Dear Sir:

I recently cancelled my Direct TV service (Account # 22687645) after approximately 10 plus years. I have always been satisfied with Direct TV service and cancelled my service only because I was able to bundle my phone, internet and TV thru one service.

Upon calling Direct TV to cancel my service I was informed that I would be charged a early cancellation fee of $340. I was informed that in the fine print of my original contract with Direct TV it was stated that anytime an adjustment was made to my service I was automatically required to keep that service for 2 years or a cancellation fee would be incurred.

As someone who works in the consumer products industry I would expect direct contact with the customer explaining these types of fees. This feels to me like this is a backhanded method of deceiving the customer. Without informing the customer directly I don’t believe it is fair to impose this type of fee on the customer.

I am asking Direct TV to review this and remove this fee from my account. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Hi: I am informed that the city has no jurisdiction over Direct TV. That is obvious from the attitude of Direct TV. They tie you in with "contracts" for a year or two. Problem is that they have no obligations under their contract but you need to pay them with or without service. To wit a technician came about 3 weeks ago to