Dish Network Likes to Play

So I tried to cancel my Dish Network again.

A little background: I canceled, or I thought I canceled, my Dish Network a month ago. Some how, it didn’t go through and I got a “you will be billed” bill a few days ago.

After one phone call and 2 minutes of holding, I connected to a customer service person who asked me a whole bunch of questions and took his time hoping I’d hang up. He asked why I wanted to cancel and I told him I already said so, check the notes.

He then connected me to someone who specialized in preventing people from canceling. I told him that I really hated getting charged $4.99 for not having a phone line and he instantly offered to waive that fee. The first time I heard this I was surprised. I had previously called three times specifically requesting that Dish Network waive that fee because I didn’t even have a phone line—no dice. Yet now, they could easily do it. Ah, the power of a “do not let them cancel customer service representative.”

Given that I was dead set on canceling I went for the grand slam: “For me to stay with Dish Network I’m going to need free service for 6 months, free HD, free HD DVR, and free installation to get all that into my house” . . . . hold breath, no deal—well at least I tried.

Well, I think my account is canceled and they’re going to mail me boxes so I can mail back the equipment.

Lesson: if you think a charge is bull shit, just threaten to cancel and see what kind of good things they’ll offer. If the company says, sorry you have to cancel, just hang up and they’ll use that as an excuse to continue service.

Also, those who are prepared to walk away have the strongest bargaining power.

(How to get Dish Network to waive the $4.99 no telephone line charge)