DirecTV review: directv sucks 820

Impossible to cancel service which is my contractual right.

I messed up. I wrote the review and didn't know how to send it. they are bad news.

Deceptive selling practices.

Is there ever any way to get out of the Direct TV contract? It seems you never can.

Unable to receive local channels.

They call us every day trying to get us to subscribe again to their service.

Ive paid my bill in full and now they are trying to charge me more. Beware people!

I have been a directv customer for two years. We had to move to a different state back in May and when I tried to cancel the service I was told I would have to pay a huge cancellation fee. They told me the best thing to do was to suspend my service and when I got to my new state reinstate it until my contract ran out in september. I did exactly that and now today when I went to cancel my service after waiting it out, they are charging me 140.00 because they said the move added on an additional year to the contract. I specifically asked three seperate times after the move what the date of my contract was up. All three times I was given the same answer of sept. 7. Now they are telling me they sent an email (which of course I never received) stating the new One year contract because of the move. Please do not do business with this company. They are so dishonest. Sad that customers mean nothing to them.

I, too, tried to cancel my service yesterday. I upgraded to an HD receiver last year, and was never told that by upgrading (which means they are getting more money from me...) that my contract would be extended 2 years. I never signed anything, and was not informed of such. I did see that it is in their agreement, but after being with them for 12 years, I thought this would be disclosed at the time of change.

The real burn is the customer service rep said "I got a deal on the receiver" and that the same receiver, if I had to replace it, would cost me $199. Since I pay a $20 a month lease fee, I think I have more that paid for that receiver. She also told me that when I was at the end of my contract to call back and they could make me a " deal".

So, I get nothing for being a good paying customer for all these years. I downgraded my service to the lowest possible, but still am paying $70 a month, which is too much for me to handle right now. And, they don't have an option for internet, which makes them alot less competitive and I feel like I'm being held hostage.

If anyone has a great idea on how to get out of a contract, please let me know. I simply cannot afford this and am upset that they won't work with me at all.

I called to cancel my Directv today as my 2 year contract is complete. Or so I thought. DIRECTV, unbeknownst to me, extended my 2 year contract when they replaced a faulty box in a spare bedroom. They are going to deduct can bogus "early" cancelation fees from my bank account. They said they would take whatever they wanted. Kind of scary. Especially since my husband, who is battling aggressive prostate cancer, has an upcoming doctor appointment and medication that I need to pay for. I filed a complaint with the BBC earlier. I think I should file a claim once I know how much money they take from us. My husband was in tears. DIRECTV IS a horrible company. I see they got in big trouble with the Attorney General in 2010 and paid $14 million. They also agreed not to use these unethical practices anymore. Clearly, they still do.

We'd been customers of Direct TV for over 10 years I would say. We moved last year and "transferred" our Direct TV. We were told to take our boxes and remotes and they would come out and hook it up at the new place. ( We moved in the same town) We noticed price increase and could not continue with it. So we canceled. Then they sent us a bill including an early termination fee of $300. They stated we just signed a new contract. WE did not. We transferred service for free when we moved. They sent it to collections and refuse to remove the charge. My credit card was not charged because it was over the limit. How in the heck do I prove this when I have nothing but our word and the word of the customer support team who we spoke with when we planned our move. Nothing in any paperwork says we signed a new contract for any term when we moved. We were never told of any new contract and we did not sign anything other than maybe (I will have to ask my husband) the paperwork of the man who came and put up the dish. This is insane.

