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CB Satellite and Cable TV DirecTV very poor service and unacceptable contract
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DirecTV review: very poor service and unacceptable contract 1397

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12:00 am EDT
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I have had direct TV now for about three months and have had one problem after another. I had initially switched from cable to DirectTV because I thought that their high definition service would be superior. Big mistake. Since the time of install I have been through 4 high definition receivers, each one failing for a different reason. When your service goes out with DirectTV your only option is to wait for a replacement box or for a service tech which in my case has taken close to a week each time. My service has been so spotty that I have had to retain my cable so that I have a backup. Talk about spending too much for T.V. service. Now that my experience with these buffoons has soured to the point it has i decided that i had had enough. Unfortunately their two year contract insulates them from having to provide any level of acceptable service at all. Even though my experience has been a nightmare and I have spent countless valuable hours trying to resolve issues they will not offer to terminate my contract no matter how many times I have requested this. I am currently without any service again and I have decided that I am going to bite the bullet and pay the termination fee. I am not litigious person but have considered taking these bullies to court. I can't imagine that I am the only person that has had these issues. I would avoid doing business with this company at all cost. I wish good luck to all those that are in the same boat as me.

1397 comments
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rc robinson
Orlando, US
Jan 04, 2010 4:57 pm EST

on dec 21/2009 they stolled 455.39 out of my bank .called them up to see why .theycould only say it was out of denver co.main office thats doing this.looks like i own 3 recivers and 3 dishs just going to get new cards

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RCRONE
Canon City, US
Jan 05, 2010 7:28 pm EST

after being with direct tv for many years we were going to go to dish network do to the bills kept getting highereach month. When we called to cancel it in October of 2009 we were told that they would give us 12 months free and $10.00 of the othere 12 months of the contract. we did the math and excpted the deal. now a little ofver 2 months the reciver went out and they did send us a new one but refused to hook it up do to abalance of 100.00 when called i was called a "LIER" and spoke to in a very condisending way by a supperviser DO NOT BELIVE A WORD THAT DIRECT TV REPS SAY

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Karina_dh
Los Angeles, US
Jan 06, 2010 12:28 am EST

OMG! I have found all these stories and they are just like mine, except I have not cancelled yet and so I am yet to look forward to the CC being charged. My signal has been bad since day one, but it is sucha pain in my behind to call them.. they keep transfferring me over and over to another guy/gal. ANd an hour later I am still whare we started-" veryfy yur name and address".. It has been years now and all the problems with the sig keep coming back after a month or so. I call the tech again and again, untill I get sick of them and their 8-12 appointments. Next thing u know its been 90 days and I am due to pay the "serv call". But the same sig interuption happens again one day, ususally when I watch a really good movie..I am going to complain to AG and to other places as well. I am also going to call and make sure I can cancell their stupid service. It has been 4 years, I dont think they dare to stik me with their early cancellation fee.

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usbestatstickingittou
US
Jan 06, 2010 10:21 pm EST

Here is a good way for all companies to get the big screw.
Use you debit card for all contract purchase's.
When you close your account with Direct T.V.
First go to your bank and cancel the debit card and apply for a new one. Direct TV no longer has the proper information and can not remove funds from your account. HaHa!
If a $400 amount of more is filed on your credit report for none payment. Send a letter disclaiming the amount and have it removed from you credit report. For More Info please go to Dave Ramsey.com

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Norma WIlliams
Tipton, US
Jan 11, 2010 8:00 pm EST

omg! This happened to me as well, Direct t.v drafted out over 400.00 from my account and told me that they were going to send the rest of the $386.00 to collections. My daughter and her boyfriend tried to get DIrect tv and couldn't becuase they didn't have any credit so they ran my name and I paid for their service fee up front with my bank card but I strictly told them that I was not going to be the one paying for it and they said that all they would take out was the $40.00.
Well, I guess my daughters boyfriend didn't pay for 3 months and Direct T.v cancelled the contract and then took the money out of my account. I tried to dispute it but thier agents didn't care. I also told them that I never signed a contract and they said it didn't matter. I'm so furious. Is there something I can do about this?

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Norma WIlliams
Tipton, US
Jan 11, 2010 8:10 pm EST

Direct T.V stole 407.00 out of my bank account without my permission and I don't even have an account with them. My daughter and her boyfriend didn't have the activiation fee so i used my card to pay it for them but it wasn't my account.
I guess since they haven't paid the billin 3 months they cancelled and the fee was taken out of my account without my permission. Can they do that? I didn't even sign a contract or anything. I explained to them that it was not my account and it was thiers. They said it didn't matter that I had "verbally" agreed to terms on section "e" I think they are robbers and liars..
I argued all day and got nothing but a collection of $386.00 they sent me becuase i didn't have enough money in the bank.
Can we do something about this?

