Complain about a product or service

DISH Network

Paul of Marietta, GA September 15, 2009

Service dropped every time it rained. DVR that wants to record adult programs on 2nd tuner in daughter's room--and that crashed receiver when stopped. A movie recorded in 23 one minute segments. Screens are oriented toward making it too easy for anyone in household to order pay services or upgrades. Too many problems to list. Certainly not TIVO quality. Using their latest receivers too.

I wanted to cancel immediately at install, three days into service, and then 13 days into service. Customer service did anything to try to make right and said I had 30 days to try service and cancel without cost. On day 26 I canceled. They claimed they never had a 30 day period to cancel and insist on charging me 360 early termination fee. Quite simply, they lied, they didn't keep the phone recordings, they claim they aren't even capable of contacting the representatives by the codes they had given as contacts.

Calls get transferred from one person to the next and nobody is capable of terminating the contract. They are a desperate company with inferior technology that will do whatever they can to make a buck and that doesn't deserve to remain in business. Don't give them your business. Look at U-Verse if you can, or else Comcast with TIVO series 3. If you do go with Dish then do it with them directly instead of through one of their resellers. The resellers just add unnecessary costs and terms.

A lawyer may contact me for action against Dish Network. I expected to be able to terminate the contract within 30 days without cost as I was assured multiple times. Also please contact me if you were told of a 30 day period. Possible loss of 360 for terminating service.

Beverly of Olympia, WA September 15, 2009

We had a sattelite dish installed with an analog TV. That Tv died so we bought a new TV. I did the setup menu on the new TV which is digital and set it to receive digital transmission. The channel search showed no transmission. I reset the TV to receive analog transmission and it received all of our channels from the sattelite dish. I called tech support to see how to switch the DVR receiver box over to transmit in digital instead of analog. After conversations with 5 different techs and finally an "advanced tech" they told me the DVR box transmits in digital and I should be getting a digital picture. I told them that the TV only showed analog reception but they wouldn't listen or give me any help.

Douglas of Lompoc, CA September 15, 2009

On August 21, 2009 we attempted to close out the Dish service for my deceased mother and father-in-law. We called and talked to Lauren ZHT who gave us a FAx number for sending a death certificate. We tried the number and could not successfully fax the document as their number was not receiving, so we called back and were told to mail it, which we did. They also sent us one pre-paid shipping box for two of their four satellite receivers. We called on approx. Sept 4th to request a second prepaid box for the other two receivers and were told they did not close our account as they had no record of a death certificate on file.

At this point my wife chose to challenge "the system" as we had sent one, and noted that no other utility required a death certificate. She was passed around to three other "customer service reps" all chanting "send a death certificate". We then faxed a copy on September 4th, and were successful, and have a receipt that it was received at dish. I then sent an e-mail to the customer assistance available through their website and asked for confirmation they had received it and asked for a second pre-paid shipping box so we could return the receivers....

Sent by me:Tuesday, September 08, 2009 12:16 PM. It turns out that the problem was with your fax machine. I was able to get one through last week, with a copy of the death certificate attached. Please do not ask for a third copy. Please close account ------- and send me another pre-paid box for the other two boxes and remotes. From Dish: Friday, September 04, 2009 11:14 PM. Dear Mr. P., Thank you for your email. We do apologize for any inconvenience. Our records show that we have not received the death certificate yet. Vanessa S. G5W

From me:Thank you for your help, Attached to this e-mail is a 3rd copy of the death certificate. One was mailed on 8-26-2009 following our initial phone call on August 24th, one was successfully faxed to you on 9-4-2009, and now this one. Please close account # ------ effective August 24, the date of our first request. From Dish: Dear Mr. P., Thank you for your email. Please fax the death certificate to the fax number that was given to you. We do not have the access to forward this document to the other department. Vanessa S. G5W

My e-mail: Sunday, September 13, 2009 10:55 PM: Why do you exist if you cannot help solve this problem? Tomorrow I will send a FOURTH copy of my parents death certificate to you. I have previously faxed it. Please help me. You are now in possession of the copy I attached to my email. Please simply call your counterparts and tell them you have it. From Dish:Dear Mr. P., Thank you for your email. We understand your frustration and we do apologize for any inconvenience. You will need to send the death certificate to the correct department.

