DirecTV review: directv sucks 820

There seems to be a lot of different situations listed under this one thread. First of all, I've never heard of a one year promo contract. Not saying it's not done or that you're lying...just never heard of one, so I can't say "yea" or "nay" on that subject. I do, however, wonder if a local dealership might have misrepresented themselves to you. Did you get it through an authorized dealer or through DTV direct sales?

As for the others (most of which are customers who don't seem to be aware of the leased equipment adding on a commitment), let me say that DTV has it's flaws, but it does rigorously asks its employees to tell customers that they have a commitment added when adding another leased receiver. People can be fired for not doing so. Problem is that it's a minimum wage paying job with lots of positions outsourced. Anyone who's ever dealt with Dell customer service or have gone through a McDonald's drive-thru knows of what I speak. And don't start launching on a tirade about raising pay and getting better people in there unless you want to see your cable bill increase as well.

Here are the ground rules...actually, there's really only one: If you didn't pay around 4-500 dollars for that HD receiver, it's leased. The other types are about twice the price for owned equipment as well. All leased equipment says on the box that it's leased equipment. Best Buy prints it on the receipt as well. If your box breaks and it's leased, it's replaced with another leased equipment...no commitment extension...though you may have to pay a 19.99 s/h fee if you don't have the protection plan. If your box breaks and it's owned but you have the protection plan, no commitment extension and it's replaced. If it's owned and you do not have the protection plan, you're pretty much out of luck b/c you're going to have to get it replaced with either leased (commitment) or owned (no commitment but greatly increased pricing) receivers.

Why is it that people don't bat an eye when they have a two year commitment placed on their cell phone accounts for getting a new phone at a reduced price, but when it comes to cable boxes, they act like they're being taken to the woodshed. Final word: buy your boxes if you don't want any commitment but know that you're going to pay much more and cannot use the box with any service except DTV. Unless you like to add and remove boxes for seasonal guests, I honestly don't know why anyone would want to buy.

If for some reason, you replaced a broken leased box with another leased box and it still put a commitment on your account, do not scream, rant, rave, and otherwise act like a loon. Explain the whole situation, and you might be surprised at a very simple resolution. If your agent acts like they have peanut butter for brains, don't waste time making yourself look like a poster child for anger management. Hang up and try again until you find one with a half a brain. I don't even bother telling them I'll try someone else, just end the call and hit redial as soon as they mention something stupid. And it's NOT just DTV. The work ethic is going down the tube. Many of the same problems you guys/gals are ranting about here, are things I've suffered under various other companies. Cable companies who charge 1/3 more for the same service and with price hikes every year. Dish Network not telling me at all that they were going to put me in another two year commitment when I moved and then telling me it was for bundling. My bundle company constantly charging me a protection plan fee four consecutive months after I asked them to remove it. A cell phone company refusing to let me out of contract when I moved into an area with absolutely no cell phone reception. Get use to it and educate yourselves on the new corporate mentality. The only way to protect yourself against becoming a victim is by educating yourself. Don't wait for the CSR to tell you what you want to know. Use your resources and find out yourself.

Direct tv sucks. They show the same programs and movies over and over. I am going to cancel mine soon.

I was charged 423.26 for an unpaid bill and three receivers that I had in my home. On 3/30/10 I received three boxes which they call a recovery kit to send in the equipment so that I won't be charged for it. It states in the insert that if you do not return the equipment in 7 days you will be charged for the receivers you have.

On April 1, 2010 they took out the entire amount of money including the receivers and the unpaid bill. I called the company to ask about what was going on because I had never given consent for anyone to take money out of my account. I was told in the customer agreement it states if they have credit card information, you give them consent to take out any unpaid balances. I read this part, however, I am still angry because they did not notify me about taking out this money.

And of course they don't tell you this when you agree to use their service. I was told there was nothing that could be done and when they received the equipment was when my account would be refunded. However I was also told that could take 3 days to return the money, and it takes 2 days to ship. I was told this information by a supervisor. I just called today and the customer service rep I spoke to said that it takes 3 to 5 days. I don't have a problem with the amount that is unpaid because I owe it. However, I have a problem with the entire amount bein taken out of my account with no notification, and no time to send back the equipment. I have been a customer for over 4 years and was not interested in changing to another company. But now I will NEVER use direct tv again!

Get creative. Title 18 of the U.S. Code makes it a federal crime to demand money not owed using the U.S. Mails and wires. You can file federal complaints because they are crossing state lines to conduct business. [Reference 18 USC 1963 [RICO] and U.S. Postal laws, also under that code section, prohibiting such conduct by mail]

I had a bit of trouble with these turkeys a few years back and an FTC complaint made short work of the problem. Of course, I cc'd a copy to the AG regarding possible federal criminal code violations.