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I have had enough of DIRECT TV
Hughesville, US
Jan 11, 2010 10:55 pm EST

Regarding the Mover Service it is not as easy as it sounds. The scheduled date of moving was a joke. The Installer lied to the Customer Service Rep and stated that he was at my residence and no one was around. After I took the day off from work without pay to be there, really. I was on a three way call listening to the Installer lie about being at my home that afternoon. After the run around; I finally got my service hooked up three days later. I would have cancelled my service that day, but I had a contract.
Then just try to cancel your service with them. On 1/2/2010, I called to cancel my service. Recieved attitude from that Representative. On that date, I was told I would have 10 days from the date of cancellation to return the equipment, or I would be charged for it.. On 1/11/2010, I called to find out where the boxes are, to send the equipment back, I didn't want to be unneccessiarily charged. I was transferred to customer service representative 2; because the service was still on and pending cancel. CSR 2 stated; the service was pending cancel and that theywere cancelling the service on the billing date, 1/20/2010, not the date that I called. After being on the phone for an hour and being transferred to 3 people, I finally spoke to a supervisor. Again, I was told that my service is still on and that the cancel date was set for the 20th, (I called on the 2nd and asked for the service to be disconnected immediately. So they are trying to get 18 days of service not rendered and bill me for it.) After an arguement; I finally was told the service is to be cancelled at 12 am on 1/12/2010. That I would recieve a credit back to the date I originally called, the 2nd. And the apology I recieved is that, we are human. So everyone I spoke to at Direct TV is human. Glad of that. And everyone there makes mistakes, too, I guess. The run around and hours on the phone for the phone for two issues. Save yourself a headache. Go to the other satelite provider, it is cheaper. DISH saved us $60.00 a month for the same service.
Sincerely, I have had enough of DIRECT TV

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nikki white
Rancho Cucamonga, US
Jan 12, 2010 12:21 am EST

I place an order with Direct Tv, and they some how manage to totally screw up my order, and take $538.11 from my account with consent.
After being on the phone for litterally 3 hours with a direct tv consultant, which claimed to have processed my order, and being transferred to from person to person, to my disappointment, they had not completed the whole order.
I originally explained to them what i wanted to ordered, which was the bundling package deal, internate, television, and satalite service. The guy said everything was a go. So i then wanted to followed up on the order only to find out that no one at direct tv couldn't seem to locate the order that they said was processed. So once again they begain to transfer me from different reps. Very frustrating. I then decided to check my acct only then to find out that Direct tv had charged my card $538.11. Furious at this point. I called Direct tv on this problem and they tell me basically that there isn't anything they can do. There has got to be something done to improve the services that Direct tv is offering, after all, this is a reflection on the company.
I definately will be taking this complaint further, because something needs to done from customers being robbed.

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victim27
US
Jan 15, 2010 8:22 pm EST

Direct TV is the Devil. Let’s start this off by giving you a timeline.

Note- I am in the Military and was being stationed outside the U.S….thus, Direct TV would not have service where I was moving to. I was to be exempt from any type of Early Termination Fee, just as their contract stated, and was confirmed by customer service before I arranged for installation, and again upon cancellation.

Sept. 18, 2009- I arranged for my service to be cancelled on the 28th.

Sept. 28, 2009- My service is cancelled as per request.

Sept 30, 2009- My bank account which was used to automatically pay my monthly bill was charged $350 for an Early Termination fee. I called to remind them of the situation and that I was not to be charged these fees. They apologized for the inconvenience and guaranteed that I would be refunded in full in 14-21 days.

Oct 20, 2009- Still no refund. I call again. “Oh we are sorry Sir, it looks like the waiver was not sent up and authorized, we’ll get that done right away. It should only take 14-21 days”.

Nov 15, 2009- Still no refund. I call again. “Oh we are sorry, for some reason it appears that no waiver has been made, I am making one right now that will be sent up and signed off, this will only take 14-21 days”

Dec, 10, 2009- STILL NO REFUND. “Sorry, we are getting it authorized right now. Guaranteed you will receive it in 14-21 days. I personally apologize for this, this is not usually our standard of customer service.”

Jan 15, 2010- STILL NO REFUND. Yada yada yada.. “14-21 days”

What I put in quotes was only the end of each conversation, but every single time I called I had to go through this every time….(by the way, never once did I call and yell, which I am actually very proud of, I don’t think many people could have done that)

“Thank your for calling Direct TV Customer Service the service that goes above and beyond for you, how may I assist you with the setup or adding of account features today?”

