DISH Network: Home Satellite TV Service

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- When I ordered Dish Network installed at my home I was told I would receive MSNBC as part of my package. Also their advertising says FREE DVR upgrade, FREE 55 HD channels. None of these things are true... after the system was installed they wanted to charge me extra for each of the above items... $$$ for MSNBC, $$$ for DVR, $$$ for HD channels.

Instead of costing $29.99 per month like the ad says and the ads are everywhere, it came to more like $75 or so by the time they upgraded me to what they said was FREE in big bold letters. I feel very cheated by Dish Network and told them to cancel the service. If they can't be honest with me at the beginning of a contract... how crooked will they be as time goes by?

When I moved into my new house, I wanted to see what other options there were for TV. Dish Network had the best up front prices, so I called them at set everything up. The person I talked to was very thorough, which was nice.

The day came for the tech to do my install. I was out running errands and come home to the tech waiting in my driveway, 1 hour early. I asked how I could help him, he said he was from Dish. He then looked at my hill, said "Yeah, that won't work. We can't get a line of sight". I respond, "OK well no need to come back at your regular time." I assume it's all over.

3 hours later, I get a call from some company called "High Definition". They contract to DIRECTV and heard from the Dish Network tech that there was a line of sight issue, and since they have a different satellite, they wanted to see if they would have the same problem. My immediate reaction was "where did you get my information from?" Their response was "The Dish Network tech called us and let us know". I was absolutely furious.

After a week I started getting automated calls from Dish Network about my installation. I finally called the number back and they said that they put my installation on "hold" because they wanted to get a second opinion. I told them I already had cable installed and to just cancel. They did so without complaint, but I then brought up the little info sharing issue. It has now progressed to some Executive Resolution Center, as well as the local branch of Dish.

The tech will probably get fired, and who knows what other info he sold/told to others! What if he comes back to my house and does something to one of my dogs or threatens my family? What if he has given enough of my info to someone that can potentially steal my identity? Dish does some shady stuff, but this is over the line. I am pursuing legal action against them as well as the tech for what they have done.

Dish Network installed a receiver (522) on the 13th of Sep 09, the caller ID never worked, the menu diagnostic showed a modem failure and I could not use PPV. The video would show in black and white at times. I have caller ID from the phone company. I asked Dish net for a new receiver which was installed about a week later, I still have the same problems with the new receiver and I get nothing but the runaround from Dish net, I checked around and was told they were installing used equipment. All installation was done by Dish Net service people.

My wife and I have had Dish Network since 2003. If you add up our service fees since then it is about $6000 or less. Our rates have always increased without any improvement in our service. Recently we have received several good promotions in the mail and on our answering machine (some from Dish Network for new customers only). Our equipment was old and out dated. I decided to call and see what they could offer. They sent us updated equipment, offered three months free on our premium channels, and HD free for a year without changing our rates. Two-Three weeks later the bill arrived. The bill did not stay the same + they did not credit us for the premium channels.

Our monthly bill had increased. I called Dish Network for an explanation, spoke to about 6 different people, could not get them to stick to the original agreement. After about 4 hours on the phone canceled services. Now they tell me since I am canceling I have to pay a monthly service charge for the next two years. I'm not paying because they are not doing what they promised. I was supposed to get a call back about an hour ago tonight from a "manager". It did't happen. BE CAREFUL THEY ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY. AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT KEEPING CUSTOMERS.

Last year in August I tried DISH Network for my television. I did not sign the 24-month contract and signed that I refused the 24-month contract. After viewing the meager offerings, I canceled the service. I was told that they would upgrade me for the same price, but I had already made other arrangements. I never heard from them after that. I never got a bill, nor did they ask for the equipment back. This year, 12 months later, they tell me I am behind in my bill. I have not paid my contract price. This was 12 months after the start of my alleged contract. I told them I never signed a 2-year contract and so far they cannot produce a contract, but I have my copy showing I declined it.

Every time I talk with them, we are back to square one. Twelve months later they sent me a label to return the equipment, which I had relegated to the basement. I did return the equipment. First they wanted $67, then they wanted $200. I told them I would pay something for the installation, but I want something in writing showing what I need to pay for which makes sense. They say they have to retrieve the contract which always takes "three weeks." This is still up in the air and I have now received a collection call, which did not connect but I believe it was from them. I will be happy to file a complaint with PUCO and the BBB regarding this matter. They are pathetic.

We were supposed to get a satellite dish through Dish Network installed. They gave us a 5 hour time block. At the end of the 5 hour time block, I called customer service. After fussing with their horrible automated system, I managed to get someone. I explained what was going on, he said that we should have been informed. I guess at this point, he contacted the subcontractor Dish Network hired to install our dish to find out 1 - why we didn't have a dish yet and 2 - why no one called us to keep us updated.

I then received a call from the dispatcher from the sub-contractor, who stated that she attempted to call me to let me know the installer was running late. She then told me that the call was disconnected and she didn't want to call back in case I didn't want to talk to her! She also told me that the installer had called and left me a message that he would be late. This never happened; he either called the wrong number or never called. Regardless, she told us that the installer would be there between 4 & 6 (at this point it was 5:30 and he was supposed to be there at 5).

Around 6, I received a call from the internal Dish Network supervisor, who asked me what was going on. He agreed that it was ridiculous and offered to reschedule our appointment with an internal Dish Network contractor (not a subcontractor). However, he could not schedule until 4-5 days later. I agreed for him to schedule a tentative appointment in case the installer did not show. He also suggested I call the customer service line to see about getting some form of reimbursement for our frustrations (because at this point I was seriously considering cancelling service).

I did call customer service, and after again fighting with their automated system, I was able to speak with someone. I was then transferred to a supervisor, who said he could offer me a movie channel free for 3 months. I said no, because I'm not a movie person. He said it was the best he could do. I hung up, frustrated, and still waiting for the dish installer.

The dish installer FINALLY showed up around 7:30 pm that night (my time slot was 12-5). However, he was unable to install the dish because he didn't have a big enough ladder! He said he could get someone out with a big enough ladder 4-5 days later. At this point, I decided to cancel the service. If this was the service they were providing a new customer, one who they really should be trying to impress, I could not imagine how horrible customer service would be once I was locked into a 2 year contract.

Newsflash. Each customer is charged $5.00 per month is the phone cable is not connected to the DVR enabling caller id on the TV screen. This should be done on installation or customer informed of the charge but this does not happen. Overall, I have spent several hours on the phone with Dish Network and wish I could charge them for my time and especially my frustration. The TV signal goes out constantly and each cust. rep gives a different answer to the same question. Overall they need to have customers sign contracts locking them in because they suck and would lose all the customers otherwise... Really regret Embarq and Dish bundle.

I live in Frankfort, KY. Since living in Frankfort, my Dish to pick up channels without losing the channel. If it rains, forget it. The DVR is useless too. I'm under contract so I'm stuck paying 66.00 per month (no pay channels) and can't get service. When I called, they agreed my signal was low and I have to pay 25.00 per hour to have someone come out and move it. Rip off! I'm waiting on this contract to end and then I'm going back to cable so I can finally watch an uninterrupted TV program. I've missed all my favorites. If you live in Frankfort, KY, ask around before you decide on Dish. You'll be stuck for two years, having to pay 225.00 to break your contract.

Sorry, I haven't had the problems that people post. I've had a good experience.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA -- 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 TV 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 TV 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.