DirecTV review: very poor service and unacceptable contract 1397

On march, 7, 2008 my husband was really happy, he was getting Direct tv! We are cubans and he only speaks spanish so he asked for spanish programming, someone just sold him Choice (that's only in english, so there we were stock we something he didn't wanted) after being for hours on the phone they change the plan but didn't realize the antenna wasn't right so we spent another day trying get what we were paying for, at the end of the day I was frustrated and angry and wanted to cancel the service (2nd day) but we only went from one representative to another without getting any answers or help, no one thought about the antenna until I talked to a friend and he told me maybe that was the problem, It was true (that was the problem) when I called to the company they send a technician (next day) so he changed the antenna, but all we could watch in spanish was channels for shopping (no history channel or discovery that is what my husband likes) we were not satisfied so we decided to cancel anyway, after being for hours on the phone finally we got some one who told us that we have to pay $366 .I was really disappointed so I kept calling and even wrote a complaint e-mail, the answer I receive was that I have to pay not only the fee but also the channels that were free for 3 months! Finally I search on the web and found this web site, I feel so bad I am not the only one that's being robbed by Direct tv, also there is not web sites like this in spanish, it's like we are more vulnerable s to this kind of scams.

Contacted an internet site ordered a package. For $39.99 was contacted by a representative of Direct to confirm an institution, agreed to the date. Received a bill for $58.00 five days later called direct and was told that would be my monthly bill because I had up graded. And if I wish to cancel it would cost me $300.00 as I was locked into a 18 month contract.

I'm retired and cannot afford this amount.

Simple, they advertised if you signed with direct tv you would get a free DVD player. This ad was in 2007. I signed up, its march 2009 and still no DVD player. I called about it, they brushed me off to customer service in the phillipines, they were like "we don't remember having an ad". I laughed, hung up the phone.

They upgraded the software in my SET one day, the set didn't work, I called about it, they CHARGE FOR ASSISTANCE. They don't back up their product really.THEY CHARGE YOU FOR EVERY BIT THEY CAN! BEAUTIFUL, I LOVE GIVING AWAY MY MONEY!

Any who, being that I am to tired to get into details, direct tv works when it wants to. I cant wait to get TIME WARNER AGAIN where they come to your house, fix your problem and don't charge you for it!

DIRECT TV, I d rather put an empty box of cheerios, 2 ice cream sticks with glue together and pray to the antenna Gods to give me reception before I extend my plan with DIRECT TV.

My service went out in january of this year (2008). They said I needed a new card. I offered to pay for overnight FEDex because I was having friends over for Football playoff games.they said it couldn't be done. i got a new card and after one week I had no service again. I spent hours on hold trying to get through to customer service. To make a long story short I had to discontinue service. They said i would be charged an early termination fee. I told them that they didn't honor their side of the commitment. I sent a registered letter to Direct TV with the details of my situation. They would respond by saying that I didn't keep my commitment with no mention of their horrible mis-handling of my situation. Without responding to my registered letter, they charged my credit card the termination fee.

I will challenge this thievery and tell everyone I know not to use Direct TV.

I too have been scammed by directv. I canceled my service because of poor quality with the equipment, and with customer service department. They lied to me and did not honor their end of the contract with me. They lied to me about the rebate, the discount I was to get each month off my bill, installation was from a old beat up pickup-truck and some guy that did not know what he was doing. I was promised a certified directv technician. I was charged for a pole to mount the dish which was never mentioned to me over the phone. I could go on and on about their horrible service. They deducted 421.00 out of my credit card account without my consent, and when I called, I also got the run- around. I spoke with Leann ID# [protected] in Tenn. trying to get help. I have sent a certified letter to their dispute center at P O Box 6550 Greenwood Village, CO. [protected]. I also sent to BBB and FCC. Directv knows they can get away with dishonorable practice , that's why they don't care what you say to them over the phone. I will spread the word to everyone or anyone I know thats thinking of getting directv ... run, run, run. I will keep fighting to get my money back and I wish someone would start a class action suit against them, I also would be the first one to sign up. I also wish our goverment would not allow companies such as directv to continue this kind of practice.