-“actually I’m calling to discuss the status of a refund I was supposed to receive a long time ago, can you please just transfer me to your billing department”

“Oh well I’m sorry Sir, let me see if I can take a look at it first and help”

“you won’t be able to, please just transfer me, I have done this dance before. I’m not made at YOU, but this needs to get taken care of”

“Well Sir, I’m very appreciative of your patience and I promise to get to the bottom of all this, please just bare with me for a few moments while I access your account information”

“sure”

“I see that you were billed for $350 dollars as a result of an Early Termination Fee, in which case that would be a valid charge and thus you would not be refunded that amount”

“yep, that’s the problem. I’m wasn’t supposed to be charged a termination fee”

“We cannot exempt you from that fee Sir, it is mentioned in detail in your contract that was signed”

“yea well, I was already told that I was to be refunded the money since the cancellation was due to Military Deployment, and that I was to receive it no later than 14-21 days….that was 4 ½ months ago.”

“Oh I see….let me transfer you to the Billing Department”

“thanks”

And after I have the exact conversation with the next person, I will get transferred again to Account Management. Where I will then be told that after 4 months of being told a refund was on the way, it turns out, no report has even been started. This whole process takes about 45 minutes every time, there is a lot of small talk that I left out, but you get the gist of it. So once again I am told that it is being escalated to the next level to be “signed off” and thus I will receive a refund in (take a guess) 14-21 days.

To this day, I am still waiting……

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Tamara74
Winston-Salem, US
Jan 16, 2010 3:02 pm EST

Dear Sir or Madam, January 15, 2010

I am writing because of the issue that has been going on since I started an account with Direct Tv only recently. I responded to an offer for the service at 30.00 monthly. This was the only way that I could afford cable service. I was quoted this price and I echoed it several times in my conversations with representatives to make sure that there were no hidden fees. The second receiver cost 5.00 additional for a total of 35.00 monthly.

I received my bill some time later and noticed it was double this amount. Several phone calls then followed. I was then informed of a rebate process that apparently was supposed to be handled online. I then sought to go through this process but was unsuccessful as it seemed that the process never came to completion and a confirmation received. I made multiple attempts but there were multiple problems with the site.

I then called back to Direct TV where a representative said they would take care of this for me. Some time later I received yet another bill again with double the initially quoted amount. This time a representative told me that the time had passed and nothing could be done for me. I explained the situation, that I had been quoted 35.00 and no more and that I could not afford these bills and she told me she could do nothing for me since the time had passed. This even after the representative confirmed that the notes indicated I had had multiple issues with the rebate process.

At this time, I have decided to suspend my relationship with Direct TV because the customer service seems to be severely lacking. Ten plus calls later and no solution was found for my situation. In addition to this, the amount I was quoted was never abided by.

I believe this company uses misleading practices to lure in customers and it smells distinctly of a scam. I am forwarding this letter to the BBB and my attorney. In addition, ours could have been a mutually beneficial relationship, but I am in the process of bankruptcy and the outstanding money that this company seeks to squelch from me will not be obtained. Now neither of us will win. And all I asked for was some assistance from your company and to abide by the amount that was quoted me.
Please do not expect payment from me for these mongering practices.

Sincerely,

Tamara Pardington

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iceicedave
Carlisle, US
Jan 16, 2010 7:28 pm EST

I was a loyal customer of Directv for more than 11 years. I currently serve on Active Duty in The US Army. I recently moved and used your movers program. I contacted directv in December and set up an appointment to install at my new location. The directv installer came to my location (14 December)and determined that he would need a swim system to instll the 3 HD DVRS directv had authorized me. He called directv and they stated they could not authorize it to me because I was an existing customer and not a new customer. The representative from directv apologized for my inconvience, but stated I would not be charged a cancellation fee because it was directv that was unable to do the install. I sent my receivers back. On 24 December, I received a bill for a cancellation fee. I immediately contacted directv and they stated it was an error. I have talked to directv two subsequent times and was given the same response. On 11 January, Directv took the amount out of my bank account without my authorization. I am an honorable soldier that is looking to be treated fairly by the country I glady served. Please look into this matter. This charge came at a bad timing.

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Martha Soper
Richmond, US
Jan 17, 2010 6:49 pm EST

Account number [protected] does not have the correct name. There is no Margaret Soper! My name is MARTHA SOPER. This correction was made by me to the person who signed me up . Again our installer told them the correct name. Please reply to let me know this has been corrected. MARTHA SOPER

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CBbrooklynMOS
PSL, US
Jan 20, 2010 9:19 am EST

