I am a Dishnetwork customer. At times I find myself needing to contact Dishnetwork for technical support. I called the wrong number by accident. I call 1 888 333-DISH instead of 1 800 333-DISH. The 888 number is a number to a group call "Dish One Up" who is retail supplier for DirecTV. They mislead those of us who misdial the Dishnetwork number into believing at first we are calling Dishnetwork only to find that about 20 minutes into they are saying they are going to need to switch our service to DirecTV. I called about a problem about mty DVR and, thinking that I'm talking to Dishnetwork, they were immediately going to set up a new DVR...and add free channels...and this and that. So I'm thinking WOW Dishnetwork is really stepping up here when all along I'm talking to DirecTV. They wasted some of my valuable time with this deception and I'm sure they successfully hijack some customers (I stayed with Dishnetwork of course). I think the exploit the phone number thing and are terible for these deceptive practices. fell free to call them to check this complaint out but they are going to want your phone number right off. Don't give it to them just ask them if they are Dishnetwork and see how many times you have to ask...I asked 3 times before I use some colorful languge and hung up on them. 1 (888) 333-DISH (3474). Have fun!

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/getNFLback Would you reward a kid for stealing from your purse? Of course you wouldn't.Then why is the NFL rewarding Directv with exclussive rights? They lie, cheat, and steal.They charge you to lease their equipment, then charge you upto $5.99 to protect it against repairs.They will also make unauthorized charges to your credit/debit card.This is 100% accurate, google directv complainsts, it will blow your mind, they had over 20, 000 complaints in 3 years, thats a BBB record.They have 3 lawsuits pending, in California, Washington, and Oregon.This does not include the silent suits.My goal is to get congress to open the NFL Sunday Ticket to cable companies, And all Satellite companies, At the top there is a Petition, my goal is to get 10, 000 signatures then I'm sending the petition to congress.America needs competition, what if there was only 1 electrc company, gas company, Or auto maker?You Get the point, Thanks for your support!

Sirs...
I wish to express my disappointment in yet another increase in my Directv bill.

I telephoned your company to request the switch off of one of the Directv boxes as I cannot absorb further expenses. I am elderly and on a limited income. The television is about the only source of entertainment when elderly.

I must admit I am looking at alternatives for a service at a more reasonable rate. As I complained to your young serviceman, who was very polite, that it is difficult to understand these increases, but he explained it wasn't your company that dictated the increases, but the suppliers of the services to your company.

I am sure Directv would tag on their little bit of 'extra profit'. In these economic times I wonder how companies can make excuses for increasing prices. But it is proving that those who do pay are picking up the costs of those who walk away from their responsibilities!!

Besides nearly every program being 'a previous' showing, I don't really know what we are paying for anymore. The Lifetime site seems to show their shows that were broadcast in the early 1990's., not to mention many other stations using previous series shown before. It seems a very convenient scam for the paying public.

As said, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE one of my boxes turned off...perhaps people are right... a satellite dish might be the way to go. Sheila Mumford

DirecTV consumer bank account debit fraud / Wells Fargo Bank complicit behavior

Short Summary:

DirecTV wrongfully debited my Wells Fargo Bank account $378.65 without my permission, knowledge or any written warning. As background, my wife and I joined households. Moving into our new home, we were in possession of DirecTV receivers from our separate residences.

1. DirecTV told us to give our old receivers to the installer servicing the new house - however, the DirecTV installer who arrived said he didn’t know which receivers needed to go back and even if he did – he wasn’t authorized to take them;
2. DirecTV failed to provide ID numbers for the receivers owed, though I called their 800 number twice;
3. During my 3rd phone call on February 12, 2009, DirecTV finally provided me with the receiver ID numbers. DirecTV then failed to allow even one business day to return the receivers, charging my bank account for $378.65 on February 15, 2009 without my knowledge or permission;
4. Wells Fargo Bank protected DirecTV by refusing to allow me to file a Fraud Claim against DirecTV with the bank. Wells Fargo Bank has even refused to investigate whether DirecTV even had the legal right to debit $378.65 from my account. Wells Fargo Bank benefited by the fraud because it collected $70.00 in overdraft fees.

