This is exactly what I did. I know I would be paying for the service I received and it isn't really 'extra' but I was happy to go the time without the TV to get what I wanted - an install date that was the same day as the start of my billing cycle.

Maybe I will go antenna...

Also, I had already been told during my first call to customer service that I would not have to pay for the over charge (by my account).

Strike one: Billed me wrong in the first place (I stand by my assertion that I should not have been billed more than I was quoted when I scheduled the install)

Strike two: When I called to straighten it out in the first place they didn't fix it.

Strike three: If I don't hear from the supervisor by Wednesday COB and I have to call him on Thursday.

I used to work for these folks a few years ago - I am trying to find some higher level of customer service contact to try to resolve this amicably but I don't need them if they don't need me.

Mike, have you paid anything yet? If not, don't... and if they can't get their act together, tell them to come disconnect it... and in the meantime, you're watching cable on their dime.

I strongly dislike cable companies in general... I've had similar difficulties getting coherent explanations about stuff.

But the main thing is their tier system... you pay for so much crap that you don't want.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but if there was ever a case for the gubmint to tell a business enterprise they had to do something, gubmint should make cable companies (and satellite companies, too) come up with a reasonable price for each channel and allow the customer to purchase his package a la carte.

I don't know what would be involved in setting up a dish system a la carte, but cable companies have had the capability to do it since they got fiber to most homes.

jump the pond and come over to the UK,
its crap.........

am a sooo glad my immigration papers are finally in

Why can't you get the locals and the Padres on the dish? I get my locals and the Red Sox, included as part of the regular deal.

Yes and yes I am!:mad: Uverse HD is abso*******lutely not HD IMO! HD is all that I care to watch and Comcast was real HD. I am not very happy that I switched even if the bundle did save a bundle.

I'm very happy with Dish, except our DVR is dying. I need to replace it, but it hasn't been my highest priority.

Internet Access has been much more consistent with DSL than cable. Cable is faster, but it was going out several times a day. I expect there is an issue with the lines around here.

I read a while back that DirecTV and Tivo are playing nice again and planning to offer an HD DVR at some point in the near future.

and the beat goes on...
 

So I get a new ATT Cell phone recently (iPhone) but my previous account was a single account that had an employer discount.

I was very clear in my process to establish my new family plan to make sure the discount was carried over to the new 'family plan account'.

I called into the customer service line prior to doing anything to see what exactly I needed to do. We went through it all, the woman was very nice and helpful. I left feeling good in my choices and my path forward.

My next step was to head to the store and execute the plan.

I do that, wife in tow. We buy the new phone, upgrade the plan and the guy at teh counted assures me the discount will be on the next bill.

I get the bill - SURPRISE! No discount and it's far more than it is supposed to be.

So I call in that evening to the customer support line and they work on getting it straightened out. First problem is that they have zero record of my original account. Nothing. Fan-damn-tastic. I'll never do paperless billing again.

Still, we get to the point where it should be all good. Unfortunately they tell me I have to go to the store to get it straightened out. So, today I do that - I get up to the counter and I tell the guy my problem and he says...brace yourself..."You need to call the customer service line."

%$#$^$#!!!!

So I do that, right there. I'm fantastically frustrated now. I sit on hold in the store for 20 minutes and finally get to a business support person who is supposed to be able to help me. She says she has to transfer me BACK to regular customer service and then hangs up on me.

Now I'm passed frustrated and trying to maintain my composure. I ask the associate for the manager and he says 'he's not here.'

I no longer have time for this. I get his card, I'll call him later today.

Every damn time I buy a service from someone I expect the billing and what not to be exactly what they told me it would be (before taxes) and EVERY time it isn't. A little fudge I can handle but anything more than a couple of bucks is fraud in my eyes.

This was a couple years ago but Dish Network 'local' programming (additional charge) was from LA. The Padres signed some exclusive deal with local cable. Even if I sprung for the entire MLB package I would not get the Padres...blows almost as hard as the Padres did mid way through the season...

"Fantastically frustrated"...haha Mike I have been there and back. Our TW DVR is still fantastically craptastic ;)

Alright...I called AGAIN today and they walked through fixing everything (or discounted this month's bill and said they would need to do the same thing next month if the discount didn't happen as intended).

I took copious notes - again.

The ATT person was extremely nice, understanding and helpful. I appreciated that very much and 3 out of 4 of the folks I've gotten on the phone have been just that. Very nice, professional and seeming sincere in their efforts. Only once did it suck (other than having to do it at all). Also, and I don't mean to this to sound as bad as it does - none of them were Indian.

I work with folks from India on a daily basis - constantly - my company has outsourced heavily. They are like anyone else - you get the good, the mediocre and the bad. Probably about 1/3 of each.

We'll see how the next bill looks...