The real number for DISH is 800-333-3474, but this company has bought 888-333-3474, and according to reports on 800 notes, several other 800, 888, 866 numbers that end with "DISH."
We first heard about it in a message left on our Consumerist hotline:
TRANSCRIPT: "I had to authorize a new Dish receiver. The number on the screen said 1-800-333-DISH. I dialed 1-888-333-DISH. I got a guy that immediately asked for my name, phone number, address, email address, and talked about the new specials that he could give me for being such a loyal customer. I kind of just wanted my receiver authorized.
And he says, these are some great deals, and you should get rewarded for being such a loyal customer since you've been with Dish Network so long.
Then he says, "if I send you these new boxes out, keep in mind that these are direct Tv boxes..."
It turns out that it was a DirecTV franchise that was capitalizing on people mistaking 1-800-333-DISH for 1-888-333-DISH. They're not telling people who they are upfront and they're getting a bunch of information when you're thinking that you're talking to a company that you already trust and have an account with. So it really ticked me off. It's totally uncool. Hopefully you can print this and people won't get confused anymore." :END TRANSCRIPT
Very clever. If you accidentally sign up for this, best thing to do is a charegback. Unsurprisingly, the folks on 800 notes say the sleazy DirecTV marketers are not that nice about giving refunds.
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(Photo: TenSafeFrogs)
]]>@txinfo: I've been a Dish customer for about 8 years, and have had no problems with the company. Only trouble we had was with an installer when we moved and he didn't have a clue what he was doing. They took care of it, though.
I take it back, the only other trouble we have had is with their automatic phone calls that we haven't paid our bill. Panic ensues until I log on and see that it WAS paid, but there was some sort of glitch in the phone system. Has happened twice, several months apart.
]]>Who ever 'lost' the account for DISH should be looking for work
]]>"Thanks for calling about DISH one up!"
-Put on hold-
CSR: Hello, my name is Michael, can I have your phone number starting with area-code first?
Me: Can you pull it up with my account number instead?
CSR: I can't, because (pause) I'm not actually DISH network, I'm an authorized retailer for DirectTV. Would you be willing to talk with me about switching to DirectTV?
Me: No, I'm just trying to get a hold of DISH network, I thought this was their number.
CSR: Yeah, I know. -click-.
They are very aware of their scheme's effects (not even playing dumb, in other words), it seems, but it also seems like they've maybe gotten in trouble a bit. He was very quick to admit who he was when other posts I've seen/the OP say they were strung along for a fair bit.
]]>@dvdchris:
Several years ago when I was younger, I dialed the 1-800 version of my home phone #... sure enough, sex hotline.
]]>Long story short.. 180 pound black great dane.. and 75 pound dalmation (who is very protective of the house and my wife).... I usually through them out in the back yard when I answer the door (the dane wants to lick all people to death, the dalmatian wants to eat them), but if they do not go away the first time I say I am not interested, I let the dogs into the house and they lunge at the screen door... only the Mormons seem to come back every now and then.. :) Mormons run fast though.. (okay I added that last sentence for fun, I would never release my dogs to chase people down, but they look mean as hell lunging at the door)
]]>This is probably Urban Legend...but back in the days where you could pick a Long Distance carrier when you set up your local services, didn't there used to be a company called or designated "I don't know", or "I don't care"...so when the rep asked you who you wanted for your long distance carrier, if you said any of the above, they would then become your carrier until you noticed the outrageous rates they were charging and cancelled...
]]>@korybing: "Squating" on the numbers is probably not illegal, but depending on how they are interacting with the customers and how they are presenting themselves.
This is no different than someone squating on common domain misspellings, or different domain extensions. Unless someone has a trademark on the name, or the squat site domain is not relavent to the content of the site it is perfectly legit.
]]>@Radi0logy: ahhh... what a bonus!
]]>It's a similar deal to Best Buy Mobile - it's a dealer who sells Directv service.
]]>Also: wow that is really scummy business practices. There's no way that's legal, is it? Impersonating a different service or intentionally misleading and confusing customers?
]]>Wow...I don't think Comcast could do something like that!
]]>Wow, that's one of the seediest things I've seen today!
Good thing I've only been awake for a couple hours <_<
]]>"Hello? Oh, I was trying to reach the fire department for an emergency, but you're telling me this is a sex party line? Eh, what the hell, I guess I have a few minutes to kill...."
]]>Are there actually DirecTV franchises? I know you can buy DirecTV dishes and sign up for service if you go to Best Buy or other stores (I think Circuit City used to do this as well) but I was always under the impression that all of the "authorized dealers" were working directly with DirecTV. Like how you can get the iPhone from Apple or Best Buy Mobile, but BB Mobile works directly with Apple.
]]>Sorry had to do it, lol.
OH and I dont need to worry, because i make my own satellites at home.
]]>