We had Direct T.V. for years and decided that AT&T Uverse was a better deal. On 1/26/09 we called and cancelled our service. I just found out that Direct TV withdrew $456 from our checking account without any advance notice for a past due bill and the equipment that we still have. Please mind you that we JUST received the box to send the equipment back 3 days prior to them taking our money. We called Direct TV to complain and they stated it was in our "contract". They also had no record of us calling to cancel our service. We are getting the money credited back from our bank while the bank does an investigation, however, I'm just relieved we were able to cover the amount they took and nothing bounced.

What a horrible way to do business. What an awful company with awful customer service. This should not be allowed.

We discontinued our service as our 2-year contract was up. I called Direct TV to confirm there would be no additional charges. The person I spoke to checked my acct and said there would be no additional charges. The week after service was discontinued I received a bill for $306.00 for a receiver they state they replaced. This receiver was never replaced and I even had the "protection plan" just in case that were to ever happen. The billing dispute dept. will not reply to my letter. One gets nowhere calling the 800 number, and then they sent me to the collections dept. Why should I pay for something I did not receive and have my credit ruined in the process. Tell everyone you know NEVER USE DIRECT TV.

I never signed a contract with Direct TV. When I received my first bill, in small print, it said that by paying the bill, I agree to their two year service contract. I tried to call them to tell them that I never agreed and never would agree to a service contract, but was continually told that I was under a contract. I was repeatedly put on hold and was left on hold by the rude employees until the phone disconnected. I called several more times and was hung up on several times. I finally made contact with a so called "higher up" and he was the rudest, bully of all. I asked him to fax, email or send me something which indicated that I signed a contract. Of course, he couldn't do that, because I never signed or agreed to a contract. After getting no where with this person, my service was disconnected. I was relieved. I then returned my equipment.

I paid that first bill I received (which was generated only only a few weeks after service) for the two weeks of sevice, however, I made sure I wrote all over it that I was paying the bill in good faith and that by paying the bill, I am not agreeing to a service contract. I thought all was taken care of, but then I received my American Express bill and I was shocked that Direct TV had the audacity to deduct a large cancellation fee from my account, WITHOUT my permission or authorization! (Direct TV had my card number because they said they required a credit card number so they could send me a small cable box to have for the installer when he hooked up service). In hindsight, that was a lame trick to get my CC number! Why couldn't the installer bring the little box as part of his equipment?

I disputed the charge with American Express and as a result of their investigation, they credited the amount back to me. American Express said that they gave Direct TV several weeks to supply them with something that indicated that I signed a service contract. Direct TV could not supply them with that information because I didn't sign or agree to anything. Again, I thought all was well. Then, I received my next American Express bill and Direct TV charged a cancellation fee again! So, American Express challenged Direct TV again, and again, found the disput in my favor again and credited the amount back to me. American Express has since been instructed by me to not accept any charge from Direct TV.

I was hounded by Direct TV by several consequent bills and collection letters . Then Direct TV hired a collection service to send me collection letters and annoy me with collection phone calls. The phone calls are harrassing and unnerving to say the least. They try to scare me by telling me that they have my social security number. They call morning, noon and night!

This company is crooked and they employ a bunch of bullies. I don't know how they get away with it! Are they now going to try to ruin my credit by submitting false information that I owe them for an upaind bill?

I now have Time Warner Cable and I have never been happier. Not only is the service 100 times better (in many ways) but they require no contract. The big plus is that the people at Time Warner Cable are very sweet! They are a class company!

WARNING! Never use DIRECT TV!

AFTER 6 YEARS !!! DIRECT TV HAS ONLY OFFERED PHONE REPAIR FOR ALL PROBLEMS which includes a lightning
strike on a DIRECT TV RECEIVER.NO PERSON HAS SHOWED UP TO LOOK THE SYSTEM OVER AND I HAVE REPLACED RECEIVERS
TWICE AT MY EXPENSE FROM EBAY OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS PAYING direct TV 55 BUCKS FOR THEIR ORIGINAL
RECEIVER..HOWEVER DIRECT TV HAS SENT ME TWO FED X BOXES TO RECOVER THE SIX YEAR OLD EQUIPMENT AND CHARGED
A $300 EARLY TERMINATION FEE. THE NICE ENDING IS THEY DID TERMINATE SERVICE AND MY CHARGE CARD ON RECORD
THERE HAS EXPIRED >>> I HAVE LOCKED DOWN MY CHECKING ACCOUNT...
A ABSOLUTE RIPOFF COMPANY

After filing a complaint on this blog, I decided to contact the corporate office and leave a message for the President and CEO, Chase Carey. I received a phone call within an hour from Sarah who listen to my concern and schedlued a service call for tomorrow at 8:00 Am. Wow, this reflects a corporate culture that clearly has high standards set for customer satisfaction. I received an additional call from Marilyn at the corporate office; she was also following up on my message complaint left on the President's phone. Great job Direct TV.