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DirecTV review: directv sucks 820

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9:19 am EDT
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I had DirecTv at my last rental property. I had the service from June 2007 till I put the account on hold for 6 months, in October of 2009, with a $68 credit on my account. Even tho I spent big $$$$ on the 3 boxes I had at the house, one a DVR, I was told I had to send them all back or get charged for them upon cancelation. (thought I was already charged for them?) So March I called to cancel the account (making constant reminders so I wouldnt forget, cause they didnt call)

So I was on Vacation at the time and didnt get home for a couple of weeks. Called and asked if that was ok to wait to send the boxes and it was, according to the lady I talked to. They sent me return boxes, and when I got home, there was only a return box for one box. So I called. They said now I only owed one box, the DVR. (yay, small victory) So I sent the box when I got home.

In the meantime they charged me for a month of service at a house that I dont live at anymore. They also charged me $175 for the box I "never" returned. With FedEx tracking number in tow, I called, they finially reversed the fee for the extra month, and said that eventually the charge for the box would get removed. HA.

So then, I think because I had that pesky little credit on my account, they charged me $60 for an early cancelation fee. But I have had my account for 2+years you say?, even over and above the 6 month suspension? But that loyalty does not count. Cause in June 2008 I purchased another box and paid for another room and I canceled the account in October 2009, 2 months shy of the December contract which aparently got renewed with the new box. Now they NEVER told me I had a new contract, cause I had planned my move out date accordinly not to have these charges, with any of my uitilities. So after 3 years with DirecTv, they still wouldnt help me out.

"Well it is now our policy to inform our customers of that." said the lady.
"Well what about people who you did not tell?" Says I
"Well we should have told you." says the lady.
"Huh? So you should have?" says I.
"Yes Mamn." Says she.
"but you didnt?" Says me.
"No Mamn."
"So I still have to pay the fee.
"Yes mamn."

"Best in Customer Satisfaction" my rear end! So you pay if you do and you pay if you dont. Please look elsewhere for TV service. I know that DTV has all the good chanels, but you pay dearly. THey have sooooooo many fees, it is rediculous. Better yet, buy some books! Or some movies! Or a good internet connection so you dont need those greedy ### at all!

Update by Becky hates DirecTv
Mar 31, 2010 9:20 am EDT

PS: I was paying $120 a month for service. Which was not the best, if a bird flew buy or hevens to betsy it rained, NO service!

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Avg
, US
Jun 21, 2009 9:16 am EDT

What an experience! My contract period was up 6/1/09. I called Direct Tv to see what kind of package I could get with a new agreement. I have to admit I have complained strongly about very poor customer service and over charging my account.

However, I thought ok let just see what can be provided and at what cost. So I called them up. After being pass to one agent to another they finally passed me to a Retention Specialist. This conversation was a complete waste of time. To make it worst, the best they could do was to raise my bill by $30/month which would have made it $99/mo.

What started this first adventure with Tv service was installation what would make you hair raise. This first experience is enought to drive you to regular programing using an antenna. I don't see how Direct TV gets the rateing they do with customer service.

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Anna Bodot
Robbins, US
Jun 19, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

Thanks to those before me who post corporate contacts.

I've had MANY issues with Direct TV - you call customer service, get nowhere, ask for a manager and you're told - NO. I even called one night at 12:55 am knowing their call center shuts at 1 am. I got a living breathing manager. He was the ONLY one that EVER helped me.

Now, of course, it's AFU again. Too boring to explain - it had to do with internet service package. They mistakenly sent a tech. Tech discovered that the pole for the internet dish was TOO SMALL. You could wobble it an inch in any direction. Then I knew why I had so many problems all these months with connectivity. (Don't get me started on their 'fair access' policy.) Of course, they don't want to give me any kind of credit on past bills AND they want me to pay $150 for a service call. NFW.

I called Casey's office. Now I'm getting help.

Lesson: Don't give up. Go on the wonderful internet and you'll get all the inside secrets the company refuses to share (like who'se your ceo?). Thanks to all you fighters, we can fight them back!

