DIRECTV Reviews

So, a week later, we are given notice we are transferring to Dallas, TX with my employer. We called to have DirecTV move our service to our new address, they stated it would be a $50 upfront fee. Which was charged instantly, even though the technician could not be out for another week. We also advised them that we wanted to add my mother-in-law's DVR to our account, since we ordered the DVR package from them. They said okay, and added to our account. Then, I get a phone call from my mother in-law stating she spoke to DirecTV, who advised she must send all her equipment back, as she does not own the equipment, or she will be charged $400.00. She told them that they agreed to let us use it on our account, and they said there is no way that was possible, and she must return the equipment.

So, again, I make a phone call to DirecTV to find out what is going on, and they finally, after 1.5 hours on the phone with several different people and departments, advised me that her equipment is not added to our account, that there are no notes of any of this information in our account, and that yes, her equipment must be returned. We asked them about just cancelling our service, as this has been such a pain to deal with, and so much confusion and different stories and lies from every person we spoke with at DirecTV, and they told us it would cost us $460 to cancel our service! After we just paid a $200 deposit.

We asked them how much it would be to get us a DVR and a additional receiver, since they were offering new customers a Free DVR. They told us it would be $99 for the DVR and $67 for the additional receiver, this was yesterday 2/23/10. We advised we would need some time to think that over, as we were already out of pocket $250.00 with them, and had only been a customer for 2 weeks. We decided to just go ahead and pay the $167 for the DVR and additional receiver, and called them back today - 2/24/10.

Now, after being on the phone for another 1.5 hours, they advise us that for the DVR and additional receiver it would now be $305.00! I was placed on hold several times, and each time, she just kept telling me it would be the $305.00 and she has no idea why anyone would have told me $167. I can no longer afford to keep throwing them money that I don't have, just to have cable service.

I also don't understand why each person I talk to at this company tells me something different. Had I of known it would have escalated to this, and cost me so far $250 out of pocket, and only have 1 regular receiver, and still be charged for DVR package even though I don't even have a DVR, I would have never contacted this company to begin with. They have consistently lied to me, and basically stole my money.

I am as of now, out $250.00. It will cost me an additional $460.00 to cancel this company's service, or $305.00 to get the equipment I need to provide the package I am being charged for. This process has been so stressfull, and nothing but frustration on my end has resulted, as well as my finances being drained for a service I am not even using! And my mother-in-law is receiving the same problems I am from this company, and she can't use them because their equipment will not work at her house, and they will not refund her any of her money she had to pay up front either. I am positive that we are not the only people having issues with this company and their lies, and this has got to be resolved. They are thieves.

Paying top dollar for obsolete equipment and always being told that we "have been such long standing customers! Let me see what I can do to help you." God save us from scripts! Who ever thought that was a good idea? Probably the attorneys. So I had finally had it with what I knew would never get fixed and guess what, I get the privilege of paying $280 for quitting! Yup and I am willing to bet they come up with more charges before this nightmare is over. And to beat all, they don't even want the stuff back. It is so out of date not to mention the 4-5 other receivers I have been told I must save over the years . Oh and if anyone at DirecTV cares, I am forwarding this to everyone for whom I have an email address.

Not until October, six months, did I learn that the rebate comes on the back of a bill. Bill, what bill? They have continued to this date to charge me and are even charging me an extra $600 for ending my services. My AG thought we had cleared it up, however what the AG said and what they sent me were two different things. We've also since moved and I spoke with them about moving. I was told no prob, no fees, just take the boxes with and call us. Not so when I called.

A nearly $90 moving fee and then I find out I cannot have a satellite where I live. They have lied from the beginning and continued to go against the AG. Now, I need to contact AG again. I emptied out my account today. I have two kids and this account is specific to child support only. Not sure what else can be done. What friends do they have with the government to allow this and others complaints to continue? It's fraud.

Then when I went to cancel my service. I was told I would be forced to pay the early termination fee because when I activated the new one that replaced the old one, it was "implied" that I agreed to a new 24 month agreement. I sent a letter to the billing disputes department because I had been duped into getting a new receiver even though it was not my fault forcing me into a new contract without my consent. I know have an outstanding balance of $300. I think DirecTV should be punished for their sneaky tactics forcing customers to stay with their overpriced services.

The following day, February 2, 2010, when the installers (Jovanni and Jorge), arrived, Ms. P was present, advised them that permission had not being obtained and further indicated to the installers the apartment where the super of the building lived. Both installers then proceeded to the super's apartment to obtain the necessary permission and then returned to us stating that they were unable to contact the super but, they would go ahead and install the dish on the roof of the building and if it is not allowed, call either one of our cell phone and we will return and remove it.

As a result, and in spite of the fact that the roof was under repair, and there were no other dish mounted on the roof, they went ahead and installed the dish on the roof. Apart from that, what we didn't know was that by one signing the work order, also places the individual as having the landlord's permission to install DirecTV.

Subsequently, on February 11, 2010, while the super attempted to continue repair of the roof, he sighted the dish mounted on the roof and disconnected the same thereby interrupting our DirecTV service. At that point, after speaking with the super, I immediately called DirecTV, spent countless hours with them while explaining the problem and requested a refund of the $221.72 money that were debited from my visa card. To my surprise, I was informed that I could not obtain a refund and that I was locked in a 24 months term of service contract and that any cancellation before the end of the term would result in enormous penalty fees of $480.00 regardless of the reason for the cancellation. Nevertheless, I went ahead and cancel the services, and again to my surprise, DirecTV informed me that by confirmation #** they was snatching an additional $480.00 from my visa debit card for "early cancellation" penalty.

Not only was I surprised to find that I was leasing the DVR, but I was also told that because I agreed to the lease of the equipment, I had automatically agreed to a two-year agreement. Nothing was said about a two-year agreement--ever! In other words, if I had opted not to get the new DVR (which by the way was not as good as the one I already had that I owned), I would not have unknowingly entered into a two-year agreement. When I questioned the rep about how did this happen, I didn't sign anything and I was certainly not told about a two-year agreement, he said sometimes the reps "forget" to mention the agreement and I signed the agreement when the tech came to connect my service. Sure enough, on the back of the installation ticket is a clause that by signing I am agreeing to two-year contract! Talk about sneaky. This cannot be legal and certainly not ethical!

One more thing. During this conversation I had asked about pricing on HD services and had a couple other pricing questions, but I did not make any changes to my services at that time. A few days later, I received a new 24-month contract in the mail beginning on the day of my phone conversation to them initiated just by asking questions--absolutely no changes were made! How can they get away with this?

I was disgusted with their business ethics, so I cancelled my service and sent the leased DVR back. Meanwhile I had read that they will debit fees (several hundred dollars) to your credit card/bank account on file when you do early cancellation. So to prevent this I tried to get my credit card number out of my account but they won't allow you to remove your banking/credit card info! So I replaced my valid credit card with an old card linked to an inactive account to prevent them from taking money. I don't feel I owe them anything due to the way I was tricked into new long-term contracts. I keep getting letters from a collection agency, but I will not pay. DirecTV is engaging in deceptive practices with their customers.

I explained that I was on a very tight budget and could not afford the entire balance. He became indignant and again demanded full payment. When I asked him if I could speak with a supervisor, he retorted that that was my right and I must excuse him so that he can make his notes on the account before transferring me on. Five minutes he came back to the phone and said he would transfer me. I was placed on hold for an additional 23 minutes. The supervisor, who identified himself as Darrell, asked how he could help. I repeated the aforementioned activities and he said he would have to place me on hold to pull the file.

We were disconnected. I dialed back, waited another 30 minutes, and I was hung up on again. I called a third time and explained my situation with the supervisor to a female representative. She sympathized with me but said she could only attempt to talk to the supervisor herself and share with him my treatment and ask that he take the call as soon as possible. She placed me on hold and after about 3 minutes returned and said she was transferring me now. She transferred and I waited another 28 minutes. The same supervisor picked up the telephone again, listened to my concerns, asked me to identify myself and proceeded to hang up again!

As I wrote the above it became clear that there’s no physical or economic damage thus far has been carried out against me. On the other hand, I'm going through the initial stages of a divorce and this service I was providing for my wife, who remains in the house, as a peace offering to somehow make an effort to repair our marriage.

After reading some of the complaints other customers have expressed on this site, I ask if there is not some form of class action that can be initiated against a company that spends a ton of money to give the impression that they are very customer-friendly and customer-oriented when indeed it's apparent from these few experiences DirecTV is anything but. For all we know this company may train their employees to treat people in this manner, feeling they possess some form of monopoly over the industry; thus, falsely giving the impression they may openly and brazenly conduct business in this manner. Needless to say, I have paid the $67.24, yet still I'm told I have no service.

4) Wells Fargo Bank protected DirecTV by refusing to allow me to file a Fraud charge with the bank. Wells Fargo refused to investigate whether DirecTV had a legal right to debit the $378.65 from my account.

DirecTV wrongfully charged us a $378.65 equipment fee. In moving to our new home, DirecTV stated our installer would take back the old DirecTV receivers. The DirecTV installer who arrived wouldn't take back or even identify the receivers owed; stating DirecTV would send us prepaid return postage boxes.

As DirecTV customers for over 11 years, my wife and I combined two DirecTV households. With so many receivers/DVRs. We called DirecTV asking which receivers (via their ID numbers) needed to be returned. Each time DirecTV said this information would be sent to us in the mail. DirecTV then sent two boxes, but failed to include identification information as to which receivers needed to be return.

On February 12, 2010 we called DirecTV for a third time. We had received a bill for $378.65. A DirecTV representative finally told us over the phone which Receiver ID numbers had to be returned. DirecTV said they would send out return shipping boxes and not charge us until the receivers were returned. However, on February 15, 2010, DirecTV in direct contradiction to the February 12, 2010 phone call, debited my bank account $378.65 without my permission, knowledge and without waiting a single business day for the receivers to be returned. As we stated in the February 12, 2010 phone call, we were more than willing to drop the DirecTV receivers off or give them to the installer as we were instructed by DirecTV to do. However, DirecTV refused to open either option to us. Instead, without prior warning, DirecTV fraudulently debited my bank account.

In calling DirecTV to have the $378.65 equipment fee reversed, DirecTV flatly refused. We even called and left two messages for Donna S., DirecTV's Senior Manager for Customer Satisfaction. Ms. Donna never returned either phone call. DirecTV acted in bad faith and has thus far caused $70.00 in bank overdrafts fees. Basically, DirecTV is scamming former customers, extorting additional funds illegally. Everyone at DirecTV feels their company can invade a customer's bank account anytime they want. More onerous is the fact that DirecTV absolutely is convinced that no one will stop them.

In contacting Wells Fargo Bank, I learned that that the financial institution would not allow me to levy a fraud claim against the bank, claiming that I had signed a contract with Wells Fargo Bank. When I asked Wells Fargo Bank to product this contract, they stated that it was my responsibility. I reiterated that Wells Fargo Bank was never given legal permission to debit by account.

At that time, I was 79 years old, disabled with a spinal cord problem, diabetic and had been and still was suffering from numerous medical problems. I have only a social security income aided occasionally by the odd teaching job. I was inundated with Medical co-pays. Therefore, I took this offer as even the tiniest savings was of importance to me. Being unable to drive or get out much, television was the one luxury I have. I believed every word the representative told me.

DirecTV was the company who installed the service, and I paid Verizon regularly each month by check for the package which included all three services. Due to my age and disability I never carry balances on credit cards, and only use them rarely in an emergency, as there is no way I can guarantee a regular payment ahead I stay away from charging bills.

In late July, a friend who came to stay with me to help me following hospitalization ran into problems with Verizon regarding a wireless telephone which she had installed for her business whilst she was here. Answering some calls for her, I found that Verizon were inefficient and very rude, so when she returned to California, I decided to cancel my package with them and return to Brighthouse who by now was offing a similar triple package which included telephone.

There were no monies owing to Verizon as my monthly payment had been made in full, and Verizon accepted the cancellation. I offered to return their equipment but they said I had already purchased it so there was nothing to return, but suggested I called DirecTV myself to arrange for them to pick up their equipment. Their (DirecTV) representative other end of the telephone said, that would be fine however there was a charge for early cancellation.

