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CB Satellite and Cable TV DirecTV very poor service and unacceptable contract
DirecTV

DirecTV review: very poor service and unacceptable contract 1397

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12:00 am EDT
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I have had direct TV now for about three months and have had one problem after another. I had initially switched from cable to DirectTV because I thought that their high definition service would be superior. Big mistake. Since the time of install I have been through 4 high definition receivers, each one failing for a different reason. When your service goes out with DirectTV your only option is to wait for a replacement box or for a service tech which in my case has taken close to a week each time. My service has been so spotty that I have had to retain my cable so that I have a backup. Talk about spending too much for T.V. service. Now that my experience with these buffoons has soured to the point it has i decided that i had had enough. Unfortunately their two year contract insulates them from having to provide any level of acceptable service at all. Even though my experience has been a nightmare and I have spent countless valuable hours trying to resolve issues they will not offer to terminate my contract no matter how many times I have requested this. I am currently without any service again and I have decided that I am going to bite the bullet and pay the termination fee. I am not litigious person but have considered taking these bullies to court. I can't imagine that I am the only person that has had these issues. I would avoid doing business with this company at all cost. I wish good luck to all those that are in the same boat as me.

1397 comments
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Iris Correa
Roselle Park, US
Oct 04, 2009 6:27 pm EDT

Direct TV was not a good cable company. I wanted to disconnected it after two and-a-half months. I had trouble with the signal every time it would rain. When i finally did disconnect it they took out money from my direct deposit. They took out $480. I need to pay bills. There not going to pay it. I need that money to pay bills.

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cathysti1958
gates, US
Oct 05, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

I have had similiar complaint as other people.Had dtv since 2002 filled my contract by 2004.cancelled in 2009 told me since i upgraded to dvr I fell into anther 2 yr contract I asked them to show me the contract I signed u dont have one yur upgrade is yur contract.Drained my bank acct.Found web site [redacted].com tells some things u can do and ask banks to get yur money back.They talk of Federal regulation E form from yur bank.Dtv setteled 4 ml lawsuit in April this may be why everyone is getting screwed u can find this article on the ftc web site an file complaint maybe if enough, goverment will do something if they get bombarded with them

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sickof directtv
Easley, US
Oct 05, 2009 9:42 pm EDT

Direct TV is a JOKE! I have 1 DVR and 2 receivers in my home. The tech came out and the DVR and 1 receiver is hooked up but the 3rd is NOT. Direct TV has billed me the 4 months I've been with them for that 3rd receiver and WILL NOT take it off my bill. I 've made numerous appointments for another tech to come out and they NEVER show! Then EVERY time Direct TV calls me and says I CANCELED the appointment! I have saved messages on my cell phone from the techs saying they can't make it and I tried to get Direct TV to listen to them and they refuse! DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH THESE PEOPLE! They are liars and crooks and could care less about their customers. This company doesn't know the meaning of customer service. When I threatened to cancel I was told and I quote, "You will pay for two years because of your contract." Then the jerk proceeds to email a copy the contract with a nasty note! My attorney said the contract works both ways. You agree to a contract FOR A SERVICE. If you are not provided with that service then the contract is void. A class action law suit sounds great to me! Sign me up!

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jshdad
Weatherford, US
Oct 06, 2009 1:56 pm EDT

Direct TV was giving these vouchers for gas and grocery rebates for signing up for a 2 year committment. The company providing the rebates filed bankruptcy. Direct tv just blew me off when I contacted them about this problem.

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ApalledAli
US
Oct 07, 2009 12:14 am EDT

i hadTHE WORST experience ever. these people cussed my mom out and had the nerve to call her back and shove a pen up her- when she asked for the name of the sales agent and after he treated her like crap and told her she was dumb for the questions she asked then he called her back. We spoke to 2 people who did absolutely nothing to solve our problem- finally i got to speak to a so called supervisor who did NOTHING yet insisted on me still getting their service. Apparently therude and insulting agent kept the number of our home because he later called and made a sad case of some kind of prank call talking about us being ###ed for the exact questions we made.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND I HONESTLY DONT KNOW WHO TO COMPLAIN TO. NOBODY NO MATTER THEIR RANK SEEMS TO TAKE ANY CARE.

