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DirecTV - Billing Problems

DirecTV • Billing Problems • Installation • Maintenance • Rebates • Sales Practices • Billing for "Adult" Shows • About those "Adult" Bills ... --- News • DirecTV Takes Disputed Fees Out of Customer Accounts, Suit Charges • Major League Baseball, Cable Operators Reach Agreement • Major League Baseball Extends TV Deadline • Senators Object to DirecTV Deal that Shuts Out Baseball Fans • DirecTV Settles Do Not Call Charges • DirecTV Telemarketers To Pay $75,000 Penalty • Fired DirecTV Contractors Say They Refused To Lie To Customers • Outbreak of DirecTV Porn Charges Hits Philadelphia • DirecTV Fined $5 Million for Do-Not-Call Violations • DirecTV Will Reform Ad Practices, Pay Millions in Refunds • DirecTV Abandons Satellite Internet Plans

Michael of Rochester, PA December 12, 2008

Michael of Rochester PA (12/12/08)
My wife called Direct TV to gather information on prices from switching from cable to satellite. After speaking to a customer rep, and writing down all of the information (i.e. date/time/name/prices/etc.), she was very happy with the presented deal. Being detailed oriented and paranoid, my wife called back to verify the information.

She spoke to 2 different people and 2 different times and had her records verified by each new representative. We went along and set up an installation date and began to use the services. We recently received a bill for 85. This is no where close to what was promised to my wife via the phone by 3 different customer reps. My wife called to get this situation fixed and customer service/supervisors were not flexible and not helpful at all.

The manager basically said whatever we were promised by the reps they werent responsible for because those reps mis spoke. They were only responsible if it was invalid information. Even during the conversation his numbers and reasons changed constantly and each time we got, Sorry I mis spoke and that apparently was supposed to make up for everything.

In the end they offered to letting us out of the contract if we pay them 400 or we can try downgrading our deal until it matches the other price we were given. Now we are stuck with a 2 year deal, feel betrayed and lied too, and overall unhappy with the business dealings of Direct TV. Big advice. . .get all quotes/deals in writing before you let them into your house to install anything.

Lost a deal we had with our cable company that they no longer offer. Once we canceled it, we cant go back. Paying 20-30 dollars extra a month over what was promised/discussed.

Alfee of Phenix City, AL December 10, 2008

Alfee of Phenix City AL (12/10/08)
Direct tv took money from a checking account without account transaction permission

no christmas for kids no gas no money emotionally drained. physically and mentally tired of being abused by the direct tv billing. i think i will file small claims suit agaist the company. I will file the police report tomorrow.

Teresa of Melbourne, FL December 9, 2008

Teresa of Melbourne FL (12/09/08)
I agreed with Dirct TV to have three new boxes installed since our equipment was old and not working properly. The equipment was free if you agreed to 18 months of service. The installer arrived with two new boxes. He said he did not know why there were not three since that was on the order. He installed two boxes, one worked propertly the other did not. I called Direct TV and told them they did not honor their end of the contract and I agreed to allow them to come back and install a third. Approx one month later, the third was installed and the installer left and said it was working fine.

When I went into the room where it was, the TV was not programmed and I could never get it to program. I called Direct TV they said they would walk me through it but could still not get it to work. It was agreed that a box would be sent and it would be returned and the receiver would be removed from the bill. During this time period my bill arrived and had MLB Extra Innings Early Renewal in 4 Payments for 42.25 each. I called Direct TV and told them I did not want this and please to not put anything on my bill unless I order it. One month later I receive my bill and the charge of 42.25 is still on my bill along with a notice of late payment.

I called again and was assured it would be straightened out. In addition to the charge of 42.25, I am now being charged a late fee. Approximately 10 days later, my Direct TV service is temporarily disconnect by Direct TV for non-payment of the bill. Even thoughh I have already made my payment due less the 42.25 plus the late fee. I then called Direct TV on 12/5/08 and told them to immedidately cancel my service effective immediately. I was told I would be charged 375 on my credit card for breaking the contract.

However, it is Direct TV who did not honor the contract. First by not bringing the correct number of receivers, then having one receiver not work propertly, and the third not work at all.

Antone of Omaha, NE December 8, 2008

Antone of Omaha NE (12/08/08)
I ordered DirecTV through Qwest in August of 2007. After I had a parting of the ways with Qwest, I opted to continue my services directly with DirecTV. In Nov. 2008, I cancelled my DirecTV as it was becoming too expensive and I could get cable cheaper. When I cancelled my service, I specifically asked the representative if there would be any charges or fees. I was told no. I was told not to pay my current bill and that a final bill would be sent to me.

When the final statement arrived, it wasn't a bill. They had charged my wife's Discover card for 380 plus the bill for the portion of the service I received for a month. They said when I parted ways with Qwest that I had agreed to a two-year service plan. I never agreed to ANYTHING. I didn't sign anything. All I did was change my billing from Qwest to DirecTV. They also said I received a Customer Agreement with my first bill.

I never received a Customer Agreement since the billing was from Qwest. The representative and supervisor I spoke to couldn't answer why I was told there wouldn't be a fee. They also couldn't tell me when I signed a service agreement since I NEVER DID! All they could say was that I agreed to it since I had service. For now, my wife has disputed the charge to her Discover card (which is NOT mine, she had it before we were married).

This has been very frustrating to us in a stressful financial time. The funds they took from the Discover card were set aside for Christmas presents for our family. If Discover doesn't rule in our favor, I don't know how we'll pay this outrageous charge.

Renae of Garrettsville, OH December 8, 2008

Renae of Garrettsville OH (12/08/08)
I had direct tv for 2 weeks, they could not provide the service I needed and I was not happy with them. I paid them 70 and they billed me and early termination fee and banged my credit report when I refused to pay. I have been harrass for 18 months several times a day by debt collectors for this account. It does not matter that you ask them not to call or that you tell them they will NEVER get a cent out of me for BAD SERVICE. I was told by verizon and AT&T there would be a bundled service and they never could or would provide it.

cost of new phone number due to harrassing calls damage to my credit report

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