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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

Jessica of River Edge, NJ December 5, 2008

Jessica of River Edge NJ (12/05/08)
On 8/26, I signed up for Direct tv over the phone. After receiving my first bill for 193.00, it did not reflect the promotion I was being offered. I called customer service and they told me to contact verizon. AFter contacting Verizon, they directed me back to Direct TV. On 9/24/08 I spoke to Sylvy on this matter and said i wanted to cancel my account. She told me to return the box within 7 days and that there would be no penalty for cancellation.

On Oct. 1st,2008 I received a bill with a credit for the cancellation fee in the amount of 348.47. On Oct. 17th, 2008 I received another bill indicating that I had to pay the cancellation fee. I contacted Direct TV about this matter and they were unable to assist me. All i want is fair treatment as a consumer. I should not have been billed for their false advertisement. There was no wrong doing on my part. I had to pay the bill so that my credit would not be ruined but the matter was handled unfairly. This company is unfair and I am filing a formalcomplaint .

Robert of Crestline, OH December 3, 2008

Robert of Crestline OH (12/03/08)
got directv in august of 2007, signed up for free digital and everything else if i purchased the nfl network for one year. In october of 2008 i wanted to cancel, (too many outages every time it rained or snowed) i called deceitv and asked if there would be a early termination fee if i cancelled, they said no. I made the rep tell me 3 times that i wouldn't be charged anything. He said no fees, my contract was fulfilled. I get a bill a few days later for 125 early termination fee. I call again, they say not to pay because my contract was fulfilled, and they would send a new bill.

I get another bill, same thing, 125. I call again, same answer, don't pay it, we'll fix it. I get another bill, 125, plus late charges now. I call again, suddenly my contract wasn't fulfilled, I owe it, I can't do anything about it, they won't let me talk to any one in authority, and if I don't pay it it's going to outside collections. They said sorry that the first 3 reps told me something wrong, said i signed 24 month contract. i didn't sign anything, i agreed over the phone to a 1 year nfl network deal. Do you know what collections do to your credit? ridiculous, i will tell every person that i ever meet not to deal w/deceitv, crooks.

130 in fees, probably 2 hours on the phone, and an increase in my blood pressure of at least 50 points every time i talked to the arrogant [reps].

Burris' of Woodbridge, VA December 2, 2008

Burris' of Woodbridge VA (12/02/08)
Cancelled in July. Paid bill on 07/28/08 and as of 12/2/08 have not received the overage on my bill. Have talked to over 10 reps and each one told me my refund would be in the mail and would take 4 - 6 weeks. The last person on 11/18/08 gave me a ficticious case number.

Dave of Sherman, NY December 2, 2008

Dave of Sherman NY (12/02/08)
April 2008, Directv service was suspended at my request. Unknown to me that Directv would automatically turn service back on after 6 months. October 27, 2008 I received a postcard that the service was reinstated on October 8, 2008. I called Directv that day, and the agent stated she would disconnect service. I received a bill in November so I called again and the agent said she would disconnect service and remove charges.

Today I received a past due bill,I called which Nanette answered, I asked to speak with a supervisor, she placed me hold, after 20 minutes the line disconnected. I called back and spoke to Bobby, explained someone disconnected on me and wanted to speak to a supervisor. I was placed on hold for 15 minutes,then spoke with Mike. I asked why am I being billed for service that was disconnected at my request, in April 2008? He explained that the service was suspended and after 6 months it is reinstated. I told him that I did not know this policy, and do not feel I should be responsible for the bill. I asked Mike to have corporate contact me and Mike said he could not do that. Mike also stated that it is not Directv's responsibility that I did not receive the postcard before the due date, and that is a US mail issue.

Being billed 34.53 and was told that if I don't pay it they would start adding fees to the balance.

Christian of Portland, OR December 1, 2008

Christian of Portland OR (12/01/08)
We were customers since 2002. We initially leased equipment but when we wanted to purchase a dvr, we were told we had to purchase all the equipment we had been using. We did. We paid 300 dollars for the dvr. We also purchased a monthly policy to repair or replace equipment that went bad. In Sept 2007 we had severe ongoing problems with our service. The service man came out and replaced the dish, the dvr and one of the boxes. We specifically said we did not want them if it would mean that we had to extend our commitment to them.

We were told then and in subsequent emails that because the equipment was replaced under the policy it did not extend the commitment. In November, we switched to Comcast, and Directv tried to charge us for terminating our contract early. We went over the whole thing and they agreed that they were wrong and that the early termination did not apply. They still maintain that they own the two new boxes and we have to return them or be charges 480.00.

We will return the boxes to avoid (hopefully) more problems, but how can an item we purchased that is replaced under a policy we purchased belong to them? It seems that they have done this to many others and I wonder why something cannot be done to stop them from stealing from the public.

the result will be that the 300 dollar DVR that we purchased and the 5 dollar per month for several years was merely a donation to directv. They decided in 2006 not to sell equipment, to lease only, and retroactively changed existing contracts without notification. How is this legal?

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