DirecTV
Reviews and Complaints

I had called to cancel my service on 7/30/2010 with DirecTv due to a move to a residence that did not offer satellite service. At the time I had a positive balance due which then increased due to refunds for unused services. I was told at the time that the balance could not be refunded to my card on file because I was not on Autopay and it had to be sent by check with a time frame of 6-8 weeks. A little long, but ok. It took over 3 weeks and multiple calls to send a box for my receiver which I was obligated to return, which was done on 8/31.

In mid-September I called to check on the status and was told that the 6-8 week time frame began after the last transaction (8/31). I understand the reasoning, but was never told this. I was promised that I would receive it in the first two weeks of October.

I called on 10/28/2010 as it was beyond the 8 week time frame and was told it takes 6-8 weeks. I advised that it is beyond that and that a check should be sent. The customer service rep said that it was escalated and it would take 8 business days (almost 2 more weeks) to process and then mailing timeframes.

At the rate this is going, if I ever do get a refund that I requested in July, it will be received sometime in late November which is completely unacceptable. I have no faith that I will ever receive a payment and am disappointed in the customer service I have received since disconnecting my service.

I ordered a new dvr which I was charged $99.00 for and 4 days after using the dvr the back plug came out. I called direct tv and asked if a technician could come out and just exchange the unit for me - of course not - I was advised that I would have to wait for a new one to arrive and send the defective one back. I failed to return the unit in the time they allow so a $274.00 charge was deducted from my bank account. I called and was advised that as soon the defective equipment is received they would be able to reverse the charge back into my account. On oct.19th I called and was advised that the equipment had been received and it would take a couple of days for my charge to be reversed. On oct 23rd I was shocked that $153.00 was taken out of my bank account for my current monthly charge but the $274.00 had not been put back into my account. I called and was assured by a supervisor that my account would have the $274.00 back in the account no later than oct. 28th.In the mean time I am having to call companies and have them hold checks to avoid nsf charges. I received a call from the supervisor like he promised and was advised the charge had been reversed. On oct 29th I checked my bank account and the charge didn't show up. I called and was advised by a supervisor that #1 I couldn't talk to mark #2 now my account has credit on it and it would take up to 30 days for a refund to be issued #3 the reason that the charge wasn't put back into my bank account was because I cancelled the credit card on file because of their irresponsiblity #4 there was no way that they could take my credit card information and reverse the charge and #5 there are no locations that I could go get my refund. I am so irrate and will be contacting my bank to dispute the charges. Sooooooo dissappointed

We called to pay our past due balance to rip off tv (Directv) ! We obtained our balance from the rep and then advised her we would call back once we gather our banking information. Well, she took it upon herself to take out over $800 from our bank account! We were furious to say the least. We immediately called once we realized what had happened and we were told it was a mistake and the rep shouldn't have done that and they will pay any nsf we get from our bank and blah blah blah... Then we call back and get another rep that was insanely rude that told us the rep did nothing wrong and they took the money out of our account because we hadn't paid our bill yet so they were charging us for the equipment. (Even though we still had active service with them) we argued with her and she finally put in a refund request and told us it would take no more than 10 business days to get our refund. Well, about 12 days later we called back and got another rude rep that told us "you were told it would take up to 2 weeks". So, we waited and nothing happened. We called again and was told the refund request was put in and there's nothing they could do and we just needed to wait.In the meantime our refund is getting smaller due to new billing cycles rolling around. After back and forth with them for about 2 months I was finally told that every single time we've called a new refund request was being entered in so the process was starting all over again. Bs! So, I finally filed a complaint with the bbb. We received a phone call within 4 days or so and we immediately received our refund. What was left of it. ($325.00) because of the money they took out illegaly we couldn't pay rent, bounced netflix and bounced another check that was outstanding. As soon as our contract is up with them we are cancelling our service and then closing out the bank account so they do not do to us what they've done to some people on this site. They are a horrible company that performs illegal transactions against their customers and they need to be investigated and fined and/or shut down. We work too hard for our money for these money hungry con artists to steal it from us!

I don't get my local channels in hd. The reason for this an agreement has not been signed between direct tv and the local affiliates to broadcast in hd in my area. We had the same problem with dish. At least dish got it together, however we switched to direct for the nfl package and the promise of more channels in hd.

The better business bureau has given both direct tv and dish and 'f' for their customer non-service.

The Installer came out today and installed the DirecTV. Which where a panel on the outside of the camper is now sticking out and was not like that before he got here and did what ever he did to it. I asked him what happened to the side of the camper.
He said that he did not do anything which is not right because it was not their before he started installing the DirecTV.
You really need to do something abo;ut the company down here in springfield, Il. this is something that you really need to take care because wtheir was nothing wrong with the out side of the camper untill he got here and started messing with things. your company has not been very corporatetive with any of the problems I have had to put up with. I really do not want to have to go and talk to a attorney about the camper.