Let’s go down the numbers here. I have had DTV for the last few years - simply because a few years ago there was talk that Comcast may have not gotten the MLB contract renewed. So in a panic, I had it replaced with DTV. Shame on me - prior to Comcast I did have DTV, but with 9 TV’s in the house, their splitters were unable to handle the load. Okay, so now I get my son an HDTV, and figure I'll get him the HD/Dvr receiver. This of course comes with a new two-year contract. No prob - you do for your kids. Well, I am out of the house the day the installer comes to run the DVR secondary line. The guy tells my father in law (who was there for me) that there was going to be an additional charge for the secondary line, my father in law says no, but takes a regular HD receiver. The installer takes the old box with him. DTV gets on the phone with my father in law and tells him that since I paid $100 for the DVR, I'll be getting a credit for $44 since I got the HD receiver itself. I call DTV; I start off by saying that the regular HD Box was advertised for free with the upgrade. I said however, I do not want that, I want my old box back. The CS was very nice he stated that he will send out a recovery kit so I can send the new box back. The box came today, no old receiver. I called DTV, the CS girl there couldn't understand what was happening - I asked for a supervisor - I get MONA LISA ID# 412569. Who states that the CS on Monday was wrong, and that since my father in law signed the paper I am responsible for a contract without receiving ANYTHING in the contract. She told me that "I" have to take some responsibility. I laughed - I asked why should I take the responsibility since "YOUR" CS told me the aforementioned? The arrogance of this CS was unreal - I explained the word "Discretion" to her, and that she should go back to those "Training Tapes" between me and the CS from this past Monday. Well, now I have a new 24 month contract with nothing to show for it - so on principal I will pay them the $480 cancellation fee - I will NEVER do business with this litigious company - ever AGAIN!

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beebooptolou
Saugus, US
Jan 20, 2010 12:08 pm EST

RUDE is the word I called due to a problem with the person wanting to do the installation, he didnt even have a company van just an older station wagon with ladders on top, not very appealing or professional. I called to get a new install date and found that the lady was rude to me and said they didnt have vans and all of the installers were indpendent and I told her thats not true I see DIRECT TV vans all over the place infact my neighbor had hers installed by an installer with a VAN from the company. She was rude and I told her well lets just cancell then. SHE HUNG UP ON ME. RUDE! I called a different number for the office close to me and they said they have no record of me in their systems. I guess its GODS WILL telling me to beware! I will heed that advice, you should too~

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PST
Las Vegas, US
Jan 21, 2010 8:04 pm EST

Hello,

I am also very ticked off at direct-tv. My mom passed away and I thought I was doing the right thing by contacting them. I was told I would be sent a bill and could send in her death certificate at that time. Within 7 days of calling, she was charged 438.40. It was directly taken out of her account which through us into overdraft. I contacted them and I was told they could not do anything until I sent in the death certificate which I have not recevied. I was then told that it would take 30 days for research once they received the certificate and another 4 to 6 weeks before they would issue a refund. In the mean time we are out 438.48. Knowing what I know now, I should have never have contacted them. I was trying to do the right thing and got screwed in the end. Unbelievable that they would charge a cancellation fee when someone passes away. These people are crooks! Stay away.

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What is this?
Miami, US
Jan 21, 2010 10:51 pm EST

On March 2009 I received a Direct TV offer for the amount of $29.99. The following month I received the
billing payment for the amount of $47.00 very surprised and desapointed I called them to cancel my order
right away as I can't affort to pay for it. They lied again telling me it was just the first month for such and
such fee, whatever, Same history of $47.00 charge the 2nd. and 3th month. Then after four or five hours of speach, struggling to convence them to respect people; taking some care of their costumer, And begging them
to charge me the agreed amount, telling me to start paying the $29.00 plus the fee, coming up to $33.00, But
again, the night mare; after two or three months a bill for $92.00 due. Tired and sick I continued paying the
$33.00 accordingly. Then they suspended the service one month ago. Since then I've been asking them to come
to get their equiptment or to send me the boxes to send it back to them, being their answer another bill for the
amount of $123.00. Please help me with this matter. To me the facts are taking place in the world is just the
begining of the very end of age.

Thankyou for your cooperation.

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Phyuck Yu
La Jolla, US
Jan 22, 2010 5:08 pm EST

Wowww...

We've had DTV since sometime around the late '90's and they have "always" treated us like gold. Whenever we had any service issues or even if we needed to be walked through any step-by-step instructions for something as laime as finding and programming codes for universal remote compatability, the c/s they provided us with was never less than adequate but more often than not, it was above average if not exceptional. If ever they needed to roll out a truck/van to our home even if it was at my request, they would almost always have one scheduled within a day or two and sometimes the very next day, but never more than four or five days max, and those were very few and far between. Heck, they would even call and let me know if they were gonna be late. Whenever they had a newer model DVR with bigger HDD's (1yr+ gv/tk) they would send me one with a rebate form for the cost of the unit, except once when they didnt happen to have any rebate offers running at that time. They never took money from any of our accounts unless i initated the transaction even when we were 30 days or more past due.