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deebo2009
, US
Jun 18, 2009 9:06 am EDT

Complaints are great for getting things off your chest, if only it would gets things fixed.
I just wrote to the Pres of Directv...nothing will be done but I feel a lot better getting if off
my chest

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dan marino
Pompano Beach, US
Jun 12, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

Got Direct TV in November (the never mentioned the service is "in-direct TV" it's down at least an hour a day). The plan I purchesed was $94.88 per month, my first bill was right
Dec was 201.47
Jan was 98.84
Feb was 112.96
Mar was 100.38
Apr was 238.47
May was 118.05
Jun was 299.86
The bill is never constant, and no PPV is never ordered, they can't explain the fluxuation. Plus I have two TV's and they claim I have four. I have over 6 hours of phone conversation with them since Feb. luckly I use me cell phone to complain and I have a phone log of every call, date, time and length of call, thank God Sprint is on the ball.

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rrjt9
Buena Vista, US
Jun 11, 2009 8:06 am EDT

Direct Tv is crap. I had my bill turned over to collections and have paid it twice but no one can recall me making a payment. They can't tell me which collection agency it was either... Help can someone please tell me the name of the collection agency?

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realist
Meridian, US
Jun 11, 2009 12:39 am EDT

Some companies can not what so ever change your bill cycle at all, it all depends on when you start your services up the very first time, regardless of when you get paid. It is up to YOU to save the money for THAT bill, NOT the companies problem to change everything around to suite you. WHY CANT YOU JUST KEEP THE MONEY IN YOUR ACCOUNT UNTILL THE BILL GETS TO YOU OR WOW HERE IS AN IDEAL CONCEPT, PAY IT EARLY! Y

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cechesser
Jackson, US
Jun 10, 2009 11:27 am EDT

It only takes 3 people for a class action lawsuit. I am currently contacting lawyers for this. If anyone would like to join in send me an email at cechesser@gmail.com. These guys are the worst company in the world.

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Kristen
Selma, US
Jun 08, 2009 12:53 pm EDT

I previously paid a DTV bill for my uncle back in 02/09 and 03/09. On 06/01/09 and 06/02/09, I was charged $574.19 from DTV. I called and explained to them this bill is not mine, therefore, it is not my responsibilty to pay for it. The customer service rep, Lauren, agreed and requested I fax a printout from my bank to her so this could be credited back to me. I did so immediately. She then called back as rude as she could be, stating because my card was previously used, it's on the account as a "payment option" and I lived at the address previously so it will not be refunded. I asked her to send me anything, even an electronic signature, with my authorization to be responsible for my uncles bill. She said, "We don't have anything with your name on it." Well [censored], what gives you the right to steal my money? I asked to speak with her supervisor, but she flat out refused to give me his/her name. DTV is a scam company who will steal money from anyone they can, any way they can. Please, if you are considering DTV, read this and the previous complaints, and reconsider. They haven't heard the last of me. I filed a claim with my bank, who out right said they absolutley cannot get away with this. I have also filed a complaint with the BBB, Federal Trade Commission, as well as the Attorney General. Please complain to these organizations if you have an issue with DTV. Maybe enough complaints will get them to change their shady and ILLEGAL billing practices.

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thedeal
, US
Jun 06, 2009 5:37 pm EDT

It sounds as if you live paycheck to paycheck. You might consider dropping the service at the next opportunity (read contract thoroughly so you cancel at the time where you won't incur an early termination fee. Don't leave it up to them to notify you, they wont, they will jut renew your contract aut0matically).

Luxury services like cable TV, cell phones should be one of the last things a person with a low bank balance every month should be a part of.

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mmk412
Joliet, US
Jun 06, 2009 4:58 pm EDT

I just signed up with Directv. I deleted the promotional e-mail I received but it stated that I would receive three movie channels for free for 3 months plus some other incentives. Nowhere did I see anything about signing up for two years and now I find out that if I cancel in that 2 year period I have to pay $480.00. On top of that I'm just getting Showtime for 3 months free. They said that the 3 movie channel promotion was up 3 months ago. I should of stuck with my cable provider!

