I too had a run-in with Dish Network. I wanted high definition service and to be away from Brighthouse Network my current cable service provider which I felt has become overpriced.
After looking over the web sites of both DishNetwork and DirectTV, contacted DirectTV first but could not negotiate a service with out a two year contract. I then called DishNetwork and was able to get their service with out the contract. The telemarketer informed me that the 'EssentialHD 100' would cost $44.99 per month with out contract.
When the service man appeared I informed him that I would not be needing a 'box' for the main TV as it was a Samsung hp5052x which was 'cable card ready.' The service man said he never heard of such a thing (the unit he installed a Vip222 has a cable card slot.) He insisted that the box had to be installed (the FCC rules state that the customer can provide their own cable boxes which my TV has.)
Rather than fight with the man I relented and he proceeded to install the dish and receivers. This install started at 1:30 in the afternoon and was not completed until 8:20 that evening. To come to the point, the satellite picture quality was less than my cable picture quality. To make my point to the tech I quickly ran a cable line to my TV and demonstrated the difference between the two services.
What the tech did was to provide 'component digital cables' instead of HDMI cables. He stated that such cables were $200 and that most people had their own. I promptly got on the internet and went to 'CablesToGo's' web site and showed him that the price was more like $29.00 for 6" cables (WalMart has similar cables for $28.97.) He again stated that DishNetwork does not provide HDMI cables. I replied that that was a bit deceptive. That if DishNetwork was going to advertise a high definition service they need to provide the service and not something less than high definition.
I called my credit card company and explained my situation with DishNetwork and that I wanted to dispute their claim and that they were not to honor any further billings from DishNetwork. BTW credit card users are liable for the first $50.00 of disputed charges.
Come to find out my credit card had already been billed $49.99 on July 02 the day after requesting the install which took place on July 11. The telemarketer made no mention of said one-time charge (nor did he mention the additional $14.00 in fees that would be attached to my billing or that my $44.00 service would morph into $57.99.)
I called DishNetwork the next morning and informed the person on the other end that DishNetwork had not provided the service that was advertised and that I wanted to cancel my service and for them to come and remove their equipment.
I had to speak to three different people and was cut off from the third. I called back and again spoke to three different people. The third who reported that he was a tech was nice at first but became abusive when I insisted that DishNetwork removet their products from my home.
It was then that I was infomed that I had to return the equipment. At first he did not mention that DishNetwork would provide the packing materials and pay for shipment and so a pissing match ensued. It became ugly. Things cooled off when he repeated his spiel this time mentioning that DishNetwork would pick up shipping costs.
I received my first billing from DishNetwork the very next day (July 13) in which the above mentioned charges and fees appeared as well as some other interesting info. My $44.00 month service morphed into $57.99. I was billed for two month of service plus the $49.99 one time 'activation fee'.
The next day I received an adjusted billing for which I was still responsible for $16.77 in charges (taxes and fees).
Word to the wise. When dealing with telemarketers hawking these kinds of services get their whole names, a phone number where you can re-contact them and if possible recored your conversation with them. When they are finished with their pitches ask if they have completely informed you. Push them hard to disclose other charges that are surely going to show on your bill. Do not make a commitment to purchase on you first call. Ask for a name and number so you can get back with them after discussing the service with a family member. This way you can inform a service rep as to whom you spoke with in the case of a dispute and since most sales pitches are recorded for liability and training purposes there should be a record of the transaction. Buyer beware!
PhilTR
Birmingham, Alabama
U.S.A.
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