Comments on: It Might Be Legal, but It Sure Isn’t Ethical! http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/?&owa_medium=feed&owa_sid= Save Money @ BeingFrugal.Net Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:52:59 -0800 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rahman http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-30060 Rahman Sun, 09 Oct 2011 10:34:37 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-30060 I am suffering too. I took DIRECTV service with Verizon bundle few months ago. Now they charged me service fee for outdoor maintenance. Dish installation is very poor top of my porch. When the T-storms come, dish move and they charge $49+ for onsite tech. I really like to discontinue with DIRECTV. They are proposed me to pay $475 fee for early cancellation. I am suffering too. I took DIRECTV service with Verizon bundle few months ago. Now they charged me service fee for outdoor maintenance. Dish installation is very poor top of my porch. When the T-storms come, dish move and they charge $49+ for onsite tech. I really like to discontinue with DIRECTV. They are proposed me to pay $475 fee for early cancellation.

]]> By: Sandy http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-29992 Sandy Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:44:57 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-29992 I have to say in my entire life (now age 63), I have NEVER had such terrible customer service and problem resolution from any provider of any kind. I am not one to complain too much, but the issues I have had with DIRECTV have been numerous, frustrating, and time-consuming -- on top of an early termination fee that was through no fault of my own. I am now living with my mother, and DIRECTV keeps telling me that if I switch her cable provider to them, they will credit me the early termination fee. Do they actually think I would be foolish enough and cruel enough to do that to my unsuspecting mother??? This could just be the worst company on the planet as far as business practices go. I have to say in my entire life (now age 63), I have NEVER had such terrible customer service and problem resolution from any provider of any kind. I am not one to complain too much, but the issues I have had with DIRECTV have been numerous, frustrating, and time-consuming — on top of an early termination fee that was through no fault of my own. I am now living with my mother, and DIRECTV keeps telling me that if I switch her cable provider to them, they will credit me the early termination fee. Do they actually think I would be foolish enough and cruel enough to do that to my unsuspecting mother??? This could just be the worst company on the planet as far as business practices go.

]]> By: Emily Stine http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-29567 Emily Stine Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:55:10 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-29567 Chuck, Really? I am ALWAYS on top of my contracts and service agreements, and DirecTV screwed me too. Your suggestions about renting from the library, and getting an antenna converter blah blah blah are pious. I have been to my library, and the selection is outdated, and creepy men lurk in every aisle waiting to bug me while I make a selection. In a world where we are safer in the home than out there with weirdos like you, I would much appreciate getting what I pay for, and paying what I was quoted. So go sell righteousness elsewhere because the big company's always win, and young, single folks on a budget pay the way. ALWAYS. Directv will do anything to get a friggin dollar out of anyone, backed by there "customer promise" which is as empty as your argument. These people aren't stupid. Chuck,

Really? I am ALWAYS on top of my contracts and service agreements, and DirecTV screwed me too. Your suggestions about renting from the library, and getting an antenna converter blah blah blah are pious. I have been to my library, and the selection is outdated, and creepy men lurk in every aisle waiting to bug me while I make a selection. In a world where we are safer in the home than out there with weirdos like you, I would much appreciate getting what I pay for, and paying what I was quoted. So go sell righteousness elsewhere because the big company’s always win, and young, single folks on a budget pay the way. ALWAYS. Directv will do anything to get a friggin dollar out of anyone, backed by there “customer promise” which is as empty as your argument. These people aren’t stupid.