Direct tv is such a mother ###ing ### up. those ### wont even give us NESN anymore becuz they ###ing want us to pay ###ing 30 more dollars a month. And on mother ###ing opening day i hope thos ### up ### whor ###ers burn in ###ing hell

I AM AN EX EMPLOYEE OF DIRECTV. YOU ARE ALL RIGHT, THESE PEOPLE COMMIT FRAUD EVERY DAY, AS A NORMAL ROUTINE BUSINESS PRACTICE. DIRECTV IS ALLOWED TO DO THESE DEVIOUS THINGS BECAUSE OUR GOVERNMENT ALLOWS IT! GOVERN MEANS TO OVERSEE.. NOT ACCEPT MONEY FROM FAT CATS TO TURN YOUR HEAD
!

I have been a customer of DIRECTV for 15 years now. The Customer service from years ago it today has been on a steady decline. However I think today might be at a low. All I asked for was to have a DVR model R22-xxx changed to an R15-xxx so I could have both a coax connection and RF connection for the remote. After 1 1/2 hours I got nowhere, then at the end was told to go buy one at Best Buy. I really do not think it was a bad request. However after being turned down, I figured since I have a protection plan I call, inform them my TV does not have RCA connection and need coax. They in response told me to go to Radio Shack or Best Buy and get a RF Modulator. In other words spend my money to get their equipment compatible with mine.

Well after 15 years I can honestly say I am looking to leave DIRECTV, maybe there is no company out there better, however I don't believe I can find worse.

Ronlewis21@hotmail.com

p.s. Customer Service Rep. says the President of DIRECTV only takes mail at a PO Box, sorry to say he is not willing to say where his own company is!

Totally agree, this company is a freakin rip off! We started experiencing problems approximately 1.5 months into our service agreement. The receiver in the living room (HD DVR) started freezing and skipping while we were watching programs in addition to having issues with our DVR not functioning properly. I called, and was told by customer service to reset the box. I did that and it was fine the rest of the night. Over the next couple of weeks, we experienced the same types of issues, in which case I made approximately 2 more calls to Direct TV regarding the issues and was told to keep rebooting. Finally, I requested a service technician come out to assist; the appointment was canceled due to in climate weather conditions. In the interim I called Direct TV because in October (2009) our NFL Ticket was no longer in HD…much to my surprise, the customer service representative stated that we needed to ‘upgrade’ our package to get that feature this was an additional $100. I was told during my initial order set up process that the NFL Ticket package I was getting was in HD. At this point, we were starting to get upset with the service that was being provided by Direct TV. I felt that the service, aside from the issues, was very impersonalized and I felt that the people I had been in contact with were border line dishonest and just wanted to get me in the door and shoosh me along, so to speak.
We continued along with our service putting up with the same issues as stated above and made it to the final two games of the regular football season. Week 15 of the regular football season, we were excited to be able to watch a non-televised game, despite the non-HD picture, much to our dismay in the beginning of the 3rd quarter the game cut out and did not come back on. This occurred again in week 16. By this point, my husband and I were furious! I called and complained in reference to the previous problems in addition to the current problems, to no avail.
This brings us to one of the final legs of our Direct TV experience. In the beginning of February, the box in the living room (HD DVR) started freezing…several times a day we would have to reboot which takes several minutes at a time. I called once again. I was told to reboot, then I told the Customer Service representative I had been doing that and referred to the fact that I had to keep doing that on a regular basis. She said she was sending me another receiver and scheduled a technician to come assist. I received the box; however, no technician came to assist. We then received our monthly bill, which was now approximately $153. I called in reference to the billing and other issues. The Customer Service representative stated that my promotion was over and that was my new monthly service bill. I explained that I was told after my promotion the bill was suppose to be much less if I changed nothing; which was apparently wrong again. I asked what the protocol was for canceling service and she said I could cancel and that a recovery package would be sent out to send in the boxes and controllers, she did not mention any fee at that time.
At this point, my husband and I weighed our options and decided to cancel the service because of all the issues we were encountering with Direct TV. On February 27, 2010, I called Direct TV to cancel service. The Customer Service representative then told me that I would have to pay a $380 early termination fee. I was so taken back, I am lucky I was sitting down, but continued to talk to the cancelation department who stated I needed to write a letter to this department explaining my situation in its entirety to be reviewed and considered. The technician that came to hook up my service did not mention the cancelation fee in his explanation, which is my fault for not reading the work order in its entirety. However, with that being said, based on the level of service I thought I was going to be receiving I would have signed the work order whether I saw that or not because I wasn’t intending to cancel my service at any that time.
I called then to follow up with me letter and they told me they received it and it was 'denied' and they were going to take the $460 right out of my account...I said 'You can't do that, the request will overdraft my account' they said they didn't care!
This company is HORRIBLE and I will spread it to everyone I know, using Facebook, Myspace, word of mouth...whatever I have to!

Wow. You were really descriptive. NOT. That's how you get a problem solved, eh? Being as vague as possible? Way to be a ###.

Direct tv has the worst CS and service agreements out there. They bill a month in advance and expect paymets doubled when paid. I tried to cancel the service once, and they claimed I needed to pay an additional $337.00 to default the contract I had. I had no idea of a contract, which they claimed was n effect because of the DVR we ordered, which we really didn't have. I was immediately put in the credt bureau, which forced me back to their company.