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doesanyoneatDTVknowhowtodotheirjobs??NOO
US
Oct 07, 2009 11:40 am EDT

February of this year I moved into an apartment, the only thing available was Direct Tv or a couple other Satellite providers. I chose Direct TV because when I looked online the pricing was amazing compared to my old Comcast Bill. So I called to # to start service, got a woman who was barely even paying attention to anything I said and basically just wanted to get my information and be done with it. She never once mentioned anything about a 24 month agreement or any of the terms for that matter. She asked for a credit card to put a deposit to hold the account of a minimum amount and made me aware that is was free installation. So i made the appointment the tech came to my apartment completed the install left me the Direct TV start up kit book, had me sign stating the work was complete and went on his way. I then looked at my bank account and realized Direct TV charged me for the install, so I contacted CS(Customer Service) they let me know the money would be returned upon installation. So within a couple of days I received the money back. So everything seemed fine until I received the first bill, which I had requested to have the $29.99 /month pkg, and was being billed $60. So once again I contacted CS and thought the problem was resolved. The next bill was for $45...still not right but closer so I just dealt with it. Now its October and I moved out of my apartment and no longer need their services, so when I called to cancel the woman told me there was an early termination fee of $20/month for each remaining month and that I would receive a final bill in the mail and if and only if it is not paid by the due date they would use the card on file(the card given for the deposit, I was not set up for auto payments). Within 3 days I logged into my bank account and they had charged my card the $321.16. I have spoke with atleast 10 people most of which barely spoke english, and half of them say one thing and the other half say another. I have the starter kit book the installer tech had given me and when I open it up there is the "Direct TV Equipment Lease Addendum" UNTOUCHED, never signed the tech never even took it out of the book to show me. But now Direct Tv is claiming I have signed and agreed to their terms. This is ###. I have requested a copy of whatever they have that I signed and they email me the "CUSTOMER AGREEMENT" with absolutely no signature or even a place for one. I finally got to speak with a Supervisor and when I told him I had the Addendum he said "then you have agreed to the terms" my response was this Addendum is unsigned and was never shown to me. So he asked if I read it, I had not until a couple days ago when this all started. According to him it states in it that having the Addendum means I agree to their terms. So I read where it clearly says in CAPITAL LETTERS at the bottom of the Addendum "BY SIGNING BELOW, I HEREBY AUTHORIZE AND AGREE THAT DIRECTV MAY, AT ITS SOLE OPTION, CHARGE THE FEES DESCRIBED HEREIN. I WARRANT THAT I AM 18 YEARS OR OLDER AND THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY OR ABOUT ME IS ACCURATE. I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS." Then I continued to tell him there is no signature and nothing has been torn off at all. This Addendum is untouched! So I asked him what they actually physically have with my signature anywhere and I would like a copy of whatever it is. He put me on hold and came back saying the installer must of never forwarded the paperwork to Directv. Well I've spoke with the installers(I still have the work order) and they state they forward everything on to Directv! This is all ###ing ###! I am not an idiot, when I started the service I would of payed attention to whether there are terms especially 2 year terms seems how I wasn't planning on living where I was for anywhere close to that long. I have asked pretty much every CS rep if I can hear the tape from the conversation when I started the service. They all say I can't help you with that. I have tried to Dispute the charges with my bank but apparently they agree to the Directv terms so they can only assume that I have too so they cant reverse the charge. So now I am negative in my account and now getting raped with overage charges from the bank as well. This is a ###ing mess and I want Directv to give me my money back! I never agreed to these ridiculous terms and in order to verbally agree with something you have to be made aware them and in this case I was not. I don't even know what to do next, continue fighting or just be done with it.

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Cortneyll
jax, US
Oct 07, 2009 2:08 pm EDT

I have had direct tv for over 2 years! The worse tv service. Ordering movie's was the biggest hassel. You could not do it unless you called and waited on hold for however long. Tell the representive what movie you want after going through all that the movie would have already started. It's not when you want to watch it, they have a time for you. You cannot rewind or pause. I have ordered movies a few times after cancelling my service a year later they take out more money claiming they never billed me for all the movies i ordered. Without even getting a notice i look on my bank statement and see the charges already taken out! You have so many ridiculous channels! I mean spanish, and channels you would never even watch. Some channels didn't even show up. How many times are you trying to watch tv and it goes in and out. The satellite was constantly searching for network. The representives that worked their are the worse. There so slow, very clueless. Did they get training or what? I am so happy to be done with direct tv. It's way to expensive ! They tell you get however many channels to find out about 3/4 of them are just a blow. I have been done with directv and cannot believe they are going to send me a check for .20 that is twenty cents then a week later take out big money for movies i clearly remember paying for. Who keeps their statements! Do not get direct tv! They will rape you for money! Time! And tons of inconvience!

