We had the unpleasant experience of rearranging our schedule to wait around for a promised install of Direct TV on 11/27/2007 between 12-4 PM. We actually took a vacation day for the special occasion.

When I called at 3:30 PM the day of the installation to verify that an installer was still scheduled, I was informed that I have the date incorrect for the install. According to their computer it was scheduled for 12/04/2007. I was given the opportunity to reschedule the installation, but I declined and requested my money back due to their piss poor communications with us as potential new customers.

The strangest part of the entire ordering process was that I was told that I would receive an e-mail summarizing my entire order and confirming the installation date. I never received the e-mail, but my credit card was immediately charged for the order that day. It seems that they were more interested in getting their money, than communicating with me the contents of my order.

What makes me the most upset about the entire thing is that I consider myself somewhat meticulous when it comes to doing my homework prior to making any major purchase.

I took detailed notes of my conversation with the representative at order entry and clearly documented the correct date and 4-hour time window given, but was told that it didn't match what they had in the system. I stated that since I only had my notes to go by and not the confirmation e-mail, I was under the impression everything was correct.

Direct TV has wasted our time and energy on something that could have been easily avoided if the representative had only followed through with an e-mail. They tout that they have the highest customer satisfaction compared to cable and Dish Network, but we will not look at those TV commercials the same after today’s exercise in futility.

Oddly, I received an e-mail confirming my cancellation and replied back with the above-noted message. Within one hour of my reply, I received a phone call from a representative trying to explain a "glitch" in the installation schedule.

I questioned the representative about why did it seem that Direct TV was able to contact me both via e-mail and phone AFTER everything blew up in my face today, but couldn’t get the correct information to me before?

As educated consumers, we Do Not and Will Not settle for less than par customer service representatives going through the motions of dispensing promises that they can not stand behind.

These individuals are representatives of their organization and have a direct impact on that initial impression, whether good or bad.

I am so disgusted by Direct Tv.
I phoned to get information on signing up with them. I had $15 per month cable and expressed my concern with switching off of that. I was offered their football package with premium service for $49.99 per month for 4 months, then I can switch to the basic package. I was also offered a free DVD player, a free DVR, and $150 credit divided over 15months at $10 per month.

The first bill comes and I didnt receive the $10 or the $20 off the the football package. I spent an hour+ on the phone with customer service being passed from one person to another, being told that the football package offer didnt exist. I called their sign up department at the same time who AGAIN OFFERED me the $20 off the football package while the otehr department denied any offer of the sort. Finally spoke to someone who said they knew about it, they would credit it AND teh $10 per month, not to pay my bill until the following month when the changes would be on it.

Next bill comes. 1 month of $20 credit, not the first month. No $10 per month credit. I spend another 2 hrs on the phone with customer service, get hung up on by 2 reps who dont want to deal with it. Talked to a total of 5 people and finally when I told them they were not following through and I wanted everything out of my house I was transfered to the resolution department who accused me of not qualifying for the offer of $150. After threatening to tell everyone I know about their customer service and lack of follow through I was offered the $150 credit on my account. We'll see if it and the $20 per month for 4 months actually shows up.

I'm afraid to call in with my friends account number that referred me. I am sure that will be a fight too.

I wish I could get out of this contract and go back to my basic boring cable. This has been hell dealing with them. Stay away from this company! And if you have to deal with them..well good luck, since no one there has extensions or last names.

On 4/15/07 I purchased an HDTV at Best Buy, the salesperson said they were having a promo on direct-TV. I explained I was already a directv customer. The sales rep said I could just buy the HD service and add it to my existing service and that Best Buy would do it as part of my installation. I paid $99.00 for the HD receiver and the best buy installation guys came over and performed the install. At no point in time did I ever speak to direct-tv to have the receiver activated. The Best buy installation guys did all the talking.

After three months of billing issues I decided I no longer wanted to be with Direct-TV and requested cancellation of my service. I was told that I could not cancel as I was committed to a two year contract. I ask the customer service rep to verify when I agreed to those terms and they claim it was automatic when I signed up for the HD service, problem is i never signed anything or agreed to an extension of service. I never even talked to direct-tv.

They claim that when I had the receiver installed i signed the agreement. When i looked at my best buy receipt there is no mention of such agreement matter of fact theres no mention of direct-tv. Then the representative claimed i verbally agreed when they performed the install. Again i never spoke to anyone at direct-tv. The best buy installer did all the talking with Direct-TV.

I dont understand how they get away with these deceptive practices and there is little or nothing out there to protect the consumer from such scams. I hope direct-tv goes under when IPTV becomes available nationwide. I am currently disputing this with Allied interstate a collection agency (direct-tv).

On the day I canceled they told me they'd charge me $120, I told them even on that day I wouldn't have the money in my account, can I pay half now and half in two weeks. I was canceling not because I wanted to, but I had no choice it was due to circumstances beyond my control. Not only did they not care, they automatically withdrew $160.33 and caused me overdraft fees. I talked to TEN+ reps about this, and everyone's reply was the same "It's our policy, it's automatic and we couldn't take your credit card off the account." STAY AWAY FROM DIRECT TV! CABLE MAY COST A LITTLE MORE BUT I TRUST IT'S BETTER SERVICE!

As I previously wrote, Direct TV is pathetic and rude and lies about returning calls, having experienced technicians, when they will show up, and extending credit for poor service. I reached DISH Network and was pleasantly surprised. The technician(s), a team of two, arrived on time. They were experienced, intelligent and polite, and they did a difficult installation on the chimney of my townhome in less than 2.5 hours. They also took the time to instruct me on the system use, and gave me phone numbers if any issues arose. I was incredibly pleased after dealing with the no-brain twits from Direct TV. Do yourself a favor....if you are looking for satellite television, call DISH Network. There is a huge difference in service, and the cost is less than cable, has more services and will save you a ton of anger and impatience.