Over three years ago I won an eBay auction for a Dish Network Satellite system including the dish hardware and two receivers.in addition to the purchase price, I also had to pay their shipping expenses. A further condition of the purchase was that I subscribe at a certain minimum level to Dish Network for at least one year. If I failed to maintain that subscription for a year, I agreed to pay liquidated damages in some rather large amounts, presumably the "retail value" of the equipment I was purchasing at a discount from Dish Central due, I was told, to the substantial commissions and credits Dish Central received from Dish Network.
Despite being unhappy with the quality of my Dish Network reception, I maintained my subscription well past the year required by our contract. I cancelled that service in 2004; I have not been using Dish Network now for nearly two years. A couple weeks ago, Dish Central debited my checking account for $100 without making any demand or notice of their intentions. Apparently, they now want me to ship all the hardware back to them at my expense.
Nowhere in either the eBay listing or in any of the documentation emailed to me by Dish Central for my signature was there a mention of ever having to return the hardware. Rather, a main selling point was "This is the same deal available at Radio Shack and Sears, but you don't have to pay the $200 for the equipment." They also say "When you buy this system we do not do the installation, you must have your own means of doing the installation." There is no mention of the words "rental" or "lease" or of an obligation to return the equipment under any circumstances.
My recommendation to anyone contemplating a satellite system contract is to do business with a local dealer.
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