Today, at 3:00 pm, I was nearly killed by a Direct TV technician. He was driving eastbound on Fry Road in a white Ford Econline E-150 van, license # 8R49103 and ran the stop sign at Meridian just east of Vacaville, CA, doing an estimated 60 mph. I was going northbound on Meridian and, if I had entered the intersection, it would've likely killed me. I followed him to get the plate number so I could call 911 and report him as a dangerous driver and to report him to Direct TV. After several miles he finally had to stop at a red light at the intersection of hwy 113 and hwy 12. I got out of my car, went up to him and asked why he would do such a thing. No apology or reason was given. He simply said "Mind your own ###ing business". I told him I had contacted Direct TV and he laughed, then said "I don't give a ###", then turned eastbound on hwy 12 toward Rio Vista . The driver is a white male, medium build, mid 30s, and unshaven. I'm a brand new Direct TV customer after spending 8 years with Dish. It's beyond me why a Direct TV technician with a Direct TV sign on his van door would be so careless with my life and so unapologetic.

My DVR recently quit working. I am paying the 5.99 monthly maintainance plan. I was told I would get a home visit by a technician to replace. Then another person said "no", it had to be mailed and I could put the cables on by following the other one and mail the old one back (why am I paying them the 5.99 monthly for downtime and my own servicing?)

Anyway, I travel a long distance to go to work and pass through 3 states in my 100 mile travel so I decided to stop at the usual distribution center of FedEX that usually handles my shipments to my home. I was told by them that the DirectTV shipping department in PA uses a code that causes the equipment to travel a greater distance and literally bypasses my house to travel an extra 45-60 miles. They suggested I call Direct TV.

I tried explaing to 3 different "customer relations" specialist and a supervisor my concerns and asked to speak to the Lewisberry, PA shipping center. I was told no. When I explained the logistics of my concerns and that FEDEX suggested I contact them, the supervisor got angry, REFUSED TO GIVE HER NAME AND HUNG UP on me. She said she was "Carlos' supervisor" and that I had no right to complain as shipping was not their concern. AGain, I asked for her name and told her I could read the same tracking number on the computer screen, but I was giving her additional information from a FEDEX distribution center 14 miles from home. She continued to be angry and would not listen. Especially when I said that if DirectTV wasn't paying the extra routing, then maybe we could all save money. This customer service supervisor was smug and gave every indication that she didn't need my business and didn't care what I wanted to say or how I felt. She just kept saying it would be delivered within 3-5 days. She said she did not want to address the shipping and did not have to identify herself.

Lewisberry is a short ride from Harrisburg, PA (interstate 81 south). Hagerstown MD is approx 20 more miles south on same Interstate. This is the usual distribution center that delivers to my home in Martinsburg, WV (14 more miles south). However, for some reason, it was sent on to Winchester, VA (literally passing in front of my house) on Interstate 81 for another 25 miles. Somehow, it is supposed to be sent back up the same interstate (another 25 miles) within the next 24 hours. Why is it being routed through a State south of me?

FedEX theorized Direct TV is putting the wrong coding for method of transportation so it bypassed a terminal that normally services my area.

With these kind of business practices (Inefficient), no wonder Direct TV rates are rising. To understand my concerns in a more simplier manner, draw a vertical line. Put the originating warehouse at the top. Put Winchester Va. at the bottom. Put Martinsburg in the middle. Then put a distribution center above Martinsburg, (Hagerstown, MD) and then wonder why they drive past that one, drive past Martinsburg and continue on down to the State of Virginia. Then find a truck to drive it back up the same line. Logical?

Yes, about as efficient as the customer service supervisor.

Dish Network is looking better and better, because at Direct TV, the customer is never right. Heck, they act as though they don't need the customer at all.

This direct tv person is working out of a best buy in san antonio tx. They had no problem geting my money but we are yet to get insalation for direct tv. They are sad. And I called direct tv. And they say ther are an independed retailer name smart circle. And no one can help to get my money refunded back direct tv hires this pepole under there name we have no idea what there doing till you need help or even to get service conected' they make me sick we ordered direct tv on oct-4=2010 a week later still no service but my bank acount is out over 175$ how nice for them. To bad for the costumer. Never againe you all really suck

The salesgirl that set up my account promised a 100% buyout of my DISH lease if I would convert to directv, I agreed, since switching to directv I have called them several times including the salesgirl, I have been told several times by the company that if I don't hear from them by such and such a date to call back, and for the salesgirl I haven't heard from her either. just want everyone to know that this supposed buyout salespitch is nothing more than a scam to get people to switch to there product.

