Complaint Review: The Dish Network

I became a Dish customer back in 2004. I agreed at that time to a 24 mos contract. Over the course of the 4 years I have been a customer I have noticed the customer service keeps getting worse and worse. I have had equipment issue's over the course of my 4 years. Recently my equipment became such a problem that I needed new equipment. Dish recently got a new HD DVR so I asked if I could receive that. The agent said of course, said I wouldn't be charged, nor would I be under contract. I received my equipment and it didn't work.

Very frustrated I called back. They sent a replacement box out to me. Then my bill came. I was charged $75 for the equipment. I called again. It took me 3 calls to finally get someone that would credit my account. Things were ok at this point.

Then on Dec. 17th Dish lost its contract with Fisher Communications which carries our local Komo 4 and ABC which is a channel I watch a lot of (Grey's, Lost, not to mention Soaps). I stuck with it for a month and the channel did not return so I decided to cancel with them and go with Comcast our local cable company.

I had the cable hooked up first before cancelling with the Dish (I was worried they would screw something up if I cancelled sooner). After I got the cable hooked up I called Dish to cancel. This is when I was informed I was under a 24mos contract. You can imagine my SHOCK because I know with absolute certainty that I did not sign nor verbally agree to a contract and I want to fight this.

I have tried to ask where in the notes it specifically says I agreed to something and no one seems to be able to help I just keep getting put on hold (for very long periods) and passed around. I know we are only talking about $250 but that is a lot of money to me and it is illegal for them to make me pay it. But my hunch is they feel they have me over a barrel because what am I going to do get a lawyer over $250? Well actually yes I have been thinking about this.

The Dish has caused a tremendous amount of stress in my life over the years. I have probably spent about 40 hours total on the phone with them. It has put a strain on my marriage believe it or not and now anytime I call I can feel my blood pressure raise as I prepare for battle.

This also makes me wonder how many other people out there have gone through this with The Dish and feel bullied? Maybe it is time to stand up to this company and bring them down. I wonder how many people just pay these cancellation fees because they think they have no choice. I laugh anytime I would see a Dish comercial about their customer service because it is the absolute worse.

So if people read this and can relate. If they have had to pay fee's, suffered lots of stress, and felt pushed around we should all join together and tell the Dish they can't treat us like this any longer.

I know I have a tough battle on my hands because I can't seem to get beyond Customer Service and I really need to talk with someone at the Head Quarters. The joke is someone did call me from HQ, even gave me their number and made me think they were going to help. They put me on hold for close to an hour and never came back. And all I get is a voicemail when I try and call him back. It's absolutely illegal what they are doing to me and it needs to stop.

So I want 2 things: first the least I would expect is the company credit me the cancelation fee that they are illegally charging me for. And second I want the 2 Dish Satelites that are on my house removed.

If there are any lawyers out there that like class action law suits taking a look at how the Dish practices their Services might be worth looking in to because I know I can't be the only one that has been taken to the matt by this company.

And I am not only talking about a $250 fee things they have done to me is I call and they tell me they are going to do something and they do the opposite (telline me I won't be charged a fee and then I get a bill and I got charged for it). Reps don't notate accounts, they have sent me faulty equipment on numerous occasions, I have been placed on hold for very long periods of time and then been hung up on. I have been told no that I cannot talk to a Supervisor. When I request to be transfered to the States I have been told two different things, that they can do that and that they can't do that. It is rare when I get someone that will actually help me and pretty much anytime I call into to get something fixed it doesn't happen the first time. I need to generate a second or third call to get it handled.

I know the Dish thinks they don't have to remove the satelites that are on my house but I wonder how legal that is to just say nope we leave them there. They are the property of the Dish I think if a customer requests they remove them they should get send a technicion out and remove them. They put them up there and certainly they can re-use them. I mean shouldn't we try to be as green as we possibly can? They are using it as a marketing ploy and I do not want their satelites on my house anymore because I do not want anyone thinking I like or encourage the Dish and if they make me have to go up on my roof to remove them and I get hurt well they better be ready to pay up because it is their property and they need to come and remove them. Unless a drastic change happens in the company I know I will never be a customer again. I've had enough abuse and stress over this.

Melissa
Renton, Washington
U.S.A.

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