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Phillip clancy
Lilburn, US
Oct 08, 2009 1:23 pm EDT

Direct tv has Terrible service. I have had dish problems over a month, Have spent numerous hours over the phone. Well they finally agree that I need a service tech at the house, but now that the month has come & gone, I must pay my bill. My problem is I HAVE HAD NO SERVICE! They just dont get the service pc & now that they are with at&t service will never happen.

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map1962
Anna, US
Oct 08, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

On 9/27/09 my mother who is 73 received a call from Directv about getting all the movie channels free with the Sunday ticket, witch was also free i no this is true because i was on the other phone listening in. The REP said it was free for 5 months, after the trail period she could buy the package. Well i called them back be cause the REP said on the phone they would send a copy of the deal in writing in the mail never got it, i tried to cancel the package they said it was to late i could not she has to pay 59.99 a month for 6 months for the football. Not only did they lie 2 times they wont let her cancel the deal. What a bunch of crooks.

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DTVsuckMY...
St. Louis, US
Oct 09, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

I have the same stories as all of you. I called to set up service, within a two week period, one of the HD receivers crapped out. I called the installer who gave me his number if I had any problems, he set up a replacement. All fine and dandy with the replacement, except now, they are charging me for three receivers.

I call to cancel service, as with everyone, I am facing a $400 cancellation fee. For what? Not a single time through the setup process for service and installation was I informed that I am leasing the receivers for 24 months. NOT ONCE! I call to get an explanation for this, and the women says just by having the HD receiver, that is my agreement! To obtain a copy of said "authorized agreement" also known as the installation receipt, I would have to contact a PO Box through mail which may take up to 2-3 weeks to get a reply. This facet of their compnay doesn't even have a phone number to contact them directly. All this just to obtain a piece of paper that will "probably not" ( her words ) have my signature on it that says I agree to a 24 month commitment. Only after, as she explained it to me, do you read on your bill of the 24 month commitment. How can you hold someone to a fee-able agreement, when the purchaser is unknown of said agreement until after installation? Does this make sense? BBB...oh, your probably busy doing nothing about everything.

This Company makes no legitimate sense. On top of all this crap, the supervisor I spoke to in South Carolina in explaining the commitment to me says "my credit score dictates the length of my commitment". WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? No where on the website or customer agreement can I find anything stating in any way shape or form that my credit score will dictate the length of my commitment. Does that mean an individual with a poor credit score will have a greater commitment, or someone with great credit will have a lesser commitment?

DirectTV, even your employees/supervisors don't understand the guidelines/CRAP you run your corporation by.

US Government, you should help the people you represent in this diabolical corporate run land of ours. But you probably, scratch probably, you WON'T do a thing! Because, they make a lot of money and they grease your pockets.

AWESOME!

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dmz420
Waipahu, US
Oct 10, 2009 2:37 pm EDT

I hope you didn, t pay the the $440 !

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Hoopmaine
Chattanooga, US
Oct 10, 2009 6:13 pm EDT

Direct TV is a joke. I recently moved to Chattanoolga TN and ordered Direct TV. The issue is the reabte takes 6-8 weeks. So you go 2 months prior to getting a rebate. Also watch your bill. I had add ons that I didn't order and had to call after I recived a bill in 2 months.

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rsecrest
Salmon, US
Oct 12, 2009 8:39 pm EDT

I am a former employee of Direct Tv and was forced to quit due to the attitudes and incompetence of the managerial staff. I am not the only one. I was employed for three days and during this time I saw two people quit, and many others get into trouble over things they had asked supervisors about and were told one thing then got into trouble for doing what the supervisors told them to do! It's ridiculous! The turnover rate for employees at this affiliate office is outrageous! There is no need for the manager(s) to act in this way! I feel something needs to be done and I will be the one to speak up about it!

