Complaint Review: DISH NETWORK ECHOSTAR WIRELESS CENTER

Originally we had Direct TV, but in order watch different channels in diffent rooms we needed additional receivers.We would have to pay for additional receivers through Direct TV.

The Wireless Center wss new in the area and had large signs near the street advertising "Dish Network ...Up to 4 Receivers free".

We called and ordered the service. A gentlemen came to our home and went over the contract His name was Steve (I'm not sure of his last name, but he is still with the company and I believe is the owner of the local dealership).

Steve told my husband and myself that after a year, all of the equipment would belong to us.

After using the satellite for a about 1 1/2 years we called about the local service which was being advertised as being available in some areas.

We were told that local service was not currently available and neither was internet connection which we wanted to get so we could terminate our home telephone service and use cell phones exclusively.

Cableone was now advertising a trade-in program, where you could trade in your satellite equipment and get credit on you cable bill. (A $300 credit spread out over a year).

Since we had Dishnet over a year, the equipment was ours (or so we had been told) so of course we jumped on the offer.

I called the local dealer "The Wireless Center" to tell them we wanted our service disconnected. I got their answering machine and left a message to have our service disconnected.

After a few days I decided maybe I should call Dishnet in case the local dealer did not inform Dishnet of our decision to disconnect.

The lady I talked to over the phone at Dishnet, informed me that I would have to return all of the equipment or be charged for it. I told her that the equipment belonged to us since we had the service for over a year and I had traded it in on a promotion through Cableone.

The lady told me that I should try to get the equipment back and return it to Dishnet within 15 days or we would be billed for it.

I tried to get the equipment back but was told that it had already been discarded. Dishnet (Echostar) billed by credit card for $622.69. The total bill was $1095.00, which they are still trying to get the remaining $548.96.

I closed my credit card account immediately after they got the first withdrawal so they could not get anymore.

Since then I have been called numerous times, each time it is a computer generated call asking me to call them. Each time I called them, I told them I would not pay the remainder and why.

I also told them if they wanted to pursue the matter in court I am prepared. I was then told that they don't normally take anyone to court but turn the matter over to a collection agency. The last time I told them to do whatever they need to do and I will do what I need to do, which is advertise for other people who saw the same signs and had been told the same.

Kathy
Gautier, Mississippi
U.S.A.