Let's hope mother nature never destroys your house and you have a contract with DTV! I have been dealing with these idiots since December 30, 2009. Long story short, they were supposed to put my account on 6 month suspension and today I'm still receiving phone calls saying I owe money when I acutually had a credit comming. They want me to pay for services I'm not receiving. (I don't even have electricity) I told them I would go ahead and pay the 200.00 term fee and he proceeded to tell me it was going to be 3 hundred something. He (Roy) knocked down my bill (which I didn't even owe) to 44.00. I paid the 44.00, now he says my account is current, so I will terminate soon and only have to pay $200.00. In the mean time I was online looking for the Pres & CEO so I can contact them. I talked to a supervisor in early February and thought everything was straightened out. I can't even believe they are in business.
Thanks so much for the contact information. After reading some of these complaints, it looks like I have a long road ahead. Oh well, maybe the house will be ready to move back in to.

First I think the man that wrote this blog definitely has NO life what so ever! It had to take him at least an hour and half to write this blog which was a waste of time. Time that he could've been spending with his family.

Secondly the majority of the majority of the people making complaints are ###s. If you would simply read your bill and the lease addendum, and the customer service agreement you wouldn't have the problems that your having. I am a customer service rep for Directv, and I can honestly say that the majority of the customers are plain stupid. They never read their bills-which is in plain English and has simple mathmatics-and they never read the customer service agreement which is ALWAYS available either online or by request. Then customers don't listen! Now don't get me wrong there will always be situations where a customer may be given misleading, or incorrect information. But alot of times customers don't listen, which is obvious when you speak to them and you give them information but they repeat incorrect information.

A good attitude and some common sense is really all you need. If you call in cursing and yelling at the individual thats trying to help you, then you won't get much help. Do you know how hard it is to help someone thats constantly cutting you off, yelling and cursing? Or do you know how hard it is to deal with somone that has no common sense? I deal with complete ###s and dummys five days a week. And just like you I'm just trying to earn some money and pay my bills. I've even had customers that would just spew out racial slurs and show their bigotry.

Take Karen Hill thats commented on this blog. Its obvious that she's a dummy. She can't even spell right. If people would simply read and listen then their experience would be alot easier.

All in all. Read the information, pay your bill on time, have a better attitude, and use some common sense!

www.directvscams.com Would you reward a kid for stealing from your purse? Of course you wouldn't.Then why is the NFL rewarding Directv with exclussive rights? They lie, cheat, and steal.They charge you to lease their equipment, then charge you upto $5.99 to protect it against repairs.They will also make unauthorized charges to your credit/debit card.This is 100% accurate, google directv complainsts, it will blow your mind, they had over 20, 000 complaints in 3 years, thats a BBB record.They have 3 lawsuits pending, in California, Washington, and Oregon.This does not include the silent suits.My goal is to get congress to open the NFL Sunday Ticket to cable companies, And all Satellite companies, At the top there is a Petition, my goal is to get 10, 000 signatures then I'm sending the petition to congress.America needs competition, what if there was only 1 electrc company, gas company, Or auto maker?You Get the point, Thanks for your support! Earl David Evans

write their disputes department and demand a refund of your early termination fee. If they don't agree, go to arbitration. It will cost them around $800 for arbitration so they will probably return your fee.

write their disputes department and demand a refund of your fee. If they don't agree, go to arbitration. It will cost them around $800 for arbitration so they will probably return your fee.

Please read this! I followed the above to a tee and it worked for me with a slight variation. Here's the short version.

In October of 2008 we signed up for service with DIRECTV and were told there was no contract, and we never signed a thing. For literally 7 months straight, the bill was too high by $10-$30/month, resulting in 1-2 hour phone calls with customer service, only to have the same problem recur the following month. In June of 2009, we moved, and had our service reinstalled at our new house. We got a new box (which we thought was an upgrade), only to discover the box/DVR never worked correctly. The DVR would tape the wrong shows at the wrong times when correctly scheduled. Even just pressing record wasn't working right. I'm no tech ###, and I followed procedures for soft and hard resets, and even did it again with DIRECTV's useless tech support to no avail.

By October (we suffered through for a few months) it still wasn't working correctly and was getting increasingly unbearable. I called in again and when they told us they wanted to charge us something like $90 for a service call to fix their faulty equipment, I decided we'd had enough. I attempted to cancel, only to be told their was an early cancellation fee of $180 because we were closing our contract early! Needless to say, after several phone calls, the last of which lasted 2 hours (no exaggeration) I could not get them to waive the fee. The only concession they offered was several month's free services.

I found this post and filed a small claims case against them in December to recover my $180, plus $53 in court costs.

At the end of December, someone from "DIRECTV Legal" called my wife's phone and left a message stating that they'd like to rectify the situation out of court. As our court date wasn't until the first week of January, this seemed great! I returned the call later that same day but had to leave a message.

HERE's the really odd part: I called (literally) about 10 more times over the next couple of weeks and left messages every time, and they never called me back! Classic DIRECTV customer service.

So, I ended up going to court, and the judge (Commonwealth of Virginia) ruled against them because they did not show up.