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donna45
Taylorsville, US
Oct 15, 2009 8:26 pm EDT

I cancelled service with Direct TV over 3 months ago with a zero account balance. Approx two weeks later I receieved an erroneous charge of $420 to my personal checking account for an early cancellation fee. After three phone calls I finally had them acknowledge this was an erroneous charge and they agreed to refund my money. However, after waiting numerous weeks without a refund I phoned again. This time to find out I now had a $575 balance due on my account. The explanation was they had not recieved my 6 units. I explained I had sent them by FedEx in the boxes Direct TV sent to me. I provided them their own FedEx shipping numbers. They informed me I had to track the shipment myself. This I did and found out that "Jose", employee of Direct TV, had signed for the boxes 3 weeks prior. It then took me two additional calls to finally get someone to verify they found the boxes. I was then told to phone back within 7 days to make certian they credited my account. Further, they said I should also receive an email notifiying me of the credit. I received nothing and phoned back in 9 days only to find out that the account was "still under review" an that it would be "approximately another 6 weeks before a credit would be applied to my account." I can't not believe a company can continue with such poor customer service. They erroneously took $420 cash from my account and it will take them close to 5 months (maybe?) to reimburse me. Stand by to stand by on the status of this one...

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PJJOSCODA
Oscoda, US
Oct 16, 2009 8:44 am EDT

Three weeks ago I ordered DIRECT TV. The installer could not install due to a tree limb. A couple of days later there was a 21.00 charge against my checking account. I called the company to advise what happened and they said, "No problem, we will credit your account." It's been nothing short of a nightmare since! The next day I received an email from customer service telling me FED-EX would be delivering a box for me to return the receiver, the one that was NEVER installed. I immediately responded, explaining what happened once again. The next evening I received a voicemail threatening to take $451.05 out of my account if I did not return the receiver, THE ONE I NEVER RECEIVED! I contacted the installer supervisor and he verified that the receiver was in their warehouse, told me he would contact someone higher up in DIRECT TV, and he would try to help get this straightened out. Three weeks later, numerous phone calls to billing and finance, I thought it was finally going to be resolved. They admitted their mistake, but told me it would take 6 - 8 weeks for a refund. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Their mistake has caused numerous non-sufficient funds charges against my checking account. Then, a bit of good news, they would process a manual check. I spoke with my bank and explained what they had done, I'd have to fill out fraud report to removed the insufficient charges, put the DIRECT TV check back in my account when it arrives. Not great but I thought I was finally getting somewhere. Yesterday, I receive another threat from DIRECT TV for the return of the receiver or guess what...THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER 451.00 OUT OF MY CHECKING ACCOUNT! I am going to call my bank today and try to close my account. Of course, this causes a domino effect, for now I have to contact all my direct deposits, direct billings, etc. STAY AWAY FROM DIRECT TV. This is a very unethical, poorly run, company with the worst billing and customer service policies.

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fDTVrip-off
fruck, US
Oct 16, 2009 5:49 pm EDT

I had ordered NFL ticket as an upgrade from ATT Dish. I was charged for 4 receivers, at about $300 on my credit card. A guy called and said he would send somebody over within a certain time frame to set up the equipment. No one showed up that day. I called Direct TV and said they had no record of our order, and would have to call ATT to figure it out. Alas, I called ATT and they in turn said they had to send me to Direct TV. I told them not to send me there because I had been going around in circles. When ATT asked for our number on file, they told us that they had no record of that either! We have been their customer for years...

No one has a record of us, yet we had been charged. ATT has been causing so many problems as of late, and they need to be dealt with seriously. Perhaps a class action lawsuit in the newspaper would help us decent, innocent customers get some justice in this mess we call a business.

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dick bowman
Middle Point, US
Oct 19, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

A dead person could give better service than direct tv!they put holes in my roof and siding when i told them to put on my pole. service:10hrs on phone for piss poor service and keep changing programming and upping prices. started @&39.99 per mo and up to $69.00 in 5 months and we have not added nothing! also they told me i signed a contract for 2 yrs., i signed nothing signature or verbal Direct TV show me my signed contract! you cant. I will be great when air on local tv station from area complaints about Direct rippoff tv

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top dog
US
Oct 20, 2009 5:00 pm EDT

Direct tv chargrd my account 665.90 on 10/19/09 without my authorization. As far as i'm concerned this company have committed fraud. I see from other complaints thatb thisis common practice with direct tv. So far i have been told that my account will be credited i no longer have any trust with direct tv. I will be reporting this to the attorney general and filing a formal complaint to seek criminal charges.

