Comprising millions of users, Dish Network is the second biggest direct broadcast satellite service provider in the United States. You could eventually find, nevertheless, that you no longer wish to pay Dish Network subscription fees. Although ending a satellite TV subscription might seem like a difficult process, the following will help to streamline it.
Check if you are bound by the contract
First, ensure that you are not under any contract with the Dish Network before proceeding to cancel your subscription. Dish for instance enters the customer into a 12- or 24-month contract for service when they first subscribe. If you cancel while still under a contract, you will end up paying an early cancellation fee. This typically costs $10-20 for each month left on your contract depending on the terms of service offered by your WiFi provider.
So if one needs to know how long the Dish contract will last or when the contract expires then one should look at the paperwork signed at the beginning of the Dish subscription. If you are not under the agreement, then you have the right to cancel your booking without penalty. If you have months left, consider the amount of ETF and determine if you want to pay this amount to exit the contract early.
Understand Dish's Cancellation Policies
In addition to early termination fees, be aware of Dish's other cancellation policies:
- To avoid being charged again, Dish needs to be informed before the next billing cycle. That means if you have your billing date as the first day of the month, you have to cancel before the first day of the month.
- If you were using equipment that you rented from Dish, then you need to return the equipment when you want to cancel, or else you will be charged for the equipment. This includes receivers, remote control, Satellite dish, etc.
- It is also important not to leave any AutoPay or any other automatic payment options active to prevent any future charges.
Try Lowering Your Package First
You also do not have to cancel your Dish account entirely but rather opt for the cheaper package instead of the one you have thus choosing to cancel the service. This is even better since it saves you money without the need to pay termination fees. You’ll have a very simple Dish package for the least amount per month.
Call To Cancel Your Service
Then, dial Dish directly at 1-877-471-DISH (4808) to cancel TV once you know potential ETFs and billing cycles of certain ETFs. Unfortunately, Dish does not permit customers to cancel their subscriptions through the website.
If you will be calling, first check if you will be charged an early termination fee depending on your contract. If you are comfortable doing so, and you know that you no longer require the service, then say that you would like to terminate the service at that point. Choose the date of cancellation that you would like (in most cases, it will be at the end of the billing cycle).
The Dish agent may attempt to convince you to remain a customer by offering additional discounts or packages. It is important to remain adamant if you still want to go through with cancellation after hearing any offers. It is advisable to adhere to the cancellation date you specified.
Return Leased Equipment
This is the time to return all rented receivers, remotes, Satellite dishes, or any equipment from Dish. Dish requires all leased items returned as soon as possible after you have closed your account.
When you cancel you will have to return products using prepaid shipping labels that Dish will have provided. An assortment of boxes and shipping labels are sent in a package to your address by Dish. Pack any return items securely and affix the provided return shipping labels on the packaging. Return at either UPS or FedEx.
Retain tracking numbers as proof that you returned the equipment. Dish should automatically give tracking updates to let them know that returns are on the way from you. Do not discard any Dish equipment as you will be subjected to charges on rental even after canceling the subscription.
Look for the final billing statement
However, after canceling the subscription and returning any equipment, the client should expect a final bill from Dish. It comes within 1-2 billing cycles and covers any outstanding charges, credits, or termination fees that you incur after canceling TV.
Always remember that it is not until you have received and paid your last bill that you can consider your Dish account closed. Dish cannot report any collections or outstanding balances to the credit bureaus for at least 30 days after your final bill date. Thus, no need to worry unless you are sure there is an outstanding balance you need to pay.
After Canceling Dish Network: What is Next?
Congratulations! By this time you should be able to cancel your Dish Network subscription. Just make sure that any AutoPay setup with Dish is canceled to avoid further payments. Other steps to take after canceling include:
- If you still desire satellite or cable television, search for other providers in your area. Some of the biggest choices are DIRECTV, Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, and many more. Subscription plans and prices should be compared and differentiated.
- If you are willing to part with traditional pay TV, consider transitioning to the streaming method. Some of the best streaming services include YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV among others. Many cost far less than cable and satellite.
- If you don’t want any paid subscription TV, use an affordable HD antenna to get free over-the-air channels. Free over-the-air TV should be paired with ad-supported streaming services.
It is only at this stage that one can begin watching his or her favorite shows through a new provider or streaming. Instead, just adhere to these guidelines in the next section to enjoy a clean break from Dish Network by following their cancellation procedures.
Ready to upgrade your TV experience? Call us now at (877) 471-4808 to find the perfect Dish Network plan for you! Don’t miss out on great entertainment—our team is here to help you choose the best package and get you started today.