I have be trying to send an email to make a complaint to chase.carey@directv.com it keeps saying failed to deliver.Why put this email up if it isn't right.I also had direct tv for over 2 years.At the end of my contract I keep it on what they said was a month to momth bases with ne discounts.But I was fine with that.Then I moved and called to get it transfreed to new address.Told them want to keep old boxes and still do the month to month.They keep trying to get me to upgrade but told them NO.They set the date when someone would be out..My mother had to go to the hospital so I wasnt going to be home that day.So I was nice enough to call to let them know.They ask if I could have someone there because it would be 2 weeks before they could send someone eles to hook it up.So I told them my 17 year old daughter would be home.They said that was fine.When I got back home 2 days later they had hooked up new boxes in 4 rooms that I had Not told them to do.I called them and they were really rude.Said I had agreed to another 2 year contract And I said no I didnt and told them they need to fix the mistake they made or turn it off.She refused to send someone out to fix the problem and I wa told if I turned off service I would be charged.I told them to eaither fix the problem or I wouldnt pay.So they didnt And I didnt pay.Today my debit card was charged $322, 46.Which was my bill money for other bills I called them and told them it was there fault and mistake not mine and they had no right to do this.But all I got was they could and they did. And that I pretty much couldnt do anything about it.I gave them premission to when I had my old contact.Well that had been over for 4 months or longer so if that contact was up how can they take money out.I live in Ohio if anyone can help or have info how to get help with this please contact me by email..mjp345@hotmail.com

Direct tv admitted to over charging me 150.00 dollars in the first 3 months of service. But they never reimbursed me. In fact they just kept overcharging me 10 to 30 dollars more each month. I have my service in suspension currently. I want to cancel but am faced with 480 dollars in cancellation fee. I live in Oregon and don't know what to do.

Directv is trying to stick me with an early termination fee after 12 months of calling for repairs and no shows by them because I could only get 19 channels out of 200 on my hd receiver, which would never record. I work 12 hours a day so I added my mother as an authorized rep on my account to talk to them. While talking to Wayne at the corporate office in CO, he said she could put him or CEO Mike White on her life insurance as a beneficiary for EFTs, when she explained she was ill. Who do icontact about that? He had her convinced it was her idea!

Mr. Carey, Hello I'm a new Dircet Tv remember I am very Appalled that you would try to charge me 95 dollars for each additional receiver. I don't mind playing the 5 dollars for the monthly service I can understand that monthly fee.I have AT&T and i pay 5 dollars for the additional receivers, I feel that like your company can't meet my needs as a customer. I have 8 tv's in my house and your company feel that you must charge me 95 dollars and on top of that 5 additional dollars for the month that was not told to me on the install .Can we please rectify the situation. My contact information is [protected] Sincerely Jerry L Jones Jr.

I hate Direct tv!

My Son does not have a checking account, so he gave me cash and I paid his directv bill by debit card a few times...
He couldn't continue paying the ridiculous fee of over 100.00 a mth for cable, so he let a 114.00 bill go for a couple of mths. he had intentions of paying it, but it wasn't at the top of his to do list. well directv cancelled him and charged him a cancellation fee that was now 371.00. They took that 371.00 out of my checking account because it was the last thing that was used to pay their bill. I have called and told them, they took it out of my account, but they don't care. This was in March...I have talked till I'm blue...I've been hung up on after being onhold seems like forever...I can't get anywhere. I would not recommend Directv to my worst enemy...Their customer service sucks big time...I Hate Them...

In April 2014, my 2yr. Commitment was completed. i agreed 2 the additional 2 yr. 4 the new genie & the mini. since that was installed, i have had nothing but trouble. the tech people said that it was KNOWN that there was & is a software issue with that unit. the troubles went to case mgt. my case mgr (in okla.) (whom i could never reach directly) handled this issue very poorly. each tech rep said that a supervisor had to come out & take pics, readings, etc., because in my ultimate pkg, i would get error codes #721 (not purchased) & 781 (pay-per-view). i could channel up-dn & the channel would come back to view, sometimes. at other times i would get a black screen with voice & no pic. after i spent endless hours doing tech stuff that was the responsibility of directv (sending reports from the genie) i got no satisfaction or resolution. after all the engineering data & reports after 2 wks, the conclusion was that they said nothing was wrong with their equipment! REALLY! their answer from retention was another upgrade as they called it. it was for two hd receivers with another 2 yr agreement. i would NOT accept this as i had just completed my obligation with the hd receiver in April 2014. i ask for additional credit for the lack of programming stability & they just told me politely to suck it up. that is how corporate america is today, fueled by nothing but greed. i suppose that if ALL directv, dish & cable people would shut down & return the equipment, would that make a difference? probably not, due to the fact it would take a unified effort, patience & a little time for our voices to b herd, then & only then would there b changes for a consumer friendly corporate america. as far as making this complaint, it will not make any difference with chase carey at all, nor the b.o.d. if he does not have the professionalism to return calls or emails, do u think he really cares about the company? it is all about the money only. i live in mount holly, nc, just about 15 miles west of charlotte, nc. the ota service is lacking & cable or sat is the only way to get decent tv pics. so, i will file a complaint with the attorney general of NC & the BBB. it is time to speak up (4 whatever good it does) 4 we r not just another brick in the wall! RS n NC