I cancelled their service after 4 days which was within their time frame for a refund. I asked how to get the refund and return the equipment, they sent me pre-paid UPS boxes and I sent the 4 recievers back to them. I didn't see a credit to my account so I called after about 2 1/2 weeks to make sure they recieved the equipment. They showed that they had the equipment, but that they would not be refunding my money because it isn't their policy the refund for equipment! Whatever! So I stopped payment through my credit card bank and called back again to talk to someone reasonable. I found the reasonable guy who said sorry for the hassle, it was fine that I stopped the charge, and my account balance was zero. And then I got a letter stating I would be sent to collections if I didn't pay the money for the equipment! They sent me to collections. I am now dealing with Riddle and Assoc. because DirectTV sicked them on me, but I sent them all the BS info from DirectTV that I have and told them I would be copying the BS claim to my own attorney to clear up my credit record due to this lovely company.

I canceled my service with Direct TV after 7 years because I moved to another state. I was not under any contracts with Direct TV. Each time I call DT they assure me the problem has been corrected and I do not owe them any money. Today I was notified they have turned my account over to a collection agency. When I called... again the idiot I spoke with did not have a clue even though she identified herself as the billing supervisor.

I have had the same problem but my bill went into collection affecting my credit score. Here what happened.

Incident
This "Account" was terminated in September 2007 when I moved back to my home in another county in Mississippi. I never received another bill and assumed I was current. Somehow this account was continued without my knowledge and possible moved to another location. I am currently trying to contact CBE Group and/or Direct TV. I will pay their $678.00 blackmail in order to get this off my report. And if you ever see Direct TV on my report again I can assure you it will be fraudulent because I will never deal with them again. Note: I have contacted Direct TV's Costumer Support at phone number [protected] and after a hour they where unable to find my account. Isn't that a joke. They cannot find my account but they can screwup my credit report.

Damage Resulting
The action of placing this on my credit report has affected my credit score by 70 points. This can possibly have an affect on a property purchase planned for next week. The legal ability for these people to do this is total and outrageously wrong.

I agree with this posting. DirectTV has done the same thing with me and I'm thinking of starting a class action lawsuit to start in Volusia County, FL and then depending on a lawyer I may go national. Everyone if you haven't already file a complaint with two sites:
* consumeraffairs.com
*lawcash.com
I paid for the service to start using "check by phone". I have a 10 page folder to prove that they have lied to the state attorney generals of Florida and Georgia.
If you know of any dissatisfied customers in the Datona Beach, FL area please tell them to contact my e-mail:
Fred.Sayin@gmail.com . This also includes Deland, Deltona, Port Orange... Anyone means relative, friend, co-worker, collegue or even neighbor

W just got hit by Direct TV. We recently cancelled the service after having it since the late 90's. In October of 2007 our DVR quit working and we called Direct TV to repair. They said it was dead and sent a replacement. I specifically asked if there was a charge and was told "no". That our monthly fee covered it.

When I called to cancel I was told that I owed 320 dollars for early cancellation since the 'new' dvr carried a 2 year contract. I have talked to every service rep they have. The story is the same. A slip of paper in the box used to ship the new dvr to us said that it carried a two year contract. I am protesting the charge, however I just looked at my bank account and Direct TV has charged by check card with 75 dollars! I never gave them this debit card, however do electronic bill payment.

If someone has a class action suit going, let me know.

