Spy Game

Last week when Dish removed the Voom channels I called what I thought was 800-333-3474 but I accidently dialed 888-333-3474. The representative answered the phone and said Dish Network. Asked for the name on the account and phone number. After confirming my information she asked how could she help me.

I proceeded to tell her that some of my HD channels were missing. She then informed me that Dish had removed the Voom line up from their programming. I asked her why I wasn't notified of this and she then informed me she was in promotions dept. and was I interested in a 6 mo special.

At this point I became a little suspicious and asked her "with Dish?" She then stated no I'm with Dir***TV. Well needless to say I was a little annoyed at this after she had asked for all my info on the account. Just curious if this has happened to anyone else?

Oh by the way after I got off the phone with her I called Dish and was on hold for about five minutes and got customer service. Of course I could barely understand what the Rep was saying. I told him some of my HD channels were missing and he had no idea why! He put me on hold for about another five mins and came back to the phone and commenced to start reading a document about how Dish is dedicated to give its customers the best in HD programming and to do this we rely on input about programming. And to do this we sometimes have to delete certain programming to add higher quality programming.

The bottom line The fool didn't know any more than I knew! He was totally unaware that Voom had been removed! I even called back a second time and the second Rep was also unaware of this. He put me on hold and came back to the phone and started reading the same document. I stopped him and told him it would have been a nice gesture if Dish had e-mailed me or left a message on my phone like they usually do about the changes. :busy:

Well it seems that Dir***TV is playing a little Spy Game here and they know more about whats happening at Dish than Dish knows whats happening at Dish!:what: :what: :what:

My Theater Setup

Hitachi 60V500E HD LCD TV
Infocus Screenplay 4800 DLP Projector
Da-lite 100 Inch Screen
Dish 722 HD Receiver
Technics SA-AX810 Receiver
Technics SH-AC500D 5.1 Dts Digital Sound Processor
Sony DVP-CX985P 400 capacity DVD-CD Player
Pyramid SEA-8600 Equalizer
Technics SA-GX500 Amp for bass shakers
Sony SL-HF450 Super-Beta Hi-Fi (Yes Beta and it still works after 20 years!)
JVC HR-D870U Stereo Vhs
Cyberhome CH-DVR 1500 Digital Video Recorder DVD
KLH ASW10-120B Subwoofer
Cerwin-Vega Speaker System
Lutron Remote Controlled Recessed Theater Lighting System
Aura Bass Shakers
Sony RM-AV2100 Intgrated Remote Control

Direct got that number many years ago. They use it as a way to get new customers or to try to switch existing customers who dial the number wrong. With so many 800 numbers, some people think they all start 888 or dial it by mistake. I don't think it is a good business practice and maybe just a bit deseatful but I don't see how it can be (or from anything you explained in your post) that is can be considered "Spying".

maybe not spying but sneaky, lol...

Dis she answer the phone "Dish Network" or did you just think you heard it? If she said Dish network and then asked for your information I would report it to the better business bureau and anyone else who will listen. It's no different than an e-mail phishing for information. In this case though the company behind it can easy be caught.

maybe not spying but sneaky, lol...

I should have used Sneaky and Deceitful as a better description!:)

I just called the 888 number, a recording answers and says "Thank you for calling dish satellite" then it tells you to hold and someone will be with you.

A lady picked up and said can I have your phone number and account number.

I said I am sorry I might of dialed the wrong number and asked her what company I am talking with, she again said can I have your phone number and account number. I said again I think I dialed the wrong number and then she hung up.

Seems very fishy to me.

Oh by the way after I got off the phone with her I called Dish and was on hold for about five minutes and got customer service. Of course I could barely understand what the Rep was saying. I told him some of my HD channels were missing and he had no idea why!
The bottom line The fool didn't know any more than I knew! He was totally unaware that Voom had been removed!

Duh...they haven't removed Voom in India yet!!!:thumbsup:

Out of a profound curiosity, I could not resist dialing the number. I was greeted with the previous "Welcome to Dish Satellite" (LOL!), and then was greeted by someone asking only for my telephone number. I gave him a false one and he asked who he was talking to. I told him my real name. Then he asked what my issue was, and I just asked about the Voom channels. He said "Dish Network is not allowed to carry the Voom channels" (his words), and then I asked him if he could comment on why. He said "Ummm, no."

At this point I said I was calling from work and asked him if he could give me my account number (this is a question I ask MOST reps from most companies I talk to, as I usually am at work and do not have my info. In almost every case the rep gives me my acct. info).

His response was that he did not pull up peoples acct. info there, then asked me which receiver I had. I told him I didn't know (it is fun to play dumb!) but that he should have that info. He just said he wanted to know what kind of TV's I have so he could save me money on my bill. I said "no thank you" and at that point he got skittish and said "ok" and hung up.

I think this business practice is unscrupulous, but humorous, and what I don't understand is why are they seemingly behaving like they are doing something wrong?

Think I'll play with them a little more later...