After being a loyal and "never late" Dish Network customer for over 9 years, I decided to make the switch to a competitor for a decent monthly savings. I never had any issues with Dish until I was no longer a customer and apparently "trash" thrown so quickly to a collection agency I never saw it coming.
When calling to cancel Dish in November, the representative was very friendly and offered a "freeze" period on my account so I could keep the service but not pay, while I tried out the other company - just in case I wasn't happy. (Side note Dish will never know, I was ready to go back.)
2 months later around January 17 I received 2 boxes in the mail to send back my receivers. Dish sent the boxes to me on January 14. That same week I had a relative's child placed in my home by CPS and had to have my home inspected. So I cleaned and forgot about the boxes. I put the boxes in the garage and forgot.
I received a call from CBE group one day in February saying that I owed $900 to Dish Network. Amazed and completely shocked by this news, I inquired and found out it was because I didn't send the receivers back. I immediately packed them up and sent them back to Dish. Dish received the receivers on FEBRUARY 17. I got a charge of $80 on my American Express for the early termination fee. I was ok with that since I knew about it.
Note: My receivers were received by Dish 3 DAYS LATE!!! Apparently I had only 30 days to return them. They had to reach Dish by FEB 14 and they got them on the 17th! The worst part of the matter is this; I believed I was in good standing by sending my receivers back. After seeing the $80 termination fee on my Amex bill I assumed I was paid up. I guess I should never ASS U ME.
Here's my problem. I had decent credit. 695 was my average score. It was low due to credit card debt, which I was able to pay down significantly thanks to a personal loan from family on the PROMISE I would refinance my mortgage and pay them back with the refi.
I checked my credit score before seeing a mortgage officer. 695... Paying down my debt should bring me up 20 pts or so... I explained my situation and the loan officer said with that score and my debt to income ratio I should be able to refi at a lower rate - a huge savings I desperately need.
So I proceed with the refi and the next thing I know, after a credit check my score is 628!!
ONE new item on my report. CBE GROUP for $36
After researching this I see that I owe Dish Network $17/box for 2 boxes sent to send my receiver back.
I was NEVER notified of the $36 and I do not feel I should have been sent to collections. Apparently the $900 included boxes but no one ever told me that and NEVER did I receive a statement showing that.
I was not seriously delinquent on my bill, nor did I keep the equipment. My service fees were paid on time AND I paid my early termination fee. My refinance possibility is ruined due to 2 $17 boxes I didn't know I was charged for.
I called Dish and they told me that it's not their fault. The rep said if I had better credit to begin with their negative mark wouldn't hurt so bad. The rep also told me that I automatically agreed to the terms of service each year, which is that equipment must be returned within 30 days or I pay for equipment fees. Although I returned equipment, it was 3 DAYS LATE and they have the right to send to collections, where they can report a SERIOUSLY DELINQUENT mark on my credit report.
While this may be LEGAL, it is a serious RIPOFF. How does being 3 days late on equipment return allow for reporting a $36 BOX charge on my credit report, which destroyed my credit and possibility of refinance. To add insult to injury now I am unable to pay my family for the money they lent me since if there is no refi.
I am not one to blame others for my own misfortune, but this company has NO HEART!!!
My relative-foster child will likely have to go to a stranger's foster home if I am not able to keep up on mortgage and bills. I was counting on this refi to help offset his child care of $95/week!
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