Complaint Review: Dish NetworkDish Network LLC - Pasadena California

You are indeed correct that the cable is the same and Mike is mis-informed.  But it would seem to be better to use existing cable rather than running new and possible causing damage or exposed cabling.

Ken, you dont cut a LIVE/ACTIVE coaxial cable-you disconnect it first!  This cable was tied in to the cable service we use (we didnt know this at the time).  This cable was installed by an Adelphia cable installer some years ago-mistakenly tied into our cable service instead of the enclosure on the opposite side of the house that was for the upper rear apartment.  Additionally, you dont commandeer someones property for financial gain without the property owners permission.  Wouldnt you agree?

This one, you may be right about, but my understanding is the customer must first obtain the permission, it was that way when I was doing some installs.

I may be right?  This actually happened to us Ken.

One would have developed that understanding based on the Dish Network website (as it was at the time.)  4 different employees of the retailer/installer told me they didnt need landlord permission to install the DBS system.  2 employees told me this while standing in my driveway with the tenant present.  When we demanded the antennas be removed, the second obstacle was the installer and Dish Network telling us that the tenant (customer) had to request the service be discontinued-early termination of the service.  The FIRST obstacle was the installer telling me that the antennas belonged to the tenant.  When I informed the installer and Dish that I learned that the antennas were LEASED, they then presented the SECOND obstacle. 

My impression of the antenna.LNB return was either the customer mis-understood or was told wrong.

I believe the customer of this report.  I have found on line complaints where Dish has requested the LNB be returned and if it was not returned, a fee would be assessed.  In each of these complaints I have found where the LNB was to be returned, the one common denominator was that Dish service was being terminated.

Dish doesn't sell receivers or dishes and doesn't guarantee they'll all be new.  It's not fraudlulent as they still own the equipment and if your receiver should fail, they'll replace it with another...new OR used.

I dont dispute that.  What Id like to see is a price list of NEW vs. USED.  A used/refurbished unit does not have the same value as a NEW unit; they depreciate with use.

They don't just toss returned receivers in the dumpster...not very economical and raises costs for everyone.  Not sure, though if Mike's telling is completely accurate.

I believe it is accurate-it would make sense to do so.  My issue has to do with the amount of the fee assessed and DISCLOSURE of the fee.  It seems unethical to me to charge the customer THE SAME PRICE for a USED unit as for a NEW unit.

Heres an accurate analogy for you:  I install NEW carpeting in a bedroom of an apartment you rent from me.  3 years after the installation, you move out but the carpet is irreparably damaged and needs to be replaced-I replace it before re-renting the apartment.  I can charge you for replacing the carpet.  I can charge you the full cost of hiring a contractor to perform the labor of replacing the carpet but I CANNOT CHARGE YOU THE FULL COST OF THE NEW CARPET-I must DEPRECIATE the value of the new carpeting I installed while you were in the apartment, not the cost of the actual replacement carpet that I had installed after you vacated the premises.  Thats how it works in NY State courts.  I believe it should be the same for equipment supplied by DBS providers.

These are my observations and I believe them to be accurate ones.

Your experience is different from mine.  Im still compiling data about this nonsense these installers pull around here.  Privity of contract is a defense for them, but it is not an affirmative defense.  The judge can decide to DECLINE a privity of contract defense if there is overwhelming evidence to indicate that the defendant KNEW that their actions were inappropriate or illegal and was not performed in good faith.  In the meantime, I can hold the former tenant liable for the damages caused by Dish Network and their local retailer/installer.

NOTICE TO TENANTS:  If any DBS service provider causes damage to the real property you are renting, you can be held financially responsible for any and all damages they cause.  Your only recourse would be to sue the DBS provider for the damages you paid.

NOTICE TO LANDLORDS IN NY STATE:  If a tenant requests Dish Network or any other DBS service you might very well finds DBS antennas installed on your building, and it may be installed improperly and in violation of the National Electrical Code (the antenna system may not be grounded at all.) These DBS providers are not regulated in NY State!  As it stands now, youre easiest remedy is to assess damages to your tenant.  Im trying to get that changed in Albany.