I said "how could that be, as I had purchased a package from Verizon and was paying Verizon for it, and that Verizon had not provided me with any information either verbally or by letter that there would be such a charge.” I had not had this charge when canceling Brighthouse. He said that DirecTV was a separate service not connected to Verizon, and that their rules were that I had to keep the service for one year or more before I could cancel it, or pay a penalty.

I told him I could not possibly do that and had I been informed of that situation, I would not have taken any of the Services in the package, as there was no guarantee due to my age and very low income that I would have let myself in for such a future commitment. He said, not to worry, just put the service on vacation for the next six months or more. I had had it for approximately 6 months that would add up to the year and I would probably only have to pay a nominal sum for a balance to the end of the month.

I was appalled to find that this was not a whole package at all. And even though Verizon did not have a penalty, DirecTV did, but I believed what their representative told me and put the service on vacation for six months, I would not be paying monthly payments. I continued to be sick, was in a couple of accidents and hospitalized, and was indeed sick until January of this year. Hardly ever watched the home TV, I was in a Nursing Home or staying with my son.

In late December 2009 or early in January 2010, I called DirecTV and asked them to pick up their equipment. They billed me I think it was $197. I called them wondering what that charge was for, thinking it was something to do with sending back the equipment. It was then I was told I owed $399 for early cancellation. I told them what have just related to you, but they said, and very rudely that I had to pay. Otherwise, I would have their collectors hounding me day and night. I explained that I had taken a package from Verizon and there was no mention of any such circumstances of any kind made to me. He said I still have to pay, so I ended the conversation.

I heard no more from DirecTV and I thought that they had made a mistake. However, when my credit card bill came in, I found that they had charged my card without authorization from me and without my knowledge. They had obtained my credit card number from somewhere, I had not given it to them, as I always pay for utilities and services by check, including Verizon.

I called the credit card company and they took this up and disputed the bill. I received a letter from DirecTV saying that the credit card charge had been reversed and that I must immediately pay the full sum. I called my credit card, and they told me verbally from their dispute office that the matter was still under dispute. I wrote and called DirecTV saying that no information had been provided me about such a clause that as far as Verizon had made me aware all I had to do was to pay the monthly bill which I did and was totally ignorant of any penalty, until, by cancelling the Verizon package, I ran into this.

To add insult to injury, when I returned the equipment, DirecTV sent me three boxes, huge ones with one pad inside each and a shipping label, one for each small TV box. It was quite a job for me to handle the boxes, and also when I placed one little control box into the big cardboard box, even with the pad and small amount of packing which was included, it was not nearly enough to prevent the equipment jumping around during transit.

I called DirecTV and suggested that if all three of the little boxes were placed in one large box together with the three pads and packing it would travel more safely, and also would be easier for me to handle. My right leg and foot are partially paralyzed, and I keep losing my balance. Lifting and moving around three huge boxes, was not be easy for me. The representative I talked to said, "yes of course you can put them in one box" I did so, and called UPS who collected them. I had put one label on the box, the DirecTV representative did not tell me to put all three labels on the outside of the box, so I put two inside the box with the equipment.

UPS emailed me and said they could not deliver the box. I guess I must have put the wrong one of the three labels on the box. I called DirecTV and told them, and they said I would have to go to the UPS Office, collect the box, take it back and repack the three little boxes into the large ones. Three more labels would be sent, and UPS would pick it up. I said that I could not get to the UPS office to take back the original box. They put the phone down. I waited until about the third week in January, figuring that they arranged for UPS to resend the box from their Office. Then I received a letter threatening a charge for the boxes as I had not returned them. I called again, and I heard no more except a demand for the early cancellation charge. I figure that they by now have had the good sense to have UPS return the box from the UPS Office, but after this awful experience with them I have no surety of this.

I am mentioning this as then you can see how each representative who answers the phone tells a different story. You will find three websites, telling about the hundreds of people who have been tricked in various ways by DirecTV and also of a class action suit against them in Arizona. Many of the people have listed numerous complaints against this company including very similar experiences as I have had. If one looks at the DirecTV web page, it is full of alluring offers, and nowhere amongst these offers is listed the early cancellation charge. It is mentioned on the website, but these papers are not presented to a customer it seems, and certainly not in the package which Verizon induces people to take.

I do not have the money to pay this or fight against it. I am having sleepless nights worrying about it, and am not in the best of health. I also have more medical problems ahead of me. I simply do not know what I can do as my Social security is only $730 per month, only half comes from the USA the rest is paid in pounds from England incurring a fluctuating exchange rate. I still do not know what is going to happen. I am hoping the TV studio will investigate. After reading some of the letters to your site, I am now also worried that they will come after me for the equipment, even though I have a receipt from UPS for the first pick up.

When I called again to ask how they could lie to me again they told me that this credit they were giving me expired and so on. This company manipulates people to keep them going with their services. They are saying one thing and doing another. I decided I will take the $20 monthly penalty when I couldn’t deal with their lies and deceit anymore. What they did they charged my bank account $340 immediately without any authorization on my side or without sending me a final bill. When I asked Jessie the supervisor she knew her script. She said they can charge me whatever they think I owe right away. It messed up my account balance but they didn't care. Buyer, please beware before you choose this company for cable. They will manipulate and deceive you and you will pay the price.

Not only they charged me all this penalty at once but they didn't even give me a chance to look at the bill and check if the charges are accurate and give me any time to pay this bill. I will contact a consumer attorney and I want to sue because the reason I decided to cancel early was because of the lying and the fake promises of this company. If you join them you will never be able to know exactly how much you owe. And when you will be told one amount I promise you that amount will be charged for a month or two and then they will increase it hoping that you will pay and you won't keep track of it.

Later they will charge you for early cancellation when the real reason you won't to get rid of the service is because they are dishonest manipulative and deceiving. Buyer beware! Avoid the DirecTV scam! My balance is -200. It is Monday and I have until Friday until I get paid. They charged my account two days after the cancellation. They didn't even send me an accurate bill so that I have any time to manage my balances and pay. I am left with no money in the account for a week and the only option is to cancel this transaction with my bank as unauthorized and see if this works.

I do not know why now they say it is the equipment and it is faulty. I have many movies I have recorded on my DVR. and they will take it away. I paid for that TV and now they will take my DVR and the recorded movies and programs that I have been keeping. How can they do that, just because they think they own the equipment. Is there no justice for TV viewers? How can we stop this blatant control over our entertainment and news or whatever freedom we have with the TV, supposed to be free airways.

I have paid my bill as stated in the contract, but on Thursday 18th, 2010, I did downsize my TV to the programming I need and I cut off all my movie channels except for "showtime." I think that is why they have cut off my service. I do not know what to do. I am an elderly person. I am on disability and I cannot afford to go out to movies or anything else. This is my only form of entertainment I have. The only source of connection I have to the community I live in. I am pretty much home-bound. I do not know where to turn. Please help me and others like me.

I called back tonight (twice), 2-20-10, and was told that me and my friend were declined the referral fee (rep also said letter was sent out stating this, which it was). Both times, I finally got to talk to a supervisor who after hearing my issue, put me on hold and let me hang on the air forever. The second time, the supervisor hung up on me. I will never, ever refer anyone to this malarky. They (DirecTV) even have a message while you are on hold talking about their honesty and integrity (yeah right)! What hypocrites. I find DirecTV to be unprofessional, rude and basically dishonest in their business endeavors. This is a sham and a scam!

If I order a pizza, I receive the pizza and pay for the pizza. If the pizza guy gives the pizza to me and walks away without taking the payment for the pizza, not my fault. If he comes back three years later, with no documentation that I ever ordered the pizza, sorry, but I am not paying. Watch out for this shady business practice, they could actually build up a huge bill without your knowing it, then jab you in the neck at the end of your contract. Stay away! They have told me that this will go on my credit report. Fine, I will dispute it.

They stated that their HD service was free and that they could also give me 1 DVR receiver, 1 HD receiver and 2 regular receivers for the price of $56.99/month for 1 yr if I agreed to a 24-month contract. I asked them, "So my monthly bill will be $56.99/mo?" and the agent stated yes. I agreed to the quote and set up a date for installation. That night I discussed the quote/offer with my wife and we decided that we needed two DVR's and that we should stay with our current carrier because we currently had 2 DVR's.

I then called DirecTV back and stated that I would like to cancel the installation as I had decided that I was going to stay with my current carrier because I really needed 2 DVR's. The agent on the phone stated that I could obtain a 2nd DVR if I paid $100 upfront for the additional DVR. I asked them if I were to do that what my monthly bill would be, if it would still be $56.99/month for 1 yr. The agent on the phone said, "Yes, your monthly bill would still be $56.99." I then asked now after a yr what my bill would be. She quoted me $86.99. I then again asked so what is going to be my monthly bill. The agent stated it is going to be $56.99/per month. I agreed to continue with their service agreeing to pay $56.99/month. When they arrived to install the boxes, I asked them, "so what is my bill going to be?" The techs said its whatever was agreed upon at the initial call.

On 2/19/10, I received my bill of $68.31. I immediately called DirecTV and told them there was some kind of error on my billing and that I was quoted $56.99 and my bill is showing I owe $68.31. The agent stated that I was being charged an additional $15 dollars for the receivers and I also noticed I was charged $10/month for HD service that was originally quoted as free. DirecTV stated that they would not change the bill nor would they let me out of the contract without paying a huge disconnection fee.

DirecTV misrepresented their services and their price. They need to be held accountable for the misrepresentation that they give to future customer. We are now stuck in a 2 yr contract, paying more than we agreed to originally or forced to pay $460 to cancel.

When I submitted for my rebate, DirecTV denied it saying I didn't follow the proper procedure of ordering service through BestBuy, which I fully understood. However, it was DirecTV's fault for giving me false information in the first place. They should honor their representative's mistake and have me take the hit. I'll cancel DirecTV as soon as the cancellation fee is manageable.

I have been a DirecTV customer for many, many years and it has never been a contract based service since I became a customer. They insist that when I called to add a box that I entered into a contract at that time. They insist the Rep told me that I would be under a contract but they cannot tell me who that Rep is. I know who I talked to that day but they do not, but insist this Rep told me I'd be in a contract. When the box was added, again, there was no mention of a contract and a contract was never signed. I am now going to pursue small claims court. I will be sending a certified letter within the next day or two.

When we went to cancel our contract with DirecTV two months later, they stated because we had bundled, we automatically had a one year extension on our contract. We contested it with the manager. They said no, we would have to pay. I sent DirecTV a letter as per the back of their bill's directions when contesting a bill and told them I wanted a copy of the contract showing where we agreed to said extension or a copy of the recorded conversation showing that we agree to a one year extension and asked for arbitration if they still disagreed with our contention of no valid contract.

The next thing I know, they put me in collections. I notified the collection company and DirecTV with certified letters (return receipt) that they had not provided any proof of said contract extension and I also contacted AT&T who could not provide me a copy of the recorded conversation. They now have sent me a letter saying I still owe and have no responded back to any of my request for proof. They are arrogant and act as if they can do what they want with proof and any commitment. They have damaged my credit by reporting this to a credit reporting agency and caused me mental grief and anguish over their total disregard of my rights as per the back of their billing statement which says I have the right to appear before arbitration on this matter. They have totally disregarded this even though I requested arbitration.

We discussed the issues and they admitted the guide/auto-tune is for shorter periods than in the past. I spoke to the CEO's assistant in Denver about the auto-tune/guide issue as well and ended that call also by saying we are changing to DISH NETWORK. The CEO's own assistant had my account up on her screen and never informed me that my account hadn't in fact been closed based upon my initial call to disconnect. I reiterated we are closing our account and changing to DISH NETWORK and the phone call ended.

However, I still got a bill in the mail for the next month from DirecTV. I almost tossed it, but thought I better call DirecTV to be sure they understood we closed our account. Sure enough, they hadn't closed our account from the first call and so are charging us the pro-rated fees for the days between our initial disconnection call and today's call, saying they will automatically take it off the credit card used to pay the account. Also, every time I called I was given a hard time by the CSR. I asked for a supervisor but was only transferred to another (lateral) CSR who spoke even less English than the first, and every time I was disconnected while finally being transferred to a supervisor on the second attempt. Each time I had to call again and start all over until finally reaching a supervisor who claimed they could do nothing. High blood pressure and palpitations are the consequences. And probably at least $50 overcharge due to their lies.