So, I got the judgment but wasn't sure I'd ever see my money. So, I waited the 10 days or so DIRECTV has to file an appeal. They didn't, and so I called the same "DIRECTV Legal" personnel back and left a message stating that they'd had a judgment entered against them for $233, and that I intended to continue to call until the matter resolved. A week and a half went by and I kept thinking I was going to have to send them a copy of the judgment (wasn't sure whether the court did so), and lo and behold:

2 Days ago I got a check in the mail from DIRECTV for $233 and an apology note stating they wish to have me back as a customer. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

I won. I highly recommend following through as has been stated above. It was worth every minute of my time. See pic for check (I blurred out my contact info)!

Well to those who don't know how to read their contract #1 when you actually go to best buy and "purchase" a reciever you would have still been in a 2 year commitment which would have printed on the receipt because best buy only sells this for Directv at the same price that dtv would have charged. Believe me I know from personal experience. I'm sorry but when you get a new cell phone from the company do you not expect to have another commitment. I do any time that I get one. People are just pissed because they screwed up. Think of it this way Dish network charges more excessive charges then anyone I've ever seen in my life. Lets start off by the HD service. Umm $7 for every HD receiver + the $10 HD ACCESS. $25 If I just wanted to suspend my account for any amount of time another $5 every time I wanted to change my package another $5 if my receiver wasn't hooked up to a phone line along with the receiver fees. Lets see $70 for a service call even if I do have their version of the protection plan on my account. These are all free services excpet for receiver fees and HD access. So who is cheating who now. Directv has told me all the correct information every time I have called them and by reading the service agreement it clearly states 1 year commitment on standard equipment and 24 month commitment on advanced receivers like dvrs or hd receivers. You people need to grow up and quit ### because you screwed up and didn't listen or pay attention. I hope that you all file lawsuits and have to pay what it is owed and all the lawyer fees. Be an adult and take your losses which was your fault in the first place for not reading into the product you were getting.

Directv sucks!

DirecTV doesn't care about the complaints of its CURRENT customers.

My 18 yr old daughter ordered the service from direct tv for her first home and after the installer came out and from the sidewalk told her that her house roof would not support dish he would install a pole for $95 dollars and 50 cents a foot for a total of $180 payable before work was to be done by check cash or M.O. She called me her father and I told her to forget it that it must be a scam. Well she had used my debit card to order and paid $60 shipping and handeling. So I proceeded to demand a refund and as of 10 days ago am still waiting. Have been insulted and told I was a liar because they had no record of transactio n. So faxed a bank record and still nothing. Does anyone know if this ### is worth anything cause I will sell 4 recievers and remotes plus dish for said $60 Any takers?

i agree I would not recommend Direct TV to anyone the service is horrible. They took out an unauthorized amount from my credit card. Every month they promise to correct the numerous problems I have with them to no avail. They cant even get my installation and billing address correct. When my contract is up I am cancelling. May be worth paying the early cancellation fee to get rid of them. Service stinks. Every month they cheat me they even put on STarz and charged me for this without my approval.

I am surprised to hear you had such trouble with DirecTV. We have used this service for two rental properties and have heard nothing but positives from our tenants. When one of them had some signal issues, DirecTV was quick to respond and took care of the problem within 48 hours. I would suggest that you ask to speak to a supervisor and explain your problem calmly. I would hope that once your issue was made clear to management, you will have your charge removed.
Good Luck!

I have been battling Direct TV over my cancelling and they illegally charging early termination fee to my bankcard and me having to call 5 billion times and getting run around about supervisor unavailable, can't refund my money even though they admitted 5 billion times it was their mistake, etc. etc. I can relate to all of you guys and am now going to start bombarding their corporate headquarters with emails, calls, letters, etc. Whatever it takes to get somebody to not only admit their mistake but then actually credit my card as has been promised since November of 2009. I just got a collection letter from CBE and have been getting phone calls as well for SOMETHING DIRECT TV HAS ADMITTED I DON'T OWE BUT EVERYTIME I CALL I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ENTIRE STORY AGAIN AND GET THE SAME RESPONSE AGAIN ABOUT HOW THEIR RECORDS REFLECT IT IS AN ACCURATE CHARGE AND THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF ME LOSING MY MIND, THE CUSTOMER REP WILL FINALLY ACTUALLY READ THE NOTES ON MY ACCOUNT AND SAY, "I apologize, you are correct, your account will be credited today..." yadda yadda yadda. I say let's stand together and sue the ###s for our credit reports having been affected and the time and money it takes for us to call them over and over.

Go back to school and learn to spell first off. Second, don't be a dumb ### with direct tv, get cable!