If you have had issues with DBS antennas being installed on your property without your permission Id like you to contact me.  Please contact the editor of Ripoff Report and ask them to forward your information to me.

Again, your contributions to the Ripoff Report are very insightful and helpful.

Thanks.  I try to post accurate information.
 

See! it's contagious.

You guys responding are a lot more patient than I am  I could not get through the first paragraph.  It was written by a 3 year old.

"Im going to be polite and state that I believe you are either misinformed or repeating a scripted response." 

"I have personal knowledge of Dish Network authorized retailers/installers using preexisting Time Warner Cable coaxial cable for use with the installed Dish system.  "

You are indeed correct that the cable is the same and Mike is mis-informed.  But it would seem to be better to use existing cable rather than running new and possible causing damage or exposed cabling.

" The installer CUT a live TW Cable Service coaxial cable, put a connector on it and then COMMANDEERED THE CABLE.." 

"Additionally, the installer did not obtain landlord permission for this installation-the installer did not have any landlord permission forms in his service van.  Our tenant filed a claim with Dish for the damages caused to our home and the claim was DENIED..."

This one, you may be right about, but my understanding is the customer must first obtain the permission, it was that way when I was doing some installs.

 "Hopefully, I will be successful in having legislation enacted in NY State that will required all DBS providers to be licensed, insured, provide landlord indemnification, and liable for damages due to improper installation, and to obtain WRITTEN landlord permission before making any alterations to any real property-just as it is for cable TV providers."

Can't see anything wrong with this.

'Cannibalizing used parts to assemble a functioning receiver does NOT MAKE A NEW RECEIVER-at best one might call this a REFURBISHED RECEIVER.  Retailers are NOT allowed to lawfully advertise and sell refurbished goods AS NEW in all U.S. jurisdictions. This is another aspect of the Dish Ripoff.   It is inappropriate to charge a customer for a NEW RECEIVER when a USED receiver was provided to the customer.  Same applies to the USED LNB.  The author of this Ripoff Report indicates that Dish was ready to charge him $300 for a USED LNB (low noise block down converter.)  These components DEPRECIATE SIGNIFICANTLY when they are used-they lose value based on how long they are used.'

"I want to thank you for confirming this practice for me.  I suspected as much.  These components have a life expectancy (MTBF) and when they get too old, its normal for them to eventually fail, with or without damage from voltage spikes"

"Perhaps Michael Lemar will post the prices of the new components vs. the USED components.  Wouldnt that be nice?  Wouldnt you like to see a price list for new receivers, antennas, LNBs vs. USED/REFURBISHED receivers, antennas, LNBs?"

My impression of the antenna.LNB return was either the customer mis-understood or was told wrong.

Dish doesn't sell receivers or dishes and doesn't guarantee they'll all be new.  It's not fraudlulent as they still own the equipment and if your receiver should fail, they'll replace it with another...new OR used.

They don't just toss returned receivers in the dumpster...not very economical and raises costs for everyone.  Not sure, though if Mike's telling is completely accurate.

When the phone companies were still providing the actual phone, 90% of the time it was refurbished and called "C" stock.  To do otherwise would also have increased company costs, which would be passed on to the consumer.

These are my observations and I believe them to be accurate ones.

Again, your contributions to the Ripoff Report are very insightful and helpful.

For Michael Lemar:  As far as the installation is concerned, our technicians wouldn't use the cabling that a previous company had installed.  Anything that was installed by them that was meant specifically for their equipment wouldn't work for ours, as it's differently modeled. 

Im going to be polite and state that I believe you are either misinformed or repeating a scripted response. 