After DirecTV provided no information, American Express credited my account for both charges on Dec. 28, 2009. Since then, DirecTV is harassing me with phone calls (1-3 times a day) but never leaves messages. I now recognize the number **. They haven't sent me anything in writing. A credit collection agency in New Market, MD called me this past Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2009 to which I told the entire story--dispute, credit, etc.--and told them not to ever call me again. To date, they have not called back. What are my rights? How can I get them to stop calling me? Can they report me to the collections for this when my credit card agreed they provided no basis for the charges? I am aware of other state-initiated class action lawsuits and hope one is on the way nationally. I would like to be informed if a federal/national class action suit against DirecTV is initiated. Thank you.

First threat was if I say anything or try to take any action against them for any reason or even complain, we will take legal action and do anything we see fit to do to get our money. Stop or else. Second time now its fraud, theft, and defamation of character. They have poor service. They misinform, misuse and abuse the system, forget to put an account change in your account with out your permission. Put into record what they deem fit.So on 03-10-2010, I will be forced to pay directly $60.07 for their lie to Chase. If I dare say anymore to them I feel that I will be put in jail.

"Supervisor" was eventually reached (as a courtesy, and to expedite matters, I offered to use phone number the supervisor called me from the previous Saturday, but it was declined) and I was overhearing the conversation and learning that I required a "SLM" or "SWM" and "everything needed to be cancelled and started from the beginning", and "she already registered" and so forth. The installer offered his phone to me to speak with the person myself. I first wanted to know why an upgrade was required when I had a verbal agreement or contract previously negotiated. The explanation was simply that I required it, my home required it and I could not have the installation without it.

To make matters worse, because I now needed an upgrade, I no longer qualified for the promotional offer because it expired earlier this month! I would pay $22 more per month or could not have Direct TV. It was obvious the installer wanted to have a quick decision from me, as did the person on the phone. I was not willing to give my consent for any more money when the promo wasn't honored. No conditions or qualifications were presented to me at the time of the sales call and there was never an apology for not showing up on the original installation day or an adequate explanation why an HD upgrade was mandatory for the service. Ultimately, I explained the way I felt: misled and baited and switched. I asked to have my verbal agreement cancelled, and was told it would be. I called the toll free number to register a complaint. A supervisor listened to my situation, apologized, and said the only thing that he could do was let 'corporate' know about it.

For all of his polite listening skills, he never offered to regain me as a customer, it simply never entered into any of the conversations with any of these three people, which is really unfortunate. When I again asked for an explanation of the reason for the required upgrade, our connection was immediately ended. The supervisor never called back. To sum it up, I just want other people to be aware of the hidden costs, deceptive practices, and certain disregard for the time or money of potential customers. One more quirky thing, I received a call from someone (**) within a couple hours who learned I had a bad experience with Direct TV and wanted to install Dish for me.

He confirmed all we owed was the regular payment of 29.99 due in March. That was yesterday, February 16. Pulling up the e-mail due notice, they still have the 71.91 as due. Numerous calls to several people in customer service i.e., Sandra, Jeff, and others. I had to explain the whole situation over and over again, and they say it is up to us to have the information on the check in question sent to them. Even though it was their error. My wife is quite upset over this because she is handling this paying arrangement for her mother, 94 years old, and doesn't need this aggravation.

On 2/17/10, I received a bill for a Pay Per View charge dated 2/12/10 to 3/11/10. I contacted DirecTV and stated that I did not have the service then. Sally explained that the movie was from 2006. When I asked Sally to speak to her supervisor, I became "disconnected". I called back and spoke to Natalie from Alabama and spoke to her for 45 minutes. I asked for documentation stating that I had never been double billed for this movie. She could not provide me with this nor a fax number in case I had a bill. She then laughed and stated that the charge was only for $3.99. I then stated that she should take it off then since she could not provide documentation. She stated that her records cannot go back that far now and did not/would not elaborate on it any further. I feel that if you cannot provide documentation for a service, then how do you expect someone to pay for it?

When I had called the customer service in early February to have this problem fixed, I was told I would not be charged as I was still under their so-called warranty. When I received my bill this month, I was charged for the service. I sent an email complaining and said I was told I would not be charged. Another example of DirecTV screwing over their customer. I told them I was going to file a complaint with the FTC, the Attorney General's office, etc., as they should honor their commitment of not charging if they said they would not charge.

Does any company in this country have any moral ethics left? I am finding out the answer seems to be no. It’s costing me more money than I expected. I would like to cancel DirecTV but I am afraid they are going to charge my credit card or take money out of my bank account. Companies who do business fraudulently should be allowed to go under. File lawsuits against them. We know Congress won't do anything about the big corporations, so I guess it is still ** the customer in this country.

I called to make sure I was still getting mine (this time a guy) and he could have told me then to re-sign to auto-pay and I would've been okay. But he said you just need a DVR-HD receiver to qualify and you have that so, yes, you will get the $100.00 gift card. Okay, good. Well, I get a postcard in mail on Saturday, 2-13-10, saying because I was not on auto-pay for 60 days I'm not eligible for the gift card. I have sent several emails and made several phone calls which have all been of no help! Always get a different person and none can help. All they can say is sorry, but there is nothing they can do! Do not get DirecTV! I was threatened when I want to cancel and I got same response as so many others. I've been reading about $400 early cancellation fees. Their customer care policy is a lie if you go to their website and read it!

$120 out for the old product and $160 out for the new accessories because I'm cancelling my service with this criminal cartel.

On March 4th of 2009, I got a bill from DirecTV. After 3 hours on the phone with them, they said they would credit me the amount. 6 weeks or so later, I got a letter from a collection agency saying I owed DirecTV $90 for services. I called them and was told to pay it before making a written request for an investigation into the bill that was previously resolved. I paid it under the premise that I would get the money back.

After sending the letter 3 times, once by certified mail that showed received and twice by fax as per their instructions, they just kept telling me to call back. Today, February 15th of 2010, almost a year later, 7 hours or more on the phone with them later and 3 letters later, the representative is telling me that they will not credit me the money even though it's a bill for January 25th of 2009 to March 4th of 2009 because they only show the service as being canceled on March 4th. But she also says they show that the representative never installed service but that since I didn't "cancel" the service that they are allowed to bill me for it even though they never installed it. The technician who came to install it never told me to call in for a follow up and neither did any representative I've spoke with since March 4th of 2009.

After 3 months I'm still not paying $29.99 per month. They have said when I've called that I missed the billing date cutoff date. Now I come to my most recent problem with them. When I called to sign up for their service I was asked if my television was HD. I said it was. When the technician came to my condo to install the unit he said even though the television said HD it wasn't compatible with their HD receiver. He said he couldn't install the HD dish either. There already was a dish on my back patio from the previous tenants.

To summarize: he only left a standard receiver and no dish. I told the technician it would be several months before I could buy an HD television. He said to call DirecTV back after I purchase the television. He said they would come out and install the HD dish and HD receiver. Boy, was he wrong. I was on the phone with DirecTV for 90 minutes yesterday (February 15th, 2010). Three times one of their reps disconnected the call. I was told I would have to pay $179 for the new dish and receiver. Are you kidding me?! I would never have signed up with them if it weren't for the NFL Sunday ticket package. I had several people tell me they are a horror to deal with and now I believe that. Their reps are uneducated. They are rude. Can someone help me either get me the equipment for free or help me cancel my contract? I'd rather spend Sundays in the fall in a sports bar than have to deal with these people again. Thank you.

The bank told me they would return the amount that DirecTV took from my account if I would deposit the same to match. I did. The bank then states it cannot since I had a contract with DirecTV. The bank contacted DirecTV and requested they send me the contract. I told the bank and DirecTV that I never signed a contract (I turned my home upside down looking for the thing. No contract. I never received a copy of the contract I supposedly signed from DirecTV. DirecTV told the bank that I would receive a box by FedEx to send the DVR back to them. I did receive the box with packing/tape. However, having worked for Public Storage, I knew the DVR would not get there in one piece. The box was not the correct size; they had enclosed "one" piece of tape that would not secure the box from opening. I was told by the employee of Public Storage that they had seen this before. If I used a more proper box with better packing and proper type of tape to secure the box, DirecTV would state that the DVR was damaged and would not return the $175 deposit for the DVR to my bank account. The address where I sent the box was different than who delivered it. He was a contract employee and had no idea how to get in touch with him.

It started in Oct. 2006 when we called in for service because we had no service. We were told by a female service person that it would be 4 weeks before someone could get here to work on our system. I told them that was not acceptable, but if they could come in 2 or 3 days that would be all right. She said that would not be possible. So I asked her to cancel our servicer and send me a bill I would be getting someone else. Basic Communications came the next day, Oct. 24, 2006, and set up a new dish. My contract with DirecTV was 14 months old at this time. They only had originally set up for a 12-month contract. Six months latter DirecTV went into my credit card account unauthorized and took out $176.00.

After many phone calls I was told by DirecTV it was for service, the service that I had cancelled 6 months earlier. They said they had no record of that cancellation. Someone did not do their job when I called in to make the cancellation. We did get our money back because DirecTV never had authorization to go into our account. We tried to contact DirecTV on numerous occasions but they would not respond. We gave up trying after a year. We are still getting harassing calls and received letters threatening all sorts of things.

Recently my daughter and her husband cancelled DirecTV. Direct then went into their bank account and took out 2 months payments they didn't owe. DirecTV also did not have the authority to go into their account. My daughter and her husband are in the process of trying to work this out with the bank to straighten out the mess made by DirecTV going into their account. Isn't taking money from and account without being authorized illegal? We had to have our credit card numbers changed, and we worry all the time about what they will do next. The constant harassment is very wearing.

Money was taken out of my account and I missed a day's pay to be there waiting for the installation guy and I was denied service. They never called me or anything else.

I asked them to pull the original call so they can confirm the amount I was quoted and there was no disclosure on the amount of time and I that the monthly fee would not be $29.99. All supervisors advised they are not able to pull a call though their recording. They advise all calls are recorded and they could not help. I told them since I was mislead and information was not fully disclosed that I want the service canceled. They advised that I have to pay the cancellation fee. I explain that this should not be charged to me since they are not honoring what was quoted to me in the call. Again, they advised they cannot pull the call.

I am changing services to Comcast but do not feel it is fair that I have to pay a cancellation fee for a service that I was mislead on actually lied too. I feel they should credit this cancellation fee since they already overcharged me for the last 3 months. Can you please assist me with this?

I then called DirecTV back and tried several more things when the tech. decided that she would send me some little wire thing that hooked to the back of the box. It came in the mail, I hooked it up and it worked for about 3 hours. I called DirecTV back and it was decided that it was a bad box. I asked if one could be sent out to me and was told no, a service tech would have to come out. We set up the service call. The tech came out and replaced the box.

When I looked at my bill, I saw a $49.95 service charge. When I called to inquire about this charge, I was told that it was for the service call. Ok now, I have a few problems with this: first, no one told me of this charge. Second, this equipment belongs to DirecTV, we lease this box. Why should I be responsible to pay a service tech to come out and replace DirecTV equipment? This equipment does not belong to me. Well, I was told that had I had the service agreement ($5.99 a month) that the call would have been free. Imagine that, me not having to pay to fix someone else's equipment.

I am really [upset] about this whole situation. This is not a way to make happy customers. DISH network or cable TV is starting to look better and better. Hey, maybe some attorney reading this would like to file a class action suit against DirecTV for forcing customers to pay for replacing their defective equipment. If anyone out there has any ideas about how to make DirecTV understand they cannot and should not do this, please call or email me. I was forced to pay $49.95 for a service I did not request and told DirecTV was not necessary.

The tech came out that Saturday (Jan 2) and the TV was fine. But I still had no telephone or DSL. Time went on and there was still no phone. I called back several times, was transferred all over the place, to no avail. Then AT&T called and claimed to be having trouble getting my phone put in; this went on and on giving me several install dates but then cancelling. I called DirecTV back and reminded them about their "partnership" advertisement, which is clearly worded on the website as such. I told them they should be involved in this because this is what they are advertising, but they could do nothing about my phone service because they were not the phone company. They are clearly working as partners and as such it was their place to speak up and make their partner live up to the phone end of the contract. They said it was not their responsibility even though it was advertised as such!