OK, Where do I send an Invoice? I run DirecTV with 7 HD recievers and multiple televisions for my business. Today my cable was out? They couldnt tell me why, but in 4 days someone can come out and take a look! 4 days? WTF, this is a business that depends on Sunday NFL games, that depends on NBA games and your telling me when I have thousands of dollars washed away because their acclaimed 9 years running of best customer service is actually the WORST customer service I have ever had and the Playoffs arent going to come through this sunday because they cant get someone out TODAY or within 24 hours? Well, I had to remedy the issue myself, luckily I have a somewhat of some skill in electronics and it took me a good couple hours to fix. So...who do I bill for my services rendered? DirecTV? i think so, anyone know the address I can send my invoice to? And yes I am charging top dollar! If they refuse to pay, then I will pursue legal action! Sorry, this is the only place I found that seemed like I could 1-blow steam from everything Ive just been through and 2-maybe get some answers!

to those who have had trouble with DIRECT TV. I have had the same situation as many of you in a case that has been dragging on since July 1st 2008. Like others DIRECT TV now seeks through collection agencies to destroy by CREDIT RATING. Does anyone have suggestions on how to deal with their efforts to destroy my credit.
In short my case:
I ordered service for wireless internet and TV to be installed on July 1st 2008. My Wireless internet failed to work 2 hours after the " Subcontractor" left my house. I then ordered a disconnect immediately.
I left home for two days returning July 4th to find that the television service had failed as well.
I immediately ordered the cancellation of all DIRECT TV services when I could get no picture of any kind on July fifth and could not get DIRECT TV to respond to any of my problems. I was constantly referred by DT by a local subcontractor. I learned that DIRECT TV takes no responsibility for local 'subcontractors."

With my cancellation of the service, I returned to DIRECT TV all equipment as instructed except for the rooftop dishes which DIRECT TV refused to take.

I demanded of DIRECT TV an investigation of our service. I got no response. I shifted my service to TIME WARNER CABLE (which was then operating in my area). TV and internet service was up and running well within 24 hours.

I thought the matter with DIRECT TV was closed with my cancellation, my series of angry phone calls, and my demand for an investigation.

From July 8th until the end of October - nothing happened. No letters, e-mails, or phone calls from DIRECT TV.
Suddenly I was presented with a BILL in November 2008 for $691.21 !
This for service that was never provided.
I immediately sent off a series of detailed rebuttal letters.
I received no response. Instead in 2009 - DIRECT TV referred the matter to a series of collection agencies. NOT ONE - but over the course of one year - THREE COLLECTION AGENCIES - all threatening me and refusing to acknowledge my written responses.
The dispute continues in January 2010.

It seems to happen to everyone... I have noting in my house for direct tv as I canceled in July and they are still charging me 500$ THEY SUCK! Im very good at making sure NO ONE i know has direct tv!

I agree about direct-tv they can rip you off they are trying to do it to me in the sum of $846.99, am still trying to get it back! gingabw4ever@hotmail.com

I have had direct TV for almost 2 years now. Two very long paid programming years!
Every weekend I have to get up at 5:30 am and schlep down to my local breakfast place to watch the local news!
I am sick of paying for channels I do not understand, the ones that are shopping channels, the channels that show all the same COP shows and not being able to reach a real person to talk to!
I have written letters and they have given me free Showtime for 4 months and even the movies on those channels are crap!
If I have to see 310 to yuma once more I am going to hang myself!
Direct TV could care less about customer service

I have till February 12th for the CON-tract to expire and then the equipment comes off my house and into the street! I will go to antenna TV and watch the local channels and save the eighty plus dollars I pay now. Screw them

My husband and I had just purchased our first home and were preparing to move in early November 2009. We were speaking to AT&T about getting their internet service at our new home when we were offered Direct TV with a free DVR. We were also told that we would get free Showtime/HBO/Cinemax for the first 3 months and could cancel it after that. AT&T said that all we would have to pay is the $19.95 shipping and handling with a credit/debit card over the phone. We did. A direct TV installation rep was scheduled to come out to our new home 2 days later.

The installation rep showed up on a Monday morning. He brought the equipment with him, it was never actually shipped. When I question him about the shipping charge - he told me that they have everything on hand and was not sure why they (AT&T) tell customers they need to pay shipping for any equipment. It took 6 hours for the installation to be completed. Mud was tracked all over the carpet to our new home, which I was very unhappy about. We had just paid for the carpets to be steam cleaned professionally the day before. I was also late to work because of how long it took.
Then we get to the part where no one ever told us that we would need our tv's available. No one ever asked us what type of tv's we had either.The only television I had available that day was a regular 27 inch TV the kids used. The install rep said that was fine and he would activate all the receivers with the same tv. He proceeded to carry our tv around the house and activate the receivers.I am on my hands and knees scrubbing our carpet when the installation process is finished. Rep asks me to sign a couple sheets of paper saying that I agreed to the drill holes he placed in the walls and that he had completed the work. I hurried and signed the papers he asked me to, and was given a quick run down on how to use the remote. He leaves.

We bring over our 50 in HDTV. Install rep has left directions on how to hook it up. My husband follows his directions. Picture sucks. Quality is very bad. We can't figure out why it looks this way.

Phone call to direct TV. Rep tells me that we have the wrong receiver and package. Rep tells me we need to upgrade to the HDTV receiver. He tells me he is sorry for the inconvenience after I explain to him that no one ever advised us of the difference or even asked what type of television we had. Rep agrees to credit the first shipping charge of $21.54 since I had to pay another $21.54 to have the HDTV receiver/DVR shipped.

