ModemGhost

Hey, everyone. Thanks for the responses. I knew ahead of time that I would get some people who would support me, and some who wouldn't. It doesn't bother me, we all have our own opinions. But I would like to respond to a couple of things.

First, I will be more than happy to report back to you about my DirecTV experience. Like I said in my OP, my parents have had DirecTV pretty much since it's existed, and they've had no problems in 15 years. So I'm feeling confident. I will miss having some of the additional HD channels. (DirecTV doesn't have HGTV or Food Network in HD, and those are two channels I watch fairly often.) But I will live.

Wal-Dog, if Dish is happy to see me go, then the feeling is mutual. Honestly, where are you getting enough info to assume that the poor customer service experience was completely my fault? I've been nothing but polite to everyone at Dish, and in this entire post. What ever happened to being polite to the customer, even if they are "high maintenance"? Am I supposed to just waddle along being led by the nose wherever any company wants to lead me? I don't think so. I was polite and respectful to all of Dish's representatives, and did not receive the same treatment in return.

That great deal that "nobody else gets"? It's called "haggling". Most companies are willing to haggle with customers, especially in a highly competitive industry like this one. I didn't hold a gun to anyone's head to get the no commitment/no fee deal. In fact, Dish called me back and offered the deal. If they were not willing to haggle with me, that is fine. They can have any policy they want about this sort of thing. Just like I am free to take my business to any company I want. If you've never gotten someone to lower the price on anything, just because the sticker has a certain number on it, I feel for you. You must be a car salesman's dream come true!

Also, everybody does not know you don't get cables with your receiver. Including the people at Dish Network's 800 number, apparently! I understand that it's unusual to get cables with your purchases these days. And that's fine with me, really, as long as it's made clear ahead of time so I can have the appropriate cables on hand myself once the equipment shows up. You and fred are both acting like I am being an idiot for expecting to get a cable, when I was specifically told I would get one.. I don't understand how any logical person could look at this situation and find me at fault. Sorry. (On a side-note, my parents just upgraded their DirecTV service from SD to HD, and DirecTV gave them an HDMI cable.)

Finally, I agree with you that the tech could not have done anything about the poor SD quality. If you read my OP, you will understand that I tried talking to the Dish rep about the problem, but she insisted on sending a tech. This is why I agreed with the tech that he didn't need to come to my house. But for him to not show up, and still try to get paid reflects badly on him and the company he represents.

Hi Fred. You should have read my OP more carefully before responding. I did a TON of research before contacting Dish. The $50 activation is charged to you no matter what. Then, if you agree to an 18 month commitment, they will credit your first bill with $50. I finally haggled them down to waiving the $50 and not forcing a commitment on me. (Thank god!)

As far as the cable issue, please see what I wrote to wal-dog above.

Finally, I'm glad SD looks great on your Sony. Like I said in my OP, SD looks great on my Samsung, too, as long as it isn't coming from a Dish receiver.

Honestly, this is the one thing I feel just a little bad about. The installer did do a decent job installing the equipment, so I do feel a little bad that he won't get paid for that work. However, his little, "Let's stick it to Dish by charging them for a service call that never occurred," comment makes me feel better, since I can only assume he tries to squeeze as much money out of Dish as he can at every opportunity.