They then turned around and told me I did not sign up for the "Bundle". I gave them my number and they found the number was indeed associated with my name but there was no information on the screen. That is not my fault that their phone representative messed up, but by having the confirmation number it proves I spoke to someone. They said without screen info, they would not honor the confirmation number. I asked them how they thought I got the number and they said they could not explain it but with their screen not being filled out, I was out of luck. What? It sounded to me like one of their reps had messed up and they did not want to own up to it. I did not just make the number up; it was given to me when I first called.

I ended up calling the Public Service commission about the phone company, who missed yet another install deadline. I was having to go over to my estranged husband's house or ask friends to use their internet services. Well, I finally got tired of not getting phone service and no help with DirecTV's "advertised partner", I called a cable service who came out and made it all happen in one day. AT&T had finally come out with some partial service 2 days before the cable guy showed up, but by then I was livid and tired of having to go other places to use my computer.

I called DirecTV to cancel and they insisted even though all my services were not completed I still was in a "valid" contract with them. They never would accept the explanation that if they did not fulfill all the terms they are clearly advertising that the contract is not valid. I told them I would pay one bill just to keep my credit intact, but would dispute any further charges. He told me I had 60 days to dispute the charges; and that the charges would apply in 3 months.

I got my credit card bill the other day and they did not give me the chance to dispute the charges. They placed $300 against my credit before the week was out! Now, not only did I not receive the advertised package even though I have a confirmation number, they did not even give time for any dispute to go through, they just took my money.

I was the one who was present and spoke to the installer when the DirecTV receivers and dish was delivered and installed, at no time was I told that the dish and connections from the dish to the house and receivers was leased nor was I told that we were buying the dish and as the owners of the dish all repairs, replacement and service concerning the dish and connectors became the customer’s headache.

Satellite providers seem to have several loopholes in their contracts with customers that allow them to collect hidden fees or charges that the customer is not made aware of at the time the customer enters into a contract with them. There needs to be better regulation requiring that the contract be made clear, and each clause concerning added fees and charges, ownership of the dish be explained fully to the customer before the contract is signed giving the customers all of the information before they obligate themselves to a 2 year contract.

So I order it and cancel my Dish that I have had for 6 years. I get my first bill and it was $89.00 and I called and they said my rebates had not posted and on my next bill it would only be $39.00. This month, I get a bill and it is $65.25. I called again and they said I was getting the most rebates that they could offer me and I would have to pay $480.00 to get out of my contract. I told them that I ask before I ordered how much it would be for the same as I was getting at Dish Network and they said too bad, they don't know what the salesman said. I know that I was being recorded when I bought the service. I talked with the salesman (FSEAIUSER). Please get a copy of the recording and see that he straight out lied to me. My contract should be voided because I was sold under false pretences.

This is just a marketing strategy to force customers to pay extra monthly fees for their protection plan and as such is an unethical way for them to avoid taking responsibility for faulty equipment provided, delivered and installed for them. Once our contract is over, we are hooking up our computer to our TV and watching television shows via the internet for free. We may not be able to record what we watch and we may not have some "perks" but at least we won't be paying an outrageous monthly fee to a company that manipulates their customers in this manner.

I am a single mother in care of a family. One income can barely pay the bills, imagine a charge of $480. This is totally unfair. I will not be able to pay for this and I am afraid they will pull the money out of my bank account and leave me without food for my children.

Then they informed me that I would be receiving a prorated bill for the month. I asked how this could be since it was February and I had called several times trying to cancel my account since December! These people are horrible to their clients. We had the account for two years and never had a late payment, and they still were not willing to admit their mistake and remove the charge of nearly $70 for a service I was not even using. $70, nearly 5 hours on hold. Waste of my time!

My service during the snow storm on 02/03 was out for 24 hours. That's understandable but on 02/07, my screen said to call them. That 4 hours was not in connection and I called to report it and ask for reimbursement for non-service, they refused. Today 02/10, last night service was out and still is now. I called and told them about this and they said they can't do anything about it. I said, "Well, I'm not paying for the service that isn't serviceable to me. They refuse to reimburse the money for non-serviceable days. It cost 400 dollars to disconnect and I'm disgusted with them already.

They signed me up with the DirecTV in 9/2009. Once I received the bill and showed them the discrepancy, the manager promised me to correct it by switching me to Dish Network without any cancellation fee with DirecTV. They opened a Dish Network service for me, sent people to my house to disconnect the device of DirecTV on 1/1/2010 but DirecTV still charged me the full amount of $32 each month up to now, 2/9/2010. DirecTV demands a cancellation fee up to $480 if I cancel the account which provides no service.

The dealer of DirecTV, called Stone International SVC Inc. had sent people to my house to disconnect the device of DirecTV on 1/1/2010 but DirecTV still charged me the full amount of $32 each month up to now 2/9/2010. DirecTV demands a cancellation fee up to $480 if I cancel the account which provides no service. I demand that the dealer, the Stone International Inc cancel the DirecTV service for me, without a cancellation fee on me, to correct their conduct. DirecTV should use the US standards before selecting the dealers, not to recruit dealders that lie to the consumers just to get business for DirecTV.

DirecTV should demand their dealers to show proof of legal immigrant status and proper job training of their employees. Do not use the bad tricks they learned in their home country and add damage to the reputation of the DirecTV. DirecTV should waive the cancellation fee for my account. No matter whatever way, the account will be closed in the future.

The tech that came out was in my house with my wife and two young girls (7 and 9) and was using foul language on his cell phone with a family member he was arguing with. He left the job while the receiver was still updating and never waited to see the final picture. He left my home at 5 that evening. I arrived home at 9 and was not satisfied at all with the picture. I immediately called and said that it was not working properly and went over the technician's behavior in my home. I was re-scheduled with another technician and upon arrival at my home, found out it was the same technician and my wife would not allow him to enter our home. I immediately called again and had another appointment scheduled. No show. My frustration level came to a head and I cancelled the service and had Comcast installed.

Here lies the dilemma. I have paid for the bills in service of which I did receive. I returned the receivers in the boxes provided and was billed for two years of agreement on a receiver that did not work from day one. I completed my end of every part of my agreement with DirecTV and also had another $128.00 taken from my bill that was for remaining service. The final balance for the defective receiver is now $323.93. I am not looking for any credit back but should not have to pay for two years of service of a receiver that did not work from day one. I have made several calls and have been told that if I re-instate my service, that it would be washed. I now have committed to another service and I am not able to do that. I wish the level of customer service that I received after canceling was the same as before ever canceling. Thank you for addressing this.

On 8 February 2010, I received a bill from DirecTV in the amount of $11.26. The bill reflected the $120.00 credit spoken of back in January by the representative. However, I still was not satisfied with the service, and wanted to cancel my bill. The representative said that he was going to take back the $120.00 credit that was already applied to my bill and re-bill me for a larger amount. I asked to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor also said they were going to take the $120.00 credit back and re-bill me. I do not think this is fair, to tell a customer that due to their 10 years of loyalty that they have earned $120.00 in credit which could be applied to their bill, and then take that back because the customer is still not satisfied and wants to cancel the service anyway! Nor do I really think that is legal.

The consequences are that DirecTV was directly misleading and have now caused me additional bills above and beyond the $11.26. They said, I owed after the credit was applied.

Then one day, [they] remove cash from my account. It was over $440.00. This was money I was using to give to my daughters for Christmas and [they] just take it out of my account. That made me so mad, angry and words that I could not describe. Since this incident, I have been calling [them] left and right just about every other day. I want to know the status of my refund. [They] shouldn't make me wait just because [they] made a mistake first of all by taking my cash in the first place back December 22nd, 2009. [They] stated I have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for my refund. Eight weeks from December 22, 2009 is as follows: December 29th - 1 week, February 16 -- 8 weeks.

Called February 8th at 1:24 pm and apparently, the refund was put into the wrong account and they are correcting the problem. It should be put into my account soon. I would really like for my $$$ to be put back into my bank account immediately. I hope someone out there puts my money back immediately.

"The Choice Xtra" Package was supposed to be as follows:

4) 21 premium channels STARX and Showtime for 3 months.

Image my surprise when I realized that the installer had failed to install the DVR that was supposed to be with my package. I upgraded to HD, but did not get a DVR as promised with the package.

When I called repair, they advised I had to "ask for the DVR". What the heck! It was supposed to be part of the promo for the package! I should have know going to DirecTV was a mistake when Sales failed to initiate my account a new. Instead they took the easy way out and showed me as a "Returning Acct", even though I had been gone for two years! This disqualified me for the advertised $100 VISA gift card for new subscribers.

I expect nothing less than the DVR HD-Recorder to be sent to my location free!

If this is not done, I will consider that DirecTV has broken the contract and I am not liable for my two-year contract! You failed to live up to your bargain as per the sales documents you sent to me!

My wife is retired and I'm close. It was her idea to go to DirecTV. We had Dish and did not like the reception, so went back to cable. I have no problems with the reception as yet but my wife can't get any kind of answer from the phone. They tell her we have to go online. I've done this 3 times, like I said, and I am not getting the answer I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just supposed to take the $26 off myself from the monthly bill.

In May 2008, I called DirecTV to add TFC for $25 a month. I was informed they have to re-install a new dish that allows International viewing and they also have to upgrade all four receivers. I found out later that when I added the International channel in May 2008, DirecTV restarted my account for a 2-year contract without any notification. The reason I found this out is when DirecTV did a scam on my husband in July 2009.

On 7/15/09, DirecTV called our land line phone offering discounts for new customer. My husband indicated that he does not have an account with DirecTV and later told the representative that the existing account is under my name. The representative recommended closing the old account and open a new account under my husband's name to get the excellent offer for new customers. My husband agreed with the recommendation and DirecTV re-installed 4 receivers on 7/20/09.

On 7/29/09, I received a bill for the old account charging my credit card for service from 7/25/09 - 8/24/09. I was confused why I am getting a bill from old account when the new account was installed and was in effect on 7/22/09. I called DirecTV customer service and spoke with operator and she informed me the following regarding the account:

1. It was improper to open a new account to receive new customer benefit. My response: This was suggested/recommended by DirecTVs rep when they called my husband.

2. We can either continue paying both accounts for the same service or close the old account. My response: Why would I pay to accounts for the same service?

3. And then she told me that I have to pay the cancellation fee for the 2-year contract. My response: What 2-year contract? I've been with DirecTV since 2003, why am I on a 2-year contract? She informed me when I added the international channel in 2008. Wow! Like I said, no one told me about a 2-year contract when in fact I am providing more business to DirecTV.

Bottom line: DirecTV has forwarded my account balance (cancellation fee for the old account) of $197.33 to a collection agency. I am filing a complaint with the FCC.

Stressed, unlawful, deceptive and ruin my credit reports.

Unfortunately, my parents were not happy with my gift and asked me to cancel the service. The satellite was much larger than I had anticipated and was mounted unflattering on the roof. The cables were run from the roof straight down the side of the house and into an electrical box where a tangled mess of wires extruded from a box left hitched open and exposed to the elements.

When I called to cancel, it was outside of the 15 day buyers remorse period when I would have been allowed to cancel with no penalty. For the record, they did offer to send someone out to try and fix the problem but my parents insisted I get rid of it altogether. I had no choice but to pay the $460 early termination fee. I lobbied for leniency but expected and received none. I understand the need for this fee and have no problem paying it since the contract is meant to recoup losses for the free installation and what I assumed would be the removal of the equipment at the end of the contract.

However, once I cancelled my contract and terminated the service, I was informed that a prepaid box would be sent, so I could mail the receivers and remote controls back. The roof mounted satellite was now mine to keep and they refused to send a technician out to uninstall it or the sloppy wiring job that went with it. It is now my responsibility to remove this equipment from my parents home even though it required the services of a professional technician to install.

This was completely unexpected since 1) they told me that the equipment was on lease and would need to be returned if the service was ever cancelled. They didn't bother explaining that equipment referred only to the receivers and remotes and did not include the actual dish. How would I know that? And 2) they informed me that as an added benefit, they would transfer the service to a new residence for free once a year. To me, this logically implies that they would physically uninstall the dish from the old residence and reinstall it at the new one. I was told it meant only that they would change the address in their system so that the new address could receive service under the same account.

