Complaint Review: Dish Network - Echostar Satellite - Inglewood, Littleton, CO Who Really Knows? Colorado

First I would like to say that I have read all of the related posts to your original posting, even though this has been a while now I do have something I feel that needs to be said. You started off by saying that you had gone through a third party to have your installation completed. Correct? Well if you went through the RSP originally, versus DN sending out a sub-contractor, chances are you did sign a contract whether you think you did or not. DN may advertise that there is no contract or equip to buy, however if you go directly through a RSP they have the right to place a contract on the account if they would like too. The reason they are allowed to do this is because they have a contract with us as well, they need their customers to keep there services for the entire period of the contract otherwise they don't get paid in full by DN if the customer cancels and then the RSP is left short. You would have probably signed something at the time of your installation stating that the install was done and complete or something along those lines and it may have been a contract. Now, you also state no one has provided you with the copy of this contract yet, but as general policy if there is a third party involved the rep's on the phone are advised to advise you to contact you're original retailer to verify that no contract was signed before you disconnect your services. I'm NOT saying that you did, some RSP's do not have you sign a contract, the promotions they run are the same promotions DN runs directly through DN themselves. HOWEVER, when you originally signed up with DN you would have gone through a confirmations process where you were told the terms and conditions of your services. At this time it is told to you that the equipment is leased and with termination of the services ALL equipment is to be returned to dish network. Lastly, you need to keep your story straight or you won't win the law suit if you file one. You stated in the very last comment, and I quote "Sales rep quote, 'We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill.'" THEN you stated further down, "Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49." So it is either they told you about the hold or they didn't. And second the $49 charge was not a charge for the equipment, it was an equipment handling charge. Hope all is well.

First I would like to say that I have read all of the related posts to your original posting, even though this has been a while now I do have something I feel that needs to be said. You started off by saying that you had gone through a third party to have your installation completed. Correct? Well if you went through the RSP originally, versus DN sending out a sub-contractor, chances are you did sign a contract whether you think you did or not. DN may advertise that there is no contract or equip to buy, however if you go directly through a RSP they have the right to place a contract on the account if they would like too. The reason they are allowed to do this is because they have a contract with us as well, they need their customers to keep there services for the entire period of the contract otherwise they don't get paid in full by DN if the customer cancels and then the RSP is left short. You would have probably signed something at the time of your installation stating that the install was done and complete or something along those lines and it may have been a contract. Now, you also state no one has provided you with the copy of this contract yet, but as general policy if there is a third party involved the rep's on the phone are advised to advise you to contact you're original retailer to verify that no contract was signed before you disconnect your services. I'm NOT saying that you did, some RSP's do not have you sign a contract, the promotions they run are the same promotions DN runs directly through DN themselves. HOWEVER, when you originally signed up with DN you would have gone through a confirmations process where you were told the terms and conditions of your services. At this time it is told to you that the equipment is leased and with termination of the services ALL equipment is to be returned to dish network. Lastly, you need to keep your story straight or you won't win the law suit if you file one. You stated in the very last comment, and I quote "Sales rep quote, 'We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill.'" THEN you stated further down, "Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49." So it is either they told you about the hold or they didn't. And second the $49 charge was not a charge for the equipment, it was an equipment handling charge. Hope all is well.

First I would like to say that I have read all of the related posts to your original posting, even though this has been a while now I do have something I feel that needs to be said. You started off by saying that you had gone through a third party to have your installation completed. Correct? Well if you went through the RSP originally, versus DN sending out a sub-contractor, chances are you did sign a contract whether you think you did or not. DN may advertise that there is no contract or equip to buy, however if you go directly through a RSP they have the right to place a contract on the account if they would like too. The reason they are allowed to do this is because they have a contract with us as well, they need their customers to keep there services for the entire period of the contract otherwise they don't get paid in full by DN if the customer cancels and then the RSP is left short. You would have probably signed something at the time of your installation stating that the install was done and complete or something along those lines and it may have been a contract. Now, you also state no one has provided you with the copy of this contract yet, but as general policy if there is a third party involved the rep's on the phone are advised to advise you to contact you're original retailer to verify that no contract was signed before you disconnect your services. I'm NOT saying that you did, some RSP's do not have you sign a contract, the promotions they run are the same promotions DN runs directly through DN themselves. HOWEVER, when you originally signed up with DN you would have gone through a confirmations process where you were told the terms and conditions of your services. At this time it is told to you that the equipment is leased and with termination of the services ALL equipment is to be returned to dish network. Lastly, you need to keep your story straight or you won't win the law suit if you file one. You stated in the very last comment, and I quote "Sales rep quote, 'We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill.'" THEN you stated further down, "Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49." So it is either they told you about the hold or they didn't. And second the $49 charge was not a charge for the equipment, it was an equipment handling charge. Hope all is well.