Install man shows up 2 days later while I am at work. My husband calls very upset. He says that the install man, named Mike is here to hook up the new receiver. Mike tells my husband about the price differences. This is the first we hear about this. Originally quoted $29.99 per month. Now is $69.99 per month, plus $5 extra per month for the DVR. This is the first we hear about this price. Mike tells us that Direct TV and AT&T are in the habit of not disclosing this information to customers. My husband has blown a gasket. I take an hour off of work, unpaid, to try to call Direct TV and sort this out.

Phone call to Direct TV. Rep tells me that the service is actually not going to cost that much. I tell her that the install man is at my home right now with my husband and that is what we were just told. Rep tells me that the HD package is considered an upgrade, but that we are getting a promotional price on it and that after all of our discounts we will only pay about $54 per month after taxes and everything. After thinking about for a min, I decided that is a little more than we wanted to spend, but agreed. By this time, the installation was rescheduled for the HD receivers for the weekend.

Saturday morning, the next day. Get a notice from Direct TV. A letter telling me how to claim my rebate. Rebate? What rebate? Also includes a disclosure about a 2 year agreement. 2 year commitment? When were we told about that? The rebate is apprently good for 1 year. This rebate is the discount that the rep was speaking about the day before when she said discounts. She never said anything about a rebate. And no one ever said anything about a 2 year agreement. I was extremely upset.

Phone call to Direct TV. Spoke to rep. Got no where. Was told that I should have read what I had signed before I signed it. When? While I was scrubbing the mud out of my carpets, or while I had 2 minutes to shower and get to work? First installation man never mentioned I was signing a contract. He told me I was signing off on his work. Spoke to reps supervisor. Told him I wanted to canel everything. Supervisor says thats fine. They do not even try to resolve the issue. They tell me that because I agreed to have their services for 2 years, they will bill my credit card $460 early termination fee. Early termination fee now? What is going on? I tell them I should not have to pay this. Supervisor says he will connect me to the cancellation department. On hold for 40 minutes. Speak to cancellation rep. Rep gets supervisor. Supervisor blamed AT&T for everything. Says that it is their fault for not informing me that there is a 2 year agreement, ETF, and that HD costs more. She tells me to contact them. She said that they will waive the ETF and credit me back for the shipping of the 2nd equipment if I could get AT&T to call them to verify there are no notes that I was told this.

Phone call to AT&T. Speak to rep, explain issue. 15 more mins on hold, connected to the sales department. Told they can't help me. Transferred back to customer service. Have to reexplain everything again. 25 mins later get to speak to a supervisor who finally had 2 brain cells to rub together AND spoke English. It was like I had won the lottery. Reexplain everything again for about the 100th time. Supervisor agrees. Nothing in the notes. I demanded they listen to the phone call since they record the phone conversations according to their automated system. Sup says that she will make a 3 way call to Direct TV. 40 mre mins on hold. I was finally brought into the conversation. Supervisor from Direct TV agrees to waive the ETF. I am told that they will send a return package so I can send back the equipment to them. Says that they will refund me both of the shipping charges I paid with my credit/debit card. I agree. I got the name and employee number of both supervisors.

Get online. Google Direct TV complaints. Overwhelmed. Immediately call bank and report card as lost or stolen. Seems that Direct TV has a history of stealing customers money . They are in the habit of being quick to cancel an account but are not willing to try to resolve any issues customers may have. I go for 3 weeks with no access to my checking account before my bank finally gets me a new card. Better than paying Direct TV $460 right before X-Mas when you have 8 children.

No refund ever comes for the shipping. Phone call to Direct TV today 01/01/2010 after promise of refund that never comes.Spoke to a rep. She started off pleasant. She tells me she can process a refund for me for the shipping but needs my credit card number. I must seem stupid to her. I tell her I am not comfortable with that. She tells me I will have to provide the info if I want a refund. I asked her how they credit back customers who do not have a credit card. She tells me that is not in my best interst because it takes loner and she does not recommed it. i told her thats fine, I will wait for a paper check to be mailed to me for the 2 charges of $21.54. She hangs up on me. Promptly call back. Speak to rep named Laurie. She says that there are notes on the account to support my claim. What a big suprise. I am penalized because the supervisor that agreed to waive my ETF did not not
leave any notes on the account about getting the shipping credited. Ask for a sup. I am told that they only have floor supervisors available and that they will tell me the same thing. I hold for over 20 mins. No supervisor ever comes to the phone. Rep comes back to the line and apologizes for the wait. Placed on hold again for 10 mins. Rep comes back a second time. Says that there are still no available supervisors available. By this time I have already gotten the Direct TV corporate number and CEO info, as posted below.

If you are looking for contact information for Mr. Chase Carey, President & CEO of Direct Tv - please follow the link below. There you can find more useful information for your battle.

