I walk a fine line here, being an employee and all, but I totally understand this thread. Trust me, we talk to plenty of upset new customers who set up through a third party and had no idea. Companies like GoDish, InfinityDish, and Altitude Marketing. They charge those $49.99 fees, and they are required to disclose them, but they'll say things like "Well, Dish may charge up to $199 for install. When you set up with us, we ONLY charge a $49.99 setup fee" and move on quickly. Same with all the fees. I suspect the salespeople at these third party resellers are masters at reading it accurate, but fast, so the customer never really hears it. I've had customers set up with these folks, and start yelling at us about where their $19.99 internet is, and I have to tell them if they set up internet, it was not through Dish. Also, those companies, once the install is set, do everything they can to never have to talk to that customer again...they are good at forwarding the calls to the Dish main line.
I don't doubt there are plenty of quality local retailers. I do wonder the business case behind the national ones, though. Maybe Dish will let them put all the effort into marketing for the benefit of the $49.99 fee.