DISH NETWORK - ALLSAT Cancellation Springfield Missouri

We were unhappy with our DISH Network. We called them to cancel the HD service that was given to us free for 3 months. They told us we could not cancel our HD service...we had to keep it. After being on the phone with someone from the Philippines for an hour and trying to explain what we wanted to do she still did not understand. It got to the point where my husband asked for someone that spoke and understood English. He was turned over to a guy that listened and he told my husband that we could not cancel our HD service. We were so frustrated we decided to cancel it, return it and pay the fee of $171.00.
Today we got a letter from AllSat Collections. Here is what it says:
"We are sending this letter because of a violation made to the Terms and Conditions you agreed to before receiving your DISH network system. The violation is that the person that activated the system did not maintain quilifying service for the full 18 consecutive months, as required. DISH network says that you activated the service on 1/17/2008 and then your service was deactivated due to voluntary disconnect on 5/16/2008. As a result, you now owe $295 for the violation.
Without exception, you must contact AllSat via email by 6/14/2008. If you do not contact us and make payment by 6/14/2008 then the open balance on your account will be turned over to our colllection agency for the full amount of $295, plus collection costs, and it will also be sent to National Credit Reporting agencies which will adversely affect your credit."
We were NEVER EVER told of this additional fee when we cancelled...so BUYER BEWARE when it comes to Dish Network.
Stay away from them...they are a rip off. This was in addition to the fee of $171.00....so now the grand total is $466.00.

Michelle
Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S.A.