My satellite dish died yesterday. I had an extra receiver, so I hooked it up and called Dish Network. Mine did not have a card so I put the one from the bad receiver in it.
The rep told me that they cannot do that, and would have to send me another receiver and card for it. It will take 2 or 3 days to get it.
I installed Direct for many years, and this was common procedure (to switch cards on a bad receiver).
Can anyone enlighten me on this. I have been all over the net and cannot find out anything.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

probably not gonna help ya but Id switch to directv asap dish network customer service is bad bad bad.

I had the same issue, however, I called Direct and had them activate my current card to the old receiver I had which put me back in business in just a couple of minutes. They then sent me (Drop Shipped) me my new one and it came in two days on their dime. Once I got it, I hooked it up and then called them and they activated that receiver which came with its own card. I have to agree with deerhtr that Direct is where you should go. I had nothing but problems with Dish.

You cant swap the cards on a dish receiver but can on Direct TV. However they can send you a new card for the receiver you have that works. Sounds like they just screwed you into getting a new receiver and probably a contract if you weren't already in one.

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M&P15,9MM,M66,22-A,Glock 30SF

Dish and Direct and have been slightly happier with Dish. Had a problem with the dish and the Dish repairman was very proactive on getting it remounted and dialed in. The original install was faulty. The bottom line is they both are after the bottom line.

When I had my Dish receiver upgraded to High Def this past February the service man told be that Dish is doing away with the "card" type receivers. My understanding is that everyone will have to change to the new receiver that does not use a card.

Bruce Mower

have had both, happily back with dish as direct would be out for hours with even a slight sprinkle. snowstorms required constant sweeping of the satellite. like was stated before, dish has their cards activated to a specific receiver so they are not interchangable.

Had both as has my family members. Went back to DISH and am really happy. Got lots of gun shows that Direct did not have.

Gamers may be more happy with Direct but I am an adult.

When I had a receiver go out, Dish sent me one overnight.

why'd you go with Dish after workin for Direct??

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UNDER THE CONE OF SILENCE

My experience with DIsh C/S. E mailed them a simple question to tech. services. My question; any any given time and no certain times I will get a pop-up message on my screen "Smart card improperly installed". This happens just anytime it wants to with no provication of any kind. I explained this to them my anser was Please let us know where to send your new smart card. I really do not need a new card since the one I have functions correctly once you pull it out and re-insert it and, reset your reciever.

What a bunch of morons.

When we tried to get Direct the installer never showed up to install it.
They missed 3 different days they were suppose to show.
We told them to forget it.
We also figured out that to get the channels we wanted it would cost more with Direct.

Thanks for all the replies.
Good information here. It looks like they could have sent me a new card for my old receiver, but they decided to send another receiver. That is fine with me.
The reason that I went with Dish at the time, they had some really good discounts.
As mentioned above Direct Has some programming that Dish does not have
and the other way around.
I am satisfied with Direct.