DirecTV review: directv sucks 820

So recently my girflriend and I decided to go with DirecTV over Comcast due to the NFL Sunday ticket we would have got for free for ordering the “Premium Package” of DirecTV. So we call and order it, and was told the only charge was a $21.35 installation charge, that would get refunded the second month of service. So no problem we thought, we ordered the package that got us free NFL Sunday ticket, 2HD recievers, and set the installation for a week later.

The installation went great, the installer company they used were very polite and fast as well as prompt. This is about the only good thing we’ve experienced with DirecTV. Once it was hooked up and we had time to sit down and watch it we noticed we only had the basic package and no NFL Sunday Ticket. We called and was told we’d have to upgrade since we were now customers, and couldn’t get the discount and couldn’t get the free NFL sunday ticket. This had me irrate of course as I love my football, so we just took the Premium package, and figured whatever was on football wise, I’d watch. Sure it was total ###, and horrible customer service, but I like watching TV so whatever I thought. This was the least of our problems though…

Shortly after this we examined our credit card statement, and found that DirecTV charged us $21.35 for the install as discussed, but then charged an additional $220.95! WTFBBQ Our heads about exploded, a completely random $220.95 charge for DirecTV, so we called them and asked that the problem was that we were charged that amount of money. The representative we talked to basically told us to get lost because they didn’t charge $220.95 to our card, but there it is on our statement, we were sitting there staring at it. They said they couldn’t give a refund, because they have no record of the $220.95. Absolutely irate at this point, I told them to just cancel the service and I’ll let my credit card company deal with the over charges.

Read my full story with these idiots: http://davidmchenry.info/2009/11/28/directv-scamming-credit-card-leeches-who-over-charge/

To directv, i would like to know why we lost channel 631, the bill is the same, an also i know someone with the same package i have but they have diy channel 230 AN I DON'T, COULD YOU PLS LET ME KNOW WHY...

Directv charged me for NFL sunday ticket for four months, even though I never ordered it. I was not paying attention to my credit card statement, so didn't notice the increase. When I called, they said they could not pay it back because the season was half over.

I have never ordered any sports package. The fourth or fifth person I spoke with finally ADMITTED that I never ordered it, and that there was "no reason" for them to charge me. Even then, they only offered to give me credit. They would not refund my money. They took money without authorization, and would not refund. I'm sorry, but that is stealing.

I canceled my entire service with them. I have since reviewed all my charges with them and found out I was also being charged for leased receivers, even though I purchase my receivers on ebay. I have filed a dispute.

There is only about $300 in dispute. However, I am outraged that they think they can get away with this. After the dust settles with the credit card dispute, I plan to submit this information to the Oklahoma Atty General's office.

I will never do business with that company again.

I completely agree. I did sign an 18 month contract for service and tried to cancel a few months early. I agreed to pay the cancellation fee because even with that fee I stood to save a lot by switching to cable. DTV then offered me a "credit" equal to what I would save with the cable company over the remaining months of my contract and I took it thinking it was a good deal and would give me time to take a fresh look at all options once I no longer had a contract. I asked DTV if I was in any way obligated to stay beyond the original contract period and they told me "no." I eventually made the decision to switch and DTV has now "reversed" the credit and told me I have to repay the credit because I didn't stay another year. Here's the kicker. They've ADMITTED that they never told me I had to stay another year and apologized for "the lack of information provided to me when the credit was applied." Yet, they insist the charge is valid and that I must pay it. The fact of the matter is, verbal or written, there is no contract unless there is a "meeting of the minds." If they never disclosed these terms to me and I never agreed to them, then I'm not bound by them (and neither is anyone else). I filed a BBB complaint and a demand for arbitration. It's gonna cost more to go through abritration than what they're demanding in payment but it's a matter of principle now. I'm not going to be held accountable for failing to meet THEIR expectations that were NEVER disclosed to me.

please contact the attorney general for pa about this! I have a post a few down and I am really hoping enough complaints from Pa to the attorney general will help start a law suit or something against directv. I am still getting a run around with directv and now the bank over things. The attorney general sent me a letter saying they will start to look into directv again and pointed me to a lawsuit back in 2005 against directv. Every little bit helps. This company has some unethical practices that need to be stopped!

