I am a 78-year-old widow living on a very limited income (Social Security and income from a small, part-time job at my church). I have been a Dish customer for many years as the subscription rates have continued to rise. I chose to try a streaming service this past fall for a cheaper rate. During that time I received a notice that the streaming service rates were going up. I also received a flyer in the mail from Dish with several new plans and the opportunity to receive a $500 gift card, which I have not even pursued until it was mentioned to me last Friday, January 3, 2025, that it was about to expire.
I decided to go back to Dish again and called for an installation appointment. I stated I wanted all new equipment since having been gone for such a short period of time I wanted to start fresh. At that time I was not told that my Hopper (?) would not contain the Amazon Prime app that I had had before.
The tech arrived on Saturday, November 4, 2024, and I also questioned him about the equipment being installed. He, at no time mentioned that my Hopper (?) would not have the Amazon Prime app. During our conversation I mentioned my sound bar which was a cheaper model from Walmart. He stated that Dish had a sound bar on sale and would I like to see it. Without thinking of what this would do to my finances, I okayed the installation. On that day, 11-4, I paid Dish $277.29 for the sound bar which has proved to me to be no better than the previous one. The tech stated to me that my monthly rate would be $104.81with taxes, etc. My first payment taken out of my bank account on November 18, 2024, was $124.89. I called stating that this amount was not what I was quoted and was assured it would be different next month. On December 18, 2024, $120.69 was taken out of my account which is still a far cry from what I was quoted when I called to set up the appointment and what the tech quoted.
Two days after my installation I received notices in the mail that my health insurance and home insurance premiums were going up quite a bit. I called Dish to see if there was any way possible I could get out of my contract since it was so new. I explained my financial situation and the things that had conspired (also received notices about increases in car and dental insurance). I was met with an emphatic "no" but was offered cheaper plans than the 200-channel plan I had chosen. As I stated before, my only entertainment is TV and books so I chose not to consider other offers. Since then, after getting the 200-channel plan, I have counted 30 channels that are nothing but infomercials and sales networks. So sad! I spoke with a person in another department other than customer service and was also told an emphatic "no" regarding the contract but, again, was offered cheaper plans.
On Friday, January 3, 2025, I called Dish again stating I had tried everything to get the Amazon app and that was when I was told that my equipment did not support the Amazon app. I was told I could upgrade my receiver and pay more. That was the last straw and was when I decided to file my complaint.
All I'm asking is to be free of this contract. I cannot afford the amount I'm being charged for the service I am receiving. I feel I was misled when I specifically asked for the same service I had before. Thank you.
Desired outcome: Release from contract please. No different plan, no equipment upgrade, just no more Dish please.
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FORMAL CUSTOMER COMPLAINT – DISH NETWORK
I am posting this as a formal complaint to warn other customers about my experience with Dish Network.
I am 76 years old and live on a fixed income. I signed up for service expecting reliable TV and the channels I was told I would receive. From the very beginning, the service did not work properly. I could not operate the equipment, and despite calling multiple times, I was only given instructions over the phone that I could not follow. No technician was sent when I truly needed help.
On top of that, I later found out that Dish Network could not even provide the channels I wanted. After dealing with all of this, I canceled the service because it was unusable and did not meet my needs.
Now Dish Network is trying to charge me $513.38 for breaking a contract. They even stated they may take the money from my account. This is extremely upsetting and unfair, especially for someone in my situation.
I have serious monthly medical expenses, including $600 for one medication, $150 for another, and several others under $100. I simply cannot afford to pay for a service that did not work.
I have tried to resolve this directly with Dish Network, but they refused to waive the fees. I have since filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.
I am sharing this because I see many other customers are going through the same situation. This is not right. Customers—especially seniors—should not be forced to pay for services that do not work.
I am asking Dish Network to do the right thing:
Remove this $513.38 charge
Do not send my account to collections
Do not damage my credit
I hope this post helps others and encourages Dish Network to treat their customers fairly.