Dish Network ripoff, theft, fraud Palatine Illinois
In January, 2003, we subscribed to Dish network for satellite TV service. At the time we ordered the service, we asked the sales people about the procedure if we moved during the contract period. We were assured that we would only have to take our boxes and remotes with us to the new house and that they would install a new dish at the new location free of charge.
On June 10, 2003, we did indeed move to a new house in the same area. We called Dish Network for an appointment to set up a new dish. The installer came on time and took some readings with a signal strength meter. He told us there was no possible way for us to have satellite service in that house because of mature trees in the neighborhood. In other words, Dish Network could not provide the service for which we were paying.
We immediately called their 800 number to report the situation. We were told we had to pay for the rest of the year's service. I explained that their installer would not install a dish for us. The reply was that we had to pay for the rest of the year. After days of calls and arguments, I agreed to pay the minimum monthly service fee through December, 2003, at which time we would be quits. Like a fool, I had allowed them to take their monthly payment directly from my checking account. They continued to take 60+ dollars from me each month until I had paid them several hundred dollars more than the 150 dollars I thought we had agreed to pay.
Unwilling to have them continue to steal money from us, I changed my check card so they could not withdraw any more money from my account. The next communication we received was from a collection agency threatening to ruin our credit if we didn't pay them $860 some odd dollars immediately. They were charging us for the receivers and remotes that they had not even asked for yet, as well as the dish we had been told to leave behind at our last house. We returned the receivers and remotes, but they continue to dog us to return to our old house and remove the dish they had told us to leave there when we moved.
We have tried reason, we have exercised patience and restraint, but these people only have one response. "Pay the money or have your credit ruined".
BEWARE of Dish Network. They are thieves of the most blatant kind. This issue is still not resolved but I doubt we will be able to avoid having them take more money from us.
Eric
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Pierre
Little Rock,Arkansas,
U.S.A.
Dish Network: A contract works both ways...
#4Consumer Comment
Wed, October 13, 2004
We had the same problem when we moved to a new place. Dish Network said they cannot install the dish at our new place, so i asked them what to do since they were in default? They told me that since we signed a 12 months contract, we will be fined if we cancelled right then (in late August). I told them that i was willing to send them their equipment back (receiver + dish + remote) if they agreed to peacefully solve this issue. They refused and told me that i only had 2 options:
1- to continue paying for 4 months, and then cancel
2- cancel immediately and pay a $240 cancellation fee
My wife and i we decided to go for the 1st option and cancel in December.
Let's see what will happen then...I still have all their equipment with me.
Eric
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
A contract works TWO ways
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, February 02, 2004
"that you are still bound by the terms and condidtions of the contract even if you change residence" Chad's comment is correct, as far as it goes. For the money we paid, we were to receive satellite TV service. The company refused to install a dish at our new home. They demanded we pay for a service they REFUSED to provide.
Chad
Northglenn,Colorado,
U.S.A.
You should have read your contract
#4UPDATE Employee
Sun, February 01, 2004
I have worked for Dish Network for years and it blatantly in bold large print states in the contract, that you are still bound by the terms and condidtions of the contract even if you change residence. If you continue to read the contract, it states you must continue service for 12 consecutive months or you would be charged a $240 cancelation fee and if your equipment(receivers, and your LNBF on your dish) are not returned you will be charged a set price(stated in your contract depending on what equipment you have) to your credit card or debit card. Also it states if we cannot get the money that way, that you would be sent to a collection agency to recover the funds.
So next time instead of filing a report on a company that is completly wrong. Maybe you should read your contract before you sign it?