Full details:

DirecTV wrongfully charged me a $378.65 equipment fee. In moving to our new home, DirecTV stated our installer would take back the old DirecTV receivers. The DirecTV installer who arrived neither took back nor identified the receivers owed, stating DirecTV would send us prepaid return postage boxes.

As DirecTV customers for over 11 years, my wife and I combined two DirecTV households. With so many receivers/dvrs – we called DirecTV asking which receivers (via their ID numbers) needed to be returned. Each time DirecTV said this information would be mailed to us. DirecTV did sent two boxes, but failed to include identification information as to which receivers needed to be returned.

On February 12, 2010 we called DirecTV for a third time. We had received a bill for $378.65. A DirecTV representative finally told us over the phone the five ID numbers for the receivers that needed to be returned. DirecTV stated they would send out return shipping boxes (this time with receiver number attached) and not charge us until the receivers were returned.

However, on February 15, 2010 – DirecTV in direct contradiction to information provided in the February 12, 2010 phone call - debited my bank account $378.65 without my permission, knowledge and without waiting a single business day for the receivers to be returned.

As we stated in the February 12, 2010 phone call – we were more than willing to drop the DirecTV receivers off or give them to the installer as we were instructed by DirecTV to do. However, DirecTV refused to make either option open to us. Instead, without prior warning, knowledge or permission - DirecTV fraudulently debited my bank account.

In calling DirecTV to have the $378.65 equipment fee reversed – DirecTV flatly refused. We even called and left two messages for Donna Sadlouskos, DirecTV’s Senior Manager for Customer Satisfaction. Ms. Sadlouskos never returned either phone call. DirecTV acted in bad faith and has thus far caused $70.00 in bank overdrafts fees. Basically, DirecTV is scamming former customers – extorting additional funds illegally. Everyone at DirecTV feels their company can invade a customer’s bank account anytime they want. More onerous is the fact that DirecTV’s staff is absolutely convinced that no individual, court or government agency is going to stop this egregious behavior. So, far they have been right.

In contacting Wells Fargo Bank, I learned that my financial institution is refusing to file my fraud claim against DirecTV, claiming that I signed a contract with the satellite television provider allowing them to automatically debit my account. When I asked Wells Fargo Bank to produce the legal document I purportedly signed agreeing to this – Wells Fargo’s fraud department customer service supervisor refused. Instead, I was berated by my own bank’s fraud department – which claimed that I gave away my rights and there was nothing that Wells Fargo Bank was going to do about it.

DirecTV is the worst cable/satellite company out there. I have heard some bad things about comcast, but I guarentee DirecTV takes the cake. Lets start out with their set-up process. Believe me, calling in and speaking to their highly trained professionals is a delight. To them, the less they tell you the better. Their whole plan is to not inform their customers about anything, just to wait until the customer notices. They didnt tell me I had to pay up-front for all the equitment. Not only do you have to buy the equipment, but then they expect you to pay monthly charges and turn the thing in when you are done with it. Thats like me buying a car, then paying monthly lease payments for 3 years, then just giving it back to the dealer. Are they serious?? Man are their prices great though, huh? All the great commercials and deals they have going on...wait until the promotion ends. I was paying 60 a month for hd-dvr in one room and basically every channel with HBO and Skinimax. All of a sudden I get a bill that goes up to 160!! Do they really think Im going to pay 160 just for tv. Thats ridiculous. I call them up and they try telling me that I should have known this was going to happen!!! I dont know how I would know that when they DIDNT EVEN SAY ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT IT!!! They only time someone all of a sudden knows what they are talking about is when you tell them you just want to cancel service. Then they are cheery, gracious, and make you feel like you are worth a million bucks. On top of that their on demand blows, and if you want to order a movie you either have to pay another 100 for a wireless internet package for your cable box or set your TV up next to your computer so you can conveniently plug it into your modem. Or you can call and talk to there ever so coherant staff. Once you actually get a movie ordered you better not fall asleep. If you do dont expect to wake up the next day and finish it. Nope, their movie rentals are based on a 24 hour period. No big deal right???? Not exactly, this 24 hour period begins at 6 AM and ends the following morning at 6AM. If you order a movie at night and fall asleep you better set an alarm for 4AM so you can finish it. Man they stink!