In 2010, I had to cancel my account with DirecTV and they sent me a letter stating that I owe over $400 for a cancellation fee. The very next day they automatically deducted the fee directly from my bank account. March 22nd, 2014 they said they would refund the amount to my account on file which is no longer active. In this case since the account is closed then the funds would have been rejected but DirecTV is saying that the deposit was made successfully. I recently called my bank and a representative informed me that if the funds were made successfully then the bank would send a trace/confirmation number to the sender. DirecTV is saying they do not have the funds anymore since they were supposedly deposited without incident but they also don't have the trace number. Is anyone else having this type of problem with them? If so, what did you do?

youlanda robinson is a ###

I hope they take more.

direct tv took money from my dhs money card and i owe them nothing.i would like to be reimburst my money please.

I am furious! The Super Bowl is on and all my Direct TV is doing is pixelating! Direct TV has tried to scam us since we signed up almost a year ago. This is the last straw. Does anyone have the number to the Corporate Offices? Has anyone taken legal action?

we are new costumers about 5 month . now they taken one off the best channels off, wich is the weather channel.we will go back to ;;dish;; if not brought back.

Careful reading of the agreement (which I did not sign) also mentions this in addition to arbitration - "You may also assert an individual action in small claims court in lieu of arbitration."
So small claims court is the right venue.

Update: The arbitration company they have carefully selected asks a $400 fee with the application form as fee. Which is significantly higher that the early termination fee. This guarantees that DirecTV can make you pay anything below $400 without hearing a squeak from you. So arbitration is definitely not the right move. Small claims court seems to be right one.

I recently had a very bad experience with DirecTV too. They are a partnership with AT&T - advertised for $30 per month. So I signed up. When the installer came, I checked the 12 month box. Instead of $30 the bill was $45, which I assumed was because of the 12 month agreement.. Then after three months I started receiving $92 bills, Surprise! When I tried to cancel after 10 months they wanted to stick me for cancellation fee for $260. This seems to be their standard business practice. Yet they seem to be growing every year. Wikipedia page shows they 30 million customers with enormous profit 25% profit on approx $30 Billion in revenue (i, e, they are screwing each customer an average of $1000 per year). They are obviously making money in an extortion racket. How are they staying in business and how are they growing, What makes them immune to customer complaints. If somebody came into your house and stole $300 the legal system would surely punish them. But you can steal $15 billion a year from customers and hide behind unsigned contracts. Very smart!

Rosa M Diaz,

We would love to have you back with us and encourage you to check us out at dish.com for information on what we have to offer! Please let me know if you have any questions and feel free to private message if you'd like!

I have been a Directv customer for about four years now I recently been have the same issues with signal loss I went a full month almost with no service so I called today which Jan.9, 2014 and received the worst customer service ever its sad that your commercials say that you have the best customer care and equipment I beg a differ I called Directv every single week almost since November 2013 I asked the representative to put it in his notes he didn't do as I asked of him to do so we could have proper documentation I am so upset its several days since I had service and its not due to the weather as they suggest it snows every year this is a problem off poor equipment

we called the next day and you people refused to cancel our service and then we called the day after that and that's when you put it in your computer that we called.

I feel like it's just bad business to offer one price and then expect customers to pay a hefty fee later. ... Hmm, anyone out there recall the Blockbuster late fees (many which people actually didn't owe?) Where's Blockbuster these days? Oh, out of business? Yeah, seal your fate DirecTV. LOL. Karma gonna get you. Why would you steal from your customers? Seriously? Otherwise, I actually liked their customer service, television service and technicians, etc. Too bad they'll be out of business in less than a decade. Screw them.

