If you have a long-term contract with DISH Network and decide to cancel your services early, you will be subject to early-termination fees. DISH charges $20 for every month left in your contract, with a maximum charge of $480. Since the company has built its business model around these two-year contracts, they are incredibly strict about collecting their early-termination fees.
There really are not any scenarios that allow you to avoid these fees, though fees have been waived in the past on a case by case basis. The fees will still apply if you move, even if you are moving somewhere outside of DISH Networks coverage area. The fees will still apply if DISH changes your monthly cost, and you try to cancel in response. The fees will still apply if you reduce your services to lower than that of your monthly minimum that is listed in your contract. Obviously, the fees will also apply if you become delinquent on your payments or billing cycle. If you do find yourself facing an early termination fee, know that DISH will automatically charge the account they have on file to cover them.
While DISH rarely waives these termination fees you do have a few options that may help you avoid them. The first, and most simple, is to call and explain your situation. While it is very unlikely that you will be able to have the fee waived entirely, if you politely explain your predicament and ask for help they may be able to at least lower the cost of your fees.
The next most successful option only applies if you are moving somewhere else. If you are moving, look into transferring your DISH contract to whomever is moving in after you. DISH Network does have to approve this transfer, but as long as you don’t have any leased equipment they are often amenable to this suggestion. After all, all the businesses really care about at the end of the day is making sure they get paid. This option satisfies both parties.
At the end of the day, you should not sign a two-year contract unless you have every intention of completing it. However, life happens and DISH does understand that sometimes breaking a contract is unavoidable. If you really can’t afford to pay the agreed upon early-termination fees, consider transferring your contract or explaining your situation politely to DISH Network.
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