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DirecTV - Sales Practices

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Sue of Palmdale CA (9/1/01):
Directv has a new lease program so I ordered it, when I talked to the sales person I asked him if I had to make up my mind on a 3rd receiver then and he told me I didn't that I could let the technician when he came to install the system, but he didn't have any extra ones with him.

When he called to activate the system I talked to someone about the 3rd receiver and she couldn't help me so I was transfered to someone else who couldn't help me either. Anyway after over 3 hours on the phone I finally got a supervisor and she said it would cost me $100.00 to have it installed and I told her the sales person didn't tell me it would cost me anything to have it put in. He also said I wouldn't have to have a phone line hooked up the the receiver, then I find out that I had no choice, I had to have a phone line plugged into the receiver and my phone jack is too far from the TV that I have to buy a wireless jack which is no big thing but I don't like to be told something and find out different.

I was so upset from being on the phone for over 3 hours I told her I was going to report this to Consumer Report. She said she would only charge me $50.00 instead of the $100.00 and I said that if her sales person would have given me the right information it wouldn't have cost me anything. A couple of people I talked to said I misunderstood what I was told or the sales person misunderstood me.

Kathy of North Bellmore NY writes (7/31/01):
I was recently sold a satellite dish and one receiver by Satellite Concepts for Direct TV. I was told the installation would be free. I was told the installers would have additional receivers at a cost of $29.95. I was told there would be no additional installation charge, or additional monthly fees to have a second device.

The installers, when they arrived said they did not have receivers, nor did they ever have them, and it would cost $50-60 for another one, that I would have to go purchase myself, plus an additional $75 for them to install it. The installers required a phone line to each individual receiver at a cost of $75 each, which Satellite Concepts said nothing about. The free installation of one dish and two receivers (less the cost of the actual units) would have cost me at least $225.00. There is no free installation -- this is a deception in order to have you purchase their goods.

Although satellite concepts has stated I would only have to pay shipping charges, which I refuse to pay, they did take the merchandise back.

Michael of Woodville TX (7/27/00):
Through an advertisement, I called Direct TV for an order of a satellite and two receivers, with the understanding that the installation was free. After much deliberation, it was confirmed that I would not be assessed the COD charge for installation and the company would waive the COD charge. In addition, I was to receive a rebate of $125 for the two receivers.

After talking to two representatives for installation, I was still going to be charged the $200 installation fee, which was supposed to be waived. In addition, installation only took place on Tuesday and Fridays. This information was not revealed at the time of the purchase. Direct TV has charged me the fee for the Dish and receivers, but are "jacking me around" on the installation process. Because of their continuous delays and unprofessionalism, I want to return the whole package to them and have them pay for the postage. I am tired of being "put on hold" by this company; it has been over two weeks and the work detail has not been completed. With the advance age of computers, one would think that these people could correct the work orders and get everything straight, rather than placing the burden on the consumer.

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