Just a friendly warning about DishStore.net/Metro25's rebate scam

JosephB

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Dec 21, 2004
1,255
160
Atlanta
So I just switched to Dish and used Satelliteguys' sponsor DishStore.net. I even told them I was referred by Satelliteguys. Part of the deal is that you get a $125 rebate for signing up. What they DON'T tell you is that you have to PAY $16 to get your rebate. It's listed as a 'shipping and handling' fee. Where are they mailing this card from, the Ukraine? Why not just shave the service fee off the rebate and not make me feel like I'm ordering generic Viagra from Kiev? What a scam. Metro25 better hope I actually get my rebate after mailing these jokers a check, if not, I'll be suing. Scott, you should better screen your sponsors, and Metro25, you should better lay out the terms of your so-called deals.
 
Still a hefty rebate, but, yeah, a catch, but every company deal has a catch. So, it's really a $109 rebate? Still a good deal I think. Yeah, it's a bit of a tart taste in the mouth, but it should go away once you get the $109.
 
dfergie said:
My problem with this thread is you didn't feel the need to contact the Dishstore in private, instead posting in an open forum...
If this is true, and apparently it's not spelled out, I think there's nothing wrong with telling others.
 
The problem is that it doesn't say on the promotional website that there is a 'shipping and handling' fee. So what happens when I complain to Metro25 in private? Maybe he gives me the $16, maybe he doesn't. If I keep it quiet, he doesn't update the website, and other people sign up expecting the $125 and end up with $109. It's not the amount of money, and sure, it's a good deal. However it is patently deceptive on his part. Maybe it's just an oversight. Maybe not. I don't know why they don't just take the fee out before even advertising the rebate. I have a feeling it's so that they can advertise it as a $125 rebate. Otherwise if they paid the fee before it got to the customer they could only advertise it as $109 (or some round figure in that area).

I'm also very skeptical as to whether or not I will actually get the rebate. The only way to pay them is with a check, meaning if something happens and it gets 'lost', you can't dispute the money you paid to them, which you would be able to do if you could pay this fee with a credit card.
 
Did you read the rebate form? It says it on the form. In fact if I remember correctly it states it a few times.

DISH Network unfortunately requires all rebates and promotions to go through their company. This is so that DISH can now check on the status of your rebate, the issue was other retailers would say they are going to give you something for buying from them and never ship the item or give them the rebate. This was making DISH look like the bad guys so DISH put an end to it.

In the past DISHSTORE use to send you a check directly. It is unfortunate that a few of these shady dealers did this because now it punishes everyone.

The DISH promotions company that DISH picked charges a shipping and handling fee to process the rebates. Its something I don't agree with personally but that is the only way the company will mail out the rebate is if the CUSTOMER pays the shipping and handling on it.

Again this is a limitation put on DISHstore.NET by DISH Network and not something they want to do... honestly it was easier to send everyone a check.
 
I'm also very skeptical as to whether or not I will actually get the rebate. The only way to pay them is with a check, meaning if something happens and it gets 'lost', you can't dispute the money you paid to them, which you would be able to do if you could pay this fee with a credit card.
This is the entire reason why DISH is requiring retailers who give rebates or promotional items to do it this way... so that THEY can check on the status of your rebate.
 
Did you read the rebate form? It says it on the form. In fact if I remember correctly it states it a few times.

Ok I went back to the site and looked on the rebate form. It does state that there is a shipping and handling charge. However it doesn't state how much it is. Also, the guy on the phone filled out the form and told me not to worry about it. Also, that is the only place on the site that says anything about this charge. So, if the salesperson on the phone is going to fill out and submit the form, then the disclaimer needs to be somewhere else other than on the form that the customer never fills out. It should be at the bottom of the first page that has all of the other small print--which I read before signing up for the deal.

If it's the case that Dish is forcing this process, then the retailers need to complain loudly to Dish. I'm pretty sure this scam is illegal in some states.
 
The price of the shipping and handling is controlled by the processing company not DISHstore. :(

I do agree that the promo page should be updated to reflect that. The promo page I believe is done by DECENTIX who automatically updates those pages with the info given to them by DISH Network. I will mention it to Claude. It is not something Claude or I can edit ourselves.

I should also note that the shipping and handling is mentioned when you are read the terms and conditions at the end of the call which you have to accept.

I do wish however they could send out checks again as it was easier for all of us. :)
 
Yes, but do they tell the customer the shipping and handling charge is $16 ? That seems a very steep price for someone to send out a rebate check.
 
Yes, but do they tell the customer the shipping and handling charge is $16 ? That seems a very steep price for someone to send out a rebate check.

Well, isn't $109.00 back better than $0.00?
 
***

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)