Dish Network ripoff, theft, fraud Palatine Illinois

In January, 2003, we subscribed to Dish network for satellite TV service. At the time we ordered the service, we asked the sales people about the procedure if we moved during the contract period. We were assured that we would only have to take our boxes and remotes with us to the new house and that they would install a new dish at the new location free of charge.

On June 10, 2003, we did indeed move to a new house in the same area. We called Dish Network for an appointment to set up a new dish. The installer came on time and took some readings with a signal strength meter. He told us there was no possible way for us to have satellite service in that house because of mature trees in the neighborhood. In other words, Dish Network could not provide the service for which we were paying.

We immediately called their 800 number to report the situation. We were told we had to pay for the rest of the year's service. I explained that their installer would not install a dish for us. The reply was that we had to pay for the rest of the year. After days of calls and arguments, I agreed to pay the minimum monthly service fee through December, 2003, at which time we would be quits. Like a fool, I had allowed them to take their monthly payment directly from my checking account. They continued to take 60+ dollars from me each month until I had paid them several hundred dollars more than the 150 dollars I thought we had agreed to pay.

Unwilling to have them continue to steal money from us, I changed my check card so they could not withdraw any more money from my account. The next communication we received was from a collection agency threatening to ruin our credit if we didn't pay them $860 some odd dollars immediately. They were charging us for the receivers and remotes that they had not even asked for yet, as well as the dish we had been told to leave behind at our last house. We returned the receivers and remotes, but they continue to dog us to return to our old house and remove the dish they had told us to leave there when we moved.

We have tried reason, we have exercised patience and restraint, but these people only have one response. "Pay the money or have your credit ruined".

BEWARE of Dish Network. They are thieves of the most blatant kind. This issue is still not resolved but I doubt we will be able to avoid having them take more money from us.

Eric
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.