Pisst the hell off

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I don't believe it
San Diego, US
Oct 21, 2009 2:03 am EDT

Direct tv took $1156 from my bank account They would in no way try to resolve the problems they were creating. When I returned their box, that they always put wrong addresses on, and Fed Ex finally got the box they refunded $511.00. The bank took $600 from my savings account, the only money I had because direct tv created an overdraft of $641.00.

Any one want to get together and put the pressure on FCC who says they do not deal with individuals but keep your complaint on file for "trends."

loissherman@ymail.com

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dondar
Baltimore, US
Oct 22, 2009 11:44 am EDT

I emailed Direct Tv about 2mos ago that I was having problems paying bill and asked if they could put a hold on my account until I get caught up. I don't watch tv much but still wanted to keep Direct-Tv once I was able to pay. Tuesday I received a Fed-Ex box to return my receiver. I called direct tv and told them that I did not want to cancel and told them about my email. THey told me I should have called to "suspend" my service and then asked me to pay the entire $284 due. I told them I was a single parent with a only 1 income and child support has been sparce. I asked them if I could make a $30 payment for now. They told me they CANNOT help me. I was almost begging them, I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul and Peter's funds are low. I told them eventually they would be loosing a customer because I will be going to cable. They still could not help. Today I looked at my account and they credited my account $384, which put in in the negative along with other bills that will be bouncing. I called and they could not help out, once again. I asked if I could go on sometype of payments. "No monthly payments". Once the receiver is received they will credit my account $125 for the receiver. I told them I just got the fed-ex box on tuesday to return the receiver and asked if they could give at least a week to receive it. I'm a single mother doing everything and was going to return the receiver on Friday. Could not help. THANKS DIRECT TV FOR NOTHING!

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hagancaine
Arlington, US
Oct 22, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

We had moved out of our home, and cancelled our service with Direct TV. Over a year went by. Recently, we noticed they took out $809 out of our bank account. When we called them, although they have on record that we cancelled, they were charging us the monthly charge for service. When they finally, after 76 phone calls, they admitted their error. Then they said it would be 6-8 weeks for the refund to be processed. We have been calling every day to speak to a Manager. They even refused to let me speak to someone abovve an entry level supervisor. Today we call again. Now they are saying that the refund will be in the form of a check. I absolutely loathe Direct TV. My wife and I agreed that when the refund check does come, we will use that money to rent a billboard stating the fact that "Direct TV stole our money".

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pisssedatDTV
US
Oct 27, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

I just spent 2 hours on the phone with these thieves. They took $334 out of my account on 10-13, withdrew the account, bank charges have accrued, etc. I had no idea until today. I am 66 years old, unemployed having lost my lucrative real estate job more than 2 years ago. They just don't give a damn. I cancelled my service in August; they said I never called them; continued to charge me; charged me $160 "cancellation fee" -- WTF? How do I get my money back? I can't make it until my next social security check...

I'm all for a lawsuit -- taking unauthorized funds out of someone's checking account WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN OWE THEM THE MONEY cannot be legal! What can be done about these ###?

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tootieb1
leadwood, US
Oct 29, 2009 2:16 pm EDT

I had authorized a one time only use of my debit card to get a friends direct tv set up. Now direct tv took 536.19 dollars out of my account without my authorization and I need the money returned to my account I have done all the faxing and calling that we could do. the account number is of the card that the money was taken out of came from the account number is as follows [protected] name on the account is Brianna Addington phone number [protected]. I will what the 7 days for the money to be put back into my account if not legal action will be taken and calling chanel 2, to let everyone know what kind of dealing you all are doing, will not do this if the money is returned immediatly.

sincerly
Tonia Bridgeman

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L Ivie
Queen Creek, US
Oct 29, 2009 7:12 pm EDT

