Complain about a product or service

DISH - Contract

Wayne of Bakersfield, CA September 21, 2009

I wanted to disconnect my new Dish Network television service less than 24 hrs after the service was activated on Saturday 9/19/09 because the recording features are technically incapable to do the things that were explained to me at the time of initial order was taken via telephone conversation. And when I called Dish Network back on Sunday 9/20/09 (less than 24 hrs later) and they said because my 2 year contract began when my service was activated yesterday, I am obigated to pay 15.00 per month for every month remaining on the contract without a grace period. That comes out to 360.00 for less than one day of service! What a scam. They offered to cut that cost in half but I am still on the hook for 180.00. I believe they should give at least a 24 hour grace period without penalty to check out their system and programming before locking the consumer into a 24 month contract.

Steven of Temple, TX September 18, 2009

I entered into a 24 month contract with them over 2 years ago. I was told I was getting HD Local Channels. Once hooked up they found out they were not yet offered there yet but would be "soon". 18 months later they showed up and installed the second dish so I could get them. They took some of my channels away and puyt them on a higher teir and said I would have to pay more to get them back. I said I wanted to cancel my service then and they said it would be a 250 charge.

I said I was out of my 2 year contract and they said when I got my local HD channels hooked up 6 months ago that put me on a 24 month contract again. I explained this was in my original contract that they never honored 24 months ago. He said he understood but there was nothing he could do. He only offered 6 months of the NFL channel for free then I would have to start paying for it.

VIRGINIA of CARSON, CA September 17, 2009

On July 17, 2009, we signed a 2 year contract with DISH NETWORK. Before we any agreed to have DISH Network as our TV provider, my husband ask the representative if he would be able to record a program while watching another like DirectTV and if he would be able to record directly to his DVD. He was told he would. However, ever since we had DISH Networks service, we have had problems. They ask us to give them a chance to fix the problem. We have given them 4 chances. After going through all the hassles with this company for a good part of a month, we cancelled our contract on August 29, 2009. DISH wants us to pay a cancellation fee of 287.00. Why should we pay this when the service we received did not own up to their promise. I also paid them 2 months in advance of 149.05. They want us to pay a balance of 56.64. A contract goes both ways. We as consumers pay our bill and the business should provide good service. We were very unhappy with the service provided. Therefore, we should not have to pay the cancellation fee and should be refunded half of the 149.05.

Sherif of Stateb Island, NY September 9, 2009

I Ordered Dish Network on June 2nd, 2009, I explained to them that I dont want to be held to a contract, I want to have it only for two months. I call to cancel the account and they tell me you have a 24 months contract.

I am 100 percent sure and I was told more than once that I am not held to a contract. I even had my friend with me in the car listing to my conversation when I first ordered the service. I dont understand how they can trick me.

Doris of Harbor City, CA August 15, 2009

We have been a loyal customer of Dish Network for over 5 yrs. As with many, the economic situation is forcing us to evaluate our expenses and to see how we can cut back. I found another satelite carrier that will offer me a similar package for half the price of what I'm paying with Dish Network. I tried several times to cancel service with Dish and after listening to their pitch and being put on hold endlessly, I said "thank you but no thank you." Then they proceed to say that there was a 160 fee for early termination, I said WHAT? They claim that because I downgraded my package in November '08 that it automatically restarts a new 2 YEAR contract!

While being put on hold again, I search and came across this site and used the wording that so many used about cancelling their contracts. What agreenent? You have my signature on such agreement, their response was yes, then I stated that it must have been forged because I have not signed such agreeent, was put on hold again for 45 minutes.

Finally my husband called on his cell and did get Vincent, very polite, courteous and he said that the fee has been waived, per his Manager, that they will be sending boxes so that the two receivers we have can be returned. I asked him why was he so different? He said he feels for us, blah, blah. Do I believe him? NO, but I'm hopeful that he will deliver on his promise only time will tell.

Laurie of Sammamish, WA August 12, 2009

My husband signed up to Dish Network - phone number 1-888-825-2557. They called back to set up a site survey. When they called they said they had a special promotion which was a free gas card and a trail sample of the health pill called Acai Berry and all we had to pay was shipping which was 2.95 which we paid and are not disputing.Dish Network (unknown to us)handed us off to a company called Dish Pronto to do the local site survey (which they handed us off to someone they contracted with).They came out and determined that we would not be able to get the dish due to many trees blocking a clean signal.They called my husband back and said it was a no go and my husband told them to cancel all special promotions which was the free gas card and the acai berry.