I then faxed a fourth copy of the death certificates to the "correct department" and again received a proof of receipt of my fax. I the phone customer service to verify they received it. They could not do that as the fax number is in a facility far from customer support. This time I was able to discuss the situation at length as I finally found someone willing to take ownership of the problem. She had knowledge that the legal department was backed up 30 days in recording death certificates and powers of attorney, etc. She assured me that if I successfully faxed the documents it would be resolved within a couple more weeks. She then assured me that our initial call of August 21 had been recorded in their records and the estate would receive no more charges.

This was after three weeks of very stressful and inarguably disrespectful communications to a family still in mourning, that simply wanted to close out an account. This should never happen. I have requested several times acknowledgement of receipt of the death certificates and have received none-to-date. The battle continues. If I can believe the one knowledgable rep. it will self resolve after a few weeks, but I will believeit when I see it.

LAURA of LANCASTER, CA September 13, 2009

On 12/10/08 my Dish bill was paid in full with a balance of 0.00. On 12/10/08 Rose/Billing Supervisor at Dish agreed to meet a competing offer to me from Direct TV for 250 channels plus locals plus HBO and Showtime at 60 per month and agreed to cut my December bill paying in advance for December, to 60. In bad faith breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, interference with competing offer, fraudulent billing practices, fraudulent credit card practices, harassment and fraud, Dish did not cut my December 2008 bill to 60, did not bill me at the agreed rate of 60/month at any time since our contract of 12/10/08, and has repeatedly phoned me and emailed me and mailed me fraudulent bills with fraudulent demands for exorbitant sums I do not owe.

I have fulfilled all my obligations by paying 61 - 65 /month to Dish since December, 2008 on time, in advance, in full. I have OVERPAID Dish each month by paying 61-65, as the taxes are 0.41. Between December, 2008 and March, 2009, I phoned Dish 3 times and requested Dish correct its bills, mitigate its bad faith actions and perform its obligations, but Dish refused while admitting DIsh records reflect Dish's agreement on 12/10/09 to charge me 60/month, and also admitting that I have paid 61-65 /month timely as and for payment in full.

Dish in bad faith, despite being noticed in writing and despite my 3 good faith phone calls to Dish, refused to correct the bills to reflect its contract with me, and relentlessly and oppressively without interruption continued to send me bills and emails fraudulently claiming that I had "past due" sums, and fraudulently claiming that "We have not received payment for your last statement. You must pay the total amount due immediately to avoid additional late fees and service interruptions."

Most recently, on 9/10/09, I received a bill dated 9/23/09 from DIsh claiming a false "previous balance" of 114.49, a payment of 60, and false "current charges" of 81.96. The correct "previous balance" was 60, not 114.49, the account has been paid in full each month, so the correct balance should state 0.00, and the correct "current charges" should be 60, not 81.96. This date a notice appeared on my TV screen stating that my Dish service will be cancelled unless I make an immediate payment, when as Dish at all times knew, I paid my September, 2009 DIsh bill in full, in advance for the entire month on 9/4/09, and that no payment is due or owing....

All 4 of my phone calls to Dish both this date and from 12/08 to 3/09 were the same, admissions of the contract, then deliberate attempts to assert false vague fees and charges. Inarguably, Dish is willfully training its so-called "customer service" personnel to harm and defraud its customers, as proven in innumerable lawsuits and fines imposed by many states' attorney generals and consumer fraud agencies.

