I decided to combine my telephone, internet, and cable services to save money. I hooked up service with a local cable company and was told I would not have to call Directv to cancel my service with them. After my new cable was installed on March 24, 2009, I decided to call Directv to find out how to send my DVR's back to them.

I called the following week and talked to customer service about this and they informed me that my service was not canceled so we proceeded to do that. The CSR informed me that there was a 2yr contract on my account because I received new equipment in Jan of 2008. I informed her that I did not have a 2yr contract because my equipment was not working and because I had the replacement plan that I was paying extra for covered my equipment to be replaced if something went wrong with it. She agreed and had her supervisor remove the early cancellation fees. She told me I was a good customer and offered me a fantastic plan to stay with Directv. I told her it was too late that I had already gotten new service. She informed me that I would receive a final bill and that if I changed my mind they would be glad to hook me back up.

On April 4, 2009, I had a message to call my visa cardholder company about a recent transaction on my visa card. I called and was asked if I authorized a transaction to Directv in the amount of $312.59. I said no and was told that this was being reported as fraud and that I needed to follow up with my bank on Monday. I called Directv to find out what was going on and they told me that I was charged $180 for early termination of my contract( was a Directv customer for 9yrs ) and I informed the CSR of my earlier conversation with another CSR about that. I was told that I had agreed for them to take money if I ever canceled and it was a verbal agreement that I could do nothing about. I am currently waiting on my bank because they filed a dispute with visa to get my money back.

In March of 2008, my wife informed Directv that we had sold our house in Arkansas and were moving to Montana. Directv told us to leave the dish, a dish that I had paid for and installed myself years ago. Directv told us they would put our account on hold for 6 months. After 6 months they started billing us and I wrote on the bills that we had not moved into our new house and had no satellite dish so stop the bills. The bills continued, and we never paid them because we were not receiving their service.

When I was threatened/blackmailed by Directv's collection agency, AlliedInterstate, I paid $58.73 to keep my credit rating from being ruined by their threats. I called a lady in Directv's retention department and she proudly announced that only she could remove all charges if we would now start up service. She hung up on me when I told her that I was a long time customer, I did not like being treated this way, and no way was I going to remain with them as a customer.

I filled a complaint with the Better Business Bureau asking for the return of $58.73, the cost of a new dish, and a letter of apology from the president. Directv refused and eventually sent me a check for $15.90 which I voided and returned. After looking at the bills I discovered that they were billing us for service at the Arkansas address knowing we had moved to Montana where they sent the bill.

Bottom line, Directv thinks customers should pay for service not received. Just because somebody activated an account, they feel I must pay. Obviously, Directv must have some in house rule that makes employees pay the customer out of their own pocket if they make mistakes. These guys will never admit making a mistake. Solid business ethics...?

DIRECTV took me for ride which cost me $250.00 after I canceled my service after two years when they could not get my HD to work. This is when I lived in Greenville, SC. They had me changed my sat boxes several times and the problem was never resolved. I had to sell my house because I lost my job, and I understand the new owner informed me DIRECTV finally fixed the problem. It was their original installation which was not installed properly. After several calls from a collection agency, I paid the $250.00 dollar. All I can say, do not do business with these people ever if you can help it. I wish there was some way to stop all these charges for cancellation of terrible service, or when you do not get the service you purchased.

The other day I received my Directv bill and the package I had ordered went up in price. Six months ago I signed a contract with this company and I have had nothing but problems since. This is the latest issue. I ordered the Choice Package for the special price of $34.99 a month. The first three bills I got were at the regular price of $52.99, so I had to call and straighten this out. They finally got that straight and everything went smoothly for about two months then I get this bill where they increased the price of the Choice package. Which would have been fine had they adjusted the credit to reflect the price I agreed on when I first signed up for the service but it did not.

When I called the company in regards to it the first customer service rep hung up on me. The next one I got could not tell me anything different then the first. They told me that in the 'Customer Agreement' it says that they can increase the price any time they want to. This is absurd.

Working in the construction industry I deal with contracts everyday and once they are agreed upon and signed that is it, that governs what happens on the job. It is apparent that the word 'Contract' means nothing to Directv and they can just do whatever they would like, whenever they would like. So I guess if they would like to jack my bill up to $100.00 I just have to sit back and take it even though I agreed upon a specific price when I signed up for the service.

I am reporting this company to the BBB and the Attorney Generals office in hopes that they can help everyone that this has happened to. This is a warning to everyone who wants Directv or was thinking about getting it, DON'T!!! They are a HUGE RIP OFF and their service stinks, including their Customer Service. I hope all take heed to this message and think twice about having to deal with this company before they get shafted also.

I have been a customer of DirecTV for under a year now and have had two questionable business experiences with them.

The first experience was the initial billing set up and various options employed to reduce bill. That incident I have an extensive email history attempting to resolve billing issue around my account setup.

The most recent experience is the March 2009 increase. (My account is electronically debited at the end of each month with email notification coming mid month advising bill available for viewing. I use paperless billing),

Today in processing the automatic debit in the checking account I noticed the increase and not recalling having received any notification of such an increase, called DirecTV immediately. I spoke with a representative asking about the increase and any notification. I heard notification was sent with the January bill. I explained I used paperless billing asking if notification was at the bottom of the bill. (In the meantime looking up a copy of the Jan. bill on my computer). No information on the bill. I advised the rep no such information as was advised, after being put on hold, notification was sent me in the January email via link that notified me the January bill was available on line for viewing.

Ahh, now I need access to my email account on line; so conversation ended. I checked my on line email. Guess what!!?? NO link in the January 17th email either.
I am obliged to maintain a 2 year contract with DirecTV however it appears DirecTV is not contractually, ethically or morally obliged to their customers. At least not paperless customers.

It is an intriguing process to be in economic slow down, hear the president speak about accountability and continue to encounter greed and questionable practices by businesses. Lest the consumer be duped, let me say this one thing, ongoing nurturing to keep consumers loyal has died, while promising and not producing, greed and lying continue. Nothing has changed in corporate America!

January 2009 email attached as supporting document.