Anyway..sorry that none of you have had thesame type of experience with them.
Good Luck to you all!

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Unhappy Direct TV Customer
Dublin, US
Jan 22, 2010 7:11 pm EST

DON'T EVER USE DIRECT TV. THEY ARE A BUNCH OF CROOKS- their customer service gives you a different answer each time you talk with them. I had to move and I called their customer service to ask what the policy was. They told me that I was to call and schedule a tech to come out to my new apartment loc to see if dish could be installed there and if not, I would not be charged any cancellation fee. Then when I found a place and called to check they then told me they would only check when I schedule the actual re-connect. Then when they came out, found the only way to install it would be to run a flat cable through my patio door, around the entire, dining room and in front of my gas fireplace to the living room wall (no drilling was allowed in the apartment). They then tell me they are charging me $271.01 to cancel the service because I told them this was totally unacceptable to have cables running through a sliding patio door and through the entire apartment in front of a fireplace. They charged my charge card, even though I told them not to. I contacted my bank and the bank disputed and reversed the charge, but Direct TV mailed me a bill due immediately. I filed a complaint with the BBB and it is still going back and forth. I would think Direct TV would want to work with me since I an renting and someday may move to where I could possibly use them again. But they choose to destroy any desire for me to ever user their service again, and I will tell everyone and anyone I know how horrible their customer services is! DON'T DO IT - GO ELSEWHERE FOR YOUR SERVICE.

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CDEINC
US
Jan 23, 2010 9:07 am EST

Okay i've been reading a lot of these comments and i'm sorry but it really sounds like whining to me. If any of you had bothered to READ the contract before you signed it, you would have seen all of the information that you are ### about stated. If you have a contract with any service and you cancel, you are subject to cancellation fee. I don't see why any of you think it would be different for DIRECTV. Next, they do inform you in the contract that the reason a credit card is needed on file is because if you do NOT pay them, in protest or whatever, they will charge the card on file. I understand your frustrations, but that is why you READ something before you sign it. They do not need your authorization because you were informed in the legally binding contract that YOU signed. i assume the technician did not hold a gun to your heads.
Next, if you have a technical issue, and YOU choose not to call in, then that is your fault that it takes so long to get resolved. Somewhere the customer has to take responsibility. Trashing the company doesn't help. oh and by the way, good luck on all of the lawsuits. you'll need it. not reading a contract that does inform you of all of this does not mean the company is at fault. that means you are dumb enough to sign legal documents you haven't read.

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DebDurden Pine Grove CA
Pine Grove, US
Jan 23, 2010 4:06 pm EST

1/6/10 - found $361.09 charged to our visa debit card. (Lost 30 lbs in the "pass the buck" game). Found out the charges were for a fraud account. 2nd time this happened. First time 10/5/09 - after 30 days - still not refunded. I've written every entity with Direct TV (fraud, complaint dept., refund dept etc.) and faxed every known document requested 4 times. Today, 1/23/10 - told our visa debit card was utilized on the fraud account "several" times. This is crap. Only 2 times and I was the one who called and complained. Today, I'm preparing my documents for Small Claims in OUR county for Senior Abuse, Theft, Fraud etc. Direct TV refused to give me proper address to send out documents so of course, I will call Colorado DA for the address...wish me luck.

THANK YOU to everyone who had provided CEO telephone numbers. GUESS WHAT - I got through - why - because as all us Executives know, you always go through the Executive Assistant.

I"ll up date soon.

Deborah, Pine Grove, CA

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DebDurden Pine Grove CA
Pine Grove, US
Jan 23, 2010 5:15 pm EST

DIRECT TV INFO -

[protected] is disconnected
2230 E. Imperial Highway, El Segundo, CA 90245 - Legal Department
JAMS - 500 North State College Blvd, Suite 600, Orange, CA [protected]
This is address for disputes prior to legal arbirtration - claims they settle amicably
Readlly? Then why are all my complaints rejected with untrue and ridiculous
excuses?

CEO is Larry D. Hunter
Corporate Offices - Greenwood Village CO ADVISES they do NOT have to supply:
**Street Addresses
**email addresses
**fax addresses
**department direct phone numbers

Wonder if they accept smoke signals?

DebDurden, Pine Grove, CA

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DebDurden Pine Grove CA
Pine Grove, US
Jan 23, 2010 5:17 pm EST

Direct TV has NEVER been accredited with the Better Business Bureau in California. Why is that?

DebDurden, Pine Grove, CA

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Time to payup
US
Jan 23, 2010 7:19 pm EST

I had an unauthorized bank transaction on one of my relatives account. This is FRAUDLANT activity. it is now time to do something about this company. I will looking into a class action law suit, hopefully many of you that have been defrauded will be restored with penalty. If anyone wants to be added to the duit my e-mail is lindalinen105@yahoo.com. I will be starting this suit as soon as I can find a creditable attorney to represent me. This type of activity has to come to a stop they are stealing from hard working people that will not just lie down and take it any longer.