Details: To whom it may concern, For a reason yet determined by either me or Direct TV's representatives I did not get an HD receiver with my installation. My ignorance with regard to this error is my own since I did not know that there were different types of receivers. However when my wife placed the order for service she was under the impression that since we have a 55 inch HDTV that an HD receiver would be installed. After speaking at length, actually over 40 minutes, with a company rep and her
supervisor earlier today no resolution was reached due to their claim that too much time had elapsed. Your reps both stated that the work order showed no notation re the HD receiver BUT also admitted that an oversight of this nature could have been the fault of the person taking the order. When I offered that we share the possible mistake and compromise on the additional charges I was rebuffed by the rep and while speaking with her supervisor the phone was hung up either by accident or plan. I am ascribing
no blame beyond accident for the disconnect but as well I did not get a return call either. I think that your rep must have had my number. I am no picnic and I am not an easy person to wear down or even respond to although I am calm and polite. I subscribed to your service as an alternative to Comcast which I felt had become pricey and arrogant in their dealings, at least with me. The response I received from your reps is in the same league. I am not interested in opening a can of worms or a dogfight. I
would like you to honor my request for the installation of an HD receiver and whatever other accoutrements are needed at a minimal or better no charge. I understand the argument with regard to the elapsed time but do not agree that as a customer I should have discovered the mistake within the fifteen day grace period given by your reps as the limit to correct an error. I trust that a reasonable and satisfactory agreement can be reached. Thanks, Ian
The first response I received was polite and satisfactory but the following (enclosed) is simply read from the same script read to me by the above mentioned supervisor before he hung up. Although the English written and perhaps spoken in whatever corner of the planet Gerquisha resides leaves a bit to be desired, the message of UP YOURS is loud and clear. You go girl!
"Your work order has already been signed and closed as an indication that you are satisfied with the installation and your equipment. If their was a mistake, we'd hope that you would contacted us prior to the technician leaving or signing the work order so we could revised your work order for the correct equipment. The New Customer offers are only available during the initial order, not after. DIRECTV will not honor your request for more free equipment.
You can upgrade your equipment for as little as $99 for an HD Receiver or $199 for an HD DVR (applicable taxes, shipping & handling charges may also apply). Depending on your individual equipment/system setup, an installation fee may apply. Installation fees range from $0 to $99. A representative can tell you what, if any installation charges will apply when you place your order. Or, if you choose to upgrade online, any installation fees will be presented to you prior to completing your order.

Our HD ACCESS package is automatically added to your account when you add an HD receiver. HD ACCESS is included in our Plus HD DVR package; in most other packages, it’s only $9.99 a month and it gives you access to your favorite HD channels."

Sincerely,

Gerquisha C. 404421
DIRECTV Customer Service My only response may be to simply let them go fish. I care less about these creeps and their credit reports. They can come and collect everything or it will simply collect dust in my garage. I'm too damned old for this crap.

This compant Direct Tv in puerto Rico is very unprofessional and delays in crediting their customers for incorrect charges. Icanceled the service 02/11/08 and on 02/19/08 i was rebilled for a month of service of $38.60. Today April 5 it has not been credited. Also, a paymnt was made via money order. usps confirmed it had been cashed by them and they have not credited the $35.00 payment made 02/11/08 as of yet April 5, 2008. What else can I do re: the $0.00 balance I should have reflected on my account.

We have a problem w/ Direct TV for taking money out of our account w/o authorization. How do we get it back? Small claims? I also would strongly urge anyone to spread the word.

Replaced a receiver that was receiving free Playboy TV, after 2yrs Hi-Def service was up I decided to drop their service, after calling in to cancel service I was told because I received a new receiver that re-obligated me to another 2 yrs service, so for reporting free programing I get penalized for doing so, and charged an early termination fee. Guess I should have said nothing, as a customer you get treated like nothing. Free programing I guess you shouldn't report, can't beleive Direct TV just turns their heads to someone that does what is right.

I am a TV Cameraman. I pre-paid 3 years of service with TiVo. I was told by direct tv sales that my TiVo will work. I is not even compitable. Since I use TiVo with my work, I canceled and went back to cable (which does work) and for many other lies told and promises never kept. I was charged a cancilation fee. I can not even get any resolution from the resolution department. Why is the FCC not getting involved?