First I would like to say that I have read all of the related posts to your original posting, even though this has been a while now I do have something I feel that needs to be said. You started off by saying that you had gone through a third party to have your installation completed. Correct? Well if you went through the RSP originally, versus DN sending out a sub-contractor, chances are you did sign a contract whether you think you did or not. DN may advertise that there is no contract or equip to buy, however if you go directly through a RSP they have the right to place a contract on the account if they would like too. The reason they are allowed to do this is because they have a contract with us as well, they need their customers to keep there services for the entire period of the contract otherwise they don't get paid in full by DN if the customer cancels and then the RSP is left short. You would have probably signed something at the time of your installation stating that the install was done and complete or something along those lines and it may have been a contract. Now, you also state no one has provided you with the copy of this contract yet, but as general policy if there is a third party involved the rep's on the phone are advised to advise you to contact you're original retailer to verify that no contract was signed before you disconnect your services. I'm NOT saying that you did, some RSP's do not have you sign a contract, the promotions they run are the same promotions DN runs directly through DN themselves. HOWEVER, when you originally signed up with DN you would have gone through a confirmations process where you were told the terms and conditions of your services. At this time it is told to you that the equipment is leased and with termination of the services ALL equipment is to be returned to dish network. Lastly, you need to keep your story straight or you won't win the law suit if you file one. You stated in the very last comment, and I quote "Sales rep quote, 'We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill.'" THEN you stated further down, "Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49." So it is either they told you about the hold or they didn't. And second the $49 charge was not a charge for the equipment, it was an equipment handling charge. Hope all is well.

Hello Manu, Thank you for your apology. I'm sure you realize that an apology is only valid when it doesn't come with a BUT. Apparently, you have done a lot of checking, but your records are incorrect. As I stated in my previous post on this site, you received the equipment on June 24, 2004. The equipment you received was the LNBF, DVR, and two remotes. As far as a smart card, you may have received that, if it was inside the DVR, but I never actually saw a smart card. Before I continue addressing the issues in your post, I want to thank you for your response! This constitutes more customer service than I have received during this entire mess with DN. You are correct about being told of the $1 hold, but this is how it was explained to me: Sales rep quote, We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill. (My comment: Didn't get credit until third bill and four calls to DN) In addition, I was never told that I would be double billed the first month. That came as quite a shock and inconvenience. I believe you owe it to new customers to completely disclose this practice, in advance! Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49. Manu, you state, Keith, your account was charged exactly 15 days after you disconnected and before your equipment was received. It took DN 21 days to get the return box to me. Also, Manu, you and everyone else at DN who referred to a contract, have yet to provide me with one, on which my signature is affixed. That is probably because I never signed a contract. If you (DN) have one with a signature, I assure you it is not my signature. I DID NOT sign a contract. If you (DN) ever come up with a contract, you will be placing yourselves in a very bad position, because it will have to have been forged. Your comment, Dish Network is a Fotune 500 company of considerable repute and is not out to fleece you or fraudulantly charge your account, means absolutely nothing; however, I believe you. I think that most of the people at DN are simply not concerned with providing even adequate customer service, and have no idea how to keep appropriate records. Just because a company is large, does not mean they know what they are doing. In response to your statement, It seems like you had an unhappy ending to your relationship with DN and are simply upset and want to do everything you can to voice your opinion. You are correct! The unhappy experience I had started day one and continues to this very day. In response to your statement, DN gets these calls very often and I can say without a doubt that you have not returned your LNBF. I am sure you do get calls like this every day. When you get so many calls on one subject, it is time to look inward for the solution. Where there is smoke there is fire! Finally, Manu, you ask me to call DN, and say my issue will be resolved. I have called, several times, and no one at DN extends the courtesy of returning the call. If you would like to get this resolved, please telephone me yourself, or post a legitimate address here, so that I can send you a communication. I have attempted to settle this issue, but have been ignored. The BALL is in DN's court.