I have personal knowledge of Dish Network authorized retailers/installers using preexisting Time Warner Cable coaxial cable for use with the installed Dish system.  They did this in our home, in the upper rear apartment.  The installer CUT a live TW Cable Service coaxial cable, put a connector on it and then COMMANDEERED THE CABLE to run the dish signal from the bedroom to the living room.  The preexisting cable came from the TW enclosure on the side of our house, up the side of our home, through the outer wall and into the bedroom, across a bedroom wall, through the opposite wall and into the living room.  The Dish installer commandeered this cable to go from the receiver (installed in the bedroom) to a television in the living room.

Later, when we demanded that this cable be repaired (along with the other damage caused to our house) we were told that they were not allowed to repair someone elses cable.  We were told this WHILE THIS COMMANDEERED CABLE WAS BEING USED TO PROVIDE DISH SERVICES TO THE TENANT.

Additionally, the installer did not obtain landlord permission for this installation-the installer did not have any landlord permission forms in his service van.  Our tenant filed a claim with Dish for the damages caused to our home and the claim was DENIED (TAKE NOT TENANTS-YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE THE INSTALLER CAUSES.)  Our only legal remedy was to assess damages to the tenant.  We could not sue Dish or the installer due to a doctrine of law known as privity of contract.  This is very convenient for Dish and the installers.  

Hopefully, I will be successful in having legislation enacted in NY State that will required all DBS providers to be licensed, insured, provide landlord indemnification, and liable for damages due to improper installation, and to obtain WRITTEN landlord permission before making any alterations to any real property-just as it is for cable TV providers.

For Ken:  Dish has NEVER asked that the Satellite Dish itself be removed..they prefer to leave it up for any future service.....In fact, if you move they tell you to take your receivers and remotes and leave the Dish in place

The author of this Ripoff Report didnt state that Dish wanted the antenna returned. They wanted a PART from the antenna returned-most likely the LNBs (low noise block down converter(s).)  In his report, he indicated that Dish was ready to charge $300 if the USED LNB(s) were not returned.  The LNB is in the feed horn of the antenna and someone has to go on to the roof to retrieve it so it can be returned.

You are correct in that many times Dish will simply ABANDON the entire DBS antenna installation, including any LNBs.  However, there are many reports on line of folks who were terminating their contracts early and Dish would require the LNBs to be returned or else the terminating customer would be hit with a fee.

It seems to me that if someone moves and is continuing the Dish service at the new location, Dish will forgive all and abandon the old antenna system with no fees.  If someone has complained and is terminating early, then Dish wants the LNB returned and if it isnt returned, they will assess an additional fee for the USED LNBs. 

Perhaps Michael Lemar will post the prices of the new components vs. the USED components.  Wouldnt that be nice?  Wouldnt you like to see a price list for new receivers, antennas, LNBs vs. USED/REFURBISHED receivers, antennas, LNBs?

For maeflower07:  When they are recieved in dish's warehouse they go through thorough examination and any broken parts are tossed out, the working parts are recycled to assemble a new reciever.

Cannibalizing used parts to assemble a functioning receiver does NOT MAKE A NEW RECEIVER-at best one might call this a REFURBISHED RECEIVER.  Retailers are NOT allowed to lawfully advertise and sell refurbished goods AS NEW in all U.S. jurisdictions. This is another aspect of the Dish Ripoff.   It is inappropriate to charge a customer for a NEW RECEIVER when a USED receiver was provided to the customer.  Same applies to the USED LNB.  The author of this Ripoff Report indicates that Dish was ready to charge him $300 for a USED LNB (low noise block down converter.)  These components DEPRECIATE SIGNIFICANTLY when they are used-they lose value based on how long they are used.

I want to thank you for confirming this practice for me.  I suspected as much.  These components have a life expectancy (MTBF) and when they get too old, its normal for them to eventually fail, with or without damage from voltage spikes.

"As far as the installation is concerned, our technicians wouldn't use the cabling that a previous company had installed.  Anything that was installed by them that was meant specifically for their equipment wouldn't work for ours, as it's differently modeled"

Absolutely untrue, the RG6 cable and end connectors used by DirecTV and Dish are the same and completely compatible.  The dishes, LNB's and receivers, are NOT. RG6 is a low loss version of RG59 cable and is used because of less signal loss over a given length of cable....a concern at the low signal levels involved in satellite service.



