Comments on: It Might Be Legal, but It Sure Isn’t Ethical!

By: katiya

katiya — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:44:32 +0000

I’m about ready to dump Comcast because the price seems to go up around $6 every six months or so. Most TV is horrid anyhow so why should I pay for it if I can watch online. I do need my high speed for my laptop though. I wouldn’t have Dish Network or any satellite since I have seen enough of that bait and switch from family and friends alike. I would say never sign something arbitrarily without understanding what you are agreeing to. It seems some of the cell phone companies and cable/satellite are notorious for this game. Keep on complaining to the BBB and Attorney General and maybe some of these companies will buy a clue or a class action suit may yield better results.

By: Windy City Woman

Windy City Woman — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:32:49 +0000

Wow, what horror stories with pay TV! I live in a condominium which decided to buy a bulk package for cable. We each pay about half what we would pay if we each contracted separately for the service. Those of you who live in condos, townhouses or even apartments might want to see if this option is possible where you live. We’ve had this for about 12 years. At first it was annoying because the cable would go out periodically, and you could never get them on the phone. But now that they have competition (there are now 2 companies in Chicago), this has not been a problem. It sounds weird that the 3rd largest city did not have cable for years; then there was 1 company; now there are 2. But this city is weird in some ways.

Some of you mentioned that one can go cold turkey and use just free TV. Sometimes in big cities that isn’t possible. Our building is in a neighborhood with lots of high rises (though our building is low) which interfere with TV reception. If you don’t have either cable, an antenna or satellite in this neighborhood (north side, near Lake Michigan, for those of you who know Chicago), you just don’t get reception. In the bad old days (until about 2 – 3 years ago), when the cable went out, we got nothing…only CBS, in pink and orange snow, with sound. So some people must have a pay service to get any TV at all. I realize this is a situation probably unique to major cities full of high-rise buildings.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:49:22 +0000

I agree with Chuck. Everybody should realize that companies will try to get more money any way they can. Signing paperwork without asking questions is the worst thing you can do. If you’re too busy to ask questions, then put off the purchase.

If you feel so strongly that there’s a scam going on, get a lawyer and file a class action lawsuit.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:14:04 +0000

My guess is that Chuck either: A) Works for DirecTV, or B) Is one of those amazingly perfect people who goes through life and never makes a mistake, so he thinks it’s perfectly acceptable to be rude and throw stones at others.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:57:06 +0000

Know you don’t want to hear this, but stop blaming others for your incompetence. Guess you thought it was much easier to blindly sign a contract agreement from a stranger than to actually read it. I hadn’t had cable in about 15 years and decided to splurge. I did have a billing issue with DirectTV, but it was promptly rectified. I just couldn’t justify paying so much to watch TV when there’s so much free broadcasts on. I canceled my contract, paid the 300 or so cancellation fee after 3 months of service and will still have over 800 dollars in my pocket in the end. Get a digital converter and an antenna. Rent free movies from your local library. Record the best shows to watch when there is not much on. And stop complaining for “your” stupidity.

By: Bill McClure

Bill McClure — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:01:40 +0000

thanks for the heads up.

By: Gg

Gg — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:59:10 +0000

I have DirectTV, but not though anyone. They have always been fast to fix anything. The service i have is 7 years old with no issues so far. Also…do not get tangled up with DISH. What a nightmare. No customer service, no response to calls, no show for 4 separate appts. I would rather be without TV service and use hulu.com.

By: Les

Les — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:04:16 +0000

I”ve had trouble with the local phone service. If I don’t do all of the research at their website on prices and services they will take advantage of my lack of knowledge. I’ve called 3 months in a row to lower my bill and I’d love to find an affordable plan that includes internet service. I don’t watch TV thank goodness I can’t believe what people pay for that crap.

By: lisa

lisa — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:28:03 +0000

I’ve had awful experience with DirecTV also. DirectTV is not for us.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:58:34 +0000

Try filing a complaint with your state Attorney General. I got ticked off enough once at Burger King (their advertised $1.99 breakfast meal was $3.29 by the time I pulled up to the window to pay) and I got a very fast reply from my state’s AG telling me they were investigating – within a week or two I had a letter in the mail from them giving me BK’s take on the subject (their register didn’t KNOW it was supposed to be $1.99…duh) and my AG’s assurance that BK would not let this occur in the future…LOL Like they don’t have other worse problems but I’m sure that caused BK to take notice! That was Michigan, but that is the job of every AG’s office in every state – to investigate false advertising, etc.

File a complaint – it was an online form and only took 15 minutes to fillout, and I uploaded a copy of my receipt right to their website – and see what happens! It sure can’t hurt!