]]> By: Osman http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-29038 Osman Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:02:26 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-29038 I signed an agreement with DirectTV in January, 21st 2010 for 24 months. At that time I signed for one DVR and two basic receivers and after about ten months, I called customer service and ask if I can upgrade one of my receivers to HD one. I was told that if I do so I would have to either rent one from them for $99.00 with the contract change in sense that contract will start again from the date of upgrade or I can by my own without changing the contract. They told me that the price to buy it from them is about $380 (without changing the contract), but since that was too expensive for me, I asked what would happened if I find one by my own and buy it for less price. I was told that I can do so and my contract will not change. So, after looking around, I found one for $160 and called DirectTv customer service again to double check that my contract will not change. I was told that this is correct, I can go ahead, by the HD receiver, return one that I got from DirectTV, active mine and the contract WILL NOT CHANGE. Before I bought it I called them again just to double check since I have heard that DorectTV is capable of doing some bad things to their customers. I did so, but after a year I called customer service to talk about some another issue and I found out that they changed my contract, starting from the date they activated MY OWN receiver. After I asked what is going on, I was told that since I paid for receiver less than $200 something ?!, it is still considered that that receiver belongs to DirectTV and that this is, actually, only renting their equipment. I was shocked since nobody mentioned that – I was only told that if I buy my own (no price mentioned, whatsoever !) it is mine and the contract will not change on activation. By the way, the third party that I bought HD receiver from is NOT their office at all – that is just a third party shop that has all kind of receivers for DirectTV, Dish network and such. I signed an agreement with DirectTV in January, 21st 2010 for 24 months. At that time I signed for one DVR and two basic receivers and after about ten months, I called customer service and ask if I can upgrade one of my receivers to HD one.
I was told that if I do so I would have to either rent one from them for $99.00 with the contract change in sense that contract will start again from the date of upgrade or I can by my own without changing the contract.
They told me that the price to buy it from them is about $380 (without changing the contract), but since that was too expensive for me, I asked what would happened if I find one by my own and buy it for less price. I was told that I can do so and my contract will not change.
So, after looking around, I found one for $160 and called DirectTv customer service again to double check that my contract will not change.
I was told that this is correct, I can go ahead, by the HD receiver, return one that I got from DirectTV, active mine and the contract WILL NOT CHANGE. Before I bought it I called them again just to double check since I have heard that DorectTV is capable of doing some bad things to their customers.
I did so, but after a year I called customer service to talk about some another issue and I found out that they changed my contract, starting from the date they activated MY OWN receiver. After I asked what is going on, I was told that since I paid for receiver less than $200 something ?!, it is still considered that that receiver belongs to DirectTV and that this is, actually, only renting their equipment. I was shocked since nobody mentioned that – I was only told that if I buy my own (no price mentioned, whatsoever !) it is mine and the contract will not change on activation.
By the way, the third party that I bought HD receiver from is NOT their office at all – that is just a third party shop that has all kind of receivers for DirectTV, Dish network and such.

]]> By: Pam Lally http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-28392 Pam Lally Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:31:35 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-28392 DirecTV- similar bad experience. My husband and I had locked our credit so when I signed up with DirecTV I was told I had to "deposit" $300 with them that they would refund at $5 a month (because they couldn't run a credit check on us). I then signed a 2 year contract with them. 2 years later, I called to cancel service (contract was up) and I asked that the remainder of my "deposit" ($180) be returned. They said they could not do that because what I was told was a "deposit" 2 years earlier was actually a "fee", that they are entitled to collect and refund as they deem appropriate- at $5 a month, effectively converting my 2 year agreeed upon contract into an actual 5 year contract. I was so fed up with the high cable bills, mediocre programming (riddled with ads), and clumsy remote that I took the $180 loss. Buyer beware indeed! DirecTV- similar bad experience. My husband and I had locked our credit so when I signed up with DirecTV I was told I had to “deposit” $300 with them that they would refund at $5 a month (because they couldn’t run a credit check on us). I then signed a 2 year contract with them. 2 years later, I called to cancel service (contract was up) and I asked that the remainder of my “deposit” ($180) be returned. They said they could not do that because what I was told was a “deposit” 2 years earlier was actually a “fee”, that they are entitled to collect and refund as they deem appropriate- at $5 a month, effectively converting my 2 year agreeed upon contract into an actual 5 year contract. I was so fed up with the high cable bills, mediocre programming (riddled with ads), and clumsy remote that I took the $180 loss. Buyer beware indeed!

