DirecTV
Reviews and Complaints

The term agreement of DirecTV is in the small print under the equipment rental section on the page they ask you to sign after the satelite dish is installed and in the first bill received later. Not like Dish Network and Comcast, the term requirements are clearly stated in the price packages. Is it legel? Mightbe, but it is definitely cheating.

You should have read the contract you signed after the install was complete. Your fault.

I went to AT&T for Internet and TV and they suggested a bundle in which AT&T provides Internet and DirectTV provides the TV. Neither the AT&T staff at the store nor the phone staff mentioned at any time that I was entering into a de facto 2 year contract for the TV portion. DirectTV sent a confirmation letter for the order at the bottom of which, in small print, is a warning to read the agreement on the back, and they have the you sign the contract at installation although I had a friend let them in for me so I never signed anything. They claimed when I called to cancel that letting them install is essentially agreeing to their terms and conditions whether you signed anything or not. The net is that clearly thousands of people are unaware of the fact that if they are unstaisfied with DirectTV or the AT@T DirectTV "bundel" they will have to pay more than $500 to get rid of it, as proven by the class action lawsuit about this very practice underway in California.

When I ordered HD box(es) by phone from Direct TV in January 2012, I was forced to accept to a 2-year contract in order to get the HD box. If I cancel within that 2-year period, I was told that I am obligated to pay for the remainder of that contract (Direct TV will automatically charge my credit card). As of tonight, Direct TV is dumping 25 channels - several of which we watch regularly . In my opinion, Direct TV "broke" that 2-year contract. When I begrudgingly "agreed" over the phone to accept that 2-year contract, I accepted the service package I originally signed up for -- NOT service MINUS those 25 channels. I would like to dump Direct TV but don't feel I should have to pay for the remaining 18 mos of the "contract". Is it fair that DirectTV can "dump" on me, but I can't dump them without being penalized?

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en#last

This is the link to file a complaint against Direct TV for charging you unauthorized charges to your account. I'm not sure what the stipulations are in regards to the contract cancellation. Good luck & God bless.

I agree. They have no concept of honesty. What they promise is NOT what you get. They refuse to fix it and never heard of "the customer is always right." with them, it's "thanks for the money, sukka!"

a quick correction tha is 247 not 257

Dude take a deep breath. It's honestly not Directv's fault that you would not be able to get NESN (New England Sports Net), if you are looking to blame anyone blame NESN. In accordance with blackout rules, customers who subscribe to SPORTS PACK will not receive sports programming outside their market on these channels. These are rules that all cable and satellite companies have with the various sports leagues and the stations that provide them that say if a customer is in a certain area we will not provide game coverage, these rules are enforced by the FCC. Forgive Directv for not wanting to anger a federal entity that governs what it can do, the last time a company did this was dish network, they used to be able to provide what are called distant network services to customers with who they could not provide locals. The FCC caught them skirting the rules and regulations (in some places flat out breaking them) and took away their rights to broadcast the DSNs. Besides if you had actually taken the time to search he Directv website (and I know it is unorganized and could be better) you may have found this page http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=3160004 which tells you what channels certain games will be on...incidentally so you don't have to go to that page you can find the redsox game on channel 257 (tbs) starting at 1:30...

Contact the local news stations in that area, see who covered the game. They usually record the opening pitch for a sound byte.

What a joke! their service sucks! their customer service has fckn [censored]s! got charged $975.00 for equipment never ordered, never delivered, never hooked up & never used! took 4 months and many hours of talking to poorly trained [censored]es! finally had to dispute through my credit card to get refund. then direct tv puts me into a collection agency! do not do business with direct tv! they suck!

I like DirectTV. Certainly easier to deal with than Comcast, and the price doesn't jump up every month, either. But...where is Weathernation? I mean, seriously? This is a big deal. I need this channel bad. Not only the regular reporting, but even more the personalized weather function. If this goes anywhere, then please, please bring weathernation back to 361. Please.

THEIVES!

DO NOT GO WITH THESE SCAMMING THIEVES! THEY LIE AND RIP YOU OFF!