I spoke with Tiffany in the Kansas Call Center this evening 4/8/08 at 927pm who advised me that there is a software issue with the two direct TV boxes that I have model R15. This problem prohibits the machines to perform series recordings correctly. I requested new boxes. Tiffany refused. I requested an ETA of when the software upgrade would be available - she did not know. I requested partial credit since I have been unable to consistently view series recordings Tiffany refused. I requested to speak with her manager/have her manager call me back. She also refused.
I contacted American Express case #GZ21935 to dispute this matter and to suspend any further charges until I receive what I am paying for. Please provide partial credit for all of these months and issue two new DVR boxes so that I may receive what I have been paying for all along. I can’t be the only one with this problem.

c036Also e-mail clarkhoward.com if you live outside Atlanta GA or call him if you live in Atlanta GA -his number is on his website clarkhoward.com. I'm thinking of mailing a copy of their letter to attorney general Bill McCollum plus a copy of their bill to him to prove they are lying. Also according to an e-mail I paid an electronic funds payment around January 16. I'd like a company rep to tell me how I made a payment while in the hospital (1/8-1/18/08) and I don't want to hear a bullish story that my landlord and friend took one of my checks and read it to them. Why is it bullish I ran out of Suntrust checks in early December and didn't reorder until late January. If anyone can come up with Direct TV's picture logo send it to me and I'll relabel it and post it to the internet utube: "pissedofftv" Excuse my french but I'm quite angry and irritated when companies like Direct TV tells lies and allegedly commits fraud. Any disatisfied Direct TV customer with billing issues in Volusia County FL contact me by e-mail with your story and mailing address at
Fred.Sayin@gmail.com and my response will explain my strategies for dealing with Direct TV. Again try clarkhoward.com

I ordered Direct TV, spent about twenty minutes going over all the various items, packages etc, no problem. I told the woman on the phone I wasn't sure whether they could install it due to the location of my apartment. No big deal, she says I have thirty days to decide, so ok. Needless to say, when I called today, it turns out they have a 24 HOUR return policy, and if I want to cancel (two weeks into the contract) it will cost me 400 dollars!

Needless to say, if they had told me this I wouldn't ever have consented to the hookup. Ludicrous I say. Anyway, now the account is in suspension which saves me from paying monthly charges, yet does nothing for my feeling of betrayal. After the suspension is up I guess it's back into suspension I go until the contract is up.

Buyer beware!

direct t.v. is a rip off...it was on my credit report i owed them money..i was living with my friend and the cable was in my name...when i moved i paid my last bill and called direct t.v. and had the service switched over to my old room mates name...i asked if i had to return the receivers or anything and they said no it would be switched into her name. She started receiving bills in her name...yet when i called them about my credit report they said that when i moved out she must had called and switched it back in my name...i said did you get my signiture, or my social security number or any proof it was me switching into my name and they said no i had my friend call them and tell them she had never switched it back into my name and they told her that unless she pays the bill it won't come off my credit report...how is this possible when i wasn't living there and it was switched into her name... wow they suck

Sorry lady, you live in the country, learn the language

Direct TV made an unauthorized "Protection Plan charge" to my account, when I found out, they would not refund all of the over charges AND ADDED a Portection Plan Cancellation FEE ! What kind of scam is this?

DirecTV took out over $400 out of my bank account!
They will not help me and continue to give me the run around!

I filed a dispute with my bank and almost got my money back until it was "discovered" that the very first person I had talked to at the bank said I said that I did owe the money to DirectTV!
WTF!
They STOLE that money out of my account and nobody will help me get it back!
I need that money!

I tell everybody I know not to ever deal with DirectTV!

Dear Sir or Ms:
I am so disappointed in Direct TV that I am ready to cancel it.
I have 4 issues: 1. There are 3 PBS networks and most of the TV shows that are advertised and that we want to see, are on the PBS that we don't get. Why not give us all 3 and skip some of the sports? 2. The other night we all started to watch the playoff hockey game between Calgary and San Jose. We watched 15-20 minutes, then cable shut off saying the show "was not in our viewing area". Hello. The game had already started. No one was going to rush to buy a ticket and drive 1 1/2 hrs. to San Jose to watch the game. Why start it, then discontinue. That is truly bad business! 3. Over 90% of the cable channels offered by you are ones that we never view. I would prefer to pick my own channels and pay a lot less per month. $60.00 plus for what you are offering is way too much money in today's economy.
4. Finally, please give us some quality TV - not the trash the networks are putting out. Go to BBC or CNN international for some quality.
I am so frustrated with TV that we find our family is watching less and less. I don't want to see so many commercials and I don't want to see someone get robbed, raped, or beaten up. I should not have to have that in my home.
Thank you.
Dr. Jackie Fobes

