Before you consider cancelling your Dish Network contract, you need to read the following information. Better yet, you might want to consider this information before ever signing up if it isn’t too late. Many businesses that offer satellite and cell phone services have contracts that contain a lot of fine print, and most people don’t bother to read it all before signing on the dotted line. They want the service, and they trust the company to be fair and honest.
Those who decide to cancel a Dish Network contract early might realize it will cost a little money, but Dish Network is a company that certainly doesn’t make it easy or reasonable to cancel, and if you’re not satisfied with their service they make sure you’ll pay either way. You have to like their service and keep it, or you’ll have to pay the price – even if their service is lousy, and it most certainly was in my particular case.
This is how service providers keep customers on the hook and keep them paying month after month, but word of mouth makes a much greater impact than creative and expensive advertising. People are beginning to find out what companies such as Dish Network are really like, and they make cancelling a big hassle so customers will stay and keep on paying. If customer service was really good, contracts wouldn’t be necessary to keep customers from cancelling.
Very Poor Customer Service
My husband and I absolutely loved our Dish Network DVR. It was a wonderful luxury to be able to record programs and fast forward through commercials. I became quite spoiled after owning a Dish Network DVR, but when paying my monthly bill I encountered a problem that wasn’t my fault. You can read about this experience as well by clicking on the Associated Content resources link in the left-hand column of this page.
Although I loved my Dish Network DVR, the lousy customer service really rubbed me the wrong way, and it was then I planned on cancelling my Dish Network service when I moved the following month. Dish Network isn’t the only company that offers a DVR, and I planned on getting a DVR recorder from Comcast Cable after cancelling.
You Want What?
I realized I would owe approximately $148 upon cancelling since I only had Dish Network for a short time, and I didn’t have a problem paying the cancellation fee, but what they requested and how they went about it was completely ridiculous and very rude. Not only did they want all of the equipment back including the books, and remotes, but they also wanted a specific piece of hardware off of the dish itself. The dish is probably 20 feet off the ground on the roof of a second-story house! We informed the employee that we would not be returning this part since I didn’t want to risk my husband falling and breaking his neck. Luckily they said we could send a note saying the part is too high to reach. Hopefully we don’t end up being charged for it, but after learning what this company is really like, I won’t be surprised if we are. Dish Network is more than welcome to go to the home and retrieve this part themselves if they must have it back. They installed it, and for $148 they can come get it!
Waiting for Boxes
I’m now in the process of waiting for boxes to be sent to my home in which to return the receivers, remotes, and instruction booklets. While waiting for these boxes, my husband has received two automated phone calls telling us the boxes will be coming and the items needed to be sent back immediately. The recorded voice was very rude, and these constant reminders weren’t at all necessary.
Postage is included when returning Dish Network components, but I’m afraid that after sending everything back, Dish Network will charge us for anything then can. I’ll return everything I have, but I wouldn’t put it past this company to send us an additional bill for something they claim is missing. After finding out what this company is really like, I don’t trust them at all.
Dish Network Will Immediately Debit Your Credit Card or Debit Card
Before cancelling your Dish Network account, be sure to have the credit card or debit card you used when signing up changed to prevent them from immediately charging a disconnection fee. Otherwise, if you signed up using a debit card they could cause you to bounce checks if the amount in your account isn’t sufficient upon cancelling. If you signed up using a credit card, they could cause you to be charged extra expenses if it puts your account over the limit. Also, don’t pay your bill with a new credit card or debit card before cancelling. Dish Network will take the numbers you have given them in the past when paying your bill, and they will debit your account without permission rather than allowing you to pay by check when the funds are available.
Consider Cable or DirectvInstead
I have completely lost all respect for the Dish Network company, and because of their lousy customer service, rude reminders and demands upon cancelling, and questionable practices, I can’t recommend them to anyone. I have switched to Comcast cable after cancelling, and I’m very satisfied with the DVR and On Demand programming they provide. Best of all, I can cancel anytime without penelty. Comcast didn’t require a contract because their service is excellent. I will never again go back to Dish Network, no matter what incentives they offer to lure in unsuspecting customers, and I will go out of my way to tell others of my experience.
Although I faithfully paid my Dish Network bill each and every month, they took it upon themselves to debit my checking account for $148.16 upon cancelling, and they did so without my consent. Also, they didn’t use the same debit card account I used when I signed up for the service. The original number had been changed since I had misplaced my debit card. After cancelling, Dish Network looked into my account to find the new debit card number I used to pay my bill, and without my permission they debited an account with a number I hadn’t given them permission to access.
Important Information