Don't ever get new equipment with Directv! They put you into a contract without being clear that your binding into another year agreement! Then when you get ready to disconnect they say you are in another year agreement! I'm surprised that in better business bureau has not made them send out their contacts for customers to read instead of tiny print and links that no one would think of looking at. Then when you ask them to send you the contract that has your signature on it they say they will have management call you back within 3-5 business days and you hear nothing!

I am needing help with the same issues as posted
HELP

I"AM A SUB CONTRACTOR FOR DTV AND CANT GET PAID FOR MY INSTALLS OR SERVICE CALLS AND WHEN I COMPLAINED I GOT FIRED CAN ANY ONE HELP

RON CLINE

I"AM A SUB CONTRACTOR FOR DTV AND I CAN NOT GET PAID FOR MY INSTALLS WHO CAN HELP

RON CLINE

worked for POST office 35 years, rep told me that I did not know what I was talking about that any letter in the US takes 7 to 10 days to anywhere. Tried to correct them and she still argued with me that I could ask anyone, it was common knowledge that it took this long. I explained that a letter sent from Tucson to Phoenix gets there over night but she would have none of it, she knew better than someone who has worked there and knew exalctly what it takes because she says so. God help me I have never encountered such stupidity! Place is run by [censor]s.

i ended up getting direct tv, mostly for the kids channels since cox didnt haven them all where we live. direct tv told me my first bill was going to be the normal fee of around $64.99, but after that it would go down to the $34.99 per month that they had been advertising. so, i went to go check my second bill and i was surprised to see that it still had the normal fee on my second bill! i called to speak with a representative and he told me that i had not submitted my redemption forms...whatever those were. no one had said a word to me about those! apparently they had come with my first bill - i do not remember getting any paperwork with my first bill that needed to be signed and sent back. of course i complained, but that accomplished nothing and he said there is nothing he can do other than electronically submit the forms...which he did in 5 seconds. so now im still being billed twice the advertised amount because i had not submitted these "redemption forms" that no one had told me about. im wondering if this is just a gimmick for them to collect more money. im not happy about this one bit!

Advertising said "FREE Installation!"
Each monthly bill says, "You have agreed to pay $24.99 per month for your package of programs and 5.99 for rental of the DVR (Digital Video Reciever) for a period of 18 consecutive months."

Reality is that they charge $21.43 for "shipping and handling" of the satellite dish parts.

Then you find that you get not 18 months at the agreed upon price, but only 12. Then the charge goes up to $53/month.

We signed up for DirectTV in January. THe flier that was in our mailbox says we get local HD Channels, we do not. We didn't even get NBC or CBS in regular quality. After several complaints to DirectTV, they charged us two dollars and some cents a month for NBC (regular quality) when it should have been free with the package we chose. We kept our service for several months to see if we could be happy without those channels, and we are not. When I called to cancel our service, they said that by installing our equipment and activating our service we agreed to a one year service agreement and since we are canceling early we have to pay a 160 dollar cancellation fee. We would not be canceling if we had received the service we were led to believe we were getting. It is ridiculous that a company can falsely advertise and then charge a cancellation fee when the consumer decides that she is not getting the service she is paying for.

I live in the wauregan where they say metropolitan satellite services the building! it is a lie they say that just to get you to move in! when I moved in 1 year ago I only knew of comcast cable witch is also a rip off!when I found out about direct tv I was so happy until i found out it ws a lie!when I call metopolitan satellite 1 lie after another!I want to get an attorney and sue!what are my optionsd as a tennent of the wauregan!

Worst service I have ever dealt with. people are rude, treat you as if you are dummy. They quote you one price and it ends up being way more. they add charges that you never agreed to. when you try to solve the problem they just tell you TOUGH CRAP YOU ARE STUCK WITH US. That is some way to do business . I would never recommend Direct tv to my worst emeny.