Direct tv lied to me from the beginning. The salesman called and offered me a package with over 250 channels for less then 50.00. I agreed the switch thinking it would be true. To begin the tech was late and took all day to get the wiring done and when he left he left the mess outside. I called the company but because I did not call that same day, there was nothing they could do.
The package was more that 65.00 and direct tv also added fees for each receiver, which I was unaware. They also added a fee for the HD tv which I was neither aware. And then to make it worse Direct tv has so many more channels of infomercials and direct sales. Some of those channels are repeated, same info different channel #.
I was not able to check my account online and the times I remember to ask the customer people, they gave instruction in a rush and so when I tried, it didn't work. I usually paid my bill by phone and that would bring another fee.
They gave me the HBO package for a free trial period and I know that I called and told them to cancel that when the trial period was over. According to the rep, he noted it and said it would be done. Wrong. A couple of months later I noticed the bill was over 150.00. By October they disconnected the service. I called to inquire about this bill and why it went so high. The premium channels were never cancelled. I paid whatever my regular bill would've been and I asked to have the other fees waived. The rep agreed and apologized. That day I was transferred to three or four other reps. I told the same problem over and over again and no one seemed to get the point. They all gave me different answers but none ever answered my questions or problems directly.
Well, that promise to waive the HBO fees was never kept. Finally by the beginning of December I had enough. Someone called demanding to get paid and said that if I paid my monthly bill all other fees would be removed which was about 45.00 so I paid 65.00 and then.. and 'checking' my account he said that the fees had already been credited back in September which was not true.
I got angry and clearly told him I had enough of this company and their lies and wanted my account closed he now made it clear that I would end up paying over 350.00 in early cancellation fees. I said it very clearly that they owed me more for their lies and bad service.
The next day, On December 3 2013, I sent an email wanting my account closed that same day and I stated that I WOULD NOT pay any more money to Direct tv. They did close the account and stated that the box to ship the receivers would arrive in about two weeks. It's been more than three weeks and I still have not received the boxes to ship the receiver.
On December 23, 2013 I went to Facebook and explained my case and anger on how they handled my case. The answer I got was to contact the 800 #.
On December 23 2013 about 8:00 pm pacific time, I checked my bank account and I noticed that Direct tv had withdrawn 71.95 without my knowledge or permission. When I called they were apologetic and said that it is because of the early termination fees and there is nothing they could do. I have not received those boxes to ship the receivers, and I only received the last statement two days before, and yet, they were quick to take the money out without me even knowing.
Usually a company will try to work with the customer but I was told time and time again that there is nothing they could do.
The rep, offered to have all those fees waived if I came back to Direct tv. I said no, he transferred me to the supervisor, Alleya, who also offered to have those fees removed if I came back. NO, I said.
I was transferred to Jerri, in collections. I demanded to have the name and address to the CEO but she only gave me a P O Box to the billing dept in Glennwood Village Colorado. She never gave me the name of the CEO as she conveniently 'didn't have it.' How can they not know the name and address of their boss?

This is the facebook message on December 23 2013
"Rosa M Diaz posted to DirecTV
19 hours ago ·

In April someone called with the story that I would end up paying about 48.00 a month for the direct tv. I switched only to see how good a liar you are. I had enough of you guys adding fees and changing the charges and I closed the account on December 3. I told the man I wanted the account closed immediately.
The next day I also sent an email wanting to return the receivers. I got an answer that I would receive the boxes in about two weeks. It’s already three weeks and I still have not receive that box to ship them.
Like I said in the email I will NOT pay anything more than I have. I don’t know why I switched from Dish Network this company has been clear and consistent. Direct tv is just one story after another. I have found several websites where so many people have similar cases like mine. I will NOT pay the early termination fees or any other fees you have incurred in my account. This is the WORST company I have ever dealt with.
You can sue me, you can do whatever you want but no extra money will come out of my pocket for direct tv.
We can do this the easy and peaceful way or we can do it the hard way. Either you send those boxes and clear my account or I will make a social media call out for all other direct tv users who have similar cases like mine. I am sure direct tv will not like the negative publicity. I can go either way, it’s your call.
Today I can see a couple of people who are also complaining about the service.
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Rosa M Diaz
Write a comment...
DirecTV I'm sorry about this, Rosa. We would like to speak with you to ensure the recovery kits are reshipped and verify your information. Please give us a call at [protected] and we will be happy to assist you."
Like · Reply · 18 hours ago

