Complaint Review: Dish Network

I signed up with Dish Network because it was cheaper in my area than cable or DirecTV. Before ordering, I asked whether it would work with my DVR, and they said that it should.

Well, it turns out that it does NOT work, due to a fundamental design flaw -- the receiver displays a screen saver when you don't touch any buttons for a while, so every time my DVR tries to record a show, it just records the screen saver. I called tech support, who was generally clueless, but they finally stated that there is no way to disable this screen saver.

So now, about three weeks after signing up, I'm cancelling my service. One might hope that under these circumstances, they would refund all but labor costs, but no, they are attempting to charge me a $240 cancellation fee. They claim I agreed to a year's contract with this cancellation fee, though the service agreement I signed (and have a copy of right here) says no such thing.

I spoke to a supervisor, and calmly explained that I was unhappy but would consider myself fairly treated if they waived this fee. They would not. We see now their business strategy: put out a poorly-designed product, and lock customers (without their knowledge) into a year's contract so that when they're dissatisfied, they can screw them on their way out the door.

Avoid this company! Their product is poor, their tech support people clueless, and they will attempt to milk you for all you're worth, with no regard to how satisfied (or dissatisfied) the customer may be.

Joe
Fort Collins, Colorado
U.S.A.