I ordered over the phone HD cable TV. It was installed on 5/27/2009. I was told that I would receive a promotional rate of $54 and some cents. I asked two different times for a paper bill and a 3rd time today for a paper bill. I was told my bill was $151.00, not the promotional rate of $54. for 12 months. After the first 2 requests for a paper bill, I called again today making my 3rd request for a paper bill. I was told I had to go on the internet and file my "rebate" request with the "rebate" department. " Direct TV refused my email address. When I called in today, they told me I had to pay $75. a month until they were able to start the "54.rebate." Previous call to them told me that I didn't do what they told me to do. Asked for supervisor and he told me "you have to go on line to get the rebate." Until this was approved, I would continue to have to pay the $75. a month. Since I never received any paper bills I requested twice, I asked for them to refund my first payment of $75. that I used my ATM card for. They did return the $75. credit to my account. However, they continued to charge the $75 a month which I have not paid, as I intend to contact every consumer protection resource I can find for help. I also contacted my bank to block any charges to my credit card.

I was never told about the details of my starting their service. Such as having to go on line to get my "rebate." I told them I ordered my service over the phone, and why would I have to go to the website. They kept saying "you have to go online for your rebate." I also told them I would not tolerate such devious practices. I was then told "you have the option to cancel, but there will be charges, but I was not told what they would be. I am at this time looking for another cable TV service.

August 8th I saw a Direct TV commercial on TV and decided to call to see if Direct TV could beat Comcasts price because my husband had been laid off from work and TV is the only entertainment we can afford at the present time. My husband said I want to keep all of the same features that we have with comcast.

I called 1-800-DirectTV and spoke to Michael. I explained to him my situation and asked him for a price for a package the same as we had with Comcast which was.
Digital Cable Channels, including local channels
A DVR for the master bedroom
HD service on our two HDTV’s, one in the living room and one in our son’s bedroom
Showtime Movie Channel

Michael said we could have the same package as our comcast package for $73.98 a month for 12 months and then would go up to $93.98. I reiderated with Michael that I would be receiving the same package that I had with Comcast and he said yes. I said I need you to tell my husband the same before I sign up and give you my credit card number. He said ok and he told my husband also that the package would be exactly the same as what we had with Comcast. We scheduled the install for Aug 13th. When the install was finished and the service man brought in the receivers my husband asked about the HD and was told there was no HD service included in our order. I came home from work at this time and I called Direct TV. I spoke with a man named Matt. He was very nice and said he would talk to his supervisor and I was on hold for about 15 minutes. When he came back to the phone he said his supervisor ok’d the two HD receivers at no additional charge and read back to me what he noted on my account. “Customer to receive 2 HD receivers and will not be charged for them” and told me someone would call me in a few days to set up a new appointment to install the boxes and change the dish to an oval dish. No one ever called so in a week I called. I was told that there was no mention on our account regarding 2 HD receivers, only the DVR receiver and I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that I could not speak to a supervisor. I thought ok I’ll just wait until they call. No one ever called.

Today Sept 11th I thought I’ll call Direct TV. The person I spoke with was in New Mexico. She had no record of any account for me. She was very nice and dug and dug to find some information and finally found my account and said it had been cancelled. Great.

She suggested I call sales and start over again and explain the situation. I spoke to Frank C. in Los Angeles his employee ID number is 36216. He was extremely nice, he set up a new account and then put me through to a supervisor named Michael to talk about the 2 HD boxes. I explained the whole situation to Michael. He said I understand and we can do this but I cannot alter your order I have to put you through to a AP Sales Person who can do that. I said Michael is he going to know that I’m not to be charged for the 2 HD boxes or the DVR box? He said “yes he’ll know the whole spiel”. When this AP person came on the line he didn’t know one single thing about what I was talking about. I then called Direct TV again to cancel my order. The woman was very nice and she put me through to her supervisor. This person was very cold towards me. I tried explaining to him and he just said no but you should change to Direct TV because even though you won’t have HDTV you’ll still be saving money over Comcast.
I said that’s not the point. Do I want to do business with a company that continually refuses to keep their promise? One person to another has no idea what’s going on? I gave them the employees name, location and employee ID number and they said still there’s no way they can contact that person to verify anything they had said? What kind of business is Direct TV? Comcast costs more but in over 20 years they have never lied to me. How do I know that 2 months into my contract with Direct TV that they won’t renig on other promises?

