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Resolved Dish Network — equipment return scam

D
This review was posted by
a verified customer
Verified customer Review updated:

In January of 2011 I stopped my Dish network service after 8 years. I was told at the time I would receive a box to return my equipment in, which I did. I promptly packaged all of my receivers, remotes and LNB and took them to UPS. The agent at the UPS drop-off told me to be sure to keep my tracking numbers and receipt as many of their customers who had dropped off packages for Dish Network were soon back, wanting reprints of their discarded receipts after Dish Network billed them for unreturned equipment. This proved to be good advice. A month later I received an automated call informing me I was being billed for the equipment. I immediately called them and was told that the automated call was in error and my equipment had been received in good shape and I was not being billed. Then another month later I received a bill from them for unreturned equipment only this time they showed no record of ever getting it back. I gave them my tracking number and they said they would look in to it. So far no resolution as I have not heard back from them. I will NEVER deal with Dish Network again.

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Mar 16, 2011

    I saw your post, Demental, and I'd be happy to help with that! As Stealth Pilot mentioned, if you have the tracking number, you can always search for it on UPS' website to track its whereabouts. What I encourage you to do, though, is email me your account number and the tracking number so that I can research that for you. My email address is [email protected]

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Jul 12, 2011

    I'd like to provide some assistance to the issue you posted, Jodi Gorres! One equipment return fee is charged per shipping label used. Not everyone uses our boxes with the shipping labels to return our equipment to us, so we don't feel that it's fair to increase all customers' monthly rate to cover the cost of shipping the equipment back to us. You are by no means required to use our boxes or shipping labels to return it, but we make the option available to you if you choose to use it.

    Hope that helps!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Jul 12, 2011

    Hey there, PeopleOughtToKnow, your post caught my attention! We do want to apologize about that situation that came up for you and that's great to hear it had gotten resolved. Please understand it is certainly not our intention to let something like that happen and if a mistake does occur, we appreciate you letting us know as soon as possible so we can correct it immediately! If you have any other questions or concerns about this, let me know and I would enjoy helping you further!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Jul 12, 2011

    I found your situation interesting, JRHelgeson, and I'd like to help! Your concern is understandable for receiving boxes from us after just moving to a new residence, so I apologize for the mix-up. It is expected for them to be sent upon actual deactivation of service, however. As far as you being charged for not returning the equipment, I would have to take a look at your account. Have you been able to speak to one of our representatives yet to get this cleared up? Let me know so that I can help you further in getting this resolved!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Nov 13, 2012

    peterandmk,

    I saw your post and would love to help! I can understand your frustration from that situation and if you could please private message me your account number, I'd be happy to look it over and get this resolved for you. Thank you for your efforts and I hope to hear from you!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Nov 13, 2012

    300gr,

    It would be my pleasure to assist you with that as it's definitely an issue I'd like to get straightened out for you! That's great that you have the tracking numbers and if you could private message those, along with your account number, I can review everything and determine the appropriate resolution. I'll look forward to speaking with you!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Nov 13, 2012

    Frustratedandbeyond,

    Your frustration from that is certainly understandable and please allow me to provide you with some assistance in getting that sorted out! What would be a big help is if you could please send me your account number in a private message so I can take a look at all the information and optimally assist. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter and will look forward to the opportunity of resolving this issue for you!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Dec 04, 2012

    mharrell556,

    I came across your post and would be more than happy to help you with that! What I would encourage you to do is private message me your account number so I can take a look. Your efforts are appreciated and I will look forward to the opportunity of assisting you further in getting this straightened out!

  • Updated by MikeL DISH · Mar 28, 2013

    Sarah Ri,

    I'm sorry to hear it's come to that and would hate to see you go! Why did you wish to cancel with us? Could you please private message your account number to me so I can review it and assist you further with any issues you were having with the service? Thank you very much and I'll look forward to speaking with you!

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Responses

  • Ka
    Karen M Jul 03, 2020
    This comment was posted by
    a verified customer
    Verified customer

    Scam when returning equipment keep your tracking number — dish does not keep track of the tracking number. it is up to the customer, and being I switched services... they cant find my equipment that was returned - how sweet for them $! getting a 300.00 bill... beyond upset, notifying the bbb and the attorney general!

    I used to love dish... no more... never again! Dish Network — equipment return scam

    Reply
    0 Votes
  • Ka
    Karen M Jul 03, 2020
    This comment was posted by
    a verified customer
    Verified customer

    Dish has exhausted me -- I sent my equipment back. They state it was never received and I got a bill for 250.00. No one is willing to help they keep giving me incorrect tracking numbers. Reporting them to the better business bureau. I will never use DISH again !!

    Reply
    0 Votes
  • Me
    Melissa Frokjer Jan 15, 2019
    This comment was posted by
    a verified customer
    Verified customer

    My mom cancelled her dish over 2 months ago when she sold her house. Was told on the phone if they wanted equipment back they would send a box. Never received a box and now just took 500 and some dollars out of her acct. Never received a bill NOTHING. Taking that money out has caused numerous overdrafts. Do not understand why no box if they wanted it returned and at least a letter saying what they would charge. Equipment is about 5 years old. Her payments were taken out of her account so no bills were mailed. I can give you her name and address to check and see if this should have happened. Please respond ASAP she needs her Money Back

    Reply
    0 Votes
  • Sa
    Sarah Ri Mar 06, 2013

    Dish Network is a rip off. I will be filing a complaint against this company with every agency possible. They are very nice until you cancel your service and then they become vindictive. It's as if you are being punished. I am disabled and they would like me to crawl through the shrubs to remove some equipment from the dish. My attorney has been notified and will be getting in touch with Dish soon. I have also called a local new channel to set up a interview. I live in a community with 302 units and will be vocally expressing my opinion at each monthly community meeting held. I hope that Dish realizes the can of worms that they have opened.