If you move and call to disconnect, do NOT allow Direc TV to talk you into a "suspension" of service under the guise that you "might" sign up in the new place that you're moving to. It's a SCAM. At the end of three months from your original disconnect notice, Direc TV starts billing you your normal monthly amount without even hooking anything up. They send you an e-mail a few days before the billing is to resume again and give you the option of sending an e-mail back or calling an 800 number. I sent the e-mail 6 days before the three months was up, advising them I didn't want to resume service and do not resume billing me. I received an e-mail back from Direc TV acknowledging my e-mail - complete with a reference number. I never heard from Direc TV - although their Customer Service people said that I was sent an e-mail that told me I had to CALL in to cancel. They could not prove that I received the e-mail (I think my spam filter may have caught it) so not hearing anything from them, I assumed that I was done with Direc TV. NOT SO. 15 days later, I receive a bill in the mail with my normal monthly charge. I called - and after a warm discussion, I felt that it had been handled. Again NOT SO. After another 15 days, i receive another bill where they removed 83% of the charges stating that because I did not call in, I owed the "reduced" resumption bill for the number of days from the start of resumption until I called in after getting the first bill. Spent hours on the 800 line - talked to three levels of managers - they refuse to refund the approx 10 days of "NO" service. They want you to CALL in to cancel because then they get to "strong arm" you into signing back up. I sent them an e-mail, I know they received, saying NO. When will NO mean NO. I believe that all TV signal providers are crooked. They charge WAY to much for something we all used to get by putting up an antenna.

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UsernameDale
US
Oct 29, 2009 7:52 pm EDT

If you gave direct tv a credit car number, call your card company and tell them the card was lost. They will isssue a new card and account number that direct tv dosn't have. If you paid by check close the account and get a new one. Pay by money order and they won" t have an account to rob. Pay pal has a credit system that creates a new account for .each transaction

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Louis Cali
Scandia, US
Oct 29, 2009 10:45 pm EDT

If that's roughly what that person said it's very condescending.

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Curtis1970
Independence, US
Oct 30, 2009 11:40 am EDT

My acct was in suspend to I could get back on my feet financially. Someone at Direct TV made a mistake and deducted 712.01 from my bank account on 10/27/09. I am getting the run around to get my refund of money not owed to them. Have a family of 6, can't buy groceries or put gas in my car. They have blatantly lied and don't care about anyone.

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pissedoffincolorado
Woodland Park, US
Oct 31, 2009 12:04 am EDT

THE WORST customer service ever! their outsourced non-english speaking consultants lied and convinced me we could get high speed internet through direct tv - WRONG! I didn't believe it was legit and began investigating the very next day. I was right - they didn't know what they were talking about. They billed me $39.95 for equipment AFTER i cancelled the service and then they really started a mess with at&t (their internet partner). They sent me equipment too -- and the customer service through wirefly is worse than direct tv (if that's possible)
i have been on hold with these idiots for over 20 minutes now - do not ever use them! GO TO DISH NETWORK - they all speak english and don't lie to you.

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hevnseekr
Brookwood, US
Nov 02, 2009 11:52 am EST

From the first day of contact with DirectTV I have had problems. They assured me the installation technician could set up internet service and that it was included with my package. The technician was 1 hour late showing up and he laughed at me when I asked about the internet service; said it wasn't even an option! It took me 6 months to get the $100 rebate I was promised after the payment of my fist month's bill. (At this point I had contacted our local news stations and sent a copy of the letter to Direct TV.) I got the check within 2 days!

Our service goes out everytime the wind blows, whether it is storming or not. Do we get a discount for the hours without service? NO. And what about the times when it is storming and the service goes out, do we get a credit or refund on that? No!

Several months later we were out of town and I was billed for 2 PORN movies (no one was in my home). I had to pay for one, they were "KIND" enough to remove one of them and tried to convince me that "someone in my home ordered it (although NO ONE HAD ACCESS TO MY HOME at the time.)

On July 17, 2009 I paid my bill in full. Two weeks later my receiver box stopped working. I called to have it replaced and was told my bill was past due for $16.++ and I would have to pay that before I could PURCHASE A NEW BOX. I said "Wait a minute, you want me to buy a box that I pay rent on every month?!" And how is it possible my bill is past due when I paid it in full last week? Then the rep told me he could not tell me why I owed the amount. "I have a charge on my account and you can't tell me what it's for? " No maam, you just have to pay the amount and buy another box. I said, "You just hold on to that thought, I think I"m going to cancel my service. On August 3, 2009 I did cancel my service and was told I now owe them $98.00+ How is this possible that only a couple of days later I owe this money? I got a "FINAL" bill for $38.00 at the end of August. (I was unable to pay it because I lost my job due to becoming disabled.) Now on October 29, 2009 I received a bill for the amount of $201.00 that included 10 Pay Per Views during the summer months (not previously listed on my "Final" bill and I know we didn't order them because I have been home bound since JUNE 09) There is also a charge for 1 football game in the month of September, ONE MONTH AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DISCONTINUED/CANCELLED. I intend to fight this! I will not be bullied to pay for services I did not use! I have contacted my attorney!