When my service was installed the tech did not install a satellite dish as the contract stipulated.
Rather he hooked up to an old unused one.
I began having problems within days when trying to record some programs.
It was not very often in the beginning, however, I immediately had problems with billing for services that my contract stated were free.
When calling about billing issues I did inquire about searching for signal errors.
I was told, "Don't worry the receiver needs to download over a period of time. Also, I was informed that there was a piece of equipment between the co-ax cable and the receiver that I needed to unplug and reconnect.
I informed them I did not have it.
Then I was informed, "Oh you don't need that after all.
This has never been right. Yet I still receive my full billing.
My last three calls I was told I either had to pay a service call or sign up for a protection plan for a fee

I have paid every bill for a service that I am not receiving.
The disappointment from finding a program or sporting event I had tried to record, did not record in full or not at all seems to be inconsequential

Cannot access anymore my paid service. Almost 3 month, use very seldom because I can't see what I want or not available. What a scam! Now I can no longer access it because they say it was installed on another computer of mine. I have only one laptop and I did my business with them in this only laptop. If they said it was installed in another computer, why don't they just shut it down in that other alleged computer and allow me to use the service I have paid for with hard earned money in this laptop.

Pls help me. Thanks

Recently, I had a directv technician show up at my home unannounced. He indicated to me that they had they had received a call from me regarding my dvr. I told him I had never called. He then asked if he could take a look at the dvr anyway. Naturally, as he was a dircectv employee, I allowed him to do that. Several minutes later he told me that he was going to replace the existing dvr. I agreed because I was under the naive assumption that was standard procedure.

Now, directv is telling me based upon that uninitiated visit of his and the fact that he installed a new leased receiver, that I am obligated to fulfill a new 2 year contract, even though I had just recently fulfilled one, because of the fact that he did that. I have no idea how to fight this other than call the local affiliate of directv.

Is it logical to think that they knew my contract had expired and they snuck in a new dvr under the guise of a routine visit that I wouldn't be aware of? Does that type of stuff actually happen? How are these technicians actually paid?

I have really been hoodwinked on this one and after talking to directv and voicing my clear objection to this, they indicated me that their "access card team" stated that the contract is valid. If anyone has any experience with this or any insight, please let me know. This really has me frustrated.

Thank you

Shaun curry

Requested them to come out and fix the system. They disabled the system and then said it was unsafe because they saw chew marks on the cable so they were afraid of rodents on the OUTSIDE of the house. They would not replace the cable and did not put the system in the original state as when they got here. We had some cable before and now we have none. They will not fix it we have to fix it ourselves. We are now looking for alternatives. STEER Clear! We have been excellent customers for a number of years and with our first problem they failed!~

This service that Direct TV offers is terrible. Its not cheap either, costing over $300. It continuously freezes. Im talking every couple of minutes. Sometimes it freezes for only a few seconds and then starts back up. But most of the time it causes me to have to log out and log back in. It is advertised as a way to watch every game from Direct TV's Sunday Ticket on your laptop. However I have probably missed at least 50% of what I have tried to watch due to constantly having to log in and out of the website. Sometimes it completely doesnt offer a stream saying "no stream available". When you call Direct TV customer service they really do nothing. They say they will send a report to their tech support department which never really amounts to anything. I think they should at least offer partial refunds to customers for offering a service that they clearly do not have the capability of handling. Btw, as I have typed this it has frozen 4 times, and completely kicked me off once.

I order direct tv and it was installed on the 22. On the 25 the box would not turn on and they told me a will have to pay a truck roll fee for the installer to come hook up another box. I told them I cold hook it up myself (Just 2 wires). They said I would still have to pay for the tech. To hand me another box because he had to deliver it to me. When I told them he is in my apartment complex everyday and is the only tech in this area they said I would still have to pay. They would not tell me what my warrenty was on my box either. They are just looking to get more oney out of me.

For the last 4 months while in dispute over my billing, a black square has appeared on my screen, blacking out the view of the listed television show chosen. This would occur during the notice of payment billing sent out via Direct TV. When I called into Direct TV to discuss billing issues, make the payment and ask technical services about this black square, I would be asked about the message listed with the black square. No message was message listed. After much discussion, resetting, re-signaling, nothing was removing the black square that would appear every thirty minutes and last for 5-10 minutes before disappearing. The only thing that would remove the black square is when the bill was paid.