So I was promised not once, not twice, but three times that I would receive the 2 HD boxes and DVR box at no additional charge and no one will honor their promise and there’s no way to recontact with the person who promised. Yet all telephone coversations are recorded.

I understand that the offer is one premium box with a new order but that’s not what I was originally told. We do not have boxes with Comcast in order to have HD and I was never told there was a box involved in having HD on those two TV’s and that both TV’s would be receiving HD.

I’ve been with Comcast for over 20 years, I can stay with them for another 20 years. Tell me just what kind of company Direct TV is? I certainly do not understand how they operate.

direct tv technician showed up with two receivers instead of a dvr and when i call them they said we have to charge you $180.00 to send you a dvr and we will reimburse you which they did not.

Was with another sattelite co and was getting calls daily to rejoin Direct tv. Could get our local with the other company. Direct promised we would be paying a lower price monthly and we would also be able to get our locals with them. When we switched our bill was 40.00 more and we could not get locals. after doing 2 waivers and much complaining they gave us 5.00 a month for a couple months. we are still getting the run-around. they have apoligized. I believe this is false advertising!

This company offered a introductory price for their service of 34.99 per month for the first 12 months. The second 12 months was for 59.99 per month. They have not honored their agreement. I have been billed for the whole 59.99 for the whole 24 month period. I have been paying this bill since October 2009. I have called repeatedly and was told (after the fact) that I had to sign up for a “rebate”. I went online numerous times and could not get to the webpage I was informed about. Recently, I called again. I was told that I had to do this within 90 days of signup. They said I was warned by mail & email. This is rubbish! Nothing came. I asked them to give me the rebate now (in accordance with the promised 34.99 per month), but I was refused. There is something wrong with this company. No bill is sent; just an email requesting payment by credit card. I believe this company is running some kind of scam; they never had any intention of honoring this agreement.

I have the same issue right now...6-8 weeks and they took my money by mistake...This is so wrong on so many levels...not sure what to do? I sent my boxes back but they keyed in wrong serial number so it looked like I did not return them...not my problem...until they took 220 out of my checking account.

I feel your pain! These ###s owe me more than $400.00 dollars. I get the same freaking story that you're getting. Im trying to get help from my credit card company.

My name is Tammy Diehl at 6582 e. buckeye, fresno, ca .I paid my bill Dec.2, 2013 for 84.45, my checkwith throught the bank on Dec 9, 2013. I am mailing you a copy of the check front and back showing my check with through. I been with your company for 10 years. As soon as I have a problem with you, you cash my check, then send me a bill again. I called directv 1-2-2014 4 times today. To ask 1 question who do I send a copy of this bill, well on the 4th call. Kristina answered my question. Its funny I wrote a 2 page letter with this check, the only thing I did wrong was not to write my acct. # on it bute I did write rebate, So that's my other question if you didn't know what acct. to deposit my ck. to why cash it. I will not send my acct # with this email . please call or send email back.

tammy diehl

We had a simular situation - My girlfriend called direct tv to get service installed at my current address - her credit wasn't great so I approved use of my credit card for installation at this address. Mistake - Her ex husband had an outstanding balance on his account and they used my card to pay $250.00 on his account. I agree that customer service is a joke. When I call in no one knows what to do because "I" don't have an account - nor is there an account at this address. I tried to dispute the charges but direct TV says I waited to long and refused to refund my money. What they are doing is illegal but not many lawyers will take a case for $250.00 dispite the fact that punitive damages can be awarded as well. I personally would give up my $250.00 if a law firm out there would drum up a class action sute against them on our behalf and take them for millions.

PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE CHARGE AND CONTROL OVER THE ### THAT IS GOING ON WITH ALL THE STARZ AND ENCORE CHANNELS AND QUIT LETTING THESE NETWORKS RUN ALL OVER THEM...
STARZ CHANNELS DECIDED TO TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES AND STICK ALL BLACK SAILS ADVERTISEMENTS IN THEIR
MOVIES AND ACTUALLY RUINING IT FOR ALL OF US VIEWERS OUT HERE, PUTTING UP WITH ALL OF THIS AND LETTING DIRECTV RUN ALL OVER AND PISS ON US SUBSCRIBERS: TREATING US LIKE SOMETHING THEY STEPPED INTO, IGNORING US AND SCRAPING US OFF THEIR SHOES LIKE ALL OF US OUT HERE ARE NOTHING BUT MUD THEY DRAGGED IN OUT OF THE RAIN !

I actually thought you guys were a good cablle company until i asked for a 1 year contract and when i thought the contract was over i ended up having contract for 2 years which i i didn't agree to but instead the company say's i owe them for another year . Anyway, ive been with this company before and thought that i could trust them but now since i got screwed i do advise every one get your iunformation in writing and please do not trust the reprensatives and its all about money for you to sign their contract, so don't please go with another company because, they said it was nothing they could do even through the supervisors. So, i also add get all your information in writing or e-mail, be careeful with these people. Kelvin C. and please believe this!

call directv customer service honestly I have directv they are never overly friendly or helpful though, good luck.

Call customer service and see what they say first. If the agent can't give you a good reason, she may just give you another month. It doesn't sound like you've tried anything yet so you may be just be complaining about a simple error.

I have been a direcTV customer for past 4-5 years. I completed my initial 2 year commitment with them and was on month to month basis. I moved to a new home earlier this year and decided to move DirecTv with me..I called directTv to arrange for a move and they agreed to do it. I didnt know that they are extending my contract by helping me move.
Now I am moving out of the country due to business reasons and when I called DirecTV, they need a cancellation fees from me ($300)...Since I had to make a decision I went ahead and cancelled it. Is there is a way I can lodge a complaint against them and get my money back.

In May 2009 I entered into what I was told was a 12 month agreement with DirecTV for television service. When I cancelled my service in September of 2010, I was charged an early cancellation fee of $149.00 and told I was in a 24 month contract. When I complained to the corporate offices that this was a misrepresentation by the installation technician (who told me I would be in a 12 month agreement) they told me I agreed verbally to a 24 month contract and that they sent an e-mail confirming this. I received no such correspondence. This company has the WORST customer service I have ever seen! They are argumentative, rude and accusatory when you confront them on their misrepresentations. BUYER BEWARE! I will NEVER, EVER again subscribe to DirectTV... EVER!

We have been Directv for 5+ years, and have discovered that they really are dishonest and inept. Why do I have this opinion?

We owned (not a lease) two receivers. They were purchased before they adopted this new business model of buying a "leased machine." Both receivers were covered by a montly equipment protection service fee by Directv. One of the receivers quit working, and as part of the fee I pay each month I was given a new reciever and they sent a box to get the old receiver. 7 months later I found out that my replacement receiver was no longer mine. Now I had a LEASED piece of equipment, and the SOB's extended my contract for 24 months because getting the same low-end receiver is now an upgrade. Bunch of B.S.

So I am stuck in the contract, and I am getting close to paying off my 24 months of extra time. I call to cancel, and was emphatically promised that my extension is paid off. I tell them to CLOSE the account. One month later I get socked with a 196.00 early termination fee. WTF! I call on 1/21/2010, and am assured that it was a mistake and that the charge would be removed from my credit card... of course Directv does not keep a promise.

A week passes, no credit, so I call 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 reneg 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 PIA to take them to court, but I may just take them to small claims court.

MESSAGE TO ALL REALIST IS A LOSER, SADISTIC ###, THAT HAS NOTHING BETTER TO DO THEN TO TRY TO DISCREDIT PEOPLE BY TALKING ### ABOUT EVERYBODY. CLICK HER NAME AND CHECK HER COMMENTS TO PEOPLE. SHE IS RUDE, HAS NO VALUE POINTS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE WASTES HER TIME. BUT SHE DOES. WHICH ONLY MAKES ME COME TO ONE CONCLUSION THAT SHE MAKES UP EVERY MORNING AND LOOKS IN THE MIRROR AND REALIZES SHE CAN'T STAND HERSELF AND HATES THE WORLD. GO GET A LIFE YOU F'EN LOSER...
SORRY TO EVERYBODY ELSE, I AM NOT LIKE THIS UNTIL I GET ATTACKED PERSONALLY FROM SOMEBODY THAT HAS NO IDEA WHO I AM OR KNOWS YOU. KEEP POSTING YOUR COMPLAINTS, IF ANYTHING ELSE IT ALLOWS OTHERS TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN DEALING WITH COMPANY'S.

