Ok, I've had a tough year. I lost my job at the beginning of the year (Happy New Year!), and recieving only unemployment compensation, I got behind on my payments...yada yada yada, and got evicted from my home.

Obviously I cancelled my DirecTV service. Satellite's not much good if you don't have a house to watch it in. I sent back their boxes (though now I wish I would have waited a little longer) and everything they asked. A few days later, I went to buy groceries and my check card declined. WTF? I knew I had at least some money in there. FREAKIN' DIRECTV RAN MY CARD FOR $478!!! I was pissed, so I called up DirecTV and was told that it was an "Early Termination Fee". For what...I asked? Early termination of what? Well, at the end of last year (thinking my job was secure) I had paid $199 for an HD DVR. When I called to take advantage of the offer, they eagerly signed me up. I KNOW THAT THEY DID NOT TELL ME, that in "exchange" for this great offer of $199, I had to stay with my current package for two years. So, I'm screwed, but still looking for a good way to get them back. If anyone has any good ideas, PLEASE email me at [email protected].

It's not like I was a new customer or anything, I had been with DirecTV for about 10 years. It was not like I was a cheap skate either, I had every channel they offer. At one point, I even had the Playboy channel. I always paid my bill on time (until I was laid off at least), and when I called them, I got the special..."because you're a special customer..." message.

On top of all this, after speaking to several less-than-helpful-and-certainly-not-sympathetic reps, I spoke with some completely unconcerned "resolution manager" (in the freakin' Phillipenes - no wonder our economy is hurting so badly) he actually had the gall to tell me that, "sir, I can waive this fee if you will reconnect your service." I was Piiiiiiissssssseddddd and must admit that I went off on him. I told him, "listen man, will you stop reading from your script...will you pretend for one minute that you don't work for DTV, and just listen to yourself...I tell you I've been unemployed and have been EVICTED from my home of 12+ years, and you ACTUALLY TELL ME TO RECONNECT." In the end, all I said was, "you have made a great mistake and you are going to be on the news tonight, " hoping to scare him and hung up.

Oh yeah, one more thing - I thought I'd be clever and call the corporate office and hopefully speak to someone who could do more for me. When I finally got through to someone, I started telling my sad but true story, and about halfway through (but after I told him about the unemployment and the eviction) he actually had the NERVE to just transfer me without waiting for me to finish. I get very official sounding guy who answers the phone, "DirecTV Office of the President". I thought...hell yeah, now I'm going to get action! No way, they saw me coming for miles. I could hear other reps talking in the background, probably on similar calls.

My question is this - with so many Americans in dire straits, how can they possibly justify doing this. I admit that technically they are correct (even though I am POSITIVE, they did not mention any two year deal, they just wanted to suck me in), but not only is it unethical, it's downright WRONG. I just hope I find a non-violent way to communicate to this large, powerful, short sighted, and completely NOT customer oriented companies that they have made a HUGE mistake. I want to make they pay the only way they can understand it...IN DOLLARS AND CENTS.

I beg of you...please...DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH DIRECTV. If you have DirecTV, CANCEL service right now. Send them a message that you're mad as hell and you're not going to take it anymore. MAKE THEM PAY!

I closed down my Directv account in excellentstanding. 2 weeks later there is a charge for $267.13 from my cking account from Directv...no bill, no explanation, no authorization, NOTHING. DO NOT TRUST THIS ORGANIZATION.

I terminated service @ 3815 Lakeside Dr. Richmond Ca. At the time of termination, no mention was made of extra charges. I would receive a final bill of less than $50.9/14/2009 N checking online banking I discovered Direct had taken $402 from my account without authorization. I spent 4hrs on the phone with direct to find I was being charged early disconnect. DirecTV was at felt. I was charged to start a new service when they replaced a receiver! When the DVR went out, I informed the service man I did not want another if I had to be charged. I also pay if something happens to the equipment charge monthly! Direct charge a new service startup when the receiver was replaced. If U call DirecTV 4, any reason if they change anything there will be a new startup charge for whatever U change! My money was taken without my permission. Early termination was check! I got charged anyway! The account was closed before there was an early termination charge! It was after the account was closed that this charge was added without mention! I went on line to pay bills with a $300 deposit only to find Direct had charged my account. They practice false advertising always. U NEVER GET what DIRECTV promise. I found this out when I started in 4/2007
With a promotion valued @$39.00, & not receiving a bill under 60 bucks! Until termination date 9/2009 day one with Direct was BAD!BAD!BAD! Billing & visiting techs as well!

I currently pay an additional monthly fee for DirecTV's HD service. Today I purchased the NFL Sunday Ticket(only offered by DirecTV) and they are forcing me to pay another additional amount to receive the football games in HD. This is absolutely ridiculous! I'm quite sure that thousands of other customers are upset about this situation as well, because every DirecTV customer service line is busy or simply out of order today. I will be calling to cancel my service as soon as the lines are available and I can get through to a customer service representative. Please keep me posted regarding any action/protest others plan to take against DirecTV.

Aaron Edmonds

I am a resident of Tatum Texas and now the consumer of DirecTV. On 11-22-07 I had a Direct Tech Southwest installer come to my home and install a new DirecTV service that I had ordered from DirecTV. At the time of install I was told by the installer that I would need to pay $60.00 for a wall fish (new cable in the wall). He stated that he was willing to waive $20.00 of the cost. Upon completion I asked the installer who I should make the check payable to. He stated “Make it out to my girlfriend”, I found this to be rather strange and after he left I contacted Direct Tech Southwest about who the check was made to. I was told that I should not have done that and that they would take care of the issue.

On 01-05-2008 my wife received a call from the installer stating that because we had not paid the $40.00 dollars at time of install we would now need to pay him $60.00. He also stated that we had until noon 01-05 to pay him or our service would be shut off. Of course we did not pay him and at noon the service was shutdown. When I contacted DirecTV I was told that I shut the service down and that I would need to reveal the password. At that time I had no idea what the password was. With a little help from the operator I was able to figure out the pass word and get my service back on. I was also told that due to the fact I had suspended the service I would need to pay a $56.00 reconnect fee. Now keep in mind that I did not suspend the service the installer did. After several calls I was able to get this charge removed and filed a complaint as well.

On 01-13-2008 my wife received yet another call from the installer stating that I was not to contact DirecTV, Direct Tech or him. He stated I would be receiving a letter on Monday and that he hoped we could resolve this prior to going to court or him filing a claim on my home owners insurance.

This man is attempting to extort money from me and I have contacted my local PD along with the FBI office in Dallas but no one seems to want to help. I should be noted that this man has one of my personal checks that contains my address, phone number, DL number, bank account and routing numbers. This guy with the right knowledge could destroy my credit and even still my identity as well. I am in search of any and all help that may be available to me.