I was contacted by Direct TV to initiate service. I informed them I lived in a 2 story home and they would need an extended ladder to install dish. It took 3 attempts to connect. The first attempt was an 8 hour waste of time that resulted in the technician placing a large bracket on a side roof on the front of the house. We did not wish for the dish to be visible which we communicated to the technician. He did not have a 40 ft ladder so after 8 hours of attempting and placing the bracket in the side roof and not being able to get a signal... he rescheduled us. The second attempt the guy was an hour late. I called to check on the appointment. Customer service told me he would be there shortly. The guy did show... in a rental vehicle without a ladder as he'd been in an accident and was told by his boss he would have to come to inform me in person. The technician was obviously shaken. The third attempt... the ladder was long enough but the technician said he needed a second person for safety to hook up. After 4 hours, my husband ended up assisting with the installation. The hook up took all day. When the technician went to make the connection call, they had us signed up for a different service. This of course took forever to straighten out. I called to complain about the start of this service. I was transfered several times and finally connected to someone (in India) who said he would give us some free service time, provided an address to send my roof repair issue, and promised great customer service from then forward.
We were never able to get the promised HD channels even though we had a HD TV and a HD receiver. Most of the time we had to restart the system or call into customer service (10-15 min call each time ). The end result was I missed the first 15 min. of just about every show I wanted to view. If I scheduled it to record, it would just miss the show all together. I scheduled 3 technician appointments. One third of the time they would show and not be able to do the job due to inadequate equipment. After several months, no compensation for time and trouble with the hook up and no reimbursement for my roof repair. I called to cancel my service, the CS person talked me into allowing "the best technician they have" come out. He came without a ladder on the scheduled day. Rescheduled for 2 days later- while at our home, he stated because of our location and the large oaks, we would most likely always have difficulty. 2 days later, I went to view a program. Got the familiar error message and called to cancel service. I thought after me taking off work 3 days to allow installing the darn service, having my husband in danger as the technician's assistant, missing the first 15 minutes of my few favorite shows during the entire service time, not being able to view HD channels, and last but not least... canceling a football party since we were not able to view the game they would waive the early termination fee but they are charging me and have not addressed any of my complaints. I would advise against doing business with Direct TV. The contract with them is one way only.

Lisa Anstett.

for the past 2 1/2 weeks, each and every day I receive a solicitation call from Direct TV. Their current promotion is to upgrade to additional HD channels for 3 months free and then only 4.99 / month. The first *representative* that I spoke to told me...that MY viewer exerience needed to be increased and that *I* was foolish if I didnt increase my own experience. After politely saying NO thank you, I have received calls every day even as late as 9:45 PM. 4 calls placed directly to DTV asking to be placed on their do not solicit list and being assured it was *taken care of*, have NOT corrected the problem. Next call, they lose a customer...period...

This has been a NIGHTMARE!!! I waited until after 2:30 for them to arrive for an appt. bwtn. 8am & noon. The installer drilled 2 sets of holes in my NEW roof - and then tells me that he can't get a signal, my neighbors tree will have to be taken down??!! He packs up his truck and leaves. EXTREMELY rude and unhelpful!!! I called to complain and they told me there was no one available to speak to me and they would put my name on a list to be contacted later. Unbelievable!!
I agree that some sort of action needs to be taken against them.

I knew about the 2 year contract when I signed up for Direct TV; which is why I tried to have their service transfered when I moved into my new apartment. They came to my new apartment to try and set up service there, and they were unable to get a signal. Because there was no way I could physically get any service, I was forced to cancel. Direct TV went ahead and charged the cancellation fee anyway directly to my credit card without my approval. I've argued with them numerous times explaining that its not my fault that they can't get a signal, yet they don't seem to understand.

I'm aware that this type of customer service is common for Direct TV, and therefore would like to file a class action law suit. Is anyone interested? If so, please write me back here, [email protected]

In Dec 06 I ordered Direct TV thinking it would save me money. The sales rep told me that no matter where I move I will be able to get service since they are everywhere. Well I moved to the neighboring city the following March. I paid the $50 they required to have the technician reconnect my service at my new home. When the technician came out he told me that I couldn't get a signal at my location and that I can cancel my service. Since then Direct TV billed me about $500 for an early termination fee. I wrote them a letter explaining the situation and they lowered the bill to about $375. I'm considering taking legal action against them. There is no reason that someone should pay $375 for a service that wasn't provided especially when I made every effort to keep my service. If there is anyone in the same situation, I would like to hear about it.