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bcshields said:

You know, i had just recently cancelled my service because I moved into a place where there was no line of sight. When I cancelled I asked if there was anything due. CSR said no. I called back yesterday and the automated system said i had a service fredit of 20 bucks.

Hmm.

I asked my rcvr questions, which was my intention, and i asked about the $20 credit. "Oh, you paid the month in advance, and the partial month you had service was taken out of that. Would you like a refund?" You're damn right I want a refund! What do you think, I want Dish Network to hold my $20 for a few years until I move again?

Then I start to wonder how many people they just "forgot" to refund and kept their money.

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If the have been holding peoples' refunds for an extended period of time they have the potential for a serious tax hurt. Most (if not all) states have unclaimed (escheat) property laws that required them to turn over unclaimed items like this. If they don't turn them over the are required to pay over the amount plus significant penalties/interest.

Emster said:

I typed up Dish network complaints on the internet and a whole bunch of things popped up.
Go to http://my3cents.com.
I am not the only one getting their money stolen by DN.

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Just for grins I went to this site and did a search on DIRECTV and got 39 hits. I then did DISH NETWORK and got 79 hits. So how did E* win JD Powers for customer service???

Emster, it sounds like they are charging you for the equipment not being returned on time. Not any type of early cancellation. I would check the promotion that you signed up under. The way it is mentioned in your first post, it sounds as though you may have two 322 recievers and be on the DHA plan where there is no annual contracts. It is stated in the contract that yiou must return the recievers within 15 days or they will charge your credit card $200.00 for unreturned 322 $100.00 for a 301 or 311 $100.00 for outdoor LNBF and $100.00 for Quad switch. Find out what they are charging you for and get the UPS reciepts as for when you recieved the boxes and the day your service was shut off and you made the call to them. I am sure that they will work with you. Sorry about the long post.

In a case like this - I actually use one of my Paypal accounts (with a debit card) - I can transfer in only the money needed for certain bills I pay out of it - its MUCH harder for someone to try to do a charge to. I rented a car off of the account recently - and they tryed to overcharge me (I have a discount card) - and were not able to. I have directv - and this is the card thats on file, and I use the same card when I have purchased new recievers.

The $600 that was taken was for the equipment. We have 2 receivers.


Just had to add this story I found:

May 22, 2003
ATTORNEY GENERAL SALAZAR ANNOUNCES SETTLEMENT OF 13-STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION INVESTIGATION OF ECHOSTAR OVER DISH NETWORK SALES


Denver--Attorney General Ken Salazar announced today that his office has settled a consumer protection investigation against Colorado-based EchoStar Satellite Corporation. The settlement resolves numerous concerns about the way EchoStar marketed and sold its Dish Network satellite television service. The investigation and settlement were led by Colorado, California, Illinois, Minnesota and Oregon. The other states signing on to the settlement were Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. The terms of the settlement are contained in an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, which does not require court approval.

Under the settlement, EchoStar must clearly and conspicuously disclose the material terms of its satellite television service and the financial obligations that customers assume before they purchase or lease a Dish Network satellite television system.

EchoStar has also agreed to pay $5 million to the settling States. Of this amount, $3 million is for consumer restitution and consumer education or consumer protection efforts. This amount will be divided equally among the 13 states. Each state will receive $230,769.23. Each State will be allowed to design its own consumer restitution program.

The remaining $2 million will be divided among the States for the costs they incurred in conducting the investigation and negotiating the settlement. Colorado will receive $250,000 as one of the lead states in the investigation and settlement negotiations.

"One of my consumer protection goals has been to work with businesses to provide clearer, and comprehensive disclosures to potential customers and better, more responsive, customer service if post-sale problems arise," said Salazar. "I believe we accomplished both goals with this settlement. I commend EchoStar for its cooperation and commitment to improving customer service, and for taking steps to avoid costly and protracted litigation of these issues," said Salazar.

Attorney General Salazar commenced an investigation in July 2001 after his office, and the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau, observed significant increases in the number of consumer complaints against EchoStar. The most common complaints alleged such things as EchoStar's failure to disclose a $240 early cancellation or termination fee when consumers signed up for Dish Network, and EchoStar's refusal to refund any amounts that the customer prepaid for a year's worth of service. Consumer complaints also alleged that EchoStar would automatically charge customer bank accounts or credit cards without authorization when EchoStar assessed a termination fee or other large charges, such as an equipment return fee.

The settlement requires EchoStar to clearly and conspicuously disclose, prior to sale or lease, all fees, including:


• required minimum programming fees
• availability of local channels
• additional charges for receiving local channels
• fees assessed for failing to return equipment
• fees associated with downgrading programming at the end of any introductory promotion period (so called "free-to-pay" fees)


The settlement also requires EchoStar to disclose whether service contracts automatically renew, procedures for canceling service, rescission rights and rebate policies, and whether equipment is new or reconditioned. Finally, EchoStar must disclose any "no refund" policy clearly and conspicuously before the customer makes any prepayment.

The settlement also requires EchoStar to establish more consumer-friendly practices to:


• Protect customers and third party payers from unauthorized electronic funds transfers from their accounts
• Establish a convenient system for customers to cancel their service
• Establish a system for receiving and resolving customer complaints in a prompt manner
• Ensure that all of its installers are properly licensed and bonded under State law


A new policy included in the settlement terms relieves customers of paying EchoStar's early cancellation fee under most circumstances. The settlement gives the customer the right to pay out the remaining term of the contract, rather than paying the $240 termination fee. Furthermore, under some hardship cases like the loss of a home, or when a consumer has to move to a nursing facility, the consumer is relieved of paying a termination fee.

Colorado consumers who have complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's office, or who file complaints before July 1, 2003, may be eligible for restitution. Consumers may file complaints by calling 1-800-222-4444.