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gomakemeasandwich
, US
Jun 05, 2009 11:32 am EDT

All of these comments remind me of the DirecTV that I know and love (no I don't actually love them). I used to work for a call center that contracted with DirecTV (by the way, most of the time you're talking to someone "from DirecTV, " you're not, since most of their call center work is contracted out), and I recognize all of these complaints from the days when I actually had to deal with them, and they are for the most part valid. There are some things I like about DirecTV, but the fact remains that, either on purpose or accidentally, they screw a lot of their customers every day. A lot of people that I worked with considered DirecTV shady, including me.

Anyway, I just wanted to comment about the corporate office. To be quite honest, I haven't heard a lot of success stories from people who have contacted corporate. I hope people do have success with their DirecTV ###ups if they do contact corporate, but I have to be honest and say that I don't know if most people who actually contact corporate will actually have their problem fixed.

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t smith
Brighton, US
Jun 05, 2009 11:09 am EDT

We have been loyal customers of Direct TV for years. But they are TOO expensive & the customer service non existent. When I called Direct TV to cancel our service I was offered our SAME package at a discounted rate (24.99 for 12 months) as well as a free DVR. The next day my husband said he had no channels so I called DTV & was told our package was changed, I was also informed that the DVR shipped to us would cost us over $200 if we cancelled our service within the next 2 years. I am very upset that I was lied to! When I told the supervisor I talked to to listen to the recorded message from the previous day, she told me "oh, we don't actually record any of those". So now it's my word against some ### that lied about everything. I'm stuck with a DVR that FED EX won't return without me paying them, even though they delivered it to my neighbor, which is a whole other nightmare. In fact FED EX seems to be in on their whole scam too. At this point since I can't find anyone who will tell the truth at this company, I guess hiring a lawyer is the only option, the BBB does absolutely nothing!

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pissed off mom
, US
Jun 03, 2009 6:44 pm EDT

I HATE Direct TV! They are a rip off and everyone that works for them are incredibly ignorant! I had 3 technicians come out to my house before they got my Direct TV working and then two of my boxes went out and I had to pay to have them replaced! Then when I called to speak with the so called President of the company I spoke with Derick #U5216 that acted like he was didnt have any balls between his legs! I hope someone sticks it to Direct TV the way they have stuck it their customers!

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Discouraged
Atlanta, US
May 27, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

dispute the $100.00 amount that DirecTV is stating that I owe. When I first signed up with that satellite service I was suppose to get a $100.00 credit (back to my credit card – I never got that), I was suppose to get a couple of Free movie channels (HBO, Cinemax or Showtime – I never got those either – they charged my monthly bill for those) and a Free portable DVD player (guess what – didn’t get that either). I had numerous conversations with the reps at DirecTV in regard to my account every month when the bill come in the mail – the bill was never what they told me it would be. They never credited my monthly account for the $100.00 amount either. That is why I have not paid the $100.00 they state that I owe --- they already have a $100.00 of my money that they charged to my credit card when I first signed up with them. They have not provided me any documentation that I received the $100.00 back --- so when I cancelled the service I received a bill in the amount stating that I owed $149.00 and some change – I sent them the $49.00 and the change and told them they already had the $100.00 that they did not credit me before and that the account should be zeroed out.

There is a 2nd collection agency to contact me in regard to this $100.00 that DirecTV is stating that I owe. The other agency did not get back with me with any documentation from DirecTV showing any validity to what they (DirecTV) is stating that I owe. That is has been over 8 months ago.

I was really upset with the service that I received from DirecTV – I work hard for my money and I pay my bills and on time. But working with DirecTV and the way they treat their customers has really been upsetting to me. This is not a good way to do business – taking advantage of their customers. That is why I cancelled the service. And I do not feel that I owe DirecTV anything.

