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DirecTV

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

It all seems so easy. You go to the mall and emerge with a highly-discounted DirecTV or PrimeStar satellite kit under your arm. It only costs a few hundred dollars and you get great reception. Cool. There’s only one cloud: Chances are you signed a binding multi-year agreement that basically commits you to pay off the rest of the cost of the satellite gear and installation. (That few hundred you paid in the store is just a deposit). If you cancel the service, you still have to continuing paying for the equipment. It’s all in the contract – and it’s a lot better to read it now than later.

Melodye of Lakeport, CA August 22, 2009

Called ATT regarding disconnected phone service. ATT Rep. discovered it was caused by a damaged DirTV box which had received a message from DirTV the night before threw the phone lines. Att Rep. talked to DirTV Rep and a new box was sent to us. New bill contained addtl monthly charges. Complained about new chgs but they insisted, resulting in our cancelling serv. on 6/22/09. They instructed us to return box in their FED EX box when it arrived. Received FED EX box and returned DirTV box on 7/10/09.

Since that time we have received statements ranging from 403 to 399.99 (consisting of early cancellation fees, not returning of DirTV box and serve after 6/22). Telephoned DirTV on 6/22, 7/3, 7/17, 7/27, 8/7 and 8/22/09. Each rep. stated that the box had been received by DirTV on 7/16/09 and that due to DirTV's transmission causing the damaged box and since we had been with DirTV for years, the early cancellation fee was invalid. Each rep. stated they did not know why full credit had not been issued but that they would make sure full credit was issued by them (rep. names, badge/emp. #'s, dates and times all recorded).

Then today, 8/22/09, I learned that on 8/16/09 at 11:09pm Eastern Time my Chase Credit Card had received a charge for 379.81 from Direct TV but they did not honor the charge. For years we had only used this card for balance transfers and Direct TV did not have my new expiration date, etc.. After learning of this unauthorized attempt, I telephone DirTV and the rep. once again stated that NO credits had been issued and that they were perfectly authorized to charge the card # which they obtained when we FIRST signed up for DirTV. How could they do that? Many years ago I may have provided them a number to secure deliver and installation of the satilitte but I did NOT authorize any person at DirTV to use my card number after that time. Please Help!!!

Onaney of tallahassee, FL August 22, 2009

I contacted directtv to transfer my services from Orlando to Tallahassee. I scheduled the appointment on 8/21/2009 between the hours of 8-12. I recieved a call to reschedule the appointment for the 12-4 time slot. Then a recieved a call indicating that the technician should be at my home. Oddly enough he wasnt there. I took the day off to wait for him to come and he never did.

I called Direct tv several times to complain about the issue and was told that I have no option but to wait until Thursday 8/27/2009n for the technician to arrive. I spoke with about 6 different representatives, two of which were rude, and one was a "Supervisor" who hung up on me. There way of fixing the situation was to credit me 50 for the missed appointment and 5 off the next 6 mths! Which in comparison to what I would of made that day had I gone to work ther is no comparison. Its not even half of what I would of made.

The issue is still not resolved and they are adament about making me wait another week for my services. In my opinion this is a breech of contract. They are not fulfilling their end of the contract by providing a "certain level of service". I have only been with Directv for a month and have already encountered such a huge issue! This is ridiculous.

I missed a day off of work. I have been without tv for the past week. I will be forced to miss another day off of work on the 27th. Or if I choose to cancel I will be forced to pay 450 for a service Ive only had for about a mth that has not fulfilled their contract. Ive spent my whole weekend calling and dealing with them bullying me around saying I have no choice but to stay with the contract.