My question is, has anyone experienced this same thing from Direct TV when having a past due bill? Please respond for this information is very important and can be submitted to the Federal Communications Commission in violation of service practices by Direct TV.

I've noticed that this little man, pierre marcella is still up to the same antics from nc now to md. Each time there are several reports filed and complaints made about him and his scandalous operations, the man changes what he promotes of his sorry excuse for a company and moves to a different location.

How pathetic this man is but the most pathetic thing is that he is still in business. For those of who that are hearing about this for the first time and thinking about starting an "entry-level managing" postion, this is how they conduct business...

Misleading job posts - the ad in the paper or online states that it is an entry level marketing management position with a starting salary between $38000-$42000 a year.. Big lie.. All these idiotic little ### will have you do is sell dtv setups at a sams club or bestbuy. They intentionally send you to low income neighborhoods that are impossible to make money. Since you will be operating as an independent distributor you are only putting yourself at risk and not pierre marcella. The job is entirely commission based therefore the salary advertised by them is false. The average distributor makes $200 a week (If your good) after working about 60 hours so if you do the math, this is way below minimum wage and a complete waste of time. He has been in business for a year and has only made 800 a month if that. There are no management positions available, their plan is to have you work for as long as possible and make as much money as they can from you while they can until you get sick of their despecable business and personalities and quit! They will give you motivational speeches to keep you in their game for as long as possible.

Do the research people all these business out there that have "entry-level" marketing positions are all from smart circle. Just do a google search on smart circle scams.

Fraud - after your day of work you return to the office to get settled up/paid. You hand in checks and cash made for the day and they calculate your commission and pay you in cash.. If there is not enough cash on hand to pay you, the remaining balance is recorded in a security account which you can withdraw your money from at anytime it becomes available, considering you still work for the company... The problems comes when people quit and try to get the money they have earned back.. So many people have experienced the same problem.. They call this disgraceful and inhumane character (Pierre marcella) and he tells everybody he will mail them a check but never does.. The few people that have got their money back are the ones that had time to actually go to his office repeatedly and request their money and in some cases threaten to take legal action.

Sexual harassment-this has been an ongoing issue at this mans company and the fact that no action has been taken against him is incredibly disturbing.. From touching women and men inappropriately, to asking women out on dates within the company, making offensive remarks and on one occasion that I remember clearly while still at the company.. The manger pierre marcella had the leaders in his office including myself and he decided to discuss the women he has had sexual relations within the company as well as other sub companies he works with... Action need to be taken against this primitive, clinically ill and immoral man! If you want a real job then go work for a real company.

Unprofessionalism-the most unprofessional bunch I have ever worked with and pierre marcella is the main culprit considering that he encourages and promotes this bad behavior instead of standing aganst it. With his companies website stating "we are dedicated to 100% professionalism on any given day. You will find that our representatives are courteous, professional, and committed to customer satisfaction. " the most common is the unecessary and ignorant deragatory remarks made towards peoples backgrounds and this distorts the employees comfort level.

To be honest and simple... Stay away from or any company that he works with by pierre marcella or the smart circle! A list of companies that are sub-companies of smart circle that you would like to know about in your area let me know.

... Do the research people all these business out there that have "entry-level" marketing positions are all from smart circle. Just do a google search on smart circle scams... Or dtv - sams club or bestbuy scams. These companies are struggling to make any money whats so ever. Dont waste your time...

I just find out you are dropping GOD TV channel 365, as of 10/1. Insead of dropping you should give them reward one year free and renewal lease. I changed from Comcast because of the GOD TV and advertised to every my friends to get Direct TV because of GOD TV.

I expect a good news from Direct TV, instead of incovienent to changing back to Comcast.

As like your name Direct. Hopely God direct you give us (GOD TV watcher) favor to prevent all that trouble to change.

God bless you! Kim

Direct Tv has been trying to over bill me. Have put these overbilling charges in dispute, in writting, but my service has been disrupted anyway as of today, Sept. 17th, 2010. I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas, yet have to pay my bill to Phoenix, AZ. That in itself is a bunch of crap. My dispute was put in writting on the 8th of Sept 2010 and mailed Sept. 9th, 2010. This is the 17th of Sept., and no one has given me the consideration of a response. All they are trying to do is scam me and I want to know why. I am 63 years old and cannot afford to be taken advantage of this way. I need help and do not know of any where else to go. My last resort is the State Attorney Generals offices here in Arkansas and in Arizona, if this complaint site leads to a dead end as well. I tried to email them and all I got was a site to ask questions. This is wrong. As far as I'm concerned the email site is BOGUS... I am hoping that this complaint site isn't BOGUS as well. Thank you for your time in this matter.