I have since received a letter from the 3rd collection agency stating that I owe the $100.00 and told me that I could pay 60% of the bill and they would not turn me over to the credit bureaus. Still no documentation to prove that I received my $100.00 back.

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Renee
Atlanta, US
May 20, 2009 8:37 pm EDT

Then they won't take down the dish they put up.

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Dee
, US
Apr 21, 2009 5:17 pm EDT

I just got Direct TV in February. My bill is supposed to be $36.00 per month for 12 months. The last two bills have been in excess of $100.00 -- When I called I was told I needed to request a coupon and it would take approximately 45-60 days before I would get the promotional price. I was paying less for Dish. I am SORRY I changed to Dish

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Carrie
Troutville, US
Apr 11, 2009 7:07 pm EDT

Check out the story at wsls channel 10 in Roanoke Virginia to see how truly despicable Direct TV is treating their own employee who fell off a roof while on the job.

The man was is a coma, has all kinds of injury and has to go through rehab. Direct TV is refusing to pay any medical bill and also convinced workman's comp that since no one SAW him fall (the homeowner heard him fall, found him and called 911) that doesn't PROVE he was on the job. WHAT?

Wonder how Direct TV got their precious company vehicle back? Was it magic and returned by itself?

Everyone should write, E-mail and shout to all that can hear at the Corporate Office. Contacting the shareholders is a good idea too.

Just tell them good people of the world plan to notify everyone to drop Direct TV and expose this company for what they really are...

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AN in Florida
Oldsmar, US
Apr 11, 2009 5:29 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

After 11 years with DVR through Direct TV, I made the mistake of changing to HD-DVR. Long story short, my house does not support HD satelite. After, numerous installers and months without service I cancelled Direct-TV. I have battled Direct-TV for over 1 year. The first bill after cancellation of service was for over $1000.00 then with each compliant they decreased the amount to over $400.00. And they still owe me money for my recorder. Everytime, I clear my bill with the collection agency and the credit bureau another collection agency pops up. I now have to battle a third collection agency over the same bill. I am writing a letter to Mr. Carey we will see.

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racergurl
south jordan, US
Apr 07, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

I didnt want to be in a contract with a cable company. dish network came to my house and installed everything. to make double sure i asked them again before they left to make sure I WAS NOT on a contract. he tells me, yea you are. i said get your ish outta my house. so they did. then i called DTV, the same thing, make sure i am not on a 2 year contract. they said no way you are not on a contract. and they came over, hooked everything up, i made sure again, he said nope you are not on a contract. months later, i am not satisfied with their service and called to cancel. they said ok here is the cancellation fee. i said what cancellation fee? he said you are on a 2 year contract. i said wheres your proof? he said we have your voice recording agreeing to it and a signed copy of the contract with your physical signature. i said send me the copies. they said you have to write in to request it. so i did. never heard back. so i called again, this time he said the signature was in archives but he couldnt get it. finally he said we dont have any archives and we dont have a recording. he said id have to write to billing to get it cancelled without a fee. so i wrote to billing. i said either show me the contract with my physical signature or cancel my service with no cancelation fee. 2 weeks later my service was shut off with no warning. then i got an email that said i had a zero balance. then i got a box and a voice mail that said to put the equipment in the box. so i did and sent it off. then couple days after that i got charged 300 dollars. i called in to find out what the charge was. a cancelation fee! i said where is my signature saying im on a contract? they said the president of DTV would have it in his filing cabinet by his desk and to write him a letter to get it. so thats what im doing now.

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David
Boynton Beach, US
Apr 07, 2009 12:29 pm EDT

My mother had a similar problem as the NFL Sunday "renewal" problem. My mother is a bit of a Yankees fan so she has gotten MLB Extra Innings for the last several years. She has been with directv for almost two years because the housing complex she lives in has an exclusive deal with directv. She was sent a letter stating that she could get MLB extra innings for $42 a month in installments of four months. The letter stated that she had until April 12 to decide if she wanted the package. Then, she received a charge on her bill for $48 dollars. She called and got a very rude cust.ser.rep who told her that she had to pay her bill and when my mother started to disagree, the woman hung up.