All I have to say to this one is, check your old freaking bills, on the bottom where you are getting your discounts it says 12 MONTHS, you entered into a two year commitment because of advanced receivers. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE DISCOUNT IS FOR TWO YEARS! I just got over with my first year two, but I am not trying to complain like you since I READ MY BILL! AND LISTEN WHEN I WAS TOLD THE DISCOUNTS WERE FOR ONE YEAR!
SO they are not breaching the contract, you got your new customer price for one year THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE, who made you so damn special that you feel you deserve the discount longer then any other directv customer. WHAT A JERK

yes...write to

Direct TV billing disputes
P.O. Box 6550
Greenwood Village, CO.
80155

My father called DirecTV to get the basic satallite service for $29.99/mo. The installer told him it was broadcasting in Spanish only, a language my father does not understand. The work order specified that it was to be in Spanish and the installer could not change it. My father called DirecTV asking them to fix their mistake. They sent another installer out who changed the dish and the box and his monthly bill jumped to $49.99 even though he just wanted the $29.99 package to be broadcast in English. When he cancelled they are now trying to collect a $480 ETF. They charged his credit card and I told him to go to the bank and have the charge reversed. The bank cooperated and charged it back. My father has had the account turned over to three different collection agencies, each of which we notified that we did not owe the bill and had no intention of ever paying it. We just got another letter from DirecTV demanding payment of the $480. No way are they getting that money. Our next step is to sue DirecTV in small claims court to stop the harrassment.

On November 07, 2013, I was walking through the Great Northern Mall located in North Olmsted, Ohio. I was asked by the employees of a Direct TV Kiosk how much I pay for my current cable TV provider. I told them and they said they could do better. I explained to them that my wife watches certain programing and if I were to change I must have the channels that provide the shows. After telling him what channels I must have the Sales Manager Mr. Naiott Berrios assured me that the required channels would be included in the programing. I stressed the fact that my wife has watched approximately 98 episodes without fail (She actually sets her alarm for the time these drama's start). My wife had told me that I shouldn't change from Dish TV and I told her that Mr. Berrios assured me that the channels would be included and that she would not miss her program. I told Mr. Berrios about my wife's concerns and he provided me a quotation with cut sheets of the channels attached, he told me I can show my wife them to ease her concerns. I came home and showed my wife although she was still reluctant about me going to Direct TV she agreed. Based off of what Mr. Berrios told me I agreed to change the service from Dish to Direct with the impression that the channels would be included. On November 11, 2013 (My Wife's Birthday) Direct TV installer came to my home to install the DVR's and activate the direct service. When the man came I wasn't at home but my wife let him to install the system. When I arrived at home he had already completed installation, I asked him to show me the three channels. At that time he told me that they were not included. I told the guy to remove the direct TV and reinstall the dish TV. The installer told me that he had removed the dish antenna from my roof. I told him to put it back; his answer was he is not a dish TV installer and that he is not authorized to install their equipment. My response was who asked you to remove it, what if I wanted both? He didn't have an answer. After the installer left I looked for the dish antenna and it was nowhere to be found, I can only assume that the installer took it with him.

At this time my wife was very upset so much that she wouldn't talk to me. I called Direct TV and spoke to a female named Angie; she assured me that she would fix the problem before the end of her work day which was 5PM. Well 5PM came and left and she didn't even bother to call me back to let me know what was going on (Very Poor Customer Service). This is a great example that Direct TV employees and how they are dis-honest and very unprofessional.

