What The Hell Is Wrong With DirecTV

[Scott Greczkowski]

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[Bodo Fenrirsson]

I would not be surprised if DIRECTV & Dish Network were to be involved in a merger. Before anybody says that it was tried before & nixed by the government as being a monopoly,consider this,Obama & Bush before him has been guiding our economy into a "fascist economy" model. The way it has been explained to me,you have three types of economy:capitalist,socialist/communist,& fascist. Capitalism involves private ownership of various industries without government involvement or interference. Socialism/Communism has the government owning everything. Fascism allows for private ownership,but the government is heavily involved,owns stock in the company,& regulates how many companies can make the same product. This is how modern day Japan,Germany & the rest of Europe,& parts of Asia,including China,operate. Remember,it's only a "monopoly" if the government isn't involved & getting their cut of the loot.

 

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

I know that this is easier said than done in today's economy,but it seems like if someone wants to leave D*,they should have a "cushion" amount of money set aside for the 99.9% chance of D* hitting them with a cancellation fee. I know that it's an argument of right & wrong,& of fairness. The problem seems to be that some people make a rash,spur of the moment decision to quit D*,then are hit with the cancellation fee at the most worst time. People should quit D* at the beginning of the month when they mostly get paid,have the money set aside,then they can do whatever to get their money back(joining a class action suit if necessary) without having checks bounce or their credit ruined. Again,in a perfect world & in a better economy this makes sense.
You should take it for granted that D* is going to take out a cancellation fee,fair or not,& plan for it.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

So your saying bend over and take it like a man?

No thanks.

When I canceled on the phone I was told there would be no termination fee. I was then charged one two weeks later. That was a lie from DirecTV.

The DirecTV spokesperson said that DirecTV does not automatically debit peoples credit cards and bank accounts for cancelation fees, instead they talk to the customer first. Again that was a lie by DirecTV.

Why all the lying lately from DirecTV?

Now DirecTV has a $100+ interest free loan from me for the next 2 months, and I am still not happy about it.

 

[ChrisK114]

I know that this is easier said than done in today's economy,but it seems like if someone wants to leave D*,they should have a "cushion" amount of money set aside for the 99.9% chance of D* hitting them with a cancellation fee. I know that it's an argument of right & wrong,& of fairness. The problem seems to be that some people make a rash,spur of the moment decision to quit D*,then are hit with the cancellation fee at the most worst time. People should quit D* at the beginning of the month when they mostly get paid,have the money set aside,then they can do whatever to get their money back(joining a class action suit if necessary) without having checks bounce or their credit ruined. Again,in a perfect world & in a better economy this makes sense.
You should take it for granted that D* is going to take out a cancellation fee,fair or not,& plan for it.

So you are saying that the customer should assume that the company they are doing business with has crappy systems. I don't think so. It is not my responsibilty to run their business correctly. It is their's. When it is their mistake and they took money from me, unjustly and without warning, I want it back as quickly as they took it. To have to wait 6-8 weeks is unacceptable. The more I see things like this, the more I am convinced that it is done on purpose.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

The more I see things like this, the more I am convinced that it is done on purpose.

I agree with you.

All 3 people I spoke with on the phone kept trying to tell me that replacing a defective receiver would start a new 2 year commitment.

It wasnt til I told each of them "no it does not" then they went into their whoops, that was a "Boo Boo" speach.

Almost like most customers wont say anything about it And if they can convince the customer that they are in a contract with them (even though they are not) that the customer will decide to stay.

Totally unaceptable.

 

[Awohar]

Scott, I would report this to your local news media. A little fire between their toes ought to get your money back in your hands faster.

An interest-free loan is exactly the way I see it too.

 

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

I'm saying that you should fight like hell to keep them from taking your money,but you need that cushion to prevent your checks from bouncing or your credit rating to go down. It's not "taking it in the rear" to be prepared.
Here's something from the Bible I bet you never heard quoted,"It's better to be a living dog than a dead lion." What the hell good is "principle" when your good name has been ruined through bad credit or getting dragged into court for "bad checks?" You have to be prepared. Whether you like it or not,you KNOW D* is going to take that money,or at least try to.
To prevent them from taking the money,you could always cancel the credit card you used with them before hand,&/or close the checking account that they have on file. That all seems drastic though. It seems like a lot of you are wishing for a time that just doesn't seem to exist anymore. You're just going to end up like Don Quixote chasing wind mills. Organize a class action suit & unite. That's how you fight today.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Organize a class action suit & unite.