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Disgruntled
West Wyoming, US
Apr 07, 2009 12:23 pm EDT

Everything and more of this is true, DO NOT do auto pay for your account, I was supposed to be charged $34.99 per month, but never once did they deduct that amount. After being warned by another dissatified customer to check my statement, I found out that they were taking $92.04 each month. Just the few people I have spoken to since, said they are also being charged more. I think this company is going to be having a lot of problems. After calling to get a credit, they told me that they could give me $50. This is a scam this company is running and I think we all need to contact the ATTORNEY GENERAL's office and the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I am going to be contacting them and also an attorney, not just for the money, but for the principle. I was never told when I ordered my package that I needed to send in a rebate and Ashley from customer service actually told me that it was on the box that my receiver came in. Come on already and insult my intelligence, who would read the box after the technician installed it. When I called to order my package, I asked a question about "Home Box Office" and the gentleman did not know what I was talking about until I said HBO. They also took it upon themselves to send me an ACCESS guide that I never ordered and charged me for that also. People, please check your bank statements, you too are probably being charged more than you should.

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dot wilson
, US
Apr 06, 2009 11:24 am EDT

Dear Chris:

why is Direct TV continuing to increase in cost for services, when salaries are not increasing across this country. GREED is the thing that has this country in the shape it's in. I am not impressed that it cost you more to render the service. If your company want to be of service to this country's economic plight, make the sacrifice, stop being so greedy. Is it your objective to force customers to go to other companies or drop the service because they can't afford it? I know you think that they are hooked, so they want drop it, but the lost of jobs and the country's unstable economy dictates otherwise.

Dot

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guest09
San Jose, US
Mar 31, 2009 12:31 am EDT

ohhhh forgot to mention that I pay $78.00 a month not 29 or 35 or $39 for 200 channels i don't even have HBOsss, startz, encore, ...

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gooria
Fremont, US
Mar 29, 2009 1:57 am EDT

I signed up with DirectTV through AT&T, no one mentioned cancellation terms. When I called AT&T they transferred me to Directv, Directv told me if I cancel early I have to pay $320 for early termination even though I had service for only 6 days. Come on, everyone gives atleast 30 day trial period. I don't mind them charging me for 6 days of usage or some reasonable penalty but $320 is just outrageous. I have already filed a complaint with FCC lets see what they have to say but these Directv people are just bunch of cheaters.

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steven
Vicksburg, US
Mar 25, 2009 5:43 pm EDT

in one room i have local channels but the other room doesnt have them

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jeffro
Chanute, US
Mar 24, 2009 10:48 am EDT

i was a dish network customer for years and switched to directtv for a better deal.
dish net didnt give me any incentive to stay with them.
now my directtv nightmare begins.
i was told by the sales lady that i would get my local channels.
i asked if i could have my locals out of kansas city for the news and sports.
she replied no that i had to get my locals out of jopin, mo.
i thought fine this is ok at least i'll have local news and weather.
10 minutes after the technician activated my service i was looking for the local channels promised.
no locals.
i called directtv 10 min after activation and was told i didnt have locals where i live.
i told them i would be cancealing my service as soon as i could get dish net back.
this took 8 days.
i had direct tv with no locals for 8 days.
the rep told me i would only have to pay for the days i used and was sorry that i was leaving. (b.s.)
1 weak after terminating my service i received a bill for $470.00 for early termination.
i called directtv and was told i was lucky to live in a state where i hat 30 days to terminate the agreement with no early
termination fees and the charges would be reversed. i didnt hear back for 2 months so i figured that the charges were reversed
like the guy told me. this is when i received a collection notice for $470.00.
i called directtv back and was told this guy had no authority to tell me this he must have read somthing back to me wrong.
they dont back up their employees and you cant beleive a word any of them says.
they said even though they had record of him telling me this the bill was still being enforced.
so i was lied to when i didnt get my locals (and they tell you this for the sale and then hope you just lie down and pay)
and lied to about reversing the charges.
i have had numerous calls and emails since then.
i was now told that i only had a 15 day trial period instead of 30 days.
this was ok with me because i only used the service (without locals) for 8 days.
it gets better
now i'm told that the trial period starts when you make the order. (b.s)
so i had the service for 19 days and the charges still apply. (b.s.)
i had not signed a contract or any other documents at this time.
how can i have a trial period without the equipment & programming to review?
its like taking a car for a trial run without the car.
they change the rules as they go along.
they keep forgetting that i was lied to from the beginning about getting locals.
this voids any verbal contract. i didnt get the service i was promised and paid for.
the trial period should have strarted upon activation.
this was the only time i could seee i wasnt getting the programming i ordered.
if they would have told me up front i had no locals i would have never left dish net.
i wouldnt have called 10 min after activation because i would have known i did not have locals.
this tells me that i was expecting locals.
bbb, you name it the fights on.
class action
if this ruins my credit i will fight them with any means possible.
i have ground to sue for distruction of credit derived from a sales scam.