Hello Manu, Thank you for your apology. I'm sure you realize that an apology is only valid when it doesn't come with a BUT. Apparently, you have done a lot of checking, but your records are incorrect. As I stated in my previous post on this site, you received the equipment on June 24, 2004. The equipment you received was the LNBF, DVR, and two remotes. As far as a smart card, you may have received that, if it was inside the DVR, but I never actually saw a smart card. Before I continue addressing the issues in your post, I want to thank you for your response! This constitutes more customer service than I have received during this entire mess with DN. You are correct about being told of the $1 hold, but this is how it was explained to me: Sales rep quote, We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill. (My comment: Didn't get credit until third bill and four calls to DN) In addition, I was never told that I would be double billed the first month. That came as quite a shock and inconvenience. I believe you owe it to new customers to completely disclose this practice, in advance! Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49. Manu, you state, Keith, your account was charged exactly 15 days after you disconnected and before your equipment was received. It took DN 21 days to get the return box to me. Also, Manu, you and everyone else at DN who referred to a contract, have yet to provide me with one, on which my signature is affixed. That is probably because I never signed a contract. If you (DN) have one with a signature, I assure you it is not my signature. I DID NOT sign a contract. If you (DN) ever come up with a contract, you will be placing yourselves in a very bad position, because it will have to have been forged. Your comment, Dish Network is a Fotune 500 company of considerable repute and is not out to fleece you or fraudulantly charge your account, means absolutely nothing; however, I believe you. I think that most of the people at DN are simply not concerned with providing even adequate customer service, and have no idea how to keep appropriate records. Just because a company is large, does not mean they know what they are doing. In response to your statement, It seems like you had an unhappy ending to your relationship with DN and are simply upset and want to do everything you can to voice your opinion. You are correct! The unhappy experience I had started day one and continues to this very day. In response to your statement, DN gets these calls very often and I can say without a doubt that you have not returned your LNBF. I am sure you do get calls like this every day. When you get so many calls on one subject, it is time to look inward for the solution. Where there is smoke there is fire! Finally, Manu, you ask me to call DN, and say my issue will be resolved. I have called, several times, and no one at DN extends the courtesy of returning the call. If you would like to get this resolved, please telephone me yourself, or post a legitimate address here, so that I can send you a communication. I have attempted to settle this issue, but have been ignored. The BALL is in DN's court.

Hello Manu, Thank you for your apology. I'm sure you realize that an apology is only valid when it doesn't come with a BUT. Apparently, you have done a lot of checking, but your records are incorrect. As I stated in my previous post on this site, you received the equipment on June 24, 2004. The equipment you received was the LNBF, DVR, and two remotes. As far as a smart card, you may have received that, if it was inside the DVR, but I never actually saw a smart card. Before I continue addressing the issues in your post, I want to thank you for your response! This constitutes more customer service than I have received during this entire mess with DN. You are correct about being told of the $1 hold, but this is how it was explained to me: Sales rep quote, We will place a $1 hold on your card while we do a credit check to see if you qualify for an account. Then, if and when you are approved, we will charge your card for $49. You will receive a credit for the $49 on your first bill. (My comment: Didn't get credit until third bill and four calls to DN) In addition, I was never told that I would be double billed the first month. That came as quite a shock and inconvenience. I believe you owe it to new customers to completely disclose this practice, in advance! Nothing was said about leaving a hold on the cc account. In addition, I was sent an invoice that indicated the promotional cost of the equipment was $49, not $400. Even if DN wants to slither through the $1 hold, they cannot charge anymore for the equipment than the published/invoiced cost of the equipment, i.e., $49. Manu, you state, Keith, your account was charged exactly 15 days after you disconnected and before your equipment was received. It took DN 21 days to get the return box to me. Also, Manu, you and everyone else at DN who referred to a contract, have yet to provide me with one, on which my signature is affixed. That is probably because I never signed a contract. If you (DN) have one with a signature, I assure you it is not my signature. I DID NOT sign a contract. If you (DN) ever come up with a contract, you will be placing yourselves in a very bad position, because it will have to have been forged. Your comment, Dish Network is a Fotune 500 company of considerable repute and is not out to fleece you or fraudulantly charge your account, means absolutely nothing; however, I believe you. I think that most of the people at DN are simply not concerned with providing even adequate customer service, and have no idea how to keep appropriate records. Just because a company is large, does not mean they know what they are doing. In response to your statement, It seems like you had an unhappy ending to your relationship with DN and are simply upset and want to do everything you can to voice your opinion. You are correct! The unhappy experience I had started day one and continues to this very day. In response to your statement, DN gets these calls very often and I can say without a doubt that you have not returned your LNBF. I am sure you do get calls like this every day. When you get so many calls on one subject, it is time to look inward for the solution. Where there is smoke there is fire! Finally, Manu, you ask me to call DN, and say my issue will be resolved. I have called, several times, and no one at DN extends the courtesy of returning the call. If you would like to get this resolved, please telephone me yourself, or post a legitimate address here, so that I can send you a communication. I have attempted to settle this issue, but have been ignored. The BALL is in DN's court.