I already sent my questions on facebook and twitter.
"Rosa M Diaz
DO YOU HAVE COMPLAINTS ABOUT DIRECT TV? So do many other people. We need to talk.
Like · · Share · 10 hours ago ·

Direct TV removed hundreds of dollars from my bank account without permission. I called them several times and advised them to quit, they never did. So finally I closed my bank account so they could not collect anymore money. When they were unable to remove money from my old account, they called me and advised that In owed money. After numerous phone calls they finally admitted they owed me hundreds of dollars. I asked them to send me a refund check and they said they could'nt, however they could issue credits on are other account. CREDITS, it was my money, not credits. Well since that time they have issued credits and turned my TV off so many times I have over 40 manhours and 3 days of missed work to meet their techs for equipment issues its ridiculous. I sent in an email to the SUPPOSEDLY HEAD of Customer Support and had a FLUNKY from Idaho call me and state that their is nothing they can do because of the equipment issues or the 3 rooms that the system did not work in. I have picked up the paperwork and am filing in Court in Montana tomorrow. If nothing else they will spend more money in attorney fees than what is owed to me. And the suit will name the CEO as well as all people that promised credits. By Montana Law, a verbal agreement is as binding as a written one. And I have them on tape making the agreements, and they knew it.
DIRECT TV is the most UNPROFESSIONAL organization I have ever met.

I totally agree DIRECTTV SUCKS they automatically took out of my bank account a month earlier then the salesperson told which caused me two overdraft charges. I cant watch a recording in my room if someone is watching a recording in another room. My basic channels (ABC NBC CBS etc.) are not in HD. Even though when i had Dish they were. I wish I did not switch. Now I am stuck with DIRECT for 2 yrs. And then in 3 months I have to Pay for the HBO SHOWTIME AND CINEMAX channels. so mad at myself

i would be asking your husband why he's watching porn while your gone i mean it seems here you are trying to fruad out direct tv.

When you signed the agreement, they were given that card for billing. You informing them that they can not charge that card does not make the agreement change. As far as returning the equipment and paying the final bill? Again, if that is not in the agreement then they do not have to close the account and can bill you for the remainder of the agreement.

I am two years late in writing this letter but I will feel better just knowing that I finally got this off my chest. Around two years ago I was discussing with my neighbor how unhappy I was with Dish Network. He said that he had just switched to Direct TV and that if I switched I could give his name and account number as a reference and we would both get a $50.00 credit. I called the Direct TV number I found in an ad in the newspaper and spoke with a customer service rep. I told him what my neighbor had said about the $50.00 referral credit and he assured me that it would be taken care of. Throughout our conversation I asked him two or three times when he needed my neighbors information so we could get the credit. He kept saying that it would come up later in the transaction. When he finally got done taking all of my information he still had not asked for my neighbors name or account number. So I asked again and he told me that it looks like we did not qualify for the $50.00 credit as that screen never appeared on his computer while signing me up. "Sorry" he said. I should have cancelled right there but I didn't. I waited a few weeks and finally called Direct TV customer support and complained, the woman I spoke to took some information from me concerning what phone number I called when setting up my account then looked up my account on her computer. She came back on line and informed me that I had not used the proper number to be eligible for the $50.00 credit and that there was nothing she could do. "Sorry" she said. She could not tell me why the service rep who set up my account kept telling me that he would set up the credit only to tell me that I did not qualify or why he never told me that I needed to use another number if I wanted to qualify. I guess the only thing I can do now is go back to Dish Network as protest against the lies I got from Direct TV.