The message threatening to disconnect my service continues to display on my TV screen after my good faith effort and phone call to Dish this date to obtain DIsh's performance of our contract. As you know, disconnecting service to a customer who has already paid in full in advance for the month via credit card constitutes egregious credit card fraud, fraudulent banking practices and theft.

I'm suing Dish! Overbilling, phone calls until I noticed Dish in writing not to phone me at any time for any reason, fraudulent "past due" bills and emails, threats to disconnect my Dish unless I paid money I don't owe. The pits!

Elaine of Piedmont , SD September 7, 2009

Beware cancelling your account with Dish Network! In mid August 2009 I called Dish Network to cancel my account because we were moving. I talked to Andrew. I asked that the account be cancelled on 1 September 2009. On 1 September 2009 we stopped receiving service. Then in 5 September 2009 I receive a Dish Network billing statement with several disturbing items on it.

1) They claimed that they had stopped my service for my account being "seriously past due". Incorrect on two accounts. I have never been past due and I was the one that cancelled the account. 2) They claimed "autopay" was declined. Apparently they didn't try as there was sufficient funds in my account that had been consistantly debted for autopay from the day I signed up for their service.

3) The statement said that "To restart programming and to avoid further collection proceedings, please make payment in full immediately....". This sounds like a very real threat to me. 4) The billing statement was for "Services from 09/02/09 - 10/01/09". If I cancelled the account effective 1 September 2009 why are they billing me for future service?

I have written a letter stating my concerns and am waiting for the response. They are threatening my credit rating, threating me with collection actions. Both of these could have a serious impact on my employment which does back ground checks for anything that could cause concern to the company.

Earl of Apache Junction, AZ September 2, 2009

We went with DISH Satelite last winter, but are totally dissatisfied with the programming. We love the Western Stations, but, they play the SAME movies, over and over again for 6 months. We're paying good money only to watch the SAME programs over again. This is totally wrong. They need to offer new programs EVERY month, not the same ones for six months. You can only watch the same thing just so many times. What are they thinking of? This is a BIG rip off.

Leslie of Dayton, NV August 27, 2009

I have the highest package that they offer with a HD DVR and an additional box for two bedrooms. My DVR reboots frequently whether we are watching it, recording a program or even when it is off. I am on my 5th DVR and am having the same issue. They say that I can't cancel my service and that they won't issue me a different DVR.

Brittney of Powder Springs, GA August 26, 2009

After finding out the prices and what was available in my area, I called Dish Network because their prices were very low and it seemed they were offering the same as the cablevision I had in NY for less. Which was basic channels with a DVR. So March 30th 2009 I'm on the phone talking to the sales rep and I ask about the DVR feature and if I would be able to watch something and record something at the same time and the sales rep says YES.

So I go ahead and sign up with Dish Network and when the installation guy starts putting the equipment in my home, me and my sister quickly realize that he isn't hooking up a cable box to our TV in the basement so we asked the guy and he informs us that we have a dual connector, which is one cable box that works as two cable boxes. So in my case the one cable box was hooked up to the TV in the living room and cable cords went into the TV that was in the basement from that one box. To make sure I was still able to record and watch TV at the same time, me and my sister asked the installation guy and he said Yes you can still record and watch TV at the same time.

Due to the moving in process it took me and my sister 3 to 4 days before we actually sat down and went over the Dish Network programs and we was quickly disappointed because we started turning the channel for two TV's(the living room TV and the basement TV)and we were NOT able to record and watch TV at the same time. So I called Dish Network and asked them why is it that I am turning the channel for two TV's and they told me that I had to press the MODE button on the cable box which will split the two TV's and it did. Now I asked them why I'm I not able to record something and watch something and the rep said with the dual connector when one TV is recording you have to watch the other TV or that program which is recording and you will not be able to turn the channel or watch another program as that TV records. And thats not what I wanted or asked for.