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RichT85
US
Jan 25, 2010 10:29 am EST

We have been trying to get our rebate since 12/29/09. We are referred to one place, then another. First, we got " sorry, systems error or permission denied -illegal parameter. Then we got invalid e mail address,

then we got we are not even eligible for the rebates. WHY? The email system is horrible. I have been working on this for almost three weeks.

I have been on the computer every day, called direct tv every other day

trying to fix this problem and get the twenty-six dollar ($26.00) rebate. Does any one actually get the rebate?

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Vagg
US
Jan 25, 2010 12:13 pm EST

Tech set up two TVs and left before the second one was up and running. We waited for the second TV to start working and then returned to the first set to find that it was not working. Long story short - faulty equipment was installed - customer service is telling me to wait for new equipment can be mailed out and mail back the faulty equipment. This is totally unaccectable as the installation was really never completed. It is useless trying to deal with these people over the phone.

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Ohmy
US
Jan 25, 2010 1:19 pm EST

I closed my account with direct tv and they sent a last bill, i paid it with no complaint. Then i find another charge on my bank account from them, their response was that it was charges on the boxes not reported. Even though i never ordered pay per view, i never had the service connected to my phone line. I thought that it was over and then i received another bill claiming there were more charges found on the cards. At this point i realize that i am being screwed royally. I decided to contact the better business bureau and received a response from direct tv, which stated that Mr. (my name is Williams) in fact did owe. They even went up on the charges that they have been sending. It is clear that they have me mixed up with someone else, but refuse to correct their mistake.

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Nosman
US
Jan 26, 2010 2:05 pm EST

Directv is very bad in contracts. They say one thing while you sign up and when you call them later they claim that you have signed for longer term. When you ask them to send the signed copy they don't send you a copy of contract with your signature.

Please record your conversation with them so that you will have some proof. Customer service is very bad and billing is very confusing.

I have called several times to get the discount they offered but they will not honor them.

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Pricol
US
Jan 26, 2010 2:11 pm EST

I have had Direct TV for a couple years and can say that ad the cable companies ran against the satellite companies is true, if it rains hard, Direct TV is out, if it snows, it is out, if it gets windy, it is out! Right now, it is out again for 2 hours now, and who knows when it will come back on. I will have to call tomorrow and argue with them to get a credit for this down time, as they are out so much in my area, I feel I have to get credits, and maybe they will provide better service.

Their customer service people I figure were hired from those who were too awful to even work for Comcast. I have been lied to many times, when I tried to cancel HBO, it kept popping back up on my TV and I would get charged for it, I would call again (I did this for six months in a row) and state I wanted HBO cancelled--they would tell me I had called to reinstate it--which of course I never did, but the truth is a real stranger to Direct TV customer service people! Once when service was out, I was told by one of their so called "technicians" that they were ALWAYS out at that time of nite (It was a Tuesday at 11:45pm) for repair and testing---I am a late night person and knew that was a stinking lie! Then, recently I was told if I could not get reception, it was because of the dusting of snow on my dish, and I would have to either get up there and brush it off or do without TV until the snow melted (which it was predicted to do 2 weeks later)! Gee, and my dish is only 20 feet off the ground, just what I want to do is climb a ladder up and brush the snow off---the reception turned back on about two hours later WITHOUT me going up to brush the snow off, and indeed, the dish had even more snow on it when it came back on, so, another lie by their "expert" techs that could have killed someone if they would have followed their directions. He got smart with me and told me it was too bad I did not want to believe him just because it was not what I wanted to hear--yea, did not want to hear another stupid "tech" lie from Direct TV.

Who in our gov't is going to get super rich off this digital change where just about everyone will have to sign up for some sort of cable, either satellite or basic cable? At least they could have forced the companies to provide us GOOD service before they throw the switch next month!

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Soulmate
Concrod, US
Jan 27, 2010 7:14 pm EST

In August of 2009 A relative called Direct TV because they wanted to get Direct Tv, but the relative did not have a debt or credit card. So I let my sister-in-law call and place order of the $19.95 on my debt and I was told by Direct TV that in 3 days that amount would be returned to my account, that it was just a hold and the amount was waved, because I was not the one getting the service. I asked, before I did this would any charges ever be put on my debt card and Direct TV told me NO. Today January 27, 2010 Direct TV took $849.29 out of my account using that Debt card number from 8-25-09. I have never had service with Direct TV, I have never had an account with Direct TV, I NEVER authorized for $849.29 to be taken by Direct TV, Because I have never had service with them, When I first called Direct TV a supervisor hung up on me and said they could not help.
I called back and Direct TV said that they would look into it and if that was charged wrong could take up to 8 to 10 days to get the $849.29 put back into my bank account.
Because Of NEVER having an account, or service with Direct TV, I am overdrawn, I am facing overdraft charges, I had to get a new debt card, My account is in the negative, I can't using my account for 8-10 because I filed a dispute with my bank against Direct TV for unauthorized charges, Thanks- Direct TV for stealing from me. There should be a law suit against you.