I am upset that DirecTV has stopped carring Versus. As a Chicago Blackhawk fan I am upset and angry that they dropped Versus. For compensation, they are giving anybody who complains $10.00 a month discount for 6 months. Now if everybody who lost Versus calls and complains, I am sure that will hurt DirecTV in the pockets. Maybe they might get the Versus issue resovled quickly and we will be able to see Versus again.

PLEAS HELP US HALSTED COMMUNICATIONS FOR DIRECTV IN STEALING FROM THERE CONTRACTING TECHNICIANS. IF DIRECTV ALLOWS THIS TYPE OF OF PRACTICES WITH THESE OUTRAGEOUS BACK CHARGES THEN WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. THIS IS WHY SOME CUSTOMERS INSTALLS ARE NIGHTMARES THE TECH ARE WORKING PRACTICULLY FOR FREE. PLEASE ANYBODY HELP HELP HELP.!

I have been trying to get out of the contract since day two and they still will not grant me the waiver. It has been now about 4 months and I have spend over 40 hours talking to them, different technicians have come out including the superviser. It does not matter to them how many times a customer complaints. Direct TV has poor customer service and very disloyal. They will find a way to charge you for any proublems you might have. $19.95 might not be much but it is the principle of the matter. If you keep calling and ask for the corporate office in California you might get better results. I hope your daughter has a speedy recovery.
Also they do need to replace the device with out you have to pay a cent. I was also told that we will get the same quality of comcast, plain lies. Also management department came out and nothing was resolved.

Thank you,
Ana

Thank you so much for the contact info!

My daughter is sick with the swine flu - she was watching tv and the receiver went out. We talked to a technician who said that the equipment was defective - they're willing to replace it for a $19.95 fee. That's absolutely ridiculous to charge a fee when the receiver is not even 6 months old!

I sent an email to the CEO, after dealing unsuccessfully with Customer Service. Hopefully this will work!

they are lying stealing they said we had 30 days they say it dosent exest they bill us $500 then threten to take right out my bank card GO WITH DISH if you need satilite!

This is a complaint for "PAUL" who offered promises he couldnt keep to keep us as customers. 2 Weeks ago we were going to cancel because we would miss hockey games on VS. The deal was this. Free 4th room dish (he wanted to counter an offer by DISH at the time), $10 off a month for a year and Center Ice for free so I dont miss my games. He forgot to tell me that VS games are exclusive and can not be seen on center ice. Not knowing this, I agreed to ANOTHER year of service for that extra box. I feel that I should not have to pay for whatever is left on our contract ($400 plus whatever is owed on the bill) and I will be canceling this week so I dont miss anymore programming. I am blogging this on every outlet I can this week to show how your company lies to customer to retain them and get them sucked into a commitment and are forced to pay. We have seen issues in the past with other companies CS, but deceptively baiting existing customers is beyond any conscious thought. Try searching Youtube/Facebook/Twitter and other blogs.

After being a customer for 30 months I had to cancel my service with Direct TV, and now being charged a 280.oo fee for "early termination" of a 24 month agreement. Do the math, and then when I want to talk to someone about it they refuse to let me. And to top it all off, they are putting this crap through on my bank acct, along with other "charges", without any authorization from me. So now mt bank account is hitting negative with me not knowing how to put gas in my car or food on my table for my family. So now my decison to go with direct tv is costing me so much more. Stay away from this company.

with all these thousands and thousands of complaints why isn, t something being done?All the people in these help sites watch tv also. guess what they watch? I can, t beleive the govt. lets a scam company like directv stay in business. They are hearthless, and thieves.All these thousands of people can, t be wrong. I don, t know anyone who likes directv. no you?

