Direct TV automatically withdrew $457.00 from my checking account without authorization or any notification of this withdrawal from my account. Do no give you credit card or ATM card to this company. The salesmen lied to me and indicated when I signed up for their service my ATM card is only being charged for $21.09 to reserve the installment date. I do not like to pay for monthly bills through any type of credit card. So blindly I gave him my ATM card.

We signed up under the false impressment we would get more HDTV channels through Direct TV than cable. Service was installed on a Sat, 01/26/08. A service technician scheduled to arrive between 8:00 -12:00 and called that morning to confirm the morning timeframe. He did not arrive until 2:30, two and half hours later. The installation was still not complete by 5:15 (a full day for service by Direct TV’s definition) and we had to leave for an appointment so your tech had to also leave without testing the system or showing us how to even use the remote.

The next day Sun 01/27/08 we only had partial service for a few channels and no HD channels at all. I called Direct TV service and they agreed to send out a tech on Monday afternoon. Monday, 01/28 there was no satellite connection at all and I also had to take an afternoon off from work, a full day without service. The tech arrived at 2:30pm and indicated the satellite was not installed properly. Once service was working, I indicated the quality of the High Definition channels did not look as clear and vivid as I previously had with cable. The tech actually agreed with me and called several times to make sure the HD signal was being sent. I also indicated to the tech, if I wasn’t happy with this picture quality that I would cancel since this was the main reason we tried Direct TV, for the additional HD channels which you promoted the Choice Plus package with 70 HD channels when in reality there are only 39. The tech rep indicated I would have 60 days to cancel if I wasn’t satisfied. If you’re looking for HDTV quality cable has a direct line and clearly provides a better HD quality then a satellite connection.

We decided that the high definition quality just was not there and I canceled this service on Wednesday, Jan 30; since I did not receive service until Monday I thought well within the 3-day remorse of receiving full service. Direct TV did not fulfill they part of the contract by providing me with service and indicated it does not matter if I had service or not they activated my account on Sat, Jan 26. I was only authorizing a debt card transaction of $20.00 for reserving the technical installment. Direct TV redrew the $457.00 cancellation fee based on an early cancellation fee, it doubles for HD services. They used my debit card as entitlement to free access to my account and lied during the sales call. had no prior notification of this withdrawal, which should be totally unethical, and fraud

In addition the only way to dispute a claim with Direct TV is through a written letter. No emails, no phone calls, they will not even acknowledge you. It is totally unacceptable that with today’s technology that the consumer cannot talk with a manager directly or dispute this claim by email. This customer service tactic tells me Direct TV only wants their money any way they can get it and they will keep your money as long as possible. Ironically when my financial institution reversed the charges then Direct TV would talk to me. I talked with server representatives all very rude telling me they are a multibillion dollar company and within their rights. Also I offered to pay $100.00 for the installment, they also indicated they do not negotiate. I’m still deputing this claim. I’ve filed with Consumer Protection Agency, which they only get the same response from Direct TV and are really no help.

Any suggestion for next steps? Has anyone won against this company? Is it worth to go to small claims court?

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with your company policy on contract renewal without informing the client of the policy. I had five receivers in my home with four new and one old left over from a previous contract ended 3 years ago. Recently, the old receiver lost the sound and your service people, after diagnosed the problem, agreed to send me a replacement without any condition. Your Rep even told me that since we are a long time good customer, they glad to replace without any charge.

I connected the replaced receiver a week ago, but it asked me to call for reactivation. I called and your customer service representative activated my receiver without informing me in advance that the activation will result in an extension of the contract for 18 months. I strongly dispute the deceiving practice of your people for the following reasons:

1. This is the replacement of a malfunction receiver. The activation should be a part of the repair. This is not a new activation; therefore, you should not force customer to renew the contract.
2. I was not informed and asked for approval of the contract extension before you proceed with the activation.
3. Should I be informed of the reactivation policy, I would never accept such ridiculous term.
4. I asked for the proof of my approval (recorder), they can not provide one.
5. I asked that my replaced receiver is disconnected and the contract extension is voided, but your representative arrogantly refused.

I asked that you cancel the unapproved contract extension for the previously listed reasons. I am a long time customer with Direct TV and I am very disappointed with such treatment. I hope that you will resolve this matter as soon as possible without involving the Attorney Office and the Federal Communication Agency.

My parents are having to deal with Direct TV because they switched to Dish TV. They were with Direct for around 9 yrs, and this year after a big storm, lightning ran in thru the receiver, and fried the box and the TV. Direct couldn't or wouldn't help them to get this problem fixed. They wouldn't get anyone out to fix the receiver going on 2 weeks, my parents decided to change companies and did, and went to Dish, who came out just a couple days after they called them, after Direct found out they were switching, then all of a sudden they would be able to send someone out immediately, to fix the problem, plus give them all kinds of perks, my parents said no and stayed with Dish anyway. My parents tried repeatedly to call Direct TV and find out how to send their equipment back to them, each time they were told something different on how this was done, so my parents sent it back by UPS, after talking to the driver, who was a big help and very kind to them in every way. After sending the receiver back, they were still receiving phone calls from Direct, again telling them how to send their receiver back to them, their customer service has absolutely no communication amongst themselves, or they just don't care about service, not sure which it is, but they truly have a problem.When my parents received the first bill from Direct, after the storm, it said the owed nothing, which would have been right, as they always paid their bill on time, then just the other day they received a new bill from Direct, stating they owed $332.60, this bill has no explanation for the money owed, just that they owe it. So this morning my dad gets a call from Direct TV, they are now telling him he owes this money for an early disconnect, ok, again they have been with Direct TV for around 9yrs, does this make any sense? The customer services rep he talked to argued with him and was very rude, my dad is old and in poor health as is my mother, this is upsetting to both my parents, and is extremely hard on them physically and emotionally, when they did everything they could to send back any equipment and pay their bill like they were suppose to do, now they are being harasses by Direct TV for money they do not owe.

I have recently switched to cable, In the event i checked on one of my debit accounts and DirectTv has a charge of $75 pending. This was never authorized over phone or in writing. They stated to me that they have the right to do this, BULL S***. This is credit card FRAUD. I have used this card in the past as a ONE TIME EFT payment, but this doesn't give them the right to charge my account, instead of sending me a remaining bill through the mail this is what they do to people. I was with them for about 5 years, but will NEVER return. My charter cable is better and a lot more reliable.

When i called the DirectTV sales guy, he told me that I am into $19.99 plan + International Channel for $14.99. For this plan, I will be getting HBO/Starz/Showtime free for 3 months, A Rebate of $13.00 per month and no handling charges.

Before confirming my order, i did confirm with the sales guy that my monthly payable would be $21.00 for first three months and later on it would increase when i add HBO/Startz/Showtime.

But the first month bill shows that i am into $32.99 plan and the total bill was $47.98 (Rebate will come later), which is $13.00 more that what was committed to me. Also they did not inform me about the 18 months commitment and the penalty upto $480 if i break the committment. These things were not told to me during the sales call and they have taken me for a ride.

When i called up their customer support (1 877 387 4725), they said that's how it works and did not offer any help.

Since they have recorded these calls, I want them to go thru the conversation and give me a justise in this regard. If they cannot honor the committment, let them take back their receiver and i cannot pay the penalty.