We signed up with direct tv december 5 2008 and sence then we have been charged for what was to be free service, our bill credited to someone elses account twice we was talked to like it was our mistakes not billing departments mistake. We was told our service woulkd be turned off if payment was not made and they got 1 check by mail and one by phone both in 1 day the check by mail was cashed and the check by phone was done and still we was told 7 to 10 days to get that stright. We live in a area where only satellite tv can be used .So its but up with this each mo or do with out tv. Some one needs to get these people better workers or let them deal with this kinda problems each mo because it not far.All in all its been one big pain in the butt but like i said tv or deal with the hassel of their mistakes?

they ran there cable wires in the wrong place and you can not get them to come back to move them they make appoiments then never come then when you call them they give you the run around

Directv shut me off on 4/18/08 my bill was due on the 9th. when I got the 2nd bill I just put in my desk until I was ready to pay it on the 5/1/. so guess what I not only did they not want to talk to me any time soon to talk to them about it I had to email them. I did chew their butts out big time and I plan on fileing this with the bbb. if anyone else reads this I ask you to file with bbb too.
Dawna Ddalgliesh
Lewiston, Id

Let me know if you have found a class action lawsuit on this issue please. I want in! They robbed me blind!

Horrible. I should have never bundled up. Direct TV keeps billing me $131 per month, after several phone calls EVERY month, suddenly, all records of my calls and the promises they made to me have "POOF"! Disappeared. I should not have tried to fix something that was not broken. Sorry Comcast! I miss you! -Hopkins, MN

HZBitew@directv.com apparently is not only a "corporate climber" but will do and say anything to get ahead in the Direct TV Company - his responses show that! Ha, they apparently don't even care that people are complaining about them!
I, too, am having huge problems with Direct TV (like no TV a lot of the time) and they want me to pay them $281.00 to cancel their service - the one I'm not getting.
I have started a project (I'm retired and have the time) that includes writing about problems with Direct TV (with proof) about their criminal services-- I am writing to my State, Local, and Federal representatives; and their applicable Federal Regulatory Agencies. I'm also looking into "Small Claims Court" as a way of at least making them spend some of their own time and money!
I am also putting a movie on Youtube about their services, especially their customer services!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GIpu6YMufU

Direct TV are a bunch of liars and crooks. My fiance called to upgrade her service to HD and was never told anything about a 2 year contract. She knew she was moving in 6 months and would never have agreed to ANY contract.

When the installer came out to hook her up, he never gave her any paperwork that said anything about a contract. I went to the Portland, OR Direct Tv website and couldn't find anything that specifically mentioned a 2 year contract.

When she moved and canceled her service was the very first time they mentioned any contract or early termination fee. They told her she would be billed for $225 and gave her an address to write to dispute the charge, then immediately went into her bank account and stole the money. She had never authorized automatic funds withdrawals, but they were still able to grab the money from her account.

I called to complain and was told that although they have nothing she signed agreeing to a 2 year contract, it's their policy to tell people that on the phone or leave them some paperwork at the installation that informs them they just agreed to a 2 year contract, neither of which they did.

They steal people's money and then challenge them to try and find a way to get it back.

1. Falsely represented the product and capabilities
2. Improper installation (roof leaks) and intermittent signal on 5 channels
3. Lost 4 days of work trying to get them to repair the system.
4. No response from notifications sent to main office.

This is the worst treatment of a customer I have ever experienced. But they still advertise their superior customer service! I am currently looking for their state agent to send a copy of my small claims summons and no one will cooperate! There is not enough room in this area to explain everything they have done wrong!

This is happening today as I write this.

Direct TV is the very Worst Company I have EVER come across in my life. That company if filled with crooks and thieves.