After being Direct TV customers for 7+years, we had to cancel our service because we were moving into an apartment that doesn't allow satellite dishes. At the time my husband called and cancelled our services, we were told we could not cancel until our balance was paid in full. When we asked where to return the receiver boxes to, we were once again told they could not help us until our account was paid in full. Direct TV took $567.00 out or our account on the Friday before Labor Day without notice. They told us it was their right as we did not return the boxes. On the same day the money was taken, we received boxes from Direct TV to return our receivers. They were boxed up immediately and returned. With the holiday weekend they were received on Sept. 8 but not checked in until Sept 11 as they say it takes time to process all received shipments. At this time, we contacted customer service to determine when we would receive our refund for the returned receivers. We were told it would be 8 to 10 days. We stated this was unacceptable as they took the money without notice and without allowing us to return the receivers. They stated this was the policy of the "finance department" and nothing could be done. We then escalated the issue past the supervisor level to the manager level. We were instructed the issue was escalated and we should receive a refund in our checking account as this is the method they used to take the money. We were told we would receive the refund in our account within 3-5 business days. It is now October and we still do not have a refund. After calling and talking to customer service again and asking to speak with a supervisor, the supervisor told me it did not matter how far we escalated the issue, it was the policy of Direct TV to not refund money for 6 to 8 weeks. He told us it did not matter if we were told by the president of the company himself we would receive the refund today, it would not happen for 6 to 8 weeks because this is policy.

### direct tv they are crookssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss...

I just tried to send an email and it came back undeliverable. They must have changed the email address,

Michael, Good Post and Boy, do I agree. I did not keep records as you did but the time and experience is the same. I'd say that their Incompetent customer service is more then that.
One Example. I have both Internet Service and their TV. I violated their FAP ( Fair Access Policy) and wanted to know what I could do to keep track of my usage. WildBlue who actually provides the service offered a Usage Meter to their customers. This meter was not available to DTV customers. So I complained and complained. I was told many times by Customer (Lack Of) Service that one was available. It was at site so and so. I tried it. It was inaccessible. Over and over I was directed to this site. Same thing. I mentioned it to their Tech Dept. Oh, he said, they are working on that site - but it is not ready. I filed a complaint with the BBB. DTV out of Phoenix told me and the BBB that if I wanted to see my usage to go to that same site. BBB did nothing for me even though I told them that Phoenix DTV was mistaken. I passed that site address to many many Reps and challenged them to go to it and see for their self. Nada. A meter was finally made available but it was supplied by Google. The site that was to be for Usage is now some sort of site for someone other then DTV. In the mean time DTV got me moved from their least expensive service to their most expensive. If you go over their limit your speed gets cut to they say about 117Kb. Usable. But actually some times It went to 20 - 25 Kb. Not useable. Complaining does not a thing except waste time.
So Most Incompetent customer service describes them well. I now use less then half of what I am paying for. I live in the boonies so I had no choice but Satellite. Nine more months to go.

I tried to cancel my directv service after 14 years of service and at first the person tried to overtalk me and try for me to stay. I told them I just called and want to cancel and to please tell me how to send the equip back. after a yelling match back and forth because they wouldn't allow me to cancel, they switched me to another dept. was put on hold for 20 min because they said I needed to talk to a supervisor to cancel...got another cust serv rep. he told me he was a supervisor and could help me then he tried to charge me an enormous amt for cancellation fees $400. I told him I was not going to pay then he says he has to transfer me to a supervisor because he really wasnt a supervisor (so he lied) another person tells me oh no now I also have to pay for a 2 yr contract early cancellation fee I told them hey I had your svce for 14 yrs so that doesn't make sense then he tried to tell me that I also had to pay additional fees because when their service was down I had to call and complain and that is now going to be charged for their cust serv person to tell me to plug and unplug an will charge me additional chg for 14 yrs total chgs. Then they wanted to chg me for a receiver their cust svce dept sent because their equipment didn't work and couldn't upgrade their update system so to make a long story short. I would NOT recommend DirecTV to anyone. They must be hurting because it seems they try to rip off their customers. Sad to say because I thought that when economic times got better I might go back to them down the road but NO WAY after the way I was treated I would not have this SLIMY company back!

