That's the same feeling I had when I was in biz too.

 

[KAB]

Where did the other thousand go?

Since the report spanned 3 years, could have been Sky Angel and World TV

 

[priester68]

D* is showing 3 times as many as E* How did that happen?

I don't know why people think going to Directv will solve all their sat problems. If they were perfect, there wouldn't even be a Dish Network. Direct has their own problems. A**hole customer support did it for me and drove me to Dish. Plus my bill was never the same from month to month. I'm happy with Dish and they would have to kill almost every HD channel they carry before I go back to Direct and deal with that again.

 

[whatchel1]

Brother

I don't know why people think going to Directv will solve all their sat problems. If they were perfect, there wouldn't even be a Dish Network. Direct has their own problems. A**hole customer support did it for me and drove me to Dish. Plus my bill was never the same from month to month. I'm happy with Dish and they would have to kill almost every HD channel they carry before I go back to Direct and deal with that again.

My Bro can give almost the same story. Plus they wanted 300 to upgrade him to HDTV.

 

[Bob Haller]

I sent sky reports a e mail on E issues, and here it is

Dish Network was still selling the old 5 and 7 bucks per extra receiver rate just a couple days before it changed to 17 bucks on their direct sales line feb 1st.

I called and acted like new perspective customer out of curosity

Obviously anyone calling at that point would be paying the higher rate. Plus the Dish contract says they can change anything at any time and the customer is still under contract for the full length of their term. By pulling stuff like this any business guarantees complaints.

After 13 years as a Dish customer and one time dealer, heck I even attended the Echostar 6 launch, I have cancelled and gone back to cable. The bundled discount is excellent.

Besides my bill went up 30 bucks on feb 1st. combination of extra receiver fees and the DVR fee no longer being waived for AEP. Plus I owned my receivers.

Dish is now charging lease customers 15 bucks per box to return them at end of service. This fee will likely discourage the departing subscriber from ever being a sub again.

Plus their audit department is giving the company a bad name With Clark Howard a radio talk show host being audited and cancelling and telling his experience on air.

Dish appears to have changed direction they are no longer the value leader and I expect increased churn in their 3 quarter report since the discounts they offered to complaing subscribers ends about now.

Its sad customers used to be able to call the Charlie Chats with real issues and complaints. Today the calls are heavily screened I called with a complaint the screener said we wouldn't want to embarrass him.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Ok Bob we believe you.... in fact we believed you the first 10,144 times you posted about it too.

 

[lparsons21]

I wonder how long it will take for Bob to start complaining about his 'great' new service? I don't figure it will take long.

 

[whatchel1]

Yesterday

I wonder how long it will take for Bob to start complaining about his 'great' new service? I don't figure it will take long.

He had some small complaint yesterday I think. But it may have been the other Bobsey twin.

 

[JohnEL]

Dont' ya just love this board

 

[Bob Haller]

Sky said my letter was great and they are using it With my name they asked permission......

Hey scott isnt it about time you at least try a competitor and write a review

 

[Bob Haller]

He had some small complaint yesterday I think. But it may have been the other Bobsey twin.

it wasnt me, i am just trying to decide if I can safely use comcast phone line for a incoiming business calls.

 

[Laddyboy]

Because lately dish network has been giving into those complaints and attempting to resolve then, where as Directv is not doing anything.

As a dealer I have gotten several Bbb complaints. Every single one of them is about customers coming up with some lame excuse to get out of their contract without paying a cancellation fee

Nothing we did wrong, but It looks like if you complain to the BBB you will get what you want just to go away

As far as I'm concerned the BBB nothing more than an organization that can legally blackmale other companies

BBB can be a pain in the ass if you have a BBB rep that simply refuses to understand an issue and simply insists on resolution lest a black mark be written in the book of misdeeds. I don't think they should even accept a complaint if it's purpose is to negate contract terms -- which most are. The end result is driving up costs to everyone because of the scammers and their enablers.

 

[Bob Haller]

BBB can be a pain in the ass if you have a BBB rep that simply refuses to understand an issue and simply insists on resolution lest a black mark be written in the book of misdeeds. I don't think they should even accept a complaint if it's purpose is to negate contract terms -- which most are. The end result is driving up costs to everyone because of the scammers and their enablers.

OK you are E and signed up a new customer with 3 722Ks on january 1st 2010. They got the AEP and bought the 2 extra 722s.

Their bill was about 120 bucks for AEP and extra receiver fees.

On feb 1st 2010 the extra receiver fees went from 7 bucks to 17 bucks and AEP lost the DVR fee waiver.

The nearly brand new sub saw their second month bill go up near 26 bucks a month.

the met all E requirements had phone lines run.......

is it fair to keep such a customer under contract? worse the new customer bought the 2 additional 722s.......

Such abuses of customer lead to government regulations, BBB complaints and maybe most importandly terrible wored of mouth to all the price gouged friends realtives, co workers and everyone else they have contact with.....

Kinda like how I feel about verizon fios after they held me to a contract for a phone that didnt work reliably for 3 months.....

because of their bad router at the central office, which they were unable to fix..........

but held me to my 2 year agreement, and refused to put me back on copper.......

stuff like this generates really bad personal PR

 

[Laddyboy]

Bob, no one forced anyone to buy a bunch of extra receivers. The receivers could obviously be sold. There is also an out for the sub in paying the ETF which might have been less than staying a sub and paying the increased fees. I don't know. Look, I'm not defending what E* did. Personally, I think it's one of the worst abuses by a company I've witnessed in a long time, especially when they wouldn't allow subs to get rid of extra receivers or downgrade without hitting them again with fees. On the other hand, everything ends up going to hell when contracts are not enforced. I'm all in favor of state consumer laws which limit increases if consumers aren't allowed to opt out of the service. Nothing is perfect. Hopefully the February massacre by E* was a one-off. If not, they'll be in real trouble. They've already suffered image problems because of it. I don't strongly recommend them any longer to friends and family because I don't trust them.

 

[KAB]

Bob, surely there is enough for you to do other than to waste your life here, isn't there? SERIOUSLY???