On 10/23/2010 07:03 AM, RogerN wrote:
When I started my Dish Network service a couple years ago, I paid the extra
fee for the equipment ($49.95) instead of being obligated to continue
service for a year.

A few months ago my Dish Network receiver broke, push the button and the
power light wouldn't come on. Didn't see a fuse on the back and didn't want
to take it apart.

Before the next bill was due I called Dish Network and they offered that I
could pay for equipment protection plans, etc and get the receiver replaced,
on an on, any option they offered had a significant cost. I wasn't
interested in increasing my monthly bill or paying much for a receiver
because I could switch to DirecTV and get free installation.

After that I told them that I wanted to cancel my Dish Network service, they
said something about they would leave it activated for a few days in case I
changed my mind. I figure it was so they wouldn't have to refund my partial
month. Then recently I get a bill from them for last months service and the
next months service. I couldn't tell that they didn't shut off my service
because my receiver doesn't work.

Anyway, after I contacted them for online chat, they offered to send me a
replacement receiver for free. I asked them why they didn't make that offer
when I called them, they didn't have an answer. Anyway but this time they
had me aggravated enough with them that I told them I wasn't interested, I
already was being charged for 2 months service I didn't get.

Now they are sending me a box to send the broken receiver back to them, I
have to pay $15 to ship it plus for the last month of service because they
didn't shut off my service the last time I asked them. When I went from
DirecTV to Dish Network I never had to send my equipment back to them, is it
true that my equipment, that I paid $49 for, is leased and I have to return
it? I don't feel I should pay for the last month of service because I
called when my balance due was $0.00 and told them I wanted to cancel the
service, now they want me to pay because they didn't cancel my service when
I asked.

Send them a nice letter, CC'd to your state's attorney general's office
(or consumer affairs div., if there is one), asking if you _really_ need
to pay all this money that you never contracted for?

Here in the PDX area our local paper has a consumer affairs column that
likes to tell stories about getting positive results just by asking --
they never publish the times that they **** a company off, of course.

At any rate, I'd review my paperwork from when I bought the receiver,
then if it doesn't say anything about a lease I'd send them a nice
friendly letter explaining how you don't owe them a plugged nickel,
you're not going to pay them one thin dime, and anything that shows up
on your credit report from them will be libelous. I would _seriously_
consider CC'ing it to your states AG office, if you live in a state that
hasn't been bought by big business yet.

(Note that the CC to the state AG isn't so the AG will help you -- it's
to put your friends at Dish Network on notice that you know that they're
out of line).

--

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html