Seems like both these issues are a combination of overzealous retailers and misundersatnding. To the bad install, I apologize that you had such a bad experience. The issue about the the $100 fee is that you have leased equipment from Dish Network and after disconnecting your account, you are required to return that equipment. When you signed up, you verbally authorized a $1 hold on your credit/debit card to secure that equipment. That $1 hold authorizes DN to charge your credit card if that equipment is not returned within 15 days of disconnecting your account. As a courtesy DN sends out boxes with prepaid labels on them to enable you to return this equipment. The box also contains details on what to return and what not to return. If you are unable to get on your roof and return the LNBF on the dish, then your account will be charged. This fee, however is reversed in certain cicumstances. You should probably call DN before you file any kind of lawsuit. The reason why the $400 charge was reversed is becasue DN got your receivers and smart cards back. Keith, your account was charged exactly 15 days after you disconnected and before your equipment was received. Also if you want you can call 18003333474 and ask for a copy of the contract that you signed. Dish Network is a Fotune 500 company of considerable repute and is not out to fleece you or fraudulantly charge your account. It seems like you had an unhappy ending to your relationship with DN and are simply upset and want to do everything you can to voice your opinion. DN gets these calls very often and I can say without a doubt that you have not returned your LNBF. Call DN and your issue will be resolved. If you however, want to follow through on your legal action, that remains your choice.

Hello Dave, You are simply incorrect. Keith M did contact DN with a complaint, while the installer was still in his home. He was instructed to put the installer on the phone. After hanging-up, the installer told Keith that if he didn't like the install, that DN would send someone else out to move it, but since it was done to specifications, it would cost him an additional $99. Keith did tell him to forget it. The installation problem was only a small portion of the problems that Keith encountered with DN during the term of service. The equipment was returned to DN on June 24, 2004 at 9:32 A.M. in El Paso, TX, and was signed for by Reyes. This fact was confirmed by one of your customer service representatives by the name of Rachael, on July 14, 2004. Rachael's supervisor, George said it would be a short time, 3 to 4 days, before Keith would receive a refund. The next time Keith called DN, they informed him they have never heard of anyone by the name of Rachael, or George. Denying that the previous person to whom you spoke ever existed is a pattern that is often repeated by DN. Keith does not have a contract! He never signed anything! It is unlawful, even if a contract existed that states otherwise, to charge a credit card without authorization. You think you (DN) would have learned that through your previous encounters with the Attorney's General of around 17 states. Keith May owe DN $100, but not because of the reason stated in your message. Further, Keith is beginning to feel that you (DN) are not intentionally defrauding people; you (DN) may simply be almost totally incompetent when it comes to record keeping and customer service. Keith sent a registered letter, return receipt requested, to: Dish Network 9601 S. Meridian Blvd. Inglewood, CO 80112 The letter came back, refused service. BTW, this is the address he was given by one of the CS reps at the corporate suite. It seems that you do not wish to amicably settle any of your problems. If you would like to give Keith the name and address of a real person to whom he can send correspondence, please feel free to contact him at the telephone number on his account. Do not bother unless you are prepared to provide valid information. One final note. Keith did receive a telephone call from a person at DN with the first name of Judd (sp) from the number 720-514-8738. Keith returned the call, and received voice mail. Keith's message was please call this afternoon and let's get this thing settled. Keith never heard from anyone at DN after that. It would be nice if your (DN) could conduct business professionally. Thank you,