First of all their service was lousy and their csr was even worst the many times that I've contacted them with any issue. Finally after a year of service I terminated my service with a credit of $58 left on the account. I had my debit card linked to my account at the time I terminated the service and had FedEx back their equipment to them. I did not realize that I even had a contract with them nor did I realize that there was a early termination fee for the SO CALLED contract. One week after I had cancelled the service and one day after they had received the equipment back (yesterday), without sending me a final bill Direct TV went into my bank account using the debit number on file and deducted an additional $100 without my permission. I had never been set up for automatic withdrawals, had always paid after receiving my bill each month. However I had always paid by my debit card and therefore Direct tv had access to my debit card information. As I said, without sending me a bill and without permission Direct TV took this money from my bank account. As soon as I realize this was happening (actually the same day the payment was being processed - today) I contacted my bank - WACHOVIA immediately and was told in no uncertain terms that WACHOVIA would not do anything to stop a debit card transaction and therefore they had to allow Direct tv's transaction to proceed. Have Direct tv proceed with stealing my money from my bank account.

I feel like I've been failed twice and most of all by the institute - Wachovia Bank who allowed Directv to proceed with taking money from my Bank account and not stop them even though I notified them before the money was posted to my bank account - it is still pending. They got me on the line with Direct TV (three ways) and decided to disregard their customer (me) and agree with the big institution Direct tv.

I thought as a consumer I had rights to my own money but evidently as far as Direct tv and Wachovia is concerned and anyone can come off the streets and take my money out of my bank account without any interference from Wachovia Bank. And even when they're notified that "hey someone is taking my money without my permission - stop them" All I got from Wachovia is "sorry, can't stop them we have to let them continue to take your money because they have the ability to do so"

Direct tv claims that last April they notified all their customers that when an account is terminated and Direct tv feels that they customer owes them money for what ever reason they have they right to take the money from whatever means necessary based on any credit card or anything else they may have on file.

Buyer, beware. Be very careful with your dealings with direct tv. If you have to do business with them, if possible, pay them using a money order because they have this in the fine print as of April 2007 and will take your money with or without permission if they have access to your information.

I have to agree with everyone on the poor service Direct TV gives. My story mimics many of yours except Direct TV added a different twist to my problem with them. I was a loyal customer to Direct TV since 2004 and never once was late on a bill. I decided to cancelled with them about five months ago and go with another company because of their bundle service. When I cancelled with them I made sure they were paid in full for my services. The paid in full with $0 balance was confirmed by their representative that I cancelled the service with twice. He informed me that I needed to send two receivers back to them in a box that they would send, which I did. Both receivers were placed in the large box and sent FedEx. A month later I receive a bill saying I own for a receiver. When I talked to Direct TV they told me that they received one receiver but not the other. I asked them how that could be since they were both in the same box. The representative said that they made a mistake by only scanning one of the receivers and not both of them. She also assured me that the correction to my bill would be made. A month later I get another bill stating that I still owe for a receiver. When I call again I am told by this representative that a note was written to make the correction but the representative did not make it, but they would surely do it for me right then. The next month another bill comes in saying the same thing, only this time the representative told me that the problem was they had just found the missing receiver and that is why it was still showing on my bill, however since she knew it had been found she was correcting it right then and would send me out a bill showing no charges owed to them. I received the bill and it did state ($0 balance). However, this month I receive a bill that now states I own them $32.89 for PPV that they found on the received that they lost and found. When I told them that I do not do PPV and that the phone lines to order it were never connected, the supervisor told me sorry but the charges would stay and I had to pay them. I also told him how funny it was that my receiver came up missing for three months and you happen to find it with added charges on it. I told him that I believed they had someone else receiver and said it was mine, and how convenient it was that the receiver had extra charges on it right after I refused to pay for a so called lost receiver and would not answer your request to come back to Direct TV. I am in the middle of trying to contact their corporate office but from reading some of the other complaints that will be a waste of time, but I still plan on doing it and taking it further if necessary. Like I told the supervisor it may be just $32.98 but it is my $32.98 that I do not owe them.