Randall of independence, VA August 22, 2009

I had Direct TV service for 7 years and was never late on any payment. I had money taken out of my credit card for monthly serice. I have a motorhome and was building a new home in Virginia. I pruchased a HD receiver from Best Buy in 2007. I never signed any contract and I installed the dish myself next to my motorhome while my house was bieng built. When my home was finished the next month I cancelled Direct TV and went with Dish because they have a bundle package for phone and internet. I talked to a representative from Direct TV and he stated since I purchase the receiver (that I mailed back to them) that I was automatically signed into a new contract in which I never signed or even had a technician install anything. Now they have hurt my credit with a 455 debt. I am furious and would love to join any class action lawsuit for credit damages.

Gerard of Naples, FL August 21, 2009

I have had an account with DirecTV since 1997. Every year I spend the winter in Florida and the summer in Minnesota. Before last year I had all satellites at both locations on one account. Until I went to Minnesota last summer and was told that what I had done all the previous years was now not allowed. What I would do is turn on the satellites in MN and turn off the satellites in FL and reverse it every six months or so. Until this year.

When I was ready to go back to MN this summer I was told that what I had done for the previous 10 years was wrong and I needed separate accounts, so a new account was opened for my Minnesota address and I had the satellites for that address transferred from the old account to the new account. I then turned off the receivers left on the FL account for the summer.

I soon ran into problems with the new account I had been forced to open, because the satellites continued to be turned off at random; and I would call and have them turned back on, and a week later they would be turned off again.

I grew tired of this annoyance and decided to go all cable in MN and keep DirecTV only in FL, so I called and closed the new account I had been forced to open. A year later I find that I have an outstanding balance with DirecTV due to being charged an early cancellation fee because I had broken my contact agreement. I had opened a new account because I was told I had to. I never had any new equipment or special discount for being a new customer because I am not a new customer. I am still a loyal customer with an active account.

According to DirecTV's records I am on their "A" list, one of their most valued customers. I do not feel I was treated fairly in this matter and want other consumers to be aware of DirecTV's practices. My account was turned over to collections and I paid 352.10 in early cancellation fees.

kenneth of lubbock, TX August 21, 2009

was not informed about not getting local channels. also was not informed that I would have to pay for nfl network after one year. also was not informed of blackouts to certain sporting events. advertsing is misleading.

Rick of Middletown, CT August 21, 2009

I was a Directv customer for over 4 years. I had a DRV failure, the one that was first supplied when I signed up with this company, I went to BEST BUY to purchase a new one, being that BEST BUY was an authorized Diredtv dealer. When I got it home and hooked up, I then called Directv to regester the New DVR, Which was high def dvr, and they had asked me if I wanted theire high def service, I declined at that time.

After about another 2 years, I decided to cancel my Directv service, and went with another supplier. This is where the problems started. I was informed at the time I wanted to end the service I was told that I had to send back the DVR that I thought I purchased at a cost of 250.00, they then told me that it was consider an up grade and I really did not own it as I did the first one that was supplied when I first signed up with directv, I then asked why no one at BEST BUY told me that, and why they didn't tell me that when I regester the new dvr, no answer.

They then told me that there would be a charge of 280.00 for early termination, Which I then told them that I was a customer for over 4 years, they then told me that when I purchased the dvr( that I didn't own) I agreed to a 2 year contract, which again I was not awhere of, nor did anyone with BEST BUY OR DIRECTV told me when I did purchased the dvr (that I did not own).

After I was told that I would have to pay an early termination fee I flat out refused to pay. I had beed taken all ready for 250.00 for the dvr I wasn't about to pay another 280.00 for a contract THAT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT NOR DID I SIGN ANYTHING TO THAT EFFECT.

I tried to work this out with directv with no response. Needless to say the put me in collections. This now has been going on for over a year. I get calls from the collection agency, which I informed them that until directv contacts me I will not Pay. I also have filed a dispute with the credit reporting agency.

DIRECTV IS BY FAR THE WORST COMPANY I HAVE EVER DELT WITH, AN I FEEL THAT THE FCC SHOULD LOOK INTO THEM. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND DIRECTV TO ANYONE. I FEEL A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS IN ORDER. BAD MARK ON MY CREDIT REPORT.

