Complain about a product or service

DISH - Contract

sathyamoorthy of farmington hills, MI August 2, 2009

I called dish network for my new connection on may 2009, I been explained that I need to sign 1year contract and I was not informed about the promotion periods, I called Dish Network 3months later to cancel my free HBO connection and I came to know that the contract is for 24months and I was given a promotion period for 6months and my monthly bill going to increase 35 more, the tech transferred me to executive office and I spoke to Bianca, she said that I signed a contract for 24months, she said I signed the paper when the tech who came to install my dish, before I signed the sheet I asked the tech what paper is this he said its saying that u received the dish, I was not been explained about the contract at that time too and Bianca answer for this was that's not the tech job to explain to you, so I like to know how to proceed with this. thank you

CONNIE of TECUMSEH, OK July 28, 2009

I tried to cancel my dish network and they claim they have to charge me a 300.00 disconnect fee. I have been trying to cancel the for 5 of the 15 days I have had it. He actually blackmailed me by telling me that if I go with the 99.00 fee then they could put me on a month to month basis vs the 24 month contract that I was not aware of and was not informed of when I signed the contract. Neither was I told about the 300.00 fee to cancel. Luke claimed that since I would not let him help me today that I would have to be charged the 300.00 cancellation fee.

I have tried 5 other people to get the channels I was charged for and they could not help me so I was only wanting to disconnect at this time. So I told him that I did not want his help except to disconnect me. That is when he informed me that if I didn't let him help me he would have to charge me the disconnect fee. This is unacceptable to me. They are wanting to charge me 383.21 for a disconnecting me and for two month services.

Sudie of Fayetteville, NC July 23, 2009

I called to cancel my service with Dish Network and they advised me that I had signed a two-year contract. I had signed up over the phone through Embarq and did not sign anything. They had advised me that I would have to pay a 150.00 cancellation fee. I told them that I would not as I did not sign any contract. They cancelled my service and threatened that they had my debit card number and they would be charging my account. I told them they could not do that without my authorization.

They sent me to collections for the 150.00 and I had to pay that so as not to ruin my credit. After speaking with several people I found out that nobody actually signs a contract a representative of Dish Network actually signs your name which is totally illegal and I should never have been sent to collections and they should have to pay me back my 150.00. Dish Network needs to be investigated regarding their practices and should be slapped with a fine or shut down completely for fraud.

Tracy of Westbrook, TX July 10, 2009

They debited my personal checking account for my grandfather's bill (my grandfather had passed away). They said it was for the receiver, but I had tried several times to return the receiver and they wouldn't take it because they said he was still under contract even though he had died. They wanted me to pay 200 to cancel his contract. Dish network was losing no money as I kept the same service I had previously, I just wanted one bill as there were two receivers in the house. Melvin (customer service manager) called me a liar and said my debit card was tied to his account which it never was.

David of Wade, NC July 10, 2009

After calling to try to cancel my Dish Network service, I was told that I had signed a 2 year contract agreement, I knew that I had signed up over the telephone so I knew I signed nothing. I requested a copy of the "signed" contract. After approximately 3 weeks they finally sent me a copy only to find out that somebody from Dish Network clearly forged my signature on the contract. When I called them they had me fax a copy of my driver's license to them to compare my signature. Nobody is allowed to sign anybody's signature. If they are going to do contracts over the phone, they should send you the contract to sign, NOT forge your signature

Roberto of Ellijay, GA July 8, 2009

Last year 07/12/2008 I order Disch Network for my vacation house in Ga. This year I have to rent the house and I call Dish Network for cancel the service, they said I have a 24 monthd contract and if I cancel I have to paid 180.00. I was reading all the contract, in any place I see any time contract. I make a complaint to Disch Network telling Im not going to pay.