Thanks for posting that link for everybody to see. Anything to help each other out! I am an accounting major, so I have had Business Law classes. I've studied contract law, and in order for a contract to be considered valid and hold up in court, there must be mutual assent on both sides...meaning both parties must be aware of what they are agreeing to. I was actually told there was NO contract by the installation company, AS WELL as a DirecTV representative. So I would have been more than happy if they did show up, I was prepared for them. But like you mentioned, I knew it was not worth their time and effort for $200. So this was just a guideline to show people something they can do if they have a valid argument. Their customer agreement may say you cannot sue them, but in order for them to dispute that in court, they would have to show up in court, lol, which we all know they will not. I have read of others who have also filed against DirecTV in small claims court, and DirecTV settled up with them beforehand too. So do whatever you need to do to make them pay!

Seems like everybody has the same damn issues i do! No f**king bill! wrong sattelite boxes! And those stupid F**cking [censored] supervisors keep F**cking hanging up on me! They have no damn clue how to run a business! Direct t.v. is ###! They need to be shut down! I'm sick of all their damn ###!

I'm pretty sure that they asked to drop the court case because it would have cost them more money to come out to the court date. Technically it is in their customer agreement that you can not sue them. By agreeing to have their service you agree to binding arbitration in lieu of court. It is very specific on even who to contact for arbitiration. I would caution those who want to 'make' them show up for court out of spite because the judge may throw the case out due to the arbitration clause in the contract. If this happens you will not get your money back. You know the direcTV rep is going to bring up the clause in court. So, I recommend sticking with arbitration. They will settle before that as well. There is a good article on ehow that googled right above the hit for this article. Here's the link. It will tell you how to go about arbitration. It may be a bit safter than trying to sue. But, way to go! Anyone who can beat DirecTV is a winner in my book!

http://www.ehow.com/how_5255105_cancel-reverse-early-cancellation-fee.html

Hello, I would like you to keep the channel Versus, I like it very much. Thank you Dee Milligan

This realist beeotch is a real C U N T. you are a piece of work and mean.

Oh Crap..I just signed up 10 days ago with an AT & T Direct TV bundle and the nightmare has begun. I have wasted about 30 hours of my life waiting for the installers who took 3 days and then dealing with multiple ###s in customer service. Each idiot told me something different about my package. My mistake they gave me an international Portuguese plan and then did me a "huge favor" by giving me the family plan I had asked for. It is double what AT & T promised and nobody knows what I am talking about. I am livid! And I feel screwed with a 2 yr. contract. How are they still in business? How? I have already drafted a letter that I am CCing to the BBB (oh, they are not even a member of the BBB) the president at AT & T. The channels suck--how many freakin' infomercials do I need to pay for? I HATE DIRECT TV!

my name is karen hill and the account is in my fience name and i pay the bill you all have a meesed up calling arrears it will not allow some one to talk to alive representive and that is wrong i need to talk to someone for the billing this bill is way to much you guys have done me wrong every since we had your service you all feel you can charge what ever you want and that is wrongthe account number that im fussing about is [protected] you all need to adress this immediatly or we will go to your compitiors and deal with them im not gonna pay what ever you want me to pay mo. by mo.that is just rediculiosso a represenitive needs to get in touch with me as soon as possible so this matter can be dealt with

Call this # [protected] apparently once you find this # and call they can magically help you...We spent numerous hours and wasted tons of time trying to get our issue resolved with the call center and Jeff at [protected] got us sorted out.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/executive-customer-service/directtv-ceos-contact-info-257620.php

Chase Carey doesn't work there any longer. Touring the world with his [censor]in' moustache men dance troupe

I too was told specifically by a DirecTV customer service rep that there was NO term agreement when I joined. After canceling 8 months later, my credit card was charged $200 for what they called an early termination fee. I tried to explain that the authorized company I called to install the service told me there was no contract, as well as a DirecTV rep also telling me there was no contract. But, it does no good! They tell you every lie they can think of to get you to join and add services, but then when you go to cancel they really stick it to you. I have reported my case to the Better Business Bureau, my states Attorney General, and I have filed a small claims case in court. I encourage you and everyone else to do the same! If we sit back and do nothing, it will just continue. The only strength we can possibly hope for is in numbers.

I actually got somewhere when i called the office of the president! Thank you for this post!