Sage of Dinuba, CA August 21, 2009

The sales person told me there was a 30 day window in wich i could cancel if I didn't like the service. I called to cancel and DirecTV told me there was only a 24 hour window. I NEVER WOULD HAVE SIGNED UP FOR A 2 YEAR CONTRACT WITH A 24 HOUR "back-out" window. They will not let me cancel and waive the early termination fees (480.00). Did I mention I have only had their service for 30 days? I complained before the 30 days were up and the rep said "no, you were mistaken, you signed the contract". They were rude, tried to hang up on me and belittled me when I tried to explain additional financial and health reasons for not wanting to pay the early termination. NO WAY OUT, THEY MISREPRESENTED SERVICE AND SAY "I" SHOULD HAVE READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE SIGNING. So, their reps can say whatever they want and misinform/lie to get people signed up??? No help when emailing president of comany either...

Shoukry of carlsbad, CA August 21, 2009

I signed an agreement with Directv for 2 years of service on 7/5/07 and it ends 7/5/09. on 2/21/09 I purchased a DVR from Best Buy and installed it at home. On 8/17/09 I contacted Directv to disconnect my service..they informed me that I have extended my agreement for 2 years, and I will have to pay a penelty of 350 to disconnect my service at this time. When I inquired about the details they told me that by purchasing the DVR from Best Buy they automatically extended my agreement for 2 years. I did not agree to extend the agreement, the receipt for the DVR does not indicate that I commit to 2 years. I called Directv to dispute and they said they will not waive the penelty if I disconnect my account

Nancy of North Las Vegas, NV July 22, 2009

Direct TV does false advertising. I had direct tv in chicago I was told that I had to resubscribe to them because I had signed a two year contract I never signed a contract what I signed was for the equipment that was put into my home. No one ever said I was signing a contract. Next I used and anvertisement that showed that I would be receiving tnt and some other stations which I still have I called them in February and they were going to look into it.

I finally called them in July they passed me around to four people no one was able to help me. I no longer want Direct for the false advertisement and not getting what was on the advertisement. In order to cancel they said that I have to pay 20.00 a month for the months remaining again I was never told this neither did I see this in writing. Direct TV never presented this to me until I tried to cancel them. This is being unfair to the consumer. You are always talking to diffrent people who work there and everyone has their own idea of how to help but to no avail it's going to cost more money. I also explained that I live on a fixed income and the job I had I was laid off in May I needed to cancel they said I would have to pay to cancel I explained again that I did't have the money.

Bruce of Bullhead City, AZ August 20, 2009

I had HDtv service. the sales rep lied about the channels I would get with them at the begining of my contract. then I had poor reception. the repair tech said after replacing the reciver that the problem I experinced was due to a slow feed/ this would give me a head ache trying to watch TV that looke like veiewing through blinds on all moving images. I paid extra for a great HD picture. I was getting a head ache instead. I called to end the service without penalty. they gave me an address to make my complaint in writeing

Then as of late I have had my share of problems with the direct billing either it not being paid or it being double billed that Ka-chuging is not good for either party again I thought I had this working then I seen a bill for double again for aug. For the misrepresented ability to get me Vegas channels and the in-ability to fix HD signal issues. I would like to terminate service with no penalty.

I had direct billing removed from my account on 8-11-09. I then recived a box to return the reciver. after I had mailled it I was looking at my bank account and seen that without notice that they had charged me for early termination 340.00 all at one time and taken it even after I had removed this method of payment to them. my bank US Bank has filed a dispute on my behalf but without more push I feel the fact that the bad TV service that I had will not be the the issue nor the inappropiate grab at my money. they will just stand on the contract that I had tv service.

also I live on a fixed income this 340.00 will hurt me greatly as that is my food & bills money for the month. Lies bad service and lack of communication of the true intent to take more money and give excusses not HD tv is what Direct TV is guilty of. I called to talk to a supervisor and was told that lieing about the channels I would get and a poor picture were not sufficent to let me out of the contract.

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