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spanky
district of columbia, US
Mar 20, 2009 9:20 pm EDT

### direct tv. these motha###as got me ###ed up! i do not play when it comes to my money. so im trying not to go postal. they keep charging me 64.00 a month when i am only suppose to be charged 41.00 a month for the 1st year. i been with these ###as for a little over 3 months. i still havent recieved my discounted rate on a bill yet. they just gave my wife the ###ing runaround and that ### got me and her arguing because she wouldn't let me cuss they ### out. now both of us mad as hell! direct tv ###ing with my marrige. right now, i got alright credit. and i intend to keep it that way. these people think they gointg to jack my credit then they got another thing coming. this is really my 1st issue with them so they got a pass tonite. but if this type of stuff that ya'll complained about starts to happen to me then im cancelling pronto. thats why companies get away with this ###.

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dageret
Scotts Valley, US
Mar 19, 2009 10:48 pm EDT

Same thing happened to us.

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Susan
23 Red Fox St, US
Mar 16, 2009 11:00 am EDT

I totally agree! They are criminals and theives and need to be PUT OUT OF BUSINESS! They make their money from STEALING it!

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marto
, US
Mar 15, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

DirecTV is a national scam. Best way to deal with this company is not to deal with them period. Learn a lesson, tell a freind, move on.

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ron
Madisonville, US
Mar 13, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

i am having problem with directv on my fox channel. i have a 27" tv and only getting a 20" screen. i called directv and they came out and did nothing to help with this problem. i called and told at the end of my contract i will go back to dishnetwork. so the best thing is to stay with dishnetwork or cable.

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EDd
Pico Rivera, US
Mar 05, 2009 10:53 am EST

My experience was the people on the phone are from other countries. Mine was from the phillipines. They are not there to help you, just to wait you out and fustrate you. I sent in a rebate and they state it was expired. it was well within the time limits. It still to this day is not expired. It is something that even large companies like directtv are running scams. I will without doubt be dumping them as soom as my commitment expires. I will also post wherever I can.
SCAM ARTIST!

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Maritza Suarez
Port St. Lucie, US
Mar 05, 2009 2:11 am EST

My wife Maritza Suarez went for a package with someone online your packages deals sound great and good on the papers. my wife wanted to do a change from basic cable ( Comcast) we where paying about 60 dollars a months just for basic it was costly . So we wanted to try a change with directv. with packages starting at 29.99 wow! what a deal it's to good to be true. customer service telling my wife one thing and sounding very convincing . well lets start with the tech person it took him hrs to fix and connect the system another thing she called the main office and was told she would'nt be charge for putting an hd dvr reciever if it was going to be used as a reciever. The main office was nice by offering free showtime for one year for all the toubles because they didnt recieved the order that was made on-line.. Am not here for any freebeeeeeees..another thing i get a call from your fort pierce office in florida saying that they where coming to install directv when i told them we already got install on a monday and they called on a tues...basically this whole thing cost us more money 103.00 from 60.00 on cable for 15 years to a change to satallite i like to know were the saving is because in your advertisment it explain how big of a differences it would be to go with directv and now am lockin for two years. Your advertisments and packages got to go it seem we paying MORE not saving...