Direct TV did not only let me down but also ruined the day that should have been my wife's day. I believed them and my wife trusted me, and their dishonesty made me let my wife down on her birthday. The aggravation and disappointment they have caused must be corrected. If I am dissatisfied with how it is handled. I will seek legal advice to get satisfaction.

I used to work for a call center that contracted with DirecTV, and I can tell you that this (your story) happens all of time. DirecTV policy is that every time a customer upgrades any receiver (box), and they don't buy it outright (the prices you're quoted are for leasing the receivers, not buying them), their contract is extended either 18 or 24 months (18 for a standard receiver, and 24 for an HD or DVR receiver). By the way, yes I am aware that it was a free upgrade, but that counts as a lease.

The thing is that when a customer wants to upgrade, they have to be told that their acceptance of the receiver binds them to a new contract. Unfortunately, reps (especially sales reps) almost never tell a customer this important detail, as you found out.

As for getting out of it, a lot of that will depend on whether or not you refused the installation of the HD receiver. If you did, you can probably get the 24 month commitment reversed. As of right now though, the computer system at DirecTV has you locked in for 24 more months, and once that happens, no ordinary phone rep is going to be able to change it (it's one of things most reps aren't allowed to touch).

What you'll have to do is call, explain the situation, ask for a supervisor, and hope they will, first, listen to you, and two, remove the 24 month extension from the computer. The thing here is that I don't remember if they can do that (the manages are basically more experienced phone reps with supervisory power).

If they can't or won't, your best bet is to try cancellations. Of all of the departments, they'll probably be the most helpful to you. Again, just explain the situation, tell them you're upset with what happened, and they'll likely find a way to get rid of it.

If that doesn't work, and you're so pissed that you don't want the service any more, just call back later and suspend the account. People do this when they go on vacation, and all of that time (at least I was told) counts towards the two year commitment. When I was there, you could suspend it up to nine months at a time, but the policy may have changed.

This is a very condensed look at how things work at the phone rep end of DirecTV, and some of this info may be dated (it's been awhile since I worked there), but hopefully it will help you out somewhat. If you want to know anything else, I'll check back here and let you know what I can about it. Good luck.

I have seen several Direct TV complaints. DirectTV is the subject of several class action lawsuits and those law firms may well like to speak with you. Go to my site www.classadvocate.com. Click on the defendants box and scroll to DirectTV and you will see what I mean. Good luck.

Abbo is a idiot and dumb as you can get. I myself hate directv they are [censor]s period. Lousy customer Service its that simply! I have had them for 20+ years, I should just dump them, which will do asap. Reason their are idiots they are controlled by AT&T go figure greedy bunch.
They just jacking up your bill on both and u can't do a thing about it but fire them...thats what everybody should do.

and by the way its directv, not dtv. dtv just stands for digital televison, they arent a company at all

Hey smart one I dont work for directv, I would never be able to deal with rude ###s like you, I am just tired of people abusing customer service reps that have nothing to do with the freaking rules that they must fallow.

First of all "kind sir" good customer service is a lost art, because GOOD CUSTOMERS are a lost race! You seem like a real jerk and I can see why someone may not treat you so well, sounds like you desearve it really. And I am going to have to call ### on the "if you provide me with good service I wont leave you" Because you sound like someone who will only stay for the interdution rates and then leave. That is of course, unless, using your words you try and use leverage of leaving to try and get a discount. Face it customers like you are idiots, and definately not always right. You are just rude and abusive to people to try and get what you want, when face it, thats not available. If you dont want a commitment with companies ask them how to OWN the equipment, this may be MUCH more expensive, but at least you wont have to be in a commitment. All companies should have an option to own, this does not mean you will get out of the monthly fees on the equipment, it just means you waive all warrenties and repairs that they may do. But hey at least you wont have to send it back right? And the hidden fees? they probably really arent that hidden you just dont pay attention to the fine print or whatever else. You sound like someone who only hears what they want and deregards the rest. You also seem set in your ways. IF YOU WANT GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAKE UP, YOU KNOW THE GOLDEN RULE 'TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED'

Continued: the guaranteed rate period would end 12/31/10, not 12/31/09. Sorry for the error.