    Reply
    0 Votes
  • Mh
    mharrell556 Dec 04, 2012

    add me to this issue as well. i have been trying for 3 months to return my receiver after a disconnect. no return boxes have ever been sent after multiple emails and phone calls. Today i get charged 321.00 for un-returned equipment. Customer support says, return it and we will credit the charge. i have been trying for 3 months. Anyone interested in a class action lawsuit?

    Reply
    2 Votes
  • Fr
    Frustratedandbeyond Nov 04, 2012
    This comment was posted by
    a verified customer
    Verified customer

    I too received a bill for unreturned equipment. I had two receivers and they sent me a box for one. In that box that they sent me was a letter stating that some equipment is now obsolete and that a box will not be sent for that equipment. I boxed up the receiver as instructed on the letter and sent it back along with the letter. That was my mistake for not making a copy of the letter. As instructed in the letter, I took the obsolete equipment and dropped it in a recycle bin. Three months later I get a bill for $250 bucks for unreturned equipment! I have talked to several representatives that all state that my equipment was not obsolete and that is not what the letter said. I talked to a supervisor who also told me so sorry for my misunderstanding but I still owed them. I was so mad! I went on eBay and found several receivers with that model number brand new for around $100 bucks. This is the worst scam I have ever heard of! I'm still waiting for a call from them for resolution. During one of my calls to Dish Network a representative told me that I was not responsible and he was taking care of it, he assured me that the charges would not be deducted from my checking account. A month later, another email from Dish stating I owed $250.00 and it was going to be immediately deducted. Of course, . now I am waiting for Dish to go through their records to see if I am telling the truth about that call. The reps name was Neil and I hope they recorded the conversation! That receiver was not a dvr and it was over 2 years old, there is no way its worth $250!!!

    Reply
    1 Votes
  • 30
    300gr Mar 11, 2012

    Dish is definately trying to rip customers and former customers off by scamming equipment returns. If they cant keep track of items already in their possession they need to fire all their employees and start over. I have been victim to their scams twice. The latest is a charge for equipment sent back over a year age in which I had tracking numbers, an e-mail stating they had recieved it and photos of the equipment i boxed up and shipped. Come on the public is not that stupid as to believe this is not intentional

    Reply
    0 Votes
  • Pe
    peterandmk Feb 29, 2012
    This comment was posted by
    a verified customer
    Verified customer

    I just received a notice today from Dish saying they had not received the equipment I sent 6 weeks ago and will charge me $350.00 for unreturned equipment. I was a long time customer but was unhappy with the service when I moved to a new location, so I left my contract early.
    A representative on the phone asked for the tracking #. I dont know where it is at this point.
    Tried to get into my online account but it is no longer open. They want me to restart the account and that will not happen, ever.
    Can I instruct my bank to not allow Dish to take the funds?
    I am, to say the least, angry that they are jerking me around.

    Reply
    1 Votes
  • Jr
    JRHelgeson Jul 07, 2011

    This has happened to me twice with Dish network. Once for setting up new service - moving from my old house to new. This most recent time was for turning off their service. Both times they wanted me to ship the old equipment back. Both times they sent the box out. And, as you might expect - both times I was charged for failing to return the equipment.
    Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to snap a picture of the UPS shipping label that showed the tracking number on the first return nearly 2 years ago. When I was billed for $300 - I called customer support, gave them the tracking number and they promptly credited my account.
    The most recent event was today - 7/7/2011 - We received a bill for $429.11 - $400 for the equipment, and $29.11 in taxes.
    I logged into my account and opened a chat with the customer service. I gave them my tracking number and they promptly credited the $400.
    This is quite obviously a scam they are pulling here. I cannot think of any other possible explanation. Most companies issue a Return Materials Authorization number (RMA#) to place on the box, so they can track the return. Dish apparently has no interest in tracking returns.
    Very sketchy organization there.
    JRHelgeson - Minneapolis, MN

    Reply
    1 Votes
  • Pe
    PeopleOughtToKnow Apr 19, 2011

    I experienced something similar. I returned a faulty receiver according to their instructions a couple months ago. While just reviewing my bill I have a charge for $50 for unreturned equipment. I called and spoke to a representative who said "oh, we did receive that sir, I will issue a credit to your account". It took me calling to have the credit issued for something that was returned a couple months ago? More likely that their policy is to charge you unless you catch it. Pretty disappointing.

    Reply
    1 Votes
  • Jo
    Jodi Gorres Mar 18, 2011
    This comment was posted by
    a verified customer
    Verified customer

    What I find interesting is they charge your card when you use the return label that Dish Network provides. Once again, Dish Network charges your account on file for using the label that they send you. Once you use that label, they have record of it, and they charge your account. Ok, so Dish, you charge "Former" customer accounts when they use the label that you provide...you have record of the equipment being scanned and shipped. Why does the left hand of Dish not know what the right hand of Dish is doing? Your IT Dept. should be fired!!! Everything should replicate to a central data base. Anyone in your network should see anything that has been posted to a customers account. Maybe you should give the company that you outsource to, access to your data base. That alone would stop all of the screw ups that I have read in these complaints. It becomes he said she said, and two weeks later some poor schmuck with your company has to put out fires that were started by mis-communication.

    Reply
    0 Votes
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