I currently have Dish Network because its the only option available out here in the boonies where I am right now, ( I got screwed, I was told when I got mine that Dish network was buying out Direct TV, and would soon be carrying NFL Sunday ticket too, but apparently the merger was then banned by congress. Between that and the NFL re-upping direct TV's contract for another 3 years, I'm dead in the water) but they both seem to operate essentially the same.
You should be able to get your equipment (dish and receiver(s) for nothing. Possibly free installation too, depending on your exact location. They make their money from your monthly subscription payments, not on the sale of the hardware.
The most common approach is to get you to commit to a 1 year contract for their service, then the equipment becomes yours. Dish Network "rebates" the "calculated" cost of the equipment back to you over the course of the first 12 months by deducting 1/12 of that cost each month on your bill. As far as I know, Direct TV does the same thing.
Net result = end of 1 year, the equipment is yours, at no cost, but you've been locked into their service for the year.
That is pretty much the "standard", to give you a basis to operate from.