That is already happening, plus I was contacted by two states attorney generals offices as well.

Seems like this is happening a lot more then to just me.

 

[Pepper]

If the provider has your credit card numbers (autopay?) the best practice might be to first call your credit card company and tell them you believe your card number has been compromised and get them to issue you a new number, and have them consider any transactions using the old number after today as fraudulent and unauthorized.

Then, it should be safe to cancel.

Ah, I see above that royrdsjr also suggested this possibility. I agree.

 

[lern4483]

Direc has lost its way

So your saying bend over and take it like a man?

No thanks.

When I canceled on the phone I was told there would be no termination fee. I was then charged one two weeks later. That was a lie from DirecTV.

The DirecTV spokesperson said that DirecTV does not automatically debit peoples credit cards and bank accounts for cancelation fees, instead they talk to the customer first. Again that was a lie by DirecTV.

Why all the lying lately from DirecTV?

Now DirecTV has a $100+ interest free loan from me for the next 2 months, and I am still not happy about it.

Sounds errily familiar to my situation.
Direc says one thing then does something completely different.

Again, direc gave me the NFL ticket at the price of 150. Then they reversed it. This happened twice.

Even after i called the main office. They said credit department overruled them. They were emabarrased acording to them but helpless to change the situation.

The fact is if you run a bussiness and you offer a price to a customer you dont change your mind and raise the price.

Its unethical.

I have since paid full price. My dad and I enjoy watching Ny sports.

I have not forgotten how I was treated..I am still seething over this.
I have downgraded my current package.

Again, I aggree with Scott that Direc set the bar with customer service.

Something is seriously going wrong with this company?
I hope it gets fixed.

Please no flamming, this is my experience.

I do not hate direc. However, Im very disturbed that a great company is going downhill.

 

[DodgerKing]

I would cancel DirecTV and get FiOS in a heart beat if it wasn't for one thing, I cannot take my FiOS with me when we go to our place in Mammoth.

 

[MLBurks]

I would cancel DirecTV and get FiOS in a heart beat if it wasn't for one thing, I cannot take my FiOS with me when we go to our place in Mammoth.

Well for those of us who don't have access to FIOS (which I dare say is the vast majority of us), DISH is an excellent alternative to DirecTV. If FIOS ever comes to my area (not likely in the next 20 years), I would gladly give them a shot.

 

[Awohar]

Calling your credit card company and explain to them that the charges are invalid as DirecTV is assessing the contract termination fee for a contract you believe you don't have and have never signed for. Your credit card company will then require DirecTV to substantiate the validity of the charge by supplying the necessary documentation. If they can't substantiate the claim, the credit card company will reverse the charges.

Debit cards don't have this same level of protection. Never enter into a commitment with a debit card. Use debit cards for things like gas and groceries and those small ticket items that you know you would not dispute later. Everything major goes on the credit card and then you have an ally in any dispute.

 

[DodgerKing]

Well for those of us who don't have access to FIOS (which I dare say is the vast majority of us), DISH is an excellent alternative to DirecTV. If FIOS ever comes to my area (not likely in the next 20 years), I would gladly give them a shot.

For me it is not. The main reason for me choosing FiOS or DirecTV is for Extra Innings. In fact, the only thing I pretty much use Direct for when I am up in Mammoth in the summer time is to watch baseball. Anything else I can use the local cable to get

 

[MLBurks]

For me it is not. The main reason for me choosing FiOS or DirecTV is for Extra Innings. In fact, the only thing I pretty much use Direct for when I am up in Mammoth in the summer time is to watch baseball. Anything else I can use the local cable to get

Yeah, I have DirecTV just for EI and I'll be suspending them here shortly as the season winds down and will pick them back up in March.