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claudia
, US
Mar 02, 2009 6:00 pm EST

I have been with direct TV. for 4 years when they replaced a faulty receiver and I called to complain about it they said I had to pay $80.00 for 5 service calls when I threatened to go else where they informed me when ever I change a recover I automatically sign up with them for another eighteen months. What a scam.

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Alan
, US
Feb 26, 2009 8:57 pm EST

In August of 2008, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and we moved them from their home in the Ozark mountains to a major metropolitan area where we could take care of them and my dad could get the care he needed. My dad went down hill very quickly and died last month.

My parents have had their satellite since 1995. At some point DirectTV bought out their provider. They have always paid their bills on time and never really had problems because they dealt with a local small town reseller. Their receiver quit working, so they bought another one from the reseller in June of 2008. When we moved my parents here, My mom called DirectTV to cancel service. They told her that she could not cancel service because we were leasing the equipment and we had 2 years left on our agreement. My mom called me and I called directTV. They told me that my parents couldn't possibly have bought the receiver because they no longer sell receivers, they only lease them. I called the reseller on another line, confirmed that we had, indeed, purchased the receiver and asked them to produce a receipt. They said that they could, so I conferenced the two calls and we had a three way conversation with the reseller saying that we had purchased the unit. The reseller faxed the receipt and the DirectTV representative said that they would terminate service.

Without my knowledge, my Mother kept receiving bills month after month. My 73-year-old mother, paid all of those bills. Every month she called and requested that DirectTV would cancel her service. Every month, DirectTV told her they would cancel her service. Then she would receive another bill. My mother finally sent a letter to the president of DirectTV, telling them to cancel and she would not be paying any more bills. She received a call from the office of the president telling her that she would have to send a copy of the receipt to prove that she owned instead of leased.

Last Friday, my mom made me aware of everything that had happened since November. I was infuriated and called the DirectTV "office of the president", which is really a call center in Idaho. I threatened legal action unless they closed the account and refunded my mom's money for the previous three months. She told me that this would happen and she would email me confirming the refund. They credited the account for two months. Fast forward to today, when we received a bill for the billing period February 20 - March 19. The bill had a record of the 2 months credit on the account.

I called the "office of the President, " and talked to a rep and his supervisor. They both told me that there was never any record of any contact between my mother (or me) and them until last friday. They basically called me a liar and told me that they were only going to refund the two months and there was nothing that I could do about it because the decision had been made. When I asked them about the status of the account, they told me that it was disconnected on the 20th, which caused me to ask about the new bill. They told me that my account was mistakenly reactivated for one day. They told me that they would credit the two months payment and they quoted an amount less than two months payment. When I asked about the discrepancy, they said that they were charging me for the one day that the account was "mistakenly" reactivated. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he told me that I wouldn't be able to talk to anyone else. I told him that I was not going to give up and he told me if I ever called back they would charge me five dollars every time I called.

These guys are criminals and they steal from and bully 73 year old widows who live off of social security. I am not giving up!

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Leticia
North Hollywood, US
Feb 26, 2009 4:50 pm EST

I have been a costumer of direct tv for 3 yr, now that my husband got fed up of calling them every month because of differnt charges billed. He finally cancelled with them, now they mailed him a bill of 53.00 for a fight that they said he ordered on 2006...he is not awared of that bill and has never been billed for such a fight. That's not all, direct tv told him he has to pay it and they also submit the payment to be charged with a collection agency...