The two biggest concerns from my parents were about what happens when they remove the satellite. Will it leave holes in the roof that may cause leaks? Will the wiring, which looks like its now intricately connected to the phone and internet hook ups, somehow cause malfunction in these other devices once its removed? I dismissed their concerns as overreaction and paranoia since these must be questions that every customer has asked.

Surely a thriving, reputable corporation would have recognized this issue long ago and eliminated this concern through careful planning and training. My theory was founded on the assumption that they would be uninstalling the equipment themselves and be legally liable for any resulting damages. I realize now that by pushing that responsibility onto the ex-customer, they now have a way to deny and refute any claims of accountability and not to mention significantly reduce operating costs.

This situation is unacceptable and extremely deceptive. While researching this topic, I was not surprised to find numerous grievances about the same issue and endless complaints about other shady business practices by DirecTV. I'm certain that this isn't the first or the last complaint you've heard about this company and I hope that sooner or later a class action lawsuit can be brought against them.

I asked when can I expect to get my money and was told that after they deduct $122.00 the balance due me was $241.00 and was told that I should receive it within 4 to 6 weeks. That was on November 16, 2009. It is now February 3, 2010 and I still haven't received my refund. I spoke with several representatives between December 27, 2009 and February 3, 2010 and was given several dates on when I should get my money back and each time it was a different date. On January 19, 2010, I called again, just to find out they haven't processed my request for my refund.

I can understand if this was my fault, but all the errors are from DirecTV. All I want is my money. The damage that has occurred because of their error is my account was overdrawn by $365 because they took my car note money. When my account went into negative, all my checks bounced; each check was $35 and some of my privileges had been suspended, all because they sent equipment boxes to the wrong address.

So they sent up the new receiver, and it seemed to work, but the service was still not great. So we called up to cancel. At that time, they sent us boxes to return the receiver, not saying that we would have a fee for cancelling.

So a month later when $800.00 was removed from my account by DirecTV, I freaked out and called DirecTV, and they explained that $400.00 would be returned to me once the receiver that I returned was processed. But because I had a new receiver sent to me, I was now if fault of an early cancellation. I asked to speak to someone in charge, and I was told that I am not allowed to speak to them, but I could send a letter explaining my situation and they would respond. And they did. They told me sorry, but you owe us $480.00.

So I contacted my bank and disputed the charge with them, and now, DirecTV has a collection agency contacting me daily. It's just insane that they send me a product that doesn't work, and then they charge me for it. One day, you call DirecTV, and that person on the phone agrees with you and that you shouldn't be charged. And then weeks later, you call back, and you get a different person who states you are responsible for the money owed and there is nothing they can do.

I checked my personal bank account and discovered that $423.31 was taken out of my account on December 20, 2009 without my permission for no reason by DirecTV. I have called several times and spoken to several managers for two months now, and they all tell me it will be credited to my account. I have never received any credit back still till this day.

That's when he said that I had an "implied" contract and there was nothing he could do about it. He also said he was certain the installer would have explained all this to me. He did say he would get back to me. I can see why the installer would not have wanted to tell me that my service cost would jump by $30 or so at the end of the year, and, oh, by the way, if you even think about canceling, we can charge your credit card $240! What kind of way would that be for him to make his commission?

No damage yet. I'll have to cancel and I'll also work out with my credit card how to keep them from charging me the $240. I may have to cancel the card.

I was assured by Dakota in June that this charge would be removed and that they had made an error in sending it to collections since the service never worked. Now I have to go through this process with them again after they have sent the account to yet another collections agency. The bottom line is, if the service had worked we would have kept it and paid for it. The balance of $496.60 is what they are trying to charge as a cancellation fee when it is not our fault that their service does not work in our area.

Well, when the next bill came, there's no credit.

I called, and they apologized and said I would get $100 credit. I thought OK, I won't battle this one. I'm OK with $100. I was told not to pay the current bill and I would have a small credit on the next one. Then by email, I got a late reminder. I emailed that I should have a credit memo. They emailed that they had no record. I called and was told the credit was for $10.00.

I asked for a supervisor, and he offered me $3 and change! He stated the former supervisors had exceeded their authority, and the credit was revoked. He stated he felt that this could be an act of fraud. I asked if he thought I was a fraud, and he said no but felt fraud was in play. I told him to keep the $3 and apply it to a better customer service training program. (I felt that each person lowered the credit memo so soon it was in danger of becoming a debit memo!) No one felt informing me was important.

My point is they are unprofessional and untruthful. They do not honor their own word. They agreed I had been offered these credit memos but revoked them. They do not state who they are; they say anything to get you off the phone and then promises are ignored. If you tell a customer you are going to do something, you honor it. They are spending millions to attract new customers and nothing to keep them as happy loyal clients. They force you into the "2-year contract" and then hold you hostage to their policies and oftentimes, bad service. This problem was addressed by one supervisor who was overruled by another.

At the end of the day, service is eroded and prices are up and corporations feel they can abuse us at will. I would recommend the end of contracts, which would force real competition back into the market place and all this sort of customer abuse would cease. Color me "Done With Contracts." Our political leaders keep cheering about a free marketplace, but their forcing consumers into bad contracts is not freedom and perhaps that is where the "fraud" odor rises from.

I paid the bill in full and canceled premium service and will delete one TV for now. I will begin to shop for a new provider and will forward this to the FTC and the FCC. I was made to feel that I was trying to avoid my obligation. I happily pay for what I get. When I am forced to pay for what I do not get, that is bordering on criminal.

"This is outrageous," I told them. But they will not budge. I did some research online and have found they have pulled this same trick on literally thousands of people. There are now class action suits in California and Washington regarding this exact issue. Hopefully, one will happen in Texas, and I can sign up.

They said that as long as the suspension was in place there would be no charges incurred for a period of six months. We never got suspension terms and conditions. When we called to cancel in January 2009 we also told them our new address and paid the remaining balance on the account otherwise it would not had been able to go into suspension. In July/August we got a bill saying we had an outstanding balance because the account was activated by their system automatically after six months. We told them at that moment that we would pay the new outstanding balance and cancel the account.

Again, we were told we could have another suspension in order to continue being customers of DirecTV. They said that they would credit the account to get rid of those charges if we agreed to suspension. All we need to do is let them know when we are able to re-instate service if conditions change prior to the six months ending. We agreed to suspend and in November we got another bill (by the way all the bills only got to us because the post office forwarded them to our new address which means they never updated our address).

We called back and asked them why we were being charged for a service that was suspended for six months. They said that because we need to let them know if we want to continue suspension every three months not six months. So, they ended up giving us a credit because their system automatically activated the account and they wanted to keep us as customers. It is now January 2010 and we are being billed an amount due for service that is not connected but is activated by a system. Their automatic system needs to be investigated.

How can they be charging a service that is not connected simply because a system activates an account. It is unreasonably foreseeable and unfair to those who in good faith want to continue being customers of DirecTV. With people losing their homes or moving to places where they can not have a DirecTV dish, it is unreasonable to charge for a service that is not being used. Can't this be tracked through the cards installed in their receivers? Or have a clause in their contracts that have suspension terms and conditions just like cancellation terms?

We liked DirecTV and have actively been looking for a place of our own and re-instate their service, all they did was lose 3 customers; me, my parents, and my aunt in San Diego are going to get rid of DirecTV.

He told me I had a 2 year contract. I knew nothing of a 2-year contract, just the 1-year deal I was getting. He went on to tell me that it wasn't his problem that Qwest employees were improperly trained and didn't tell me about the 2-year contract. He then went on to tell me it was my fault for not contacting DirecTV and clarifying what I was buying. I have had problems with this dish the entire time - just rain makes at least 10 channels go out for hours on end.

I can't afford this cancellation fee and the jerk on the phone argued with me for 10 minutes about it not being his problem and his training says this and his training says that. I haven't received the fees yet because I haven't canceled service. Thankfully they don't have a credit card on file to take whatever they want straight from my account. Unfortunately my credit can't take any more hits. DirecTV needs to grow a conscience.

I told them I wanted to cancel and they told me it would be $480 to cancel the contract. I sent the boxes back and told them to come get the dish. I did not sign a contract ,only an acknowledgment of receiving the dish. DirecTV turned it over for collections and they have harassed me every day. My credit shows bad and my home owner's insurance was increased $600.

The thing is my friend sent me an e-mail via DirecTV's web site with his name and account number on it and a link to DirecTV's sign-up over the web friend and family program. They acknowledge that I signed up through their web site but they said that there had been a ruling and my account and I was denied the credit and that was the end of it. The snail mail letter was also wrong. It says my friend did not sign up correctly so I should get the credit for him signing up. The trouble is, I did sign anyone up, I signed up through a friend. Please help.

When I called to cancel my service on 10/15/09, Reginald informed me that there was cancellation fee. I stated that I didn't feel that I was responsible for the charge. Had DirecTV provided that service I was promised, I would not have had to cancel it. Well, I did not receive a bill, so I was under the impression that my explanation was satisfactory. Today, three months after I cancelled, I received a letter from a collection agency, Allied Interstate. Rhonda of DirecTV customer service was not able assist me in this matter nor would she connect me to a supervisor who could. She would only provide me with the address above, but no phone number.

We are seeking legal representation at this time and will not pay another dime till this bill is adjusted correctly as solicited. What is the complete sports package? We never watch NFL game that was not on Basic TV. Why were we lied to about the monthly service fee and free sports package? They owe us $500 for construction. That’s over $1000 of fraudulent rip-offs and damage, not counting the credit contest.

So I am stuck in the contract and I am getting close to paying off my 24 months of extra time. I called to cancel and was emphatically promised that my extension is paid off. I told them to close the account. One month later, I got shocked with a $196.00 early termination fee. I called on 1/21/2010 and was assured that it was a mistake and that the charge would be removed from my credit card. Of course, DirecTV did not keep a promise. A week passed, no credit. So I called back again on 1/28/2010. After 90 minutes on the phone, I was told that the cancellation department made an error and that the charge is valid. They will issue a $97.50 credit.

Bottom line: DirecTV is dishonest. They didn't screw me just once, but 3 different occasions. I learned to ask the reps to put lengthy notes on my account when they "fix" something. What I learned is that notes are taken, but they will not keep their word. My phone call yesterday, the rep acknowledged that I was promised a full refund, but they were going to renege on it. Amazing! Do not use DirecTV. No matter what some of the crazy posts from their employees state, they are very dishonest. It is a major ordeal to take them to court, but I may just take them to small claims court.

In addition, once you cancel your service and send back their equipment, they immediately re-lease it anyway, so they have minimal monthly revenue loss from that lease. Also, the fees I paid for the service are re-sold to another poor schmuck immediately as well. These are unfair and predatory business practices. Not to mention the fact that they had the guts to charge an 11-year customer these deactivation and cancellation fees with only 10 months left on a contract. In these economic times, these cancellation fees should be waived.

They can re-sell my spot and re-lease my equipment and still get their money. I am being charged over $200 to cancel my service and terminate my contract 10 months early. I also now have to purchase a digital converter box and antennae so I can watch "free" TV. I feel sorry for the older folks who can't afford this "luxury" of watching satellite TV. Shame on DirecTV.

The first person argued with me that I have to pay for the service first and then it would be credited on the next bill. I told her it was supposed to be free and if it wasn't free, I wanted to cancel. She transferred me to the cancellation department where they told me that Showtime was free for three months and I could not cancel in the middle of the promotional period. I insisted that the service was free and I wanted my credit back on my account and wanted Showtime turned off. Showtime was turned off on January 19, 2010. When I received my bill in February, they had only credited my account $9.96 instead of $14.29. I contacted them once again and was advised that I had ended the program in the middle of the month and therefore only received a partial credit. I repeated once again that the programming was free!

She repeated the same thing over and over again until I asked to speak with her supervisor. She then offered to give me another 3 months of Showtime for free which I declined. I then spoke with a supervisor who told me the same thing. I had ended the programming in the middle of the month and therefore only got a partial month credit even though the programming was free! I threatened to file a scam report on them with the attorney general's office and she offered to waive my DVR fee for the next 6 months. We will see if that is reflected on my next statement in March. I am not holding my breath.