I let my little brother use my debit card to make a payment over the phone for his deposit when he was setting up his acct and somehow I was put into their system as the acct holder. Nevermind to them the fact that they don't have my social sec. # or anything of that nature, they just put my name as the acct holder. Then my little brother wrecks his motorcycle and cannot work so of course the acct goes negative and now their collections place is calling me saying that their going to put this on my credit. These people are the worst frauds ever. They're as bad as Compass bank!

I have had DirectTV for less than one month and my tv has worked less than half of the time than I have had the service. Everytime I call to get repairs they say it will take two to three days. Needless to say we are going on two weeks with no working tv in my living room!

This has to be the worst company that I have ever dealt with and have made no attempts at making the customer happy and fixing the problem! They keep giving you false promises to get you off the phone and then when you call back and confront them with what they told you, they have another song and dance for their statement.

DIRECTTV SERVICE AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUX! People do not waste your time with their service!

DIRECT TV SUCK CRAP!

I hate them!
And now I am stuck with a contract!

when you have these problems i have written thr att. general of the state tou live in. direct tv tried to debit my visa, however my card expired.they sent me a100. bill, turned it into collection agency/bottom feeders.the comntinued to rise.4 mo. later the vice pres. of sleeze forgave the bill.so don't give up.i had direct tv fore 8yrs.they lost a cutomer over100.00 pmm

I had direct tv for five years due to no cable service where I live at. when FIOS came in, I cancelled DTV, I was paid ahead by 2 months. I called DTV and told them I had cancelled this was at the end of January, February 1st was to start FIOs, I was billed in March for 70.17 from DTV. I was told I had agreed to another service with them which was totally false. I asked them to send the recording stating that I had excepted another two years with them when I had no reason to.They turned me into collections. I wrote a dispute letter to a pobox which I knew was a fake never receieved a response back.Anytime they call to offer you something tell them to take you off there call list.
contact by mail only.

When moving to a new home in Florida, I requested my Direct TV programming be transferred to our new location. They insisted I needed a new box. After installation we did not have reliable programming. Daily we would be in the middle of a show and the show would be lost or it would be so scrambled that we couldn't possibly watch it. I called and called, they had us do all sorts of things included countless times of resetting. After more than a month of continued calling and complaining with no final solution that would work, we cancelled. Now we are being billed for early cancellation for equipment that does not work. I say how can we be charged an early disconnect when they never got the service correctly connected to begin with? I have offered to send the box back - they refuse. I have asked a local Direct TV guy in their truck to take it, he refused. I contacted the BBB but Direct TV simply refuses to acknowledge the problem and keeps referring back the customer agreement. As far as I am concerned they are the ones who broke the agreement. Now they have turned me over to a collection agency but I still refuse to pay over $200 for a service they never provided. Now what do I do?

My name is Jeff Lorenzen and I have recently moved on March 18th, 2008 from California to Oregon and asked for my service to be transferred to my new location. When the technician came out to my new home I was informed that DirecTV could not provided me with the service I so desperately wanted. He then told me his supervisor would have to come out to verify his findings and 4 day later he showed up at my house and after going all around told me because of trees out of my control that I would not be able to receive DirecTV. He then informed me that this would be documented so that I would not be subject to any earlier cancellation fees.
About a month later I received a bill for a early cancellation I called in to explain the situation, and was told that it was probably a mistake but later was told that I should have thought about this before I moved that there was no service available and that I would be required to pay the earlier cancellation fee. I then asked to speak with a supervisor and was transferred. I explained again my situation and said that my intent was to keep DirecTV and that it was out of my control. I even offered and received another technician to come and look to see if that was the case, and again was informed that I cannot get reception. This supervisors also informed me that he would key in the notes the situation and have your upper management people revue again the situation to see about over turning this fee.
Now after 2 weeks I have been informed that you will not overturn the early cancellation fee, because of services you cannot provided. Not because I did not want your services and I have no choice but to take this situation to arbitration. I am some what confused by the way this has been handled I have been a valued customer for over 8 years and I cannot believe this is the way you would like to be treated.