Check this out with your technicians or installers, it's accurate, I've installed Dish and have the service. I used Belden, double shielded RG6...works just fine.  I've had the service since it's inception.







 

hey, like the title says i am an ex employee of dish. used to work in the advanced tech department.

Just want to clarify a few things, The contract that you signed was only to get you to stay with them. I suggest reading binding contracts before signing your life away. The amount they guaranteed off was for the first year only.

the 5$ fee you were charged was for having your second tv hooked up, the bill should have clarified that for you.

as far as your instillation complaints, ALL RG6 cable (thats the coax cable used to connect your satellite/cable tv) is the same, so it would have been a waste of money and time to install new cables.

the deal you say you got sounds like it was from a retailer so I am pretty sure they mislead you. While I was working there I got tons of people who were upset because of retailers lying, misleading, or not informing them of what they were going to be charged.

Although your complaints do sound like they were due to misinformation, I can tell you this;

While working for dish I personally explained all parts of the bill that were not understood to people that called in to me. We were not encouraged to volunteer that information because it wasted time, but if they asked we could. We got docked on QA for calls in which we wasted time explaining things that the customer had no questions on. enough QA docks and you get fired. Hence, why I am no longer working there.

The recievers installed are not exactly used. The chassis (outside) is. When they are recieved in dish's warehouse they go through thorough examination and any broken parts are tossed out, the working parts are recycled to assemble a new reciever.

Unfortunately though it sounds like all of your complaints could have been taken care of had you just called in to ask...and by called in I mean sat there and not yelled at the poor schmuck who answered, because they are just there to earn a living... and had nothing to do with the misinformation or install. Dish has over 9,000 employees too, so any calls you make- ask for them to notate everything.

I've reviewed the situation you've posted and wanted to provide some assistance!  The discounted price for being a new customer is not guaranteed for any period of time.  What we guarantee is the amount of the discount from whatever the standard price, which is subject to change, is over the first year of service.

As far as the installation is concerned, our technicians wouldn't use the cabling that a previous company had installed.  Anything that was installed by them that was meant specifically for their equipment wouldn't work for ours, as it's differently modeled.  Additionally, out technicians will set you up with whatever specific promotion and service you requested to be on the opening work order.  This, along with the situation of your account balance having gone to a collections agency who's been contacting you, are both things that I'll have to take a look at your account to determine.

If you could email me your account number, I'd be happy to help you further!  My email address is [email protected].  I'll look forward to speaking with you!

"There installers came,they never installed the Digital lines ,they used DirecTvs lines,cost to DishNetwork $0."
Why would you want dish to go through your house to rip out the RG6 cable DirecTV installed and replace it with their own RG6 cable?  That seems self defeating and stupid.

"Next ,they try to install the Cheapest plain old used Dish"
"Then they had the Odecity to install A Used receiverw/ glass stains & it was nicesly packaged in a new box,i asked them to bring a new one or the deal was off. Them Con Artist ,went to there truck & they brought Another used one,this one had Paint smugess."
I don't recall them ever promising to install all new equipment, but maybe someone did tell you that.
They own the receivers, so if something goes wrong, they replace it.

"Next the same one went to connect my bedroom tv to there system ,he blow the Speaker..."
How did connecting the existing DirecTV cable blow your TV speaker?

She comfirm my address to send the Return box for the receiver &part of the Dish & if i could not unistall that 2nd part from the Dish that is attached to the roof of House,Again they were going to charge my CC $300 &$15 for shipping.
Dish has NEVER asked that the Satellite Dish itself be removed..they prefer to leave it up for any future service.....In fact, if you move they tell you to take your receivers and remotes and leave the Dish in place........Is English a second language for you?

I don't think ANYONE could have completed the job to YOUR satisfaction.

No, I don't work for Dish Network or DirecTV.