Hello, My name is David Radnor, and I work as a customer service representive over here at DISH Network. Keith, im really sorry to hear that you had problems with your initial installation. It is DISH Networks Goal to provide only the highest customer service. You should have contacted us first about your installation and we would have sent out another installer to correct the installation problem you seem to be having. I just looked up Keith M's account and it looks like we finally did receive his equipment back, however the reason why he is still being charged $100 is because he never returned the LNBF on his Dish which is the piece which is used to receive the signal from the satellite Keith M needs to go up on his roof, remove the LNB and send it back to DISH Network and they will be happy to remove the charges from his bill. Have a nice Day :) Sincerely, David Radnor DISH Network Customer Service

Hello, My name is David Radnor, and I work as a customer service representive over here at DISH Network. Keith, im really sorry to hear that you had problems with your initial installation. It is DISH Networks Goal to provide only the highest customer service. You should have contacted us first about your installation and we would have sent out another installer to correct the installation problem you seem to be having. I just looked up Keith M's account and it looks like we finally did receive his equipment back, however the reason why he is still being charged $100 is because he never returned the LNBF on his Dish which is the piece which is used to receive the signal from the satellite Keith M needs to go up on his roof, remove the LNB and send it back to DISH Network and they will be happy to remove the charges from his bill. Have a nice Day :) Sincerely, David Radnor DISH Network Customer Service

Hello, My name is David Radnor, and I work as a customer service representive over here at DISH Network. Keith, im really sorry to hear that you had problems with your initial installation. It is DISH Networks Goal to provide only the highest customer service. You should have contacted us first about your installation and we would have sent out another installer to correct the installation problem you seem to be having. I just looked up Keith M's account and it looks like we finally did receive his equipment back, however the reason why he is still being charged $100 is because he never returned the LNBF on his Dish which is the piece which is used to receive the signal from the satellite Keith M needs to go up on his roof, remove the LNB and send it back to DISH Network and they will be happy to remove the charges from his bill. Have a nice Day :) Sincerely, David Radnor DISH Network Customer Service

Deborh, you are not quite correct. First. I have no problem with 4-star, other than the fact that the person with whom I spoke, twice prior to placing my order, told me that as long as I connected a phone line to the equipment, I was not subject to the DVR charge. That was not correct. Second. You (4-star) contracted the installation job to an independent to who I had to supply the tools for installation. He was a nice young man, but was not prepared. He placed the dish in a different location than the one in which I had asked. As a result, as soon as the trees came into leaf, the signal was blocked. He drilled a hole through the house, and then informed me that the installation was through one wall only, and that if I wanted it routed through another, into the family room, he would have to charge me extra. It was unclear how he expected to install in up to four rooms without drilling and fishing cable through more than one wall. I completed the installation myself, and did not sign anything. You better look into that; it is a felony to sign another person's name for financial gain. Third, you sent me an invoice that showed the $49.99 promo price, but dish network felt no problem in charging my credit card account (fraudulently) in the amount of $400.00. I do realize that you have little, or no, control over the actions of a third party. It is this third party who is the subject of my complaint. My fight is not with 4-star; however, it can be if you wish. I took screen shots of your web site when I placed my order, and to your credit, you did correct both the error on monthly pricing and did a better job of explaining the DVR on demand line charge. Thank you for your reply,

Our records show a Keith M* from Orland Park IL 60462 ordered a DISH Network system from 4-Star Trading Company. The system was installed on 2/25/2004. Mr Keith M_ signed and indicated that his system was installed in a professional manner to his complete satisfaction. This was the last our company has ever heard from Mr Keith M_. Mr Keith M_ has not contacted 4-Star Trading Company in regards to ANY problems or disputes. Additionally, 4-Star Trading Company has NOT billed his credit card for any amount beyond a $49.99 activation charge, which was credited to his first DISH Network bill, as we agreed. We do not appreciate a libelous headline by a customer who has had a billing problem with DISH Network over which we had no control nor notification. Please remove the misleading "4-Star Trading Company" from the title of the report. His complaints has never involved our company. 4-Star Trading Company has been in business since 1997. We treat all of our customers fairly and ask for the same treatment in return. http://4-star-trading.com

I've had the same eperience and you can read my report. I'm wondering what you think about law suit? We don't seem to be the only ones with problems involving Dish/Echostar/VMC. Please respond.

I've had the same eperience and you can read my report. I'm wondering what you think about law suit? We don't seem to be the only ones with problems involving Dish/Echostar/VMC. Please respond.

I've had the same eperience and you can read my report. I'm wondering what you think about law suit? We don't seem to be the only ones with problems involving Dish/Echostar/VMC. Please respond.