I have scheduled 3 appointments for satellite installation. When no one showed for the first appointment I called. I was told that there was an unpaid balance from the prior resident, my 84 year old mother who now resides in a nursing home. The balance was paid and I rescheduled for the following week. Again a no-show. I called and was told a second appointment was never scheduled. After several weeks and numerous emails concerning my dissatisfaction, I scheduled a third installation for today 12-4 PM. Again a no-show. I telephoned and was told the local office would be contacted and the tech instructed to call. I waited 2 hours without a call or arrival. I called again and was told a supervisor would be involved and would call me. I received a call minutes later and was told the tech came and no one was home. I was given a description of my home and the mailbox. I explained that when I arrived home at 12 PM, there was an unmarked vehicle blocking my side driveway (I live on a corner lot with a stop sign). I motioned to the vehicle that he was blocking my driveway. He backed up, allowed me to park and then drove off. My daughter and I thought he might be the tech and was driving to the front of our house to park. We got out of the car and walked to the front only to find that he was not there. We assumed the vehicle was blocking the drive because he was exiting the cul de sac and stopped because of the stop sign. It is now apparent that this was the tech who clearly knew we'd arrived and willfully chose to leave without making the installation. I can not describe the incompetency this company has displayed and it's devaluing of my time. I explained this to the supervisor who stated the techs are loca, it was after hours and nothing could be done. She stated the Nashville office closed at 5 PM. I explained that my first telephone call was at 4 PM, second at 6:15 PM ample time for the local office and/or tech to respond. What is clear is that Directv and its local contractors lack professionalism, don't value new customers. I currently have service with the competitor, Comcast which I plan to keep. At least Comcast knows how to get a technician out and guarantees that if a problem arises service is free. Directv is less expensive and due to its poor customer service apparently cheaper!
Janet C.Pelmore, MD

On August 18th, 2010 I finally received my replacement receiver. After hours spent on the phone at the beginning of August trying to diagnose my problem, the solution was to send me a new access card. It took 10 days for the access card to arrive. Then I had to spend another hour on the phone to then find out that I needed a replacement receiver, which would take another week. I received the replacement receiver a couple of days ago FINALLY. I spoke to customer service and got the new receiver activated. Here is where my problem started. The customer service rep informed me that I had to dispose of the old receiver because it was broken. Wait what? This is leased equipment. In California, it is against the law to just throw something like this in the trash. It has to be taken to an e-waste recycling facility to be disposed of properly. Apparently, from DirecTV’s point of view, once the equipment is “broken”, it is no longer leased, but owned by the customer. Well, I requested that they send me a recovery package and / or a prepaid shipping label to send it back to them. It is their equipment, therefore their responsibility. I look at it like you have leased car under warranty and say the engine is shot. Instead of it being towed back to the dealership, the dealer delivers you a new car and tells you and refuses to take possession of the old car.
So, I ask for the manager. I end up speaking to Kyle, Employee # V1688, in Technical Support. He refuses to send me a prepaid shipping label so I can ship their equipment back to them. I have been a DirecTV customer for over 5 years, paying them $95 a month. That is $6000 + in revenue to them. The cost to ship this back to them would cost them a max of $15. It is totally irresponsible, inconsiderate, and insulting that I would be treated this way.

We canceled our service to DIRECTV on June 17, and returned the boxes to them. They receivd the boxes on July 6 a 12:55 p.m. delivered by Fed Ex. They have charged us $237.60 for the boxes on our Master Card. We would like that charge removed.
Account # 34428934

I may be a 70 year old senior, Italian but I'm not stupit. I started with Directv April 10, 2010 and have had nothing but a run around from day one. I been being given nothing but double talk from customer services and a total unconcern to assist in solving any problem including incorrect charges and billing. So, here is what I decided to do and did --
I emailed customer services and told them that I had lost my bank ATM card -- I called my bank and told them the same -- I did this so that Directv no longer had control of my bank account. I than requested to cancel my paperless online billinb and directed them to send my statements. I now will correct all incorrect charges and errors on my statements and when I make a payment it will now be by money-order only and should they decide to interrupt my veiwing -- I will email them and tell them to send me boxes to return their equipment and I'll also them I'll see you in court -- and go back to cable. I may be Italian but I'm not stupit!
signed: [email protected]

DirecTV is known for its very large early termination fee. While most people don't even know about it, they usually have the habit of not mentioning it when the customer first orders the service. As a matter of fact, the contract which states this fee is not given to the customer until a month after the services have started, if it is even mailed to the customer at all. If you have been billed for an early termination fee which you felt was undeserved, I would love to help. I work for a law firm in Los Angeles that is working to aid people who have been damaged by DirecTV. We are very experienced and capable of handling a high profile case such as this. If you have any questions, or know of somebody that we could help, please contact me at [email protected].
Thanks,
Eddie