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T. Mingus
Sanford, US
Nov 02, 2009 12:03 pm EST

I moved from cable TV because of rate increases and explained this to direct tv...I explained to the associate that I was on permanent disability and on a very limited budget. He was all about getting into a plan that would fit my budget. I told him I needed a plan that was about $50.00 a month. He got me into a plan. Everything was fine for about six months. Then the plan jumped from $50.00 a month to $71.00! When you call they tell you that this was an introductory rate...The sales associate NEVER said anything about an introductory rate. Stay away from this business, they use misrepresentation and then trap you into a contract that you cannot afford! Then you are stuck paying the higher rate or the cost of the two year contract if you cancel. Heed my advise, they are a sham!

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Kim Bowman
5 Birch Bark Court, US
Nov 03, 2009 2:08 pm EST

I called direct tv to get a HDTV converter box for my bedroom tv and the customer rep. instructed me to go to Best Buy to buy a box. So I went to purchase the box only to fine out later that night that the box was leased. When receiving my bill today to learn that they had extended my contract tried contacting Freddie u8612 and Chris @Corporate and they feel they didn't do any wrong but apoloized for me not being informed that I wasn't buying just leasing a box with a contract.

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stj99
youdontneedit, US
Nov 04, 2009 8:54 am EST

save yourself the trouble of getting into any DirectTV contracts; no matter how bad you want to watch your favorite team. they run their business on unethical practices. for example, if you do anything to move or change your service, you'll be extended into a new contract, silently (they'll never tell you that when they're offering to move your service for free.) i found out by adding an HD receiver to my existing acct. i was extended another 2 yrs. also, no matter what they tell you about the signal, take it from my personal experience of over two years, the picture (ESPECIALLY HD) goes out in a storm EVERY TIME. the only reason i signed up for the service anyway was for the NFL Sunday Ticket package...but that's an even bigger rip-off than the regular D-TV package. they charge $270 a season for the package and then have the nerve to ask for another $100 for HD NFL games. WTF! was i not already paying these ### extra for HD service? now, for buying Sunday Ticket i get the privilege of paying another $100 for HD NFL games. never mind that the games are broadcast in HD for free by CBS/Fox, so what's the deal with that? it's really more clear it's a SCAM when you find out they don't charge extra for baseball, hockey or NBA games in HD.

i feel like the biggest chump on the block having that D-TV dish installed on top of my house, knowing how much i was being ripped-off by Direct TV.

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Coster
US
Nov 05, 2009 10:20 am EST

I made the mistake of expecting to see the television come on with some sort of entertainment when I turn it on (after all, there are over 200 channels available with Direct TV). Instead, I have to repeatedly call Direct TV over and over to get permission to watch simple programming. If you don't watch a receiver for a couple of days, then a security feature kicks in that requires a call to "mission control" to get the receiver re-activated...annoying to say the least. The dish itself has been problematic with two major mechanical malfunctions within six months. I was out of service for a total of 17 days. If you call them for service...they charge you for it regardless of the origin of the problem. I'm sick of Direct TV, but they want hundreds of dollars to escape their "service".

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Greatme
US
Nov 06, 2009 7:38 am EST

I signed up on one of their promotional letters of Order Direct TV & get all this: $34.99 mo. for 12 months (The Choice Extra Package), FREE Professional installation -yea holes in your roof after being explicitly told to install in a specific location-front on the house-the installation includedin up to 4 rooms-at an additional charge of $4.99 ea. per month-3 receivers an addit'l $14.97 per month-Free HDR receiver upgrade-notice the small print "with activation of the Choice XTRA progamming or higher" which I had no problem with since I like those channels-but always read their small print!

Where my problem began is with the fact that you have to file a rebate to get this pricing-which I did online & called evey month to find out why I was over billed & the list goes on & on-never to get the rebate after hours of calling & passed from one computer to the next-I have quit my service as of this date & will see what will happen next. They are well known even by my bank for over billing problems! BUYER BEWARE!