Also the Direct Tv Corporate office address is:

2230 East Imperial Highway
El Segundo, CA 90245

Tel. [protected]

e-mail: chase.carey@directv.com

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

As of now, I still have not received a refund and ethat this company has taken money, and time from me that I will never get back. I have nothing to show for this but frustration and stains in my carpet.

Take the advice, DO NOT EVER GET DIRECT TV. It is the biggest rip off I have ever been through, and I came out better than a lot of people.

It is time to get direct tv out of business ones and for all. As of today I continue having problems with my service and dealing with a company that does not give a damm oabout their customers and the relation they have with their customers. Please file a complaint with Attorney General's office. It is time.

Ana

We got up one morning and our cable was off...when we called them they said it was for non-payment. The bill has been paid every month, I mean, they will shut it off if you are behind 1 month, they said it had not been paid for 2 months...that was a lie. It gets paid every month with a debit card...thay give you a comfirmation number...but people that is useless, they told me that was only for your benifit it's useless to them! So, the "representative" told me to go to the bank and get the statement where it shows that the bill was paid and fax it to them. O.k. that was done...and still it's going to be 8 days or longer before it will be turned back on! Where do these people get off? That is stealing from the American public! The worst thing about it is...this is happening at my parents house. Two elderly people who are both confined to a bed and t.v. is about the only enjoyment to them.
So, today I am going to call them and give them a piece of my mind, a good piece! It's robbery and I know they won't reimburse me for the 2 weeks it's been off...or, give us SOMETHING free for the imposition they have put us in! They are straight-up ### holes.
I am totally behind anyone who has a beef with these "people", if you can call them that.
Because unless you have been in a situation with them, like this, you have no idea who you are dealing with, then, afterwards it's too late...you to them are wrong and they are right...what ever happened to "THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT"
Nanci S. Perez
Tennessee

The are crooks. In May of 2009 I switch to direct tv thinking that we will get the same quality service as ATT, but it is the oposite. It has been one proublem and another deception. Everyone please submitt your complains to your state General Attornet and also in California since theire headquarters is in California, also don't forget better business beauru. We need to shut them down. Enough is enough.

Ana

DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey Takes Home $26.4 Million in 2007

You see wonderful people Chase Carey does not give a flying ### about customer service. He does get any of his portion of 26.4 million onhappy customers. When 1 leaves 2 join. that is the simplistic quantum equation. When you do not pay your bill on time 7 hours after the due date you are shut off and a 15.00 reconnect fee is charged. An insider friend of mine t0ld me that they collect 10 million a month or 120 million per year in reconnect fees. Why because we can not live without certain aspects of Direct tv service. Sports Packages and the like. If the commissioners of these sports leagues stop giving proprietary rights to Direct tv and spread the wealth Mr. Carey and his company become just like the others. However the more choices that come aboard the easier it is to give less to Disgust TV, for example try the ATT bundle with Uverse, and the basic direct tv with the NFL package saves 200 a month vs separate high speed internet, premium Direct TV with the NFL package and a phone line.

FW: EMERGENCY! IMPORTANT! RE: Your DIRECTV statement is available online‏
From: Bill Hov (billhov@hotmail.com)
Sent: Fri 12/18/09 7:51 AM
To: michael.johnson@directv.com

Why do you limit your email contact, that's just lazy! I have spent hours trying to get an email through to DTV!
Over the past 5 years I have been a good customer and DTV I never had any major problems with. But this involes a time limit, I am a full time motorhome traveler and I need to level here by New Years and my direct payments are being taken to early! Please read:

Hello to the staff of DTV,

I received my new HD DVR today. I am a bit disappointed because I ask for the HR23-700, I even made the girl repeat it and then said I do not want any other box. Made a big point of it! I live full time in a 300K 40 foot Motorhome I have a $2000 dish on the roof, the new Slime line automatic dish, the one that raises up and homes in on ALL the satellites. I had the domes and learned a big lesson with those, you can't get HD and the signal is 50% on a good day, forget about watching TV while driving and they break easy! I only want the best that is why I asked for the HR23-700! What I got was the HR21-100 and that box needs the "B" band convertor! My motorhome was constructed for the HR23-700 I do not have room in the cabinet for those BIG MODULES! I have a 27 inch HD tv up front and have waited till I saved enough cash to purchase a 21" PLASMA HD TV $$$$$ for the bedroom with a special electric bracket that raises it up out of a cabinet. ALL PLANED OUT! IF you record the order conversations you will hear me asking over and over for the HR23-700!

One more thing, when I signed up with DTV about four years ago I went for direct pay plan, I call and set it up, if you look at my account you are NOT TO TAKE THE PAYMENT UNTIL THE 4TH OF THE MONTH! LATELY YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING IT EARLY, THAT MUST STOP! I AM DISABLED RETIRED AND GET MY SS CHECK ON THE FIRST AND MY INSURANCE CHECK FROM MY ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD OF THE MONTH! I CAN TELL YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU TRY TO GET PAID ON 12/30/2009 IT '"WILL BOUNCE" IT IS CHRISTMAS AND MY ACCOUNT WILL NOT HAVE $348.10 IN IT ON THE 30TH! BUT IT WILL ON THE 4TH! PLEASE STICK TO OUR AGREEMENT AND ALWAYS TAKE YOUR FUNDS ON THE 4TH OF EACH MONTH, THANK- YOU :)

Now, please send me the HR23-700 that I requested and a shipping label to send the HR21-100 back for it will not fit with those long stiff Convertors sticking out the back! Like I said everything was measured out and preplanned and there is NO ROOM for those things in the back!