I wanted a TV for my siblings to watch and a TV with DVR for me and my sister to watch. So on that one TV for me and my sister I wanted to be able to record something at 8pm and watch something on another channel at 8pm so how is it that I got exactly what I didn't want when my intentions were clear from the start?

The manager over the phone calls this a miscommunication because he said his reps were only thinking about what Dish offers and they didn't completely understand what I meant by watch TV and record at the same time. Dish calls it miscommunication, I call it robbery because Dish can cash in my money each month while I sit at home with service I don't want.I told Dish network that I want to cancel and thought I would be able to cancel since Dish Network should have some sort of free trial period and I was only with Dish for 3 or 4 days.

This is when they tell me that it will cost me 200 dollars to cancel and that there is no 30 day free trial and I only had 72 hours to send back equipment if I didn't like the plan. Now for me to have the equipment for 3 to 4 days after signing up and then come out of my pocket and give Dish Network 200 dollars is VERY CRAZY so I quickly decided I can't cancel yet and will as soon as I get the 200 dollars. Had a rep or the installation guy informed me that I had 72 hours, I would of examined the product sooner and had I not been lied to in the begining about the features then I'd never be a Dish Network customer.

I asked the manager since this was a miscommunication why don't Dish Network forget the contract and take back the equipment, like I never called them and he says they can't because I have the equipment, which makes no sense because all they had to do is destroy the contract and I will personally hand them back each piece of equipment I have in my house. I don't need Dish Networks equipment and I want to go to a company where I feel like I'm getting my money's worth and I'm getting the features I asked for.

So thats where I'm at now unable to pay the two hundred dollars to get out of the contract and needing a attorney to help me get out of the contract. without paying the two hundred dollars because there is no way a company can lie to you and say Yes we offer this and then you get the product and it is not what you ordered. I will be spreading the word everywhere until I'm finally done with Dish Network and I wrote a dispute to the company as well and I have yet to hear a word from them.

Audrey of falls church, VA August 24, 2009

In June 2009 I changed from Direct TV to Dish Network..to lower my bill. The service Classic Silver 200 (Advertised for 29.00) did not have most of the basic channels so I called to have them added..got my first bill. They charged me an additional 50.00 for 2 premium w/classic Gold 250. Did I mentioned that my 29.99 service is now 57.99 - Mid July.. 2nd bill - 138.94. Called, spoke with 4 or 5 people - cancelled.

The rep my credit card would be charged 300.00 for breaking the contract. fine...send ups to pick up the boxes and come take the dish off my house - they do not take the dish...nice. they left skid marks in my drive way getting here to install the dish - now they will not take it down.

Fast forward...its august - I have the cox bundle...and the Dish Network boxes are in my dining room waiting for the ups guy to pick up.. I got a bill this weekend - 393.36 - 156.78 of porn in 3 days (July 24, 25 & 26) July 24. Now I am not familiar with any of the above - but based on the number of times each of these are subscribed to, they must be pretty good (or bad, depending on how you look at it). Did I mentioned that on July 24, 25 and 26 - My boxes were disconnected? The rep at Dish Network said that it did not matter - I have to pay.

I was told that I have 30 days to cancelled - and even though I cancelled within that time - I still have to pay the cancellation fee. They hiked up the prices on me and I do not have the right to cancell - isnt that a breach in the contract on their part..? I am not a barrister - but I know that something illegal is going on here... What are my options?

Jamie of Savannah, TX August 15, 2009

We switched to dish network when they told us that we would receive the same channels we were already getting for a reduced price and that the DVR and other equipment was easy to use. We did NOT have the same channels and were missing some very basic ones. Also, the equipment was NOT user friendly at all. We know there is a 3 day federal lemon law and one Dish Network employee told us we had 30 days to cancel.

We called within 3 days and were told we would be charged 300 for canceling, the 'supervisor' we talked with was VERY rude and hung up on us. We have since learned that they were supposed to provide us with 2 copies of a cancellation form but they gave us none. We don't know what to do or who to turn to.

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