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Mteebs23
Grand Rapids, US
Nov 07, 2009 5:58 pm EST

Direct TV is going to get it handed to them...They stole money out of my account, and I am not the kind of person that deals with this well, since I have some connections up pretty high I am single handedly going to try to get all of you JUSTICE for this kind of crap. If you receive something in the mail about a mass lawsuit follow through with it, it's real...Sincerely disgruntled beyond belief.

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Mteebs23
Grand Rapids, US
Nov 07, 2009 6:03 pm EST

and not to mention, don't try going to BBB, ATT is there, Comcast is there, Guess who isn't a member good old Direct TV, I am actually ashamed of myself for not checking that before my wife did business with them...RED LIGHT RED LIGHT!

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panacean1045
Milton Mills, US
Nov 07, 2009 11:20 pm EST

After one year my purchased DRV died and I had a second purchased DVR activated. Well about 5 weeks later I get a bill from DirectTV saying I owe 200 for the first DVT.
At no time did the cusomer rep tell me I needed to send them the defictive DVR .
They never told me ther added another 2 years to my contract at that time and now when the original 2 year contract ran out I called and after several representatives reacche someone who told me he would reset my contract to the date when I originally signed with them. GREAT..
Well I switched to DISH and 2 weeks later they charge my credit card 240 for early termination. THIEVES, LIERS, CROOKS.
Michalle 9872 called me a lier when I told her what happened.
Everything that is in there bill about treating there customers honestly is B/S

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Montgomery
US
Nov 09, 2009 8:04 am EST

In November of 2008 my husband called Direct Tv and asked questions regarding a flier we received stated 34.99 per month free installation, dvr and four rooms. We had Dishnetwork for 7 years and wanted to the four room upgrade with dvr. With dishnetork we had a bundle package with our phone and we asked if it was available and they said yes. We gave our phone information and it was told to us yes it would be set up and it would give us a discount for the bundle. They took credit card info to secure the order and was told that we would not be billed on the credit card. We asked out total with fees and all it would come to around 56.00. They set up date for install in December. They came installed and 4 days later we got a charge on the credit card (not givin premission) for almost 80.00. When called very angry I asked 1. why it wasn't bundled with phone they asked me my phone info and we were told that they don't do business with our company. funny we were quoted that they do. (lie one) Than asked why it wasn't 56.00 they said that was with the 4 rooms price. When we were quoted with the 4 rooms. But we can't arue with them. I asked if could cancel and they a number to call in our area to find out the laws. I did and they said we had 7 days. Ok so i called to cancel they said we had to pay 500 dollars there is no cancelling allowed. Angry talked to supervisor he decided to give us one more free dvr with free installation. They came put it in charged our credit card again with 200.00. Called complained they said nothing was in writing(lie number i think now 3.) Talked to cancelation department they said you could cancel in 7 days from the day you ordered it. Funny you don't realize you are being screwed till it is installed 25 days after you order and after first bill. Nice company to deal with. Anyways they did credit account but today i found out that 56.00 bill is now 98.26. Granted we did get the extra reciever but im a little confused as to how one receiver adds 42.00. Anyone thinking of joining direct tv DONT Dishnetwork is much better. Even now the quality of the tv sucks. It skips all the time. If i could cancel and not be billed I would.

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bettscarlo
Cleveland, US
Nov 09, 2009 1:08 pm EST

was told several times my rebate had been approved. now they say i never filed it. very rude man in customer service.

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Tim Walter
North Jackson, US
Nov 10, 2009 12:20 pm EST

I decided to switch form cable to Direct TV because of a "better deal". Big mistake. Although cable is a pain, Direct TV is worse. The contract requires a 2 year commitment or a $20 per month cancellation fee for every month short of the 2 year contract. You are billed 1 month in advance. Every TV must have a receiver (@ $5 a tv). The DVR is not nearly as convienent as the cables. The cable DVR would buffer the last 2 channels automatically while the Direct TV will record 2 but only if you tell it. Sure there are a lot of channels but a great majority are infomercials. With cable I was receiving 6-8 HD channnels out of Cleveland. With Direct TV only a few HD are included in the basic package. Long story short when my contract is up I will switch back to cable & accept what I ahve.

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