On Monday August 10th I received the Acai Berries and was charged 29.95. I called that company and at first told me I did not have a account with them. Then they said it was set up with as promotion with another company. I told them I did not care and cancel it. I then went to Dish Network and after being switched to different people I was told that they could not help me and that I had to go through the company Dish Pronto1-800-315-0788. After getting the run around. They told me they would take care of it. I would just have to email them my bank statement. That would never happen. I told them I would send them my Discover Card information with contact information from slim Time (the company that I got the Acai Berries from)1-888-332-8108 but only by mail and with a return receipt. They told me they could not have it mailed and after pressing the issue they revealed that they were located in India with no office in the United States.

Sooo I called dish Network back and spoke to first Jerry #053 who was in Taiwan so couldn't help me, then to Andi #G2D who told me to fax and then finally sending me to An Account Executive named Micheal Cortez #4UP 1-720-514-8555 ext:52271. He told me he basicially could not help me because Dish Network did not charge. I told That I knew that they did not charge me but a sales man that his company handed me off to gave our information and charge to another person. They then made purchases with out our authorization and I felt they need to be responsible and ensure they hand there customers to some one reputable. So I asked If he knew who they had represent them. They said Dish Pronto. I asked how can Dish Pronto take care of us when they are in India. By this time I have been on the phone for hours and I have just about had it. I also did all of my calling by my cell phone so I could have a record of it. This is very frustrating.

Hitesh of Ventnor City , NJ August 11, 2009

Beaware of the cluse in the agreemnt of the company / this means they can change you any amount they feel like and whenever & however they want /they can also terminate the service without notification to customer

Changes in Services Offered. We reserve the right to add, delete, rearrange and/or change any and all programming, programming packages and other Services that we offer, and our prices and fees related to such programming, programming packages and Services at any time, including without limitation during any term agreement period to which you have agreed under the terms and conditions of any other agreement with DISH Network. If a change affects you, we will provide you notice of such change and its effective date. In the event that we delete, rearrange or change any programming, programming packages or other Services, you understand and agree that we have no obligation to replace or supplement any programming, programming packages or other Services previously offered that have been deleted, rearranged or otherwise changed. You further understand and agree that you will not be entitled to any refund because of a deletion, rearrangement or change in the contents of any programming, programming packages, or other Services previously offered.

Sarith of San Jose, CA August 11, 2009

I entered into a 24 month contract with Dish Net for satelite tv services at an apartment in downtown San Jose, CA. I then moved to an area that can not receive satelite services. I am being held to the 24-month contract even though I can not get services. It is not my fault and I did not intentionally move to an area to avoid paying for satelite tv. Nor am I responsible for the apartment management team that does not allow dishnetworks to be placed on the roof and will not cut trees down. Dish Net has not been understanding and have refused to void the contract. They claim they are not at fault because I moved. I completely agree; however, I believe that this company has unfair consumer practices. The field manager who intially set up my service did not mention anything of the kind to me about cancellation fees. In fact, he guaranteed that I could transfer this service if I moved. Also, two technicians were sent to my premises and each one stated that the contract should be voided and the second tech gave me a 20 refund.

Sandra of Bloomsbury, NJ August 11, 2009

We were promised 300 in gas cards and it has been almost a year and we still have not received. We were told to go to websites and they do not exist. Just want what was promised from switching from Direct TV to Dish Network. Can't wait unitl our contract is over.

marcos of san antonio , TX August 4, 2009

switching from cable to att/dish network because of customer service issues placed me from the pan directly into the fire. After 2 weeks of dealing with non-installation after several promised dates and "special offers" of being sorry for the inconvienience; we finally had AT&T state they would sever our relationship because of their errors. Fine; or so we thought. Dish would not let us out of our contract even though we never spoke with the people at Dish Network.

Calling Dish to sever their part of the contract that AT&T broke bounced us back to AT&T, which bounced us back to Dish and so on. Finally a letter to the Dish dispute dept created a call from Dish and asked us what happened. After a lengthy explination and the caller (Ryan) confirming the conversations that took place, Dish three way called AT&T and confirmed the contract was disolved and Dish guaranteed via our phone conversation with AT&T on the line that we would not be liable for any amount over the already 43.xx we paid.

Then one week later not only 467 for the early cancel fee, but the regular 93 monthly fee from AT&T was pulled out of our bank act. A 2 hour call to Dish Network escallated to the managent supervisor Anita who by the way was the only employee who gave her employee id #, stated they see the conversation but until they get paperwork in writing in their hand from AT&T they would not return the 467. They confirmed the conversation but wanted paperwork.

This is where it gets better. AT&T stated they already had the conversation with Dish Network and since AT&T had it documented they see no need for a letter sent to Dish. They also do not know why the monthly fee was still being drafted; they will get back to me in 7-10 business days to confirm. AT&T advised we call back to Dish Network and take it up with them. This has been the worst 2 week relationship I have ever been a part of. I am still fighting for my money but the last representative JOyleece (refused to give id #) advised to take it up in small claims court.

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