On 11/10/09 I signed up for a $29.95 Directv package guaranteed until 12/31/09. Not until completing the online process with my credit card information were the full contract terms disclosed on a link at the bottom of the page. When I opened the link, I found that the contract is for 2 years, but NO DISCLOSURE as the the new monthly charge after 12/31/09, for the remaining 10 months of the contract. I called Directv and was told that the new monthly charge would be $70.00 a month. This charge is not disclosed anywhere on their website or in the contract terms. How can Directv be allowed to bind people to contracts with missing terms? Federal Trade Commission and other federal and state consumer protection agencies need to stop this fraudulent activity!

Customer of Directv for many years. We had to cancel service due to sale of home. Called Directv to disconnect. Spoke with a customer service rep and she transferred me to a person in higher command, his name was Chris. I explained to him that we had sold the house and he looked up our account. He said that he was sorry to see us go, but because we had been such good customers there would be no disconnect fee. He explained that boxes would be shipped out to return the receivers and to be on the lookout for them.

We did receive the boxes and we also received a DISCONNECT BILL for $104.

I called Directv to ask why we received this bill and explained that when I spoke with an account rep he said there would be no disconnect fee. She put me on hold and said there was no record of such a waiver.

I was livid. Not only have I built up that company to friends and family, but my brother is connecting up with them next week. Needless to say we will not be going back to them.

In 2008 I started service with DirecTV.
I bought a receiver through Costco and took advantage of their rebate for new accounts. I obtained one HD DVR and 3 SD receivers for myself and my housemates. I signed an agreement for service for two years, understanding there would be a penalty for early cancellation.

In 2009 I switched one of the SD receivers to an HD receiver.
I was not told there would be an additional 2-year obligation for doing so. Now, when I relocated to another state, I cancelled my service with the intent of returning to DirecTV once I sold my house and bought a new one…but I was charged a $120 late fee and informed that I had incurred an additional 2-year obligation for upgrading my service.

Why do I incur an added obligation for paying more for service?
Why was I not advised of this added obligation?

Is this how DirecTV conducts business? Nickel and diming people with their already over-priced service?

The quality of service I’ve received from DirecTV and it’s customer support personnel has been very poor! When I’ve had problems it has taken days to correct…typically due to problems on their end with…with no compensation for time I was without service. Canceling my service was even a pain. As my roommates moved out I canceled services and returned the boxes. I was not properly credited for returning my receivers and charged for not returning them, until I called and had them do a little research. What a waste of time!

Directv needs to go to hell and take all their equipment with them!
NEVER agreed to a two yr.contract when we made the BIG mistake of "upgrading"to HD.
Now we are moving.
Directv is NOT an option where we are moving to-yet we still have to end up paying 140.00 to get out of the remaining months.
Hell no one TOLD us that we were leasing the damn box-then WHY did they charge us for it back in 2008?
Directv will NEVER be recommended again and I am thankful we will have cable.
On 3 different calls I am told 3 different things.
The first woman insisted and almost gloated that there would be a early termination fee!
The second started to make a little sense saying he would see if all the overcharges could be deducted from the early termination fees...
Came back on the phone after a 5 minute wait and said he was "sorry but his supervisor said there was only two options.Get a one time 50.00 credit when we moved the service...or pay the 140.
WTF?
I am so pissed off by this time!
WHAT part of "WE DO NOT WANT DIRECTV"do they not understand...
Then the third ### pretending to be "helpful"says he understands but that it is in the computer and "certain things can't be adjusted"through the computer-it just won't let him.
WHAT BS!
I am completely through with this ### of a company!
I feel for everyone who has done business with these ###s and go through total BS with them!
If anyone reads this who us even considering Directv OR Dishnetwork-take one piece of advice seriously-STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM SATELLITE!
And NO myself or any family and friends do not work for or have any afiliation with any cable company, so am NOT trying to promote cable, but there is NO way I will EVER go back to satellite of ANYBODY again!
WHY can't someone take out their damn computer systems...
Then the ###s can't function...seeing as how computers run the company and tells them everything to do since they REFUSE to do anything on a person to person understanding human level!