In December I ordered Dish network. I got the information online.in March I called Dish to tell them my husband had his hours cut back and we could no longer afford the luxury of satellite tv. I knew there was an early termination fee and ask how much it would be. I was told $240. I ask several times if this was the complete amount and was told yes. Last Friday June 25 I received an e-mail from VMC Satellite, whom I had never even heard of, telling me that they had been informed by Dish that we had terminated our service early and that they had to repay Dish the commission they earned on our account and we needed to pay them $290 within 5 days or it would be turned over to a collection agency.
I called and was told by a customer service person to call back on Monday and she would contact Dish to find out what was happening. I called on Monday and was rudely told that the information about the $290 termination fee was on their website. I told them I didn't have $290 and they made an offer of "if you pay right now I can lower it to $190." Also it would be excused completely if I would sign back up with the service.
I called Dish and was given the runaround and finally I called the Attorney General's Office in my State and spoke with someone. They said to file a complaint.
I called Dish and told them I was going to file a complaint and was going to name Dish in the complaint also. I was then magically transferred to VMC by Dish. Whomever I spoke to I told her I know you are turning me over to collections but I am not paying and I am filing a report with the Attorney General. I was put on hold and when she came back she said they wouldn't turn me over to collections and that her manager was going to see what he could do for me. She said we don't want to have a complaint against us with the attorney general. I told her I would not file one until I heard back from them.
After finding this website and reading that my problem isn't an isolated case I can see why they don't want me to report them. This is certainally something that needs to be brought to the attention of the public. My husband was ready to give them our credit card to pay them and I'm sure most people are intimidated enough that they do just pay. I can not believe that this is legal and it seems almost like a form of blackmail to say if you sign back up we will excuse the $290!
0 comments