I had initially orderded a spanish program package since my husband is a huge soccer fan; however he had to start working two jobs and does not watch TV anymore. I received a flyer in my mail with packaging offers. They were great, offered free DVR at $39.99 month. I called and I was advised this is for new customers only. I asked the representative why did they send me the flyer to my home then. They obviously have my information on file and know that I am an existing customer. His response was that this is sent throughout the US to everyone. Since I was calling from work during my break I requested that my programming be downgraded to the next lower level. I called later that evening from home; I explained my situation and the rep went through some options; the first was around $24.99 but was very basic; the next one was around $55.00 a month; I told her I may just cancel the service. The rep sarcastically advised me that would have to pay a $400 dollar fee since I was under a contract for early termination. I was not aware I was under contract; I think like many other people I did not read the fine print. I was frustrated so I hung up. I received a response to an email I had sent requesting that the company do the right thing and work with me to keep me as a satisfied customer. I pointed out in the email that it costs more money to attract new customers than to keep your current customers happy. The email response gave me a pin # so I called thinking ok, it sounds like they will work with me. Of course not! The rep offered me choice extra at a reduced rate of $50.99 for six months; a ten dollar discount. I explained I just wanted the english equivilent to my spanish prgramming that I get fo r$44.99 month. Christian, then went into the terms and conditions that I agreed to and saying she understands that I feel disatisfied with the free install the gave me and the special offer they had initially given me. I had to interrupt her and ask why she was bringing this up when that is not what I was asking for! We went round a few times, I never raised my voice and really tried to get her to understand. She did not so I hung up and here I am now. I will have to finish through my contract through June 2010 as Christian also advised me then guess what? I will cancel and I will always have my little two cents to put in to anyone who will listen not to do bussiness with Directv; who by the way self proclaim their #1 customer service status. Directv, just do the right thing for the cusotmer instead of getting defensive and hiding behind the terms and conditions of the agreement.

We recieved a bill last May, after about 2 years of service, with an additional $109.00 worth of Pay-per-view charges. Mostly adult titles. We had all pay-per-view activities blocked as we had an Alzhiemers patient in the house sometimes. The odd thing was the movies being billed for were rented 14 months prior. They say the equipment was sitting around and somebody forgot the card in the box. Which was mailed back from an upgrade done after we moved. When we contacted them about this we were told basically that they don't make mistakes, and we needed to pay it now or we would be billed for the remainder of our contract and shut off. We asked for a dispute department, and after several phone calls of people telling me in several ways that they own me and I needed to pony up the dough or else, we finally got one, we sent 2 letters, and 1 fax, and several unreturned phone calls.

Now, we have no TV, and a big bill, that has apparently been sent to collections. Since it is in collections, DirecTV cannot touch it, but the collection agency would surely work with me on this dispute! RIGHT! Has anyone ever had a collection agency 'work' on anything for them? I would love to hear about it. Meanwhile, I was told if I paid off now, and paid a hefty deposit now, She would gladly start me with new service. I calmly suggested some contortionist activities for her. Any ideas? Solutions? Related issues?

In short canceled service with DirecTv and continuted to get billed. Called and made sure our service was indeed canceled ( which always takes AT LEAST 30 minutes to get connected with a REAL person) and they said yes they would refund our money and send a confirmation # via e-mail. Well, they never acually sent us the e-mail with the confirmation #, and we continued to get billed. We went back and forth like this for 3 months with them assuring us that our account was canceled and we would not have to worry. They are liars and there must be something in it for their salespeople to not let someone cancel an account! We went ahead and paid them for 2 months of service we didn't use just so our credit score wouldn't go down from waiting for the liars to actually cancel our account! Would NOT reccomend doing business with them! We now have comcast and although they are not perfect their customer service has been GREAT!

I have direct tv in december they changed there dma from travers city and cadillac to bay city saginaw which i cant get from my area i have the updated equiptment and have done all kinds of techinical suport. so now what i ask my kids go to school in clare county i work in clare county but because of nealson media i dont have a clue whats going on in my area and now in no areas. i just want caddilac traverscity back.