Beware of high early termination fees and other hidden unpleasantries lurking in DirecTV and Dish Network contracts I often hear complaints here at the Gripe Line about cable companies and the lack of choice consumers have because these service providers have a near monopoly in some markets. This might lead some TV fans to consider satellite TV, especially given some of the temptingly competitive introductory offers on hand.But apparently the Better Business Bureau gets many more complaints about satellite TV providers DirecTV and Dish Network than I get about cable operators. In fact, the BBB gets more complaints about these companies than it does about most businesses. I received an announcement from the BBB that announced that, “In the last three years, the BBB has received more than 53,000 complaints about satellite TV providers — making them one of the most complained about industries.”[ Beware the fallout of failing to register your tech purchases. | Frustrated by tech support? Get answers in InfoWorld’s Gripe Line newsletter. ] Though the satellite companies work with the BBB to resolve these complaints, the BBB issued a warning to consumers, recommending that they carefully read any contract from these operators before before affix their John Hancock to it.Many complaints about these service providers concern steep early termination fees. “If customers aren’t satisfied with their service or they can’t afford the cost after the introductory period, it isn’t that easy to cancel because the early termination fees can run into the hundreds of dollars,” Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureau, said in the announcement.Some of the complainants say they had to pay upward of $600 to get out of the service. These customers were often unaware of these terms — though they were in the contract — because, in some cases, the terms of their contract were misrepresented by the sales representative who signed them up. Other complaints about satellite TV providers claimed a drastic increase in the bill after an introductory offer expired. Even when customers were aware that the bill would increase, it went up much more than they expected.Some customers complained, too, that they were promised rebate or gift cards that they never received and were sometimes billed for services they didn’t order or thought would be free. There were also service problems, trouble getting equipment repaired, and equipment upgrades that required contract extensions.In short, if you go this route, get everything in writing. And be sure you read all that writing rather than trusting the sales representative to answer questions. Finally, check your bill carefully. Got gripes? Send them to christina_tynan-wood@infoworld.com.This story, “Read the fine print of your satellite TV contract,” was originally published at InfoWorld.com. Read more of Christina Tynan-Wood’s Gripe Line blog at InfoWorld.com. Technology Industry