T. of San Pedro, CA July 2, 2009

My old picture tube TV finally died and I purchased a new TV. The only types of TVs I found in my cosmopolitan area are LCD-HD and Plasma. I purchased an LCD TV. I connected my Dish receiver to the TV and immediately saw that the images on the screen were not crisp (as they were with my old TV) and they were a little distorted. I called Dish and told them about it. The customer service guy informed me that my current receiver (which I've had for 5 years) was not compatible with an HD-TV and he offered me a free upgrade to a Dish HD receiver.

I was on the phone with this guy for 15 minutes during which he gave me a choice of either a DVR or non-DVR receiver, one or two-room transmission, and free installation. I said "great!" I'll take it. THEN he mentioned that it would cost me 10 per month to receive HD channels plus I would need to agree to a new 24-month service commitment. And he wanted me to give him my credit card number to secure the new upgrade receiver.

I said "no" I won't pay extra to get HD channels since I'm supposed to receive satellite reception with my new TV that is just as good as what I was getting with my old TV's hookup. And "no" I won't commit to a 24-month service contract. He then reversed the entire "free upgrade" sales dance.

It turns out that there is really NO FREE OFFER for an upgraded receiver that can work with my HD-TV. The offer is contingent on a 24-month agreement and a 10 per month charge for HD channels reception. Imagine that! I have an HD-TV now and if I don't agree to pay extra for the transmission of HD channels and be a customer for another 24 months, there is no alternative by Dish except for a customer to continue to have lousy reception.

Dish Satellite pulled a bait-and-switch that should be illegal (if it isn't already and I just don't know about it). Dish Satellite needs to be served with a class-action lawsuit to stop them from even THINKING of charging one penny extra for signal transmission and reception that equals what existed before TV manufacturers switched to producing only HD and plasma sets for U.S. consumers.

Thomas of Las Vegas, NV June 24, 2009

A followup of my email you printed "Thomas of Las Vegas, NV June 17, 2009.": I contacted Dish Network once again and they have now canceled my service effective immeidiately with no additional money due. Thank you.

Krupa of Chery hill, NJ June 23, 2009

It all started in last December 2008, with a phone call from your sales department. The person on the other line offered me a decent deal for cable as well as internet service, I gave him my all the information along with my credit card info (biggest mistake) to set up for the service. Later when I check with my apartment office I realized that Dish installment is not allowed in the building. This was the very next day after singing up for the service over the phone.

I called the 1800 number and immediately canceled the service. I was told that every thing is set and my order has successfully been canceled. About after a month back I saw the charge was made on my credit card from the dish network service, (88) I called your customer service spoke with Mr. J. Garcia executive of billing department who told me to fax him my bank statement and wait for 6-8 weeks. I have sent him the required document immediately and still after 2 months instead of getting the money back I was continuously being change for the service that I never had (Charges were made for Jan 09, Feb 09, and March 09).

I have left couple of voice messages on Mr. Garcia's direct line never heard back from him. I was able to get some of the charges disputed from the credit card company but the charges made in month of DEC 08 needed to be disputed from Dish network according my credit card company. Again, after numerous long call with your customer care I gave up with hope of getting back my money and think of the situation as a learner lesson.

But this month (May 09) while checking my credit card statement I made a shocking discovery of two charges made through Dish network (400 and 180). At this point I am thinking of having involved the third party and take legal actions to resolve the situation. Not Only I am paying for a service that I have never received, It is wasting valuable time and causing stress and frustration in my "already have enough" life.

Tony of Geneseo, IL June 10, 2009

In Jan, 09 I decided to cancel Dish TV Network services. I made as many as 10 phone calls to places all over the world trying to get services cancelled. All of the calls were automated computers which led you to only adding or increasing services. None of the calls led to cancelling the services. After no success on the phone, I sent a letter on 2/24/09 requesting services to be cancelled by the end of the month 2/26/09, which had been paid for. Now I am being asked to pay for services thru the end of March 09 due to their inept billing system. I feel a letter should be adequate to cancel any service and I do not think I should have pay for the Month of March 09. The Dish Network invoicing system should be changed to include a box to check or a phone number to call to cancel their services. Their present system creates a big hassel for the average consumer.

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