DIRECT TV are the most disonest company I have ever done business with. They will take money from your bank account even if you terminate the so call 2 year contract. They say that you have 10 days to return there equipment but you have to wait 2 months for them to send you what they call a recovery kit. If you have direct tv before you cancell the service close your bank account open a new one or if you paid with a credit card reporter stollen so when you cancel the service they will have no acces to your money. They will not send you a bill and trust me they will charge your credit
card or deduct from your bank account a lot of money and your bank will not return your money they will tell you that you had an unpaid bill with direct tv to talk to them they may return a small portion of the money they took with out your authorization but they will keep most of it.

Sincerelly

Mirza Hernandez
mirzah@bellsouth.net

My service went out on the Weekend and I called on Sunday evening. The best DirectTV could do was to schedule someone for the following Saturday. I was on the line for two hours trying to get a quicker service response with no luck. I went as far as trying to cancel my service and was told that I would have to pay $175 termination fee. On Monday, I called the corporate number and asked the receptionist to direct me to the president's office. A service representative answered and I told him my story. He was sympathetic and got me setup for a Wednesday service appointment. When I got home from work on Monday, I received a call from the dispatcher asking if it would be okay for them to come that evening. To make a long story short, I got my system back up on Monday instead of Saturday and while the tech was there, he ran an extra cable to my hi-def system which I didn't have before and he spent about 20 minutes showing me some pretty cool stuff on the receiver that I didn't know it could do.

Ditto Ditto Ditto, I had to scroll down so far just to leave this comment that I don't even feel like I have to say anything..But I will Ne way.
They scheduled me 2wice and no showed canceled me before my 2nd month. Never added notes even after I requested since I never received any help or compromise or call backs... Ever? so now I have a apt full of receivers and DVR's and return box's. and collection notices in two separate names ? totaling out to around Mmmm Id have too say over $1000.And this is after I already returned 3 bx's from the 1st time leaving me with 1 that I just couldn't get to cuzz it was packed in boxs that I was not going to try and locate at the time. And so I want to share that all I ever got was a little over a month of cable. That Zawandas private investigator show was so cute! That was the name wasn't it?

Well, I have been a loyal customer of Direct TV for 11 years and they will not upgrade me to HD without a 199 dollar payment for the DVR and 99 for the dish and then raiseing my bill 30 even though I already have premier... And all that is free for a new customer that has not been with them at all.. I would of not had any problem with a new two year contract but to heck with all the fees... What a F in Joke... I am cancelling today.. 11 years down the drain.

I would like to write that direct tv we just changed and was referred to by friends and it was the worse move ever can't even get pay per view or on demand. I feel they should have explained all equipment needed and made sure that we had it all before leaving or at least explained what we needed. and treat that customers with the ut most respect in this matter.

When the "loud" commercials come on, why dont you just lower the volume on the TV - is it really that difficult?

Carey Chase recently resigned, that e-mail is now obsolete.

You can file a complaint with the Department of Consumers Affairs (who regulates them) in the State of California @ www.dca.ca.gov or by calling [protected], and also file a complaint with the BBB [protected], or fax [protected].

When you order a ppv on a reciever not hooked up to a phone line, there is no way of getting that information until the reciever is sent back and the information can be downloaded... :) get it?!

HELP ME, I have called over five times since I got the HD for my home.
I have had nothing but problems since, I called and was hung up on three
of those calls And the other s I was told they would get back to me. What
has happened to your service. call me, carol pease (99173) I have tried
everthing I know but this. thanks Carol

Now here's the thing, with the original account, did you actually cancel it out or did they put it in a suspended status mode and then when you went back did you actually sign up as a new customer again or did you reactivate the old account?

I was told I wil be getting the same service as comcast. I found out direct tv does not work, after spending $300 to have HD/DVR. I have spend hours with direct TVto sollllve this issue no f------ luck. I also been set up they tel me they wil be hear at a certain time, twicw I have waited with no show. Supreviser, 3 times technicians have come out, Spoken with case management. If I cancell I wil still get penelized. I wil not recomend direct tv to any one.