]]> By: Miranda http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-28357 Miranda Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:24:00 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-28357 @Julie- That would be super frustrating, really believe you me that I would not handle that. I don't care if it is satellite, cable or my microwave I would not put up with it! Now that that is out of the way, if you have to continuously reset the receiver, and the DVR functions do not work that typically means their is hard drive failure and that you do need a new receiver. If you call in and ask for a new receiver, or a technician make sure you understand all restrictions and guidelines because DirecTV is known for extending customer contracts without notifying the customer prior. They will install the equipment happily (if you ever get a CSR that cares to do so) and then once you think your contract is up you will be surprised with the extension. On top of that, you NEED to send that receiver in and tell them you DO NOT want to be charged the service fee on it ($7-$21 depending on model), for the time it hasn't been working. Which in their notes they should be able to see when the problem first started, don't let them fool you!! Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you in your adventures of trying to find a new provider, and get DirecTV to pay you what is owed! Miranda.Barela@DISHNetwork.com @Julie- That would be super frustrating, really believe you me that I would not handle that. I don’t care if it is satellite, cable or my microwave I would not put up with it! Now that that is out of the way, if you have to continuously reset the receiver, and the DVR functions do not work that typically means their is hard drive failure and that you do need a new receiver. If you call in and ask for a new receiver, or a technician make sure you understand all restrictions and guidelines because DirecTV is known for extending customer contracts without notifying the customer prior. They will install the equipment happily (if you ever get a CSR that cares to do so) and then once you think your contract is up you will be surprised with the extension. On top of that, you NEED to send that receiver in and tell them you DO NOT want to be charged the service fee on it ($7-$21 depending on model), for the time it hasn’t been working. Which in their notes they should be able to see when the problem first started, don’t let them fool you!! Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you in your adventures of trying to find a new provider, and get DirecTV to pay you what is owed! Miranda.Barela@DISHNetwork.com

]]> By: Julie http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-28009 Julie Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:24:05 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-28009 I cringe when I think of watching TV in my bedroom because it will start with hitting the red button for a reset. Then who knows how long I can watch TV untill I hit reset again. None of my shows will record, this has been happening for 6 months. I explain to Mark in Oregon, that I am not happy, that I travel& that instead of calling I just use the Living room TV. I dream about a time when I have a service provider who cares. Mark explains that he will charge me if he sends someone out to fix the problem even though I pay the $5.99 a month for that service. I need to troubleshoot with him. He says, that the last time I called in was Dec. 9th & then three months before. I explained that I have resigned myself to my living room or resetting the red button &then going through the tips/tricks I was emailed. I’m calling to get someone out, so I can resolve this. He insists on helping me troubleshoot- I give in- he tells me to reset the red button. I will not renew in Sept.-but as Mark explained-DirectTv does not care how much I pay or that I have to call in every time to use the satellite reciever. Just hit the red reset button, finish the contract and go somewhere else to get cable. I cringe when I think of watching TV in my bedroom because it will start with hitting the red button for a reset. Then who knows how long I can watch TV untill I hit reset again. None of my shows will record, this has been happening for 6 months. I explain to Mark in Oregon, that I am not happy, that I travel& that instead of calling I just use the Living room TV. I dream about a time when I have a service provider who cares. Mark explains that he will charge me if he sends someone out to fix the problem even though I pay the $5.99 a month for that service. I need to troubleshoot with him. He says, that the last time I called in was Dec. 9th & then three months before. I explained that I have resigned myself to my living room or resetting the red button &then going through the tips/tricks I was emailed. I’m calling to get someone out, so I can resolve this. He insists on helping me troubleshoot- I give in- he tells me to reset the red button. I will not renew in Sept.-but as Mark explained-DirectTv does not care how much I pay or that I have to call in every time to use the satellite reciever. Just hit the red reset button, finish the contract and go somewhere else to get cable.

