A Question For Installers

[Night Owl]

Hello,

I had Dish Network installed Saturday. The installer said I had to sign along with the Dish contract an agreement that if I canceled within 12 months I have to pay him $199.00. Does this sound right??

Thanks

 

[miguelaqui]

Did you have it installed by a retailer?

 

[Night Owl]

No, a one man installing company

 

[boba]

No, a one man installing company

It sounds like you had a retailer sell and install your equipment yes they can have a separate contract with you to cover the costs of installation if you cancel early and cause a charge back.

 

[aaronhoes]

Even if he is only a "one man installing company" he probably is still a retailer, just with one employee. The third party contract sounds normal. The reason for it is that if you cancel within 12 months it costs him money. After he gets you activated Dish Network pays him for installing the system for you, this is how retailers make their money. The retailer (installer in this case) gets those payments taken away later if a customer is deactivated within 12 months for any reason (even not paying their bill). The amount Dish takes back from the retailer can vary but many retailers just charge a flat fee for everyone to avoid confusion and having different contracts (the company I work for charges $399 so this guy sounds pretty reasonable to me). This is why installation companies are forced impose a third party contract with customers. They are essentially taking a risk on every person they install.

 

[Van]

Any legal contract has a three day grace period that allows you to dispute and opt out of the contract from the day you sign it or atleast thats how it is in michigan.

 

[Night Owl]

Thanks for the Info. I understand now.

 

[satTV]

Dishs' New 30 day money back, you should ask questions about it. It just came out, and not many people know about it yet. It gives you a 30 grace period if you decide you don't like it within the 30 days they will credit you back.

 

[Van]

That may not trump the contract a less than reputable dealer may have.