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Preston Weston
Dogtown, US
Feb 26, 2009 2:05 pm EST

I was a loyal DTV customer for over 6 yrs and never had any major problems; however, when I purchased a new HD televsion I needed to upgrade to HD service. I called on December 27 to schedule an appt. and spent over 45 minutes on the line waiting for a rep and to order service. I was livid I had such a long wait time but felt with the holiday purchases everybody was needed an upgrade. Once we covered all the costs and plan I would be using, the rep made an appt for me 3 weeks into January on the 17th. I wasnt upset because I was willing to wait my turn for installation and still had my service until January 31st. As the weeks passed, I became nervous when I didnt hear from the service tech to confirm installation. On the day before I was to have my service installed, I decided to call DTV myself to verify my appt. After waiting on the phone 25 mionutes, I finally got a rep who said, "Oh, your appt has been dropped because we over scheduled and we dont have a slot for you."

When I pressed her for details, her only reply was, "Well, those guys get busy and sometimes appts get dropped, I guess you got dropped!" Again, I asked how DTV could drop me when they scheduled me in the first place? No valid answer from Brittany. Instead, she began to hedge and act like she wanted to get off the phone. I asked her to verify my appt with a superviser because I had my notes from the conversation in Dec. with all information from the rep named Kevin. After she put me on hold for 15 minutes, she came back to say my original date was not January 17 but February 17! I told I knew then they were a bunch of liars because I had my notes and info from Dec. and never would have agreed to a Feb date during the day when I am work. Again, she hedged and got pissy and the next thing I know, she hung up on me as I was demanding to speak to a supervisor in scheduling.

I called back two more times to DTV over the next two days to find out what had happened. I spoke to one person who had a real bad attitude and then another who gave me the runa around with holding for a supervisor. On my third call I finally wised up and called to cancel my service and spoke a nice guy who was sorry it had happened and he said he gets calls all day from customers who are cancelling service. He asked if I would stay and I said under no circumstances--I was done. He was polite and we went over my final charges and settled up the money and remaining time I had with them. I did tape record the conversation and told him I was taping for my records so I figure that's why he was so accommodating.

Right now, the games have begun. DTV has called me weekly begging me to return as a customer--I had to get ugly the last time one of them called but felt it was the only way to get them off my back on to stay away. I blocked their number and told the last lady if they ever called again I would press a complaint with the AG in the state. I also informed her of the thousands of DTV customer complaints in the US and she said she had no idea. I asked her how she could work for a corporate company and not know what was going on outside of her cubicle? I also told her she should take a few moments out of her day and google DTV complaints because it's apparent she is clueless when it comes to her bosses! After giving her the riot act for being a total [censored], I told her I was taping and she promptly hung up!

Gee, I love television and all the great programming that goes along with it--I just dont like the bloodsuckers who feel I owe them something for being a customer--especially when they cant man up and take responsibility for their actions. I ordered new service with another carrier and my friend laughed and said, "Hey, you just jumped to another pirate ship!" Curses!

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bud
Streamwood, US
Feb 12, 2009 2:59 pm EST

i have had dtv for a year now and have NEVER had problems like this, it started 3 monthes after installation i had no signal i called and followed everything they said nothing worked would have to send a teck . this happened every other month the final straw was in jan 05 09 had same problem they could not send a teck because of cold weather until feb 12 09 over a month now i work outside construction and i dont get them kind of breaks now they say i owe 440.00 because i cancled, all my complaints fall on deaf ears can any one help me.pleeeeeeeease

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Erika
Norwalk, US
Feb 10, 2009 1:35 pm EST

If their corporate office was not so far - I would join in this protest DTV is ### and I wish I would've researched them before signing up with them! ###in ###s - this company needs to be put out of business...

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carzy mo'fo
, US
Feb 09, 2009 9:12 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I will join. Now they are raising the bill? Dont they realize how bad we are huting in anerica? They $3 a month they are raising me is $36.00 a year. WTF. We cannot sit idly by and allow these execs to keep shoving their D*** up our a**. And we are paying them to do it. We must be a stupid bunch of cattle going MMMMMOOOOOORE...MMMMMMOOOOOORE. Because that is what they keep giving us. Kyle from heehaw WV