I lost close to $30 because someone either stole my information or DirectTV allowed for someone to charge me for someone else's services.

After calling DirectTV and speaking with a representative and their supervisor Nick, they stated that there is a fifty-dollar charge because it has been less that one year that I have had the service. I told them that I had asked about the policy when I connected the service and they told me there was no charge. They told me that they know the sales department is deceptive and that they are trying to get their policies changed. They are still charging me however even though they admitted to me they knew I was lied to by their associates. My only choice is to pay the fee or cancel my service and pay a $400.00 termination fee.

I have never had service with DirecTV. I have never had an account with DirecTV; I never authorized for $849.29 to be taken by DirecTV because I have never had service with them. When I first called DirecTV, a supervisor hung up on me and said they could not help. I called back and DirecTV said that they would look into it and if that was charged wrong, it could take up to 8 to 10 days to get the $849.29 put back into my bank account. Because of DirecTV taking $849.29 for services I never had, I am overdrawn at my bank. I had to cancel my debit card. I am looking at overdraft charges and I can't use my account for 8-10 days because I am in the negative, and all because I have never had DirecTV.

Apparently DirecTV could only do HD installations in our area, which comes with a 2-year contract only. They failed to notify us of this at any time either verbally or in writing. They failed to tell our neighbors this during installation. We never signed a new contract agreeing to this. They went ahead and put in the HD gear (we don't have an HD TV) without our or our neighbor's permission or even knowledge. We found this out when we called later because they failed to charge us the promotional price we agreed to. They were charging us more for HD, they said. They at least took off the extra HD charge.

The next fall we moved to work at a camp where we didn't even have TV, so we put the service on hold. This seemed easy enough. When we went to reinstall it, our promotional price apparently had been ticking away and hadn't been on hold with the service, which they conveniently failed to tell us. My husband mostly dealt with them, so I don't know all of the details of multiple long conversations he had with them. I do know on at least two occasions they agreed to give us our promotional price back and also return us to the one year contract, which would be up in 2 months at this point even with the time on hold, not soon enough. He got the first name and ID number of the customer service representative each time thinking it would protect us.

When we called back later to have our service reinstalled now that we aren't living in the woods anymore and they had no record of these conversations, of course. Currently, we are paying the promotional price and get some extra channels thanks to finally speaking to a manager who was able to do something. Unfortunately, he says he can't do anything about the 2-year contract. We didn't sign it!

We are considering taking legal action. We are going back to the camp in the spring and our second installer told us that if we have a letter from our landlord that it can't be installed, then that should cancel our agreement. I see some stories on here where that didn't work, though. The 120-year old camp will surely not allow us to put a dish on our historical cabin. I'm sure there would be no service there anyway since it's deep in the woods! We really don't want to be in a relationship with them any longer than we have to for obvious reasons, but also we will be going into the Peace Corps within the next year and won't be able to utilize their service if we wanted to.

The guy who installed it the second time was the only person I've dealt with in their company that I liked and trusted. He was very candid, telling me that he should get free service as an employee but they mistakenly charged him $500, which they refuse to return. He also told us that regular non-HD service should be available everywhere and that this was probably a lie or a mistake. A week later they called us asking if we wanted to participate in a survey about our experience with installation. I was happy to give him a good rating but wished they have asked about the rest of our experience with their company! We will have to pay for an extra year of unwanted service or cancellation fee if we can't prove we never signed an updated contract for 2 years.

We have been working hard to save money so that during our service in the Peace Corps I can pay my student loans and our life insurance. If we have to pay for this, I won't be able to have life insurance since it's about the same price. Or we won't be able to serve in the Peace Corps, which has been my dream for 12 years now. We've been on a waiting list for 8 months now. We can't afford to have DirecTV keep us from this dream. There was a reason we only agreed to a one-year contract since we were planning ahead for this.

I am then told I will be charged $20 per month until the end of my 24-month contract! I said that can't be the case. I calmly explained what I was told and asked that they go back to the recording of the call when I signed up. I did not hear one person, and I called many, deviate from the standard company line of "I'm very sorry sir but that is DirecTV policy and there is nothing I can do; you will be charged this fee. This is a legitimate fee." When I continue to explain how this is not legitimate they tell me I can write a letter to corporate to try and get that recorded call released and this bill resolved.

I went so far as to try and work out a payment plan. They said they don't do payment plans. I asked if they would hold the payment until this is resolved. They told me no and that the full amount will be charged in the days after I cancel, and that if the issue is resolved they will issue a credit to me. So this charge is going through in a matter of days and I'm to expect a written letter will resolve this by then?! I'm just waiting for the credit to be a DirecTV gift certificate or something! DirecTV uses shady, bait-and-switch practices and then screws their customers with their pants on and do not care. I would love to see what their retention rate is. Unreal.

I contacted DirecTV on Saturday and spoke to the billing department. They agreed to credit my account and they would adjust my bill. I did not owe a balance. However, today just 2 days later, their collection department called saying I still owe the full balance of $186.90 and the billing department can't adjust anything. I am out the $233 I paid and was lied to as DirecTV claims the money I paid was to "lease" the equipment and even though the first receiver was defective and charged $160 in termination fees as they claim my "2 years" started in April when they replaced the recorder I apparently never own. On the local News Channel 9, numerous complaints were filed about over billing and early termination fees. Yet DirecTV has not been investigated. Consumers are being victimized and lied too. A class action suit should be brought against DirecTV for fraud.

12 months passed and I called to cancel my account and pay the termination fee. The customer service rep told me not to, that I could suspend my account for 12 months, but I would just have to do it in 6 month intervals. I thought this would work because maybe I would re-up my contract after another year. He also told me my cancellation fee would be $140.00. January 2010, six months passed and I called to continue my suspension of service. Then I was told I couldn't and I would have a $140.00 termination fee. After some argument about my previous conversation, I said "fine, just cancel it". The rep asked me if I was sure 3 times. I finally said, "Yes, I don't want to be on the phone with you all night, just cancel it". I was told to call back and was hung up on.

That night, I emailed customer service as I realized I need to get everything in writing from the company. They ignored that I had been lied to and only addressed my request for cancellation. Now, my cancellation fee is $160.00. I am still in the process of trying to speak with upper management personnel about the false information I've received on 4 occasions over the phone. I wish I would have recorded the calls.

I waited and at the end of December, I called to cancel. That was when my special promotions had run out and my bill was much more than expected. I thought with 4 months to go I'll cancel and pay 20 dollars for each month hence $80 (By the way I have a degree in mathematics).

I had Comcast install in the basement 10.31.09. I thought I would have one TV with Comcast and the other with DirectTV. I called DirectTV to return my downstairs box. The rep would send out packaging. It didn't come. When I finally called to cancel at the end of December, (my bill has almost doubled) I cancelled and asked to return equipment.

I paid my last bill on 1.6.10. My account was closed and I waited for an $80 bill. I was surprised to not get the $80 bill but an immediate payment request for $200! I called then as soon as I opened it and spent over and hour bounced back and forth stating that I was misinformed by a rep twice. I was given an address, but I know nothing will happen. This stuff needs to stop. I have an almost perfect credit and pay my bills on time. I am highly organized, analytical and know what I was told. I have to pay an extra 120 dollars because two people did not do their job correctly.

There were two appointments where the technician did not show up at all. Two of these services were notable in that: first, the technician drilled holes in the exterior of the house to run a cable (essentially a giant black "Z" on the back of my house) without authorization or my knowledge until the damage was done, and expressly against our wishes that all cables be run interior. The second service call resulted in the technician telling me the cable to another room needed to be replaced and he could only do it on the outside of the house even though there was an existing cable run interior and pulling a new line would not be terribly difficult. He informed me that he was unable to fix the problem without running the new line on the outside of the house, and if I wanted it interior, I needed to call an electrician to perform the job. He left without resolving the problem.

After his departure I went to the attic and simply plugged in a wire that was dangling next to the satellite outlet and the receiver worked. Later that afternoon, a review specialist arrived and noted that I had amended the problem myself and he also advised me that the installation was "sloppy work". On January 8, 2010, I called to report that, yet again, a receiver was not working. At that time, I was informed by customer service that we had been overcharged since our service began and because we had so many problems over the months that they would upgrade a DVR receiver to HD for free (I realize now that this was simply a method to rope me into an additional 24 months of service). They could not schedule the work until February 2, 2010, but my account was assigned a "case manager" (for the second time).

This person called to inform me that she could do nothing as there was already a pending service (the 2/2 upgrade) and they were unable to handle more than one at any time. Three days later, a second receiver stopped working and it was the last straw. I informed DirecTV (and they agreed) that auto payments were no longer authorized, and today 01/23/2010, I called to cancel the appointment and service entirely, effective immediately. I was offered promotions in order to remain a customer and the customer service representative offered to get me an earlier date for my pending service call. I declined both and informed her that I felt that DirecTV had ample time to resolve our service issues and did not, in good faith, uphold their end of the contract even though I had faithfully paid my bill each month on time.

She informed me there would be an early cancellation fee of $260 plus one month service (they expect me to pay for service in February even though it is cancelled and inoperable). After this conversation I changed my credit card number and informed my bank of the situation and obtained the forms necessary to dispute unauthorized charges. I then e-mailed DirecTV to remind them that they agreed that no additional automatic payments would be processed and if they attempted to do so, I would dispute any charge.

Tonight, I looked at the Better Business Bureau site and was amazed at the complaints filed with DirecTV. From consumeraffairs.org, I followed several links to articles regarding pending litigation against DTV., I also e-mailed the state of Connecticut Attorney General to inquire if they are involved in or propose to take action against this company. I never physically signed a contract with DTV, although my payments and acceptance of service would probably indicate that I agreed to their terms. However, their "terms" are buried in fine print. It's just not a way I would expect a reputable company to operate. Thank you for your consideration.

I called DirecTV on or about October to cancel my service with them, when I was told that after 5 years of service with them, I had another 2 years of contract service because they swapped out my DVR box. I was astonished and tried telling them that no one told me about this and I never agreed to extend my contract but they did not care. They said all they could do was to put my account to sleep so I would not incur any more charges. They did this for almost a year until they said they could no longer put it to sleep and charges would resume to accrue on my account. I had my daughter, JoAnne, call them and she once again argued with them.

Finally on or about October 2009 they agreed that the contract should have never been extended and they canceled the contract. They also said that since the contract was canceled that I would not owe anything on my account and all I had to do was return the DVR they replaced. They sent me a box and a label and I returned the DVR box to them. I keep getting a bill for $124.10 from them to this date. They have now sent me to collections. I have called and insisted that they remove and all I get from them is that they will look into it and call me back and no one ever does call me back.

I believe that if I called to cancel in October 2008 and they advised me my contract was renewed and therefore I could not cancel and then they corrected themselves and agreed that the contract was renewed by mistake, then how can they charge me for a month the following year? They maintain that they charge me a month from when the account came back online and the time they actually said the contract was not valid. Well I maintain that if the whole time the contract was not valid, then my account should have been canceled since October 2008 when I originally called to cancel it.

Also be advised that I did in fact change to Brighthouse Networks and have never used DirecTV since. Their satellite dish still remains on top of my house, however, their cables have been cut since Brighthouse Networks took over.

Yesterday I called to cancel my service and they told me that when I got that receiver, my service contract has now been extended for two more years. At no time did the person on the phone make this clear. No mention was ever made to me that by replacing this receiver, I was extending my contract. Obviously, I would have just done without had I known that. I was then told that if I did cancel my service, they would bill my credit card on file for 460 dollars for cancelling my contract.

I was advised that I could change to a similar package (the Spanish version of what I had), and that the only difference would be in the amount to be paid, once the discounts were applied (just a couple of dollars, to that effect). I agreed to the change, and they took place immediately. Everything went okay until December, when I received the new bill to be paid in January. Since I automatically pay all my bills, I went ahead and I paid for that bill, just to realize that the amount paid was over $20 more than the previous bills. I called DirecTV and inquired about this.