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Wazik
US
Jan 28, 2010 2:06 pm EST

Never received HD channels, called directtv and installing company several times, did not get any response for 3 months. Finally the installation guys showed up and tried for 1 month and finally fixed it. Directtv does not refund me HD price even though we did not receive service for 4 months.

Also never received mail in rebate, when called regarding that they say they can not find my application and they can not apply it now because it passed 2 months timeline.

Now we are struck with it for next 8 months paying almost 70$ per month.

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Pissed off Direct TV customer
Weaverville, US
Jan 28, 2010 5:25 pm EST

I've been a customer for 5 years and recently moved to a new house and called and made appointment to have installer come out and install at new home well took a day off work to be here and the guy never showed. when I called to inquire as to where my installer was there was a message on the account that he had called from outside and since I had not answered he left. was it unreasonable to maybe knock on my door? I called again and asked if I could please have someone come by today and do the install and guess what? no show again their attitude sucks and I do not feel like they value their customers so I am switching to someone else now

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gadfly
Calimesa, US
Feb 01, 2010 1:24 am EST

had the same thing happen to me in July of 2009 nothing has changed even thou directv
was fined $5.2 million dollars for fraud in 2006

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Nancy Carroll
Naples, US
Feb 01, 2010 12:39 pm EST

I received 2 seperate billings for movies ordered by remote, of which I did not have the ability to do so, three months after settling my account with Direct TV. In fact I received a refund from them. Upon calling customer service I was passed around to five associates and supervisors who were rude and incompetent spewing "rehearsed" statements. Additionally I was placed on hold over and over again, and even hung up on by two of the associates. After being infuriated for over and hour I was scolded by one associate to "be professional". Never ever will do business with this company again. And, two I am not caving into these tactics and paying this bill, EVER.

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Metrro
US
Feb 02, 2010 11:39 am EST

It has been one month now since I ordered Direct TV . When I called to order, I was quoted a price of $35 for my plan (rebates for $10 AAA, $10 HD, $23 movie channels). Installer came on Thursday and after initally being told on the phone that installation was free, he tells me it will actually cost $150 b/c I need "custom installation." After getting upset, I agreed b/c I really did want the service. He worked for about 3 hours and then announces he can only get service for me in two of the 4 rooms I requested. I said that was unacceptable. So he disconnected all of the work he had already done and left. That night, I called Direct TV and they had no record that the installation had not been completed. Their computer showed it was completed. After 2 hours on the phone, I finally got another appointment for an "experienced technician" to come out and try to install the Direct TV. John, the customer service rep also told me to call back after installation and they would give me some additional credits to make up for all of the hassle. Saturday, the installer came and spent 10am-5pm at my house, but Direct TV was finally installed and functioning (after paying for custom work). One note, I was told that to get full service DVR (be able to watch TV and record another channel at the same time), I would have to pay an additional $60 for another outlet. I said forget it. I'll just have "minimal DVR." I was so ready to be done with Direct TV customer service, I did not worry about calling to get my additional "free credits" John referred to. Well, today (Thursday) I check my credit card bill and see a charge of $76.61 for 1st month of Direct TV. I call and after being on hold for a while, I finally get a rep. I explain that my first bill is supposed to be $35. He proceeds to explain that I have to pay $76 the first month and then credits should appear "some time in the future." I explain to him that this makes no sense and he says this is the way the computer always does the first bill. Then I mention getting the "credits" John referred to and he said that wasn't possible b/c that was offered from a technical person and they would have to give the credits. I tell him to transfer me to someone with more authority, which he agrees to. After waiting again, I finally hang up b/c I have no more time to spend waiting on the phone for Direct TV. I regret the day I decided to switch from Cable to Direct TV. Take my advice, do not let their false ads claiming lower prices convince you to switch. By the time you pay "custom installation, " spend 12 hours waiting on installation, and then don't even get the price you were quoted, it is not worth it. NEVER CHOOSE DIRECT TV. Stick with cable!