Please email me and let me know when I can expect the HR23-700 so I know when to look for it.

Kind Regards & Seasons Greetings,
Paul W. Hoversen

> Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:25:57 -0600
> From: ebill@directv.com
> Subject: Your DIRECTV statement is available online
> To: BILLHOV@HOTMAIL.COM
>
> Dear Valued DIRECTV Customer,
>
> Thanks for choosing DIRECTV! For your convenience, your DIRECTV bill for account [protected] is now available online. Your total amount is $348.10 and payment is due by 12/30/2009.*
>
> Make an online payment today by logging into your account at http://www.directv.com/paynow - It's fast, easy and secure. Or call 1-800-DIRECTV to make a payment by phone.
>
> To make things even easier for you, DIRECTV now offers Auto Bill Pay online to save you time and money. Enroll today at http://www.directv.com/autobillpay and we'll automatically deduct your payment amount from your checking account each month. No hassle, no late fees, no worries. If you have already signed up for Auto Bill Pay, your current bill amount will be automatically deducted on the due date listed above.
>
> We appreciate your business and hope you're enjoying the convenience of online billing and all the other features of managing your account online.
>
> Thank you,
> DIRECTV, Inc.
>

Welcome to Adult Hood Folks! Before you purchase anything ask for a copy of the Customer Agreement and understand how it becomes binding. You can get a copy of the Directv Customer Agreement through e-mail and through their web-site. Not only should you have done this before installation of your equipment of your directv system but you should do this before buying a new house, purchasing a new cell phone, signing up for insurance. I’m 21 years old and this is just common since that I learned from my parents. What are you teaching your kids, “ I can sign anything, because my lawyer can get me out of it!” “ O’ I’ll go to the Better Business Burrow.”How sad that our Society has turned out like this. Shame on you, grow up and act like a grown up!

I am in full agreement with those who have valid complaints against Directv. My complaint is that they extended my contract without my knowledge and are now trying to collect a disconnect fee. Below I am pasting what I wrote to Mr. Carey. I am open to starting a movement for a class action suit against Directv.

Dear Mr. Carey,

I am writing to you to inform you that your staff in customer service has engaged in deceptive sales practices. I am currently being innundated by your automated collection system repeatedly dialing my cell phone. I want that to stop immediately. Here is my brief explanation of what transpired.

Earlier this year, after my two year contract expired, I called Directv customer service in order to cancel my service. I told customer service that I would stay with Directv if I got six months of movie channels and got an HD DVR. I had to actually pay $99 extra for the DVR but did so because I was assured that I would get six months of additional programming. Three months after that conversation, my premium channels were stopped. I called customer service and was told it was only three months. I was also told that because I started using the HD DVR that I had agreed to a new two year contract.

In all the conversations that I had with customer service was I ever informed that I would be required to resign for an additional two years; at no time did I agree to resign with Directv for an additional two years; at no time did I sign an agreement to resign for two years. Your staff lied to me about the additional six months of proramming that I would receive.

In fact, even though you are more expensive than your competitor, I would have remained a customer had your company honored its verbal agreement for the six months of additional programming. If your company is hell bent on collecting a disconnection fee, I would suggest to you that breach of contract runs in two directions. By all means, listen to the recordings of my conversations with customer service, and you will understand that it was Directv that is in breach and not I.

I am happy to speak with you further about this matter. Should you have any questions, feel free to call me directly at [protected].

So there it is. I am pretty pissed off about this as you might imagine. I will give you all one of my addresses if you really want to do something about Directv. daswah@gmail.com
I can assure you I am going to sue them if they keep up the harrassment or if they sully my credit.

do not go with direct tv. if you can go with dish net.work.take there service it is a better comp. direct tv dont care for it costomers, they will tell you a line of bs to get you in then once you take there service you will be sorry. i would say to anyone out there go with dish net work and if you have direct tv swich over to dish net work you will be glade you did. i am a direct tv costomer am i wish i had stayed with dish net work.

Travis in ms.

After missing 4 half days of work and having to have my home rewired out of my own pocket even though I religiously paid for the monthly protection plan I have no service. I have recorded 15 conversations where I have had absolutely no customer service. FCC will be getting copies of all with suggestions on how to assist in breaking up the monopoly.

to whom it may concern,

my name is tyler smith-pollard and on october 4, 2009 i recieved a bank statement that said i had a transaction from you in the amount of $252.53. I have NEVER had an account with direct tv. I would like to find out if the money will becredited back into my account. If you have any questions please call me at [protected]. Please get back to me ASAP

Sincerly Tyler Smith-Pollard

P.S. on my bank statement it said the name of the person using my account. his name is ERIN L. BEGAY