At first I was told that given the fact that I had changed my package the discounts/promotions no longer applied, but once I told them that this was not what I was told by the CSR on two occasions, the representative retracted and said that everything was going to be okay and that the next bill was going to be the same as the previous ones. Now a new bill has arrived, with the same charges $20 more than the original amount. After talking with "Kathy" for over 20 minutes, and being told that no matter what I was told before, from now on I was going to overpay $20 for the rest of the semester, that I was supposed to receive the discounted amount. I decided to file a complaint against DirecTV for misrepresentation, fraud, knowingly lying to the customer, and breach of contract.

I require either one of these two solutions: I want to continue with the contract as stated by the representatives that took my order and made changes to my account, and being refunded any over payments that I may have done or I could do in the future (I will still have to pay for the current bill in order to maintain good credit), and continue to pay the original amount (approximately $55) on a monthly basis until the fulfillment of the 1st year (July 2010). Whenever I will start making the full payments (about $77). Or I want my contract to be terminated and not be required to pay for any amounts since I will not be requiring their services since they have lied to me and committed fraud.

When I called to disconnect our utilities and give our forwarding address, I was confronted by an employee at DirecTV who told me that we owed $138.40 for the early disconnect. We had DirecTV in Washington for eight years or more and never had a minimum year contract. We were in good standing with DirecTV out there, never missed a payment, etc. When I called to transfer our service, they should have stated that there was a two-year minimum on a contract. I never signed anything in this regard.

We received our monthly credit card statement and noticed that DirecTV had charged our Visa $138.40 without our permission. Not even sure how they got our Visa card number. We had been paying by check. When my husband called to complain twice, it got us nowhere. They told us that we could suspend our service for six months (and still pay) or disconnect early and pay the fine. We would like something to be done about this and our monies refunded. If this is their form of practice, then they need to be upfront with people that order their service and let them know there is a minimum time frame or a fee as consequences.

I called DirecTV on 1/20/10 to reschedule and now they want to charge $49.99 for service. They did not want to re-credit charges paid for a box that did not work for the past four months. I was told to pay past due amount on my bill before I can get any assistance and I would then be granted technical service only to find out the services must be paid for in full. What I'm looking for is repairs that was promised by DirecTV and re-credit of money paid on a box that is not usable. I complied to their request of pay past due amt of $43.13. I scheduled my appointment within the 30 days as the customer service rep implied only to find out that I cannot get my box fixed unless an additional $49.99 is paid. Prior to a tech showing up, they told me to add $5 for insurance and wait 30 days to apply for tech help again after 30 days.

He said that I had to pay it and refused to give me more information. He just kept repeating the above information. I called today too and the representatives were rude and so was the manager. The manager told me that they all agreed that I have to pay that bill even though I told them I was unaware of a contract and it was a free upgrade. They didn't care.

I feel that they were rude and unhelpful because they know they can get away with stuff like this. No one will help us customers out, especially not the BBB which is a joke. I hope people out there be careful with DirecTV. I was with DirecTV since 2001 and will not be returning. I will be disputing this with the DirecTV main office but they already told me it is non-disputable--go figure. They know exactly what they are doing to customers and I see from reading these complaints that I am not the only victim. Something needs to happen--but what? How? That's the problem.

The technician told me what kind of service I was supposed to have ordered and that I could not discontinue that service without paying a fee of $470.00. At this point, I began questioning when I did sign the contract for 24 months of service, or even agree to a 24 months contract. I was told that I did not sign anything or verbally agree to 24 months of service, but once I allowed the technician to install the receivers, I was under a 24 month contract.

I spoke with two different customer service representatives and they spoke in a very rude and disgraceful manner. I have had this service for four days and I am totally disappointed and confused. At this point, I would rather take a loss than continue in a relationship with a company that has such deceitful business practices, and horrible customer service. I have emailed Ellen **, Sr. VP of Customer Care, but I have not received a response yet.

I would like to make other potential customers aware of the false advertisement and bad customer service practices of DirecTV, and I hope I can save someone from making the same mistake of buying into a company that is not worthy of the paper their name is printed on.

I moved to a new location and requested a third box for my son's bedroom. I was never told that there will be a second contract added to the current contract. When I called them last month to discontinue the service, that's when they told me that I had to pay them the current balance of $134.18 plus $300 for the 3rd box that I got. I asked the service rep. to explain the situation and that's when he told me that there was a second contract. I told him that it was impossible because this was never explained to me.

Now, I received a new bill for $204.93 and when I called them today, the lady that took my call was telling me that if I don't make this payment in two weeks that they will go into my checking account and will take the money out without my permission. She said that my account was sent into collections and I told her that I haven't received any collection letter and called me *** and hung up the phone. I called DirecTV again and asked for a supervisor. I got her on the phone. Her name was Faith and told me that she couldn't help me because their calls are not recorded and told me to file a customer complaint but the website she gave me is not available online.

If you decided to send a bill for the PPV movies, you need to send a picture of what you saw on the receiver. That is the only document. Now, I will be sending you one more receiver. I am checking this receiver as I type. I am checking for PPV movies that might have been ordered. For my record, there are no PPV movies order on this receiver.

Then, I received a response from Barbara (#**) on 09/03/2009 at 9:03 a.m.: "In regards to the DirecTV cinema charges that applied on your account, these were in regards to Pay Per View events that were processed on the receiver via remote. When events are ordered in this way, they remain on the receiver until a callback is made to DirecTV. If a phone line is never connected, the charges stay on the receiver access card. When the equipment is returned to DirecTV, we connect them to phone lines. This is to clear all customer information off of the unit. If there are remaining events on the receiver, then these will also download and be billed to the account. Based on the ordering process used for these via remote in the home, they are considered valid charges and will not be removed. Thank you again for writing. I appreciate your patience and understanding."

I wrote on Thursday, 8/27/09: "This is an agreement from company: To use your remote control to order, your receiver must be continuously connected to a land-based telephone line. Your order is transmitted via the telephone line, and during the short transmission period, you may not be able to use the line for other purposes. Repeated cancellation of previously ordered Pay Per View services may result in cancellation of your account, restrictions on your ability to order Pay Per View services, or imposition of additional fees for Pay Per View services. I never hooked my receiver to a land-based telephone line. You charged me for a Pay Per View movie that you said I ordered with my remote. Please explain.

I have more emails. This is enough for you to see what I am talking about. I know that other DirecTV customers have the same complaints. I think that this is the new scam DirecTV is using to get rich. Who knows, this might be an old one. Please let me know. Thanks.

My wife asked where on the guide the local network channels were. The Tech said we didn't get local network channels and could apply for a waiver, pay a fee per channel and then receive them. What? We were flabbergasted but wanted local networks so we did as instructed. First waiver was denied and we applied again. Second waiver was denied. After several phone calls to DirecTV and many wasted minutes on hold and explaining our issue, it was suggested we put up an external antenna to get local channels. I purchased the biggest one and only get ABC and NBC because of our location.

On the NFL Ticket, we didn't get Sunday night football or Monday night football through NFL Ticket. Now, we don't get the playoffs and will not be able to watch the Superbowl. Any average person would believe that if they pay much more for NFL Ticket they will be able to watch all the football games. At no point were we informed we would only get selected games, no play offs and no Superbowl. We don't care for their excuse that the networks won't give DirecTV the rights to show these programs. We paid good money to DirecTV in the first place and more for the NFL ticket. We were misled.

One of our earlier phone calls to DirecTV we talked to a supervisor and asked, since they lied to us, to let us out of our contract so we could go with a service that would give us what we paid for. The early termination fee was going to be $480! This is highway robbery. There seems to be no recourse. Certainly calling DirecTV repeatedly and escalating the issue to a supervisor gets no results. The main reason we went with DirecTV in the first place was for the NFL package. Had they disclosed they wouldn't give us local networks and not all the football games we would have forgone the NFL ticket experience and gone with a company that would have provided us the basic of all television services, local networks.

The technician showed up to install my dish and receivers and he only had one HD/DVR, one HD box, one DVR and two additional boxes which I also ordered. He got his supervisor on the phone and they told me that it was not possible to honor that order and that I was never promised that. I sent the technician away and called DirecTV back and requested that my conversation be replayed. I was told that could not be done without a subpoena. I have already cancelled my cable. I am now going to be without everything until I find a replacement or get cable turned back on. I want this fixed. I am currently without cable.

He then transferred me to representative to get details on the cost of the DVR. During that time, I was told there is a $99 cost. I told the representative that I was not interested because I was not prepared to pay #99 for a DVR plus monthly rental fee, something about that seem unconscionable. That was when he told me they could give me the box free of charge. I decided that I would think about it.

A few days later (October 17), I called back and decided to take the service. I spoke to a new representative, I reiterated the no contract agreement and fee waiver for the cost of the DVR that had been detailed by the previous representatives. However, all promised deals were not outlined in the notes on my account. So after a long conversation during which time I threatened to take my business elsewhere, the representative agreed to honor the free DVD and no contract obligation. She informed me that everything was taken care off. A week later the DVR was installed. No new contract was provided and I did not expect to get one since they told me there would be no contract.

Two months later, we are having significant problems with the dish, so my mother wanted to switch carriers. I call DirecTV to cancel and I am told that we have a 2 year contract and that it is $20 for every month if you cancel early, equaling $440. I got upset because I know that when I agreed to take the service, the contract provision was waived. I asked for the notes on my file to be reviewed. I was told someone would get back to me in 24 hours. I never heard back from anyone. When I followed up on January 12, 2010, I spoke to a representative by the name of Edward. He given the speech from before, "you have a contract it is for 2 years, if you want to cancel pay the fee."

I requested a copy of the notes on my account, they refused to provide it. I requested a copy of the agreement that I supposedly signed or was sent, I still have not received it. Edward went on to inform me that contracts are only provided if the customer asks for them since they are available online. I challenged that and said that I signed up for this service through Verizon and every time there is a change in service, Verizon sends out new language regarding it. However, nothing was sent out with regard to this service change. I also raised the fact that under the bundle agreement the term is a year, with a lower cancellation fee. He informed me that although, I signed up through the bundle, the bundle agreement does not apply when you chose to up-grade. Yet, despite a significant difference from the current contract, none of that information is provided to consumers. It is only provided if asked.

Overall, this is a very frustrating and unfair state of affairs. As a customer, I always try to ensure that I do not end up victim to such circumstances. Thus, it is truly unfortunate when I was informed one thing and yet end up in a situation like this. Based on the number of complaints on this site, it is evident that DirecTV is unscrupulous and I am hopeful that Consumer Affairs can step in and help consumers with this issue.

Well, then I canceled my service and they said I would be charged over $400 for cancelling when I never even used the service but for only three days because they gave me the run around. I told them I was going to cancel anyway and they can't make me pay the money that I don't owe. I told them I was a senior citizen and that they are falsely advertising that they are offering one thing and only give you something else. I canceled the service and they took the money out of my bank account after I told them they did not have permission to do so. I had to call my bank and they got my money back and I had to cancel my bank account and open a new one so they would not have access to it. DirecTV is a fraud company that misrepresents to people like me and out right tried to steal my money from me.

I want to be apart of the class action lawsuit against them and anything else that people have against them. This company should be put out of business and not allowed to do what they are doing to people. Please help me. They are calling me everyday and harassing me for money that I do not owe them. I am a senor citizen and I need help to fight them off. They have caused me great harm by me not sleeping at night because they call and harass me all the time. They took my money out of my bank account with out my permission and I had to hope another account. They tell me they will take me to court and I tell them I would love to tell a judge what they have done to me, but they still harass me and not take me to court. I am very tired and don't know how much longer I can fight this very big company by myself.

I would have to pay $19.95 for shipping and handling. I did not have a problem with that but then they said that I would have to extend my contract for two years to get the receiver. I told them that it was blackmail and that I would not do it only to be told that that is the way it is. I refused the receiver. That is wrong, wrong, wrong. They have a faulty product and will not replace it without me agreeing to keep having their service. How do I know that I will have more problems with them and I am in for two more years? Please help in whatever way you can. Thank you.

When contacted to explain the problem, the customer service agent and the Operational Manager wanted to charge me for the visit to perform a correct install. When pushed that this was not a warranty issue but rather an improper installation, they offered a $30 credit on a $49.999 service visit but refused to have an installer come and perform a proper installation without cost to me. They stated that their "contract" clearly covers only 90 days even if the problem is one of improper installation.

