On 11/25/07 (Sunday) I contacted Direct TV concerning HD programming, as we just bought a new HD telelvision. I was one click away from switching to Direct, when I decided to see what Dish network had to offer. I have been with Dish Network for app 10 years and for some reason thought I should be loyal to them.
When I talked to an account specialist she told me that they were running a promo for 6 months free HD programming and after teh 6 months it would be 20/month. She told me that since I had been a Dish customer for a length of time that I was entitled to a either a free HD or HD/DVR receiver, w hich are normally $149. They would waive the $49 and then I would get a rebate for the $100 that was paid by my credit card. We set up installation for 2 days later.
I stressed to the girl that I needed my local channels, which I currently have, and when asked if my bill would remain at the 39.99/month charge for 6 months and then go to 59/month, she agreed. She also said she would mail me my rebate form.
(Tuesday) Upon installation we ran into several ridiculous problems / omissions on Dish Networks part. First we were never told that a 2nd satellite needed to be installed, and we were never told that our local's were not available in HD in this area. Also the tech did not have the HDMI cables that were supposed to come with installation.
Immediately I called Dish and got some chic in the Philipines, who could not speak english and was impossible to under stand. When I started talking about no locals she claimed that they did not have to disclose this information unless I had asked specifically! What a way to do business. She also told me that they did not need to provide the HDMI cables with installation! When i asked to be connected to her supervisor she became very rude and refused to put me through. When I asked the number to call to work out the problem with the HDMI cables (they were out of stock?) she gave me my own phone number. When I asked to be connected to someone in the United States, she disconnected me.
The next day (Wednesday) I tried to contact Dish again and basically got the same ridiculous answers... They do not need to disclose this information unless they are specifically asked. The main reason we went with a HD receiver was so that we could receive our local channels in HD.
At this time I told them that I wished to cancell my contract and she said that I would need to pay a $240 cancellation fee. I said that I refused to pay this amount and she threatened me by saying that they had my credit card number and would get the money either way. When I said that I had not received the rebate form for $100 she said that it was not an actual rebate, but rather a $10/month credit for 10 months! I stated that I had never heard of such a rebate, to me the money should be credited back to my charge account after I filled int he form and submitted it. We could reach no resolve on these issues.
On Thursday I was finally able to talk to a member of the Excutive Resolution Team and still no resolve. Their main answer is that I signed a contract (which I never did!) and that there is no "grace period' on their contracts as it does nto apply to their type of business. When I asked for an explanation of my first bill I learned that there was a 5/month programming access fee as my receiver is not hooked up to a phone line and that there is also a 5.98/month fee for the DVR service, which I was Never informed of... Shams and lies all through and through. Therefore my 39.99/month service is now up to 51/month.
Supposedly the Executive is going to get copies of the contract and no way, no how will they let me out of it... They will send boxes for me to return their precious equipment to them... But that is all they will do, they have threatned my credit card. I need help to resolve this, as I do not like doing business with a company that is not upfront with all the charges and fees.
Jennifer
Buffalo, New York
U.S.A.
0 comments