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Charlie in TX.
Crawford, US
Feb 02, 2010 4:29 pm EST

Dish tv increased my bill. In a weak moment I decided to switch to Direct Tv because a AT&T rep said I could get the same package for less. That was a wrong claim. It was a lesser package but I stayed because it was cheaper. When the contractors came to replace the dish equiptment I saw that it was the old technology of needing two dishes to give regular programming and the local channels. My old dish hardware only needed one satellite dish to provide both local channels and the regular programming. Also the contractors wouldn't use the dish location and I spent about two hours in the attic to get all the cables ran to the four rooms so the install charges would not be increased. When I asked about needing two dishes to provide the local channels they said yes it was old technology but later they would come and put up the newer single dish no charge. Well I never heard another thing till about Dec 23 or 24th when the local channels quit working. I called direct tv and they said they were working on it. After about 5 days I called again and this time I was told I would need a service rep to fix my hardware. I explained that we had not had any bad weather or high winds to affect the tuning of the dish and that regular programming was fine. Only after asking for a better more qualified tech support person did I find out that direct tv had switched satellites for the local channels. That meant the dish was not tuned to the correct satellite for local channels when I finally got the rep to understand the problem they got another person on the line and they decided that direct tv had sent everyone in my zip code a email, note in the bill or phone call telling them they needed to call in to setup a hardware upgrade to the newer one dish package that used the two satellites that one dish could be tuned to also this would strart a new two year contract. This appointment would now take over a week because they were so under staffed. I told the rep it was the holidays and I wanted to watch the bowl games and the dallas cowboys on sunday. She said that wouldn't happen. I said why didn't you put a note in my bill saying this needed to be done or send a email or leave a message on my phone about the upgrade appointment? She said they had done one or all of those things. I said do you actually think I would ignore what I knew would be a upgrade? By this time the upgrade couldn't happen till jan 6th. I said I would be watching dish a week before then and I was, on new dish equipment. Of course I have been debited out of my credit card account for 300.00 for early termination. I am going to try arbitration but I'm sure it will be wasted time as these crooks can make more money pissing people off and get out of providing services just by collecting fees.

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H.M.F.I.C*2010
Kemp, US
Feb 03, 2010 4:55 pm EST

Signed up with Direct TvV online and tried to pay them with my pre-paid visa card they came back and said they did not accept pre-paid card as a payment I need to give them a real checking/debit card in order to start my service...So I got my Visa check/debit card and paid with that! A day later I look at my account and Direct TV took $25 three times from my credit cards.Twice from the pre-paid card they didn't authorize.A week later I still don;t have my money, no one will let me talk to a supervisor, and they are very rude and disrespectful.I do not recommend doing any kind of business with these scam artist!

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SICK_TIRED
Los Angeles, US
Feb 04, 2010 4:22 pm EST

Strongly agree.
Typical, jerk you around, spin the wheel.
Deceiving practice, poor customer service.
Time to move on to web tv or over the air free.
I am glad to see if someone could shoot the sat down.

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Teresa Orton
US
Feb 06, 2010 5:27 pm EST

The tech was here to install Direct TV. He offered an upgrade to HD. I talk to customer service who stated the HD was an extra $10.00 per month. I later recieved a request for $200.00 for the upgraded HD box. I was never told about this charge. I spent 45 minutes on the phone being transferred. I called back and threated to call an attorney. They said that the extra charge would be removed. A month later, I recieved a late noticed, and called back imediatley. Again, I was told that the $200.00 would be taken off. My service was cancelled a week later for non payment. I called again and was trasferred for over 25 minutes. It wasn't until I threatened a class action lawsuit that my problem was taken care of.
I would not recommend Direct TV to antone. This company is dishonest, does not value it's customers, and the only service you get is by threating a law suit.

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Gary Cooper 75
Palo Pinto, US
Feb 06, 2010 7:53 pm EST

Just got my credit card statement to find DTV had charged my account $164.83 that was owed on an account that was not mine! Had called them several times and they always told me it had been taken care of.
Customer service told me there was nothing I could do about it, that their billing/collection department NEVER made any mistakes. What a company.

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funinsun01
Adrian, US
Feb 07, 2010 8:23 pm EST

If this is just a whining spot, CDEINC, then why is it there are class action suits in 23 states against the s.o.b.'s! Fortunately for me, when I called to cancel 4days after dreadfully receiving this crap AS THEIR SUB-CONTRACTED INSTALLER- ILLEGALLY ACTING AS AN AGENT OF DIRECT TV- told me I had seven days, like my contract did say and I did read, and they threatened to pull the $480 from me, too! They violate almost every law in Michigan against the MI Consumer Protection Act.
The fun part was when their little phone agent threatened me with this I told her "You just do that!" I went the day before and cancelled my debit card, ordered a new one with a different number. I also let her know I work for my brother who pays me under the table, and get social security-disability, which garnishments can't touch! I rent and can't drive because of my disability, so they aren't getting ### from me! Ooohhh, aren't they clever?
I also filed a lawsuit against the ###s, or more correctly, WHOLE ###!

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