Subject: Re: Dish, Comcast, and such
From: Meghan Kennedy (meghanakennedy@gmail.com)
Date: Mon Sep 22 2008 - 21:08:26 CDT
Hey Jim,
I finally had an actual conversation with Diana this week (I think I took
her by surprise by answering the phone, I think she was expecting to leave a
message again) in an effort to try and figure out what's going on as my
patience is now beginning to wear very thin (I apologize, I know that this
is not in your control and I appreciate all of your help thus far). It has
been 3 long months and I'm starting to get incredibly antsy, especially as
new shows are starting this week and the cubs have now secured a place in
the playoffs.
I spoke with Diana and she was of little to no help and actually almost
rude. She told me that the contract is in the legal department and that
this isn't really her issue since it isn't a marketing issue so I shouldn't
be calling her but then she wouldn't give me anyone else to contact. She
told me she couldn't tell me anything other than it is in negotiations due
to legal liabilty, which I can understand to an extent but still, some form
of an update would be nice. I also asked her if they were planning on
compensation as this length of time to wait is becoming ridiculous and she
said that she hadn't heard anything about compensation. she said maybe but
again she didn't want to be held liable for anything. So now I'm just as
frustrated as before.
I know that it was in another round of negotiations last week and it sounds
like its drawing to a close but do you know whether it will be October?
November? beyond? I'm just trying to figure it out as she advised that I
buy one of those digital converter boxes since it could still be "quite
awhile" and I don't want to buy something and then find out satellite is
available the next day. Otherwise, the 2 units next to me have Direct tv
satelites affixed to the balcony railings. I was under the impression that
that was illegal but if that is okay as I've seen a few on the south side of
the building with those, then I may just go with them as I don't know how
much longer I can continue to be patient.
I apologize again for continuing to hound you for information but I've been
trying to go through echostar on my own and unfortunately getting nowhere
which just adds to the growing frustration. If you can clear some of this
up for me, I'd greatly appreciate it. I hope that you had a great weekend
and were able to enjoy the nice weather. Talk to you soon.
meghan
On Mon, Sep 22, 2008 at 1:15 PM, Jim Thomas <jthomas@math.niu.edu> wrote:
>
> > this is brenda in#211, I have been getting calls from comcast to
> > switch over to them. can someone update me on the status of her
> > deal with Dish. I have dish for programming, are we, as a building
> > switching to comcast? please advise
>
> Dish will remain our provider. Although we have been working with
> Comcast as a possible replacement in recent months and have had them
> out to the building to examine the cable infrastructure, and although
> some of us prefer Comcast to other providers, we will remain with
> Dish for several reasons: 1) There are some problems with delivering
> the cable signal to the building that could result in an expense to
> the Association and result in delays; 2) It could take up to three
> months or longer for Comcast (or any other replacement provider)
> to bring the building up to current standards, and if anything went out
> with the Dish sattelites, we'd be hosed because Dish wouldn't provide
> service if we're not under contract with them; 3) Subscribers would
> need Comcast receivers for the services in their unit, which they would
> have to re-purchase/lease; 4) Many people like Dish.
>
> The current status: Dish (as would any other provider) requires a
> contract to service the sattelite equipment or to provide new
> subscribers or services. Currently, the First Properties attorney and
> Dish/Echostar have been going back/forth and negotiating the details
> of the contract. This has taken over a month of attempting to resolve
> issues, and as of Friday, the attorneys have resolved most of the
> issues. We're told that there are only a couple of details to work out,
> on which both sides feel strongly. These seem to be legal details, not
> details of service provision. We're hoping that this will be resolved
> very, very soon.
>
> Some people have been waiting patiently and with good grace for service
> or upgrades. If you 're one of these people, when the contract is
> signed, Dish will *immediately* provide service and take new orders.
> They will also upgrade the existing infrastructure at their expense
> and seamlessly so viewers won't experience any disruption. They
> will also be responsible for service issues, rather than sub-contracting
> (as they did to Roddy) and have set up a system for multiple contacts
> for service issues that we will provide after the contract is signed.
>
> If you're one of the people who's been waiting for service and
> frustrated at the delay, when the contract is signed and you call
> Dish for service or upgrades, politely inform them of how long you've
> been waiting and ask if they could give some kind of break on initial
> costs as a reward for your patience.
>
> Jim
>
>
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