Cancelling Dishnetwork...took 20 minutes.

With my wife we decided to try to go without a TV. I'm not too worried as I get most of my stuff online....pssst...don't tell her ;-). This said I knew it would be difficult to cancel as usually these big companies have a laborious process you need to follow in order to cancel your account. My hope was that they "improved" and I logged on online and was looking for a "Cancel Account" button, with maybe one confirmation screen...Nope. It did go like that (note I may have skipped some text, but it's pretty much how it went):

First I did login to their online system and looked for the option to cancel the account.

* Didn't find in the menus.

* Did a search using their search box...didn't find.

* Looked at the FAQ, found AskDish...

Yea...that may work...and the answer was: "We are sorry to hear that you want to discontinue your DISH Network service. Unfortunately ASKDISH is unable to fulfill this request. You will need to call our customer service center at 1-800-333-3474, if you decide to leave us.

Electronic Funds Transfer AutoPay allows you to automatically withdraw your monthly DISH Network bill from your checking or savings account. It’s quick, easy and you never have to worry about late fees! Coming soon, enroll online when you log into My Account."

Of course...that would have been to easy. And don't ask me what the second part of the answer has to do with the first.

All right, it's 8pm, let's call that number.

Automated New operator:"In a Few words..how can I help you?"

I say: Cancel Account.

Automated New operator: What do you want to cancel? service, channel, auto-pay, none of those?

Me: none of those.

Automated New operator:Please wait while we transfer your call...

2 minutes pass...

Automated New operator:Please hold for the next customer representative...

Operator:...music...and adds...

2 minutes...

Automated New operator:Thank you for calling DishNetwork. Please hold for the next customer representative...

10 minutes later... a real person

Operator: Can I have your phone number?

Me: (I provide the number and continue with) I want to cancel the account?

Operator: Can you tell me the reasons?

Me: No, just cancel the account.

Operator: We are having system maintenance...I am still trying to pull up your account.

Operator: We would really hate to loose you? We can arrange something? Is it about the bill? Is it about the programming?

Me: no, just cancel the account.

Operator: I need to transfer the call to an account specialist. Please hold on.

Me: ok.

New operator: My name is Marianne.

New operator: What makes you cancel the account?

Me: nothing, please cancel the account.

New operator: If it's technical, I can transfer you to a technician.

Me: nothing, please cancel the account

New operator: If it's financial, I can put the account on hold.

Me: nothing, please cancel the account.

New operator: Please hold I start the process.


couple of minutes go by.

New operator: (she start to read really, really fast a long message...didn't get most of it)... 10 days..30 days to return the equipment...2 receiver..3 remote...eye on the dish....Final bill. Can not give you the amount, you'll get a bill in a couple of days. Otherwise can...We are sorry to have lost you as a customer. Any questions?

Me: What's the reference number of the cancellation.

New operator: It's the number the operator mentioned at the beginning.

Me: What's the reference number of the cancellation.

New operator: (she provides a three letter code).


8:24pm. Pfuu...20minutes. Note bad. Once they get you, they really don't wanna let you go :-) Now let's see if that cancelled my account...or if it's just the start of a longer process.