I think he might have kept it! After a couple months of horrendous bills from them, which were way over the advertised price that they had advertised, I cancelled service with them. Now I cannot get anything on my TV. My con came over and said where is your antennae. I said I don't know, I think DirecTV kept it! He said that Ii shouldn't have given it to them--at that time I realized it, too! I don't know how this company gets away with its false advertisement!

I don't know anyone that can get by a total of seven days without TV. So my wife wants to cancel the service. All they can say is that you would be penalized $20 or $40 a month for a breach in contract. So if you are paying for a service and DirecTV does not provide the Service, why would someone pay a penalty? I would suggest to anyone wanting a dish service to really think about before you purchase it. This contract issue should be voided if DirecTV can't fix the problem which is just a five minute fix (no installment required). Another thing, when my wife asked for a supervisor, the DirecTV Customer Service put her on hold for 10-15 minutes and the hung-up. Great Customer Service.

I stated that the bill I had said I owed $190. She said I told her I had not received a bill which was a lie. Everything I said she tried to turn around on me. She would not listen and would not let me talk. I asked to speak to someone higher up. She said I could just cancel and pay over $400 in cancellation fees. I told her I had DirecTV for years and had been without it for under a year and never had a problem. I just wanted to know why my bill was so high. Yet again, no real answer. I was told the credits don't kick in until the 21st each month.

She said she could cancel the HD but I would have to pay for what was used. I said so someone on the computer can put whatever they want and I have to pay for it no matter what. She said yes. I said I wanted to speak to a manager. She, after over a minute of silence, said she would call back within 48 hours that was a week ago. I cannot get any answers. I even wrote an email the to CEO. No response there either.

They signed the contract for service on 8/2/09. I registered their account and filled out the online rebate form for them. The next day, after they signed up, I have the confirmation 8/03/09. Now it is 1/11/10 and my mother asks me about how much longer it should take for their bill to show the rebate. I called DirecTV and their representative named Bella said that the rebate was never received and it was too late to file it. She said the "confirmation number" that I received in email is only confirming that the account was registered, not that the rebate was being processed. I am sure I filled that rebate form out, but there is no record in their system and therefore they say basically, “Tough luck.”

These bait and switch tactics are going to cause that company much more money than the $250 they scammed out of my parents! I will never recommend DirecTV to anyone else and will share this story with anyone who will listen.

Every single time I talk to either company, they pass the blame on to the other company. Yet, they claim they cannot talk to the other company. I was told I would have to pay $360.00. I told them about the service being terrible and being over billed. I told them about all the complaints online and how they have such terrible service and I will make yet another complaint with consumer affairs and FTC. And the response from the supervisor, Jessica, in the cancellation department was, "whatever, do what you feel you need to do."

I cannot believe that any company could be so rude to their customers and have such unfair business practices. Avoid DirecTV and Verizon at all costs.

When I told them I need to talk to someone who could handle this problem, they give me a PO box with no phone number. This whole thing has been nothing but a scam right from day one. I pay all of bills on time and this so-called company is trying destroy my credit and waste a lot my time and energy. They recorded all of my calls and have all of it on file. I refuse to bow down to their ways. How can they get away with this scam? They want me to waste more of my time and a stamp to explain again to a PO box (with out a phone number) and wait for their answer. Scam! This resulted to emotional and credit damage.

On 9/28 they installed the Direct TV services they spend about 8 hours in my apartment trying to get the signal going. I started to doubt if this was a good decision. Then at about 9 pm they finally finish. The minute I start making sure I have the channels that I was told I would have I come to realize I do not. Then, I asked the technician what happened to the channels that I had requested online. He suggested we call Direct TV’s call center. So we did and when we call they tell me they do not offer that package anymore. So they tried to upgrade my services into a more expensive package.

At this moment I asked my services to be cancelled because I felt deceived. The representative tells me not to cancel at this moment to experience the service for 30 days and if I did not feel satisfied I can cancel without a fee. My family was exhausted of having these people in my house all day with no TV on that we accepted their offer. The next day we had no signal on two boxes. At night time it returned.

The third day the signal would come on and off. It became so frustrating that on the first opportunity I had, which was Saturday 10/3, when I returned from work I called to cancel my services. When I call on 10/3 the first operator transfers me to the cancellation department and the lady that responded confirmed my info and I explained to her what has happened and I told her I wanted to cancel. She said I would be accessed a cancellation fee of $458.42 for cancelling the service before the two-year contract was due.

I told her that on 9/28/09 I was told that I could experience the service for 30 days before I was assessed any fees. She then assures me that I was lied to and that there was nothing she could do. At this point I asked to speak to a supervisor that then tells me that because I cancel within 15 days of installation I would not be accessed any fees and that he would mail boxes via Fed-Ex so I could return the equipment. I waited one week and no delivery from Fed-Ex came by; then I called Fed-Ex and learned that they delivered the boxes and left them at the entrance of my apartment door. So the point is that I had to call again to ask if they could ship the boxes again because I never received them.

On 10/14/09 I receive a bill from Direct TV charging me for the $458.42. At this point I am confused with what kind of company makes people go thru so much hassle. I call them again and explain to them that I was told first that because of a 30-day trial period and then told that because of a 15-day trial period I would not have to pay the cancellation fees. So they reassure me that I would not have to pay and again I asked when the boxes were shipped because I had yet to receive them. The operator helping said that they had no request on my acct. for boxes to return the equipment that he would process it for me.

At this point I can expect anything from Direct TV. Then, I go to my Direct TV account online to make sure that it says $0 balance and it did not. So I started to write dispute letters to Direct TV informing them of the situation. I only received back e-mail response no written responses ever. I also did email disputes to them but only received like automated emails telling me that they could not remove the fees. Now, I receive a collection notice, so I intend to sue them. I would like a judge to decide what's right. This company is the worse it should be put out of business. They are robbing people out of their money in such an obvious way and it's incredible that they are doing this. This company has made me take time to dispute their charges, not to mention the frustration and now I have to invest time and money to take them to court before they put this collection on my credit and do more harm to my family's financial future.

They installed the HD and moved the existing DVR to another room one week later. The following day, I called DirecTV and stated that my DVR was not recording. They looked up my account and said that I did not receive a DVR but an HD receiver. I told them that this was not the agreement that I made. At that point, they stated that they would kick it over to their resolution team, and I would be contacted within 48-72 hours.

When I did not hear from them within this period of time, I called them again. They stated that it was on the schedule for the resolution team as high priority and that I would be contacted by them by the end of the day. Again, I was not contacted. I called them again 3 days later, and after being transferred through 4 different people, I spoke to a supervisor who stated that the receiver was what I signed up for. I stated that this is not what I had signed up for and why would I settle for this when I initially called for an HD DVR and rejected it due to the cost.

He stated that he could provide one for me, but it would now cost me $199. I stated that they told me just 4 weeks ago that it would cost me $99. Now, he was going to charge me the whole cost? I told him that they made the mistake, and now, I would be paying for it? He stated that I was stuck with the receiver, and if I cancelled my subscription with them, it would cost me $480. I questioned this, as I have been a customer for over 5 years. He stated that because I received the new HD receiver (even though this is not what I had signed up for), it was like a renewal and that I was committed to this now for 24 months.

I am appalled and disgusted that they could run this scam. They promised me one thing, then delivered and installed the wrong equipment. Now I am stuck with a piece of equipment that I didn't agree to and am having to pay for it. If I cancel, they are going to charge me enormous fees. I feel completely trapped. They will not correct their mistake, and I am being made to pay for a product that I didn't order. I have pleaded my case to several employees at DirecTV, and no one is listening, let alone try to make it right.

On Monday 1/4/10, I got an email saying that they had disconnected our service due to nonpayment. I also received two more emails saying that they had shipped boxes to return the equipment to them. On Wednesday, 1/6/10, I logged in to check my bank account information to find that DirecTV had debited my checking account for $1,172.57 with no notice. FedEx had not even delivered the boxes until 2 hours after they drafted my account. I called the bank to dispute the charges and they said, “Well, DirecTV can do that. When your installer came out, the paper he asked you to sign is not just a statement that he installed, but on the back of that, there are a million terms and conditions you agreed to; one of which is saying that it is okay for them to debit your account when service is disconnected for any remaining balance.”

They said we owed them $450.00 for service then they charged us a $265.00 early termination fee even though we had our service for three years and thought we had only signed up for 48 months. Apparently, when we switched the box in our bedroom to a DVR, it automatically renewed our contract. Then they charged us $445 for the unreturned equipment before we received the return boxes. DirecTV has very deceptive practices and should not be allowed to do these things to people.

Neil said our wires were crossed with another household and the wires were corroded. He repaired the wires and uncrossed the wires. DirecTV was supposed to get the President of the company to call us within 24 hours of Pam and I's conversation on Dec. 30, 2009. We have yet to hear from the company to help us rectify this issue. Today, which is January 7, 2010, I sent a letter regular mail and certified mail and I gave them until Wednesday, January 13, 2010 to rectify the problem or else I would contact channels 3, 6, 10, 40 and Fox news to tell them the problem. I also told them that I would take legal action in consulting a lawyer and I was going to send a copy of this letter to the Bureau of Consumer Affairs.

I purchased the boxes as well as a protection plan offered only to individuals who own their boxes. As they explained, since I would be owning the boxes, instead of leasing them, any service on the boxes would be at my cost. Had I leased the boxes, problems would be DirecTV's responsibility. I purchased the boxes and paid the monthly $5 protection fee. When I received my first billing, it included both a lease fee and the protection charge. I called them in September 2007 as I was being billed improperly. I explained the situation and the rep agreed. Why would I pay for both a lease and protection on equipment I do not own?

The rep stated I was not being charged a lease fee but a fee for the second hook up. I asked why it was called a lease fee on the bill and they rep stated that was simply how they did their billing. This was DirecTV's first act of fraud. I did not find the out until two years later. I continued to pay the ever rising rates, which increased from $87 a month to $115 over two years while the number of provided channels actually decreased. When I canceled my subscription in December of 2009, and paid my final billing, I thought things were done and over. I was wrong. DirecTV then immediately charged me $250 for the boxes that I already owned. They insisted the boxes were always leased, but did have a record of my phone call of September 2007 and even had the fact that I insisted at that time that I owned the boxes.

DirecTV claimed I was advised that they were leased and understood. They could not answer why I was paying a monthly protection fee on leased equipment. They then claimed I insisted on purchasing an item I did not need. What a load of crap. Why would anyone pay a $200 lease fee and also monthly lease payments and then a monthly protection fee to protect equipment that they do not own? DirecTV simply lies to its customers and will say anything to steal money from them. They then billed the entire amount to my credit card without my authorization. When I called them, they refused to give me anyone's complete name.

I am certain this is done so they can deny anything they say at a later date. I am disputing this claim. If you wish to be lied to and have your money stolen, DirecTV may be the company for you, but if you do not wish to be victimized, I would recommend you avoid them.

So I was surprise to learn from DirecTV when I called a year later to cancel, they then told me my contract was for 18 months and I would owe a $100 early cancellation fee if I cancelled before 18 months. I asked DirecTV repeatedly to send me a copy of their contract and they emailed me a "customer agreement" with no length of contract service. They billed me the early cancellation fee on my credit card and I disputed it, sending my credit card company my letters and emails to DirecTV and DirecTV's "customer agreement".

Visa removed the charge from my card and did not reinstate the charge later, because, DirecTV did not send them our contract that included a length of service. Today, I got a call from a collection agency! Although DirecTV will not send me or my credit card company a copy of my contract length of service, they assigned the prepayment penalty to a collection agency who says I have to resolve this with DirecTV since their job (as a collection agency) is not to determine whether the billing is correct or not. Their job is to harass me to pay a bill I do not owe. The collection company offered to hurt my good credit for this $100 charge that DirecTV will not show me I even owe.

I called to cancel on 14th day and they told me that your grace period started on the day I ordered and not from that day of installation. My credit card was charged full year's service charge and additional service charge. I disputed the charge with my Credit Card company. I got the refund on my Credit Card but then got two invoice reminders. I sent a letter to their dispute department, asking for recording of the conversation with their rep at the time of ordering so that I can prove my point, but not response. Time, energy, postage charges for communication and most importantly stress.