]]> By: Miranda http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-27937 Miranda Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:19:13 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-27937 First I want to start off saying that it is sad for me to hear stories such as yours and so many others, and I want to apologize about the poor experience you have had with Direct TV. My name is Miranda, and I wanted to let you know about some things that I know on a first hand basis. Starting with being a long time DISH network customer, I really like it. I was hesitant at first to get it because I heard horror stories about losing service often- that hasn't been the case what so ever! I haven't lost a signal in over a year! Being a consumer myself I understand and appreciate your caution when approaching a big change with providers such as this. Not only am I a long time subscriber of DISH network (9 years ) , but I am an employee as well and I can honestly tell you that I personally strive for excellence. DISH is the leading provider in HD, Customer Service and Loyalty. As I am sure you have heard, three strikes and your out? Direct TV has more then three strikes and I think that you need to throw them out and keep them out. DISH and I are always more than happy to help our existing customers, our new customers and our future customers find and keep their satisfaction. I would be more than happy to help you in your quest to find a new provider, if there are any questions I can answer for you please feel free to message me back at your earliest convenience and we will get this resolved! First I want to start off saying that it is sad for me to hear stories such as yours and so many others, and I want to apologize about the poor experience you have had with Direct TV. My name is Miranda, and I wanted to let you know about some things that I know on a first hand basis. Starting with being a long time DISH network customer, I really like it. I was hesitant at first to get it because I heard horror stories about losing service often- that hasn’t been the case what so ever! I haven’t lost a signal in over a year! Being a consumer myself I understand and appreciate your caution when approaching a big change with providers such as this. Not only am I a long time subscriber of DISH network (9 years ) , but I am an employee as well and I can honestly tell you that I personally strive for excellence. DISH is the leading provider in HD, Customer Service and Loyalty. As I am sure you have heard, three strikes and your out? Direct TV has more then three strikes and I think that you need to throw them out and keep them out. DISH and I are always more than happy to help our existing customers, our new customers and our future customers find and keep their satisfaction. I would be more than happy to help you in your quest to find a new provider, if there are any questions I can answer for you please feel free to message me back at your earliest convenience and we will get this resolved!

]]> By: TERESA http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-27675 TERESA Fri, 10 Dec 2010 05:53:12 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-27675 I am the latest victim. I should have known better. All of the above comments about DTV is so accurate. DTV IS THE WORSE EVER COMPANY I HAVE DELT WITH IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS Wasted.... total of 8hrs waiting for technician to arrive (2 separate occassions) because the quality of initial instillation is so bad; total of another 6hrs of being on the phone with many different CSR who can only say: "I appologize.... I understand...." Why will anyone in thier right state of mind go to DTV? Me, only because I was suckered in by $250 rebate with Best Buy after buying a Samsung 3D 55" 8000Series :( I am the latest victim. I should have known better. All of the above comments about DTV is so accurate.
DTV IS THE WORSE EVER COMPANY I HAVE DELT WITH IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS
Wasted…. total of 8hrs waiting for technician to arrive (2 separate occassions) because the quality of initial instillation is so bad; total of another 6hrs of being on the phone with many different CSR who can only say: “I appologize…. I understand….”

Why will anyone in thier right state of mind go to DTV? Me, only because I was suckered in by $250 rebate with Best Buy after buying a Samsung 3D 55″ 8000Series :(

]]> By: John http://beingfrugal.net/2009/02/18/directv-bad-customer-service/#comment-27660 John Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:22:52 +0000 http://beingfrugal.net/?p=1740#comment-27660 DirecTV = IFC ( Incompetent F*cking C*cksuckers)... I had the exact same experience, and it's not do to lack of consumer knowledge as I run a business and have in depth experience working with contracts. This company is run by criminals, period. Once my lawyer contacted them, they still tried to wiesel me for half of what they supposedly deemed necessary to illegally overcharge. I highly recommend straying far away from this company and their floating contracts. They should be shut down, but our government breeds upon corruption. DirecTV = IFC ( Incompetent F*cking C*cksuckers)… I had the exact same experience, and it’s not do to lack of consumer knowledge as I run a business and have in depth experience working with contracts. This company is run by criminals, period. Once my lawyer contacted them, they still tried to wiesel me for half of what they supposedly deemed necessary to illegally overcharge. I highly recommend straying far away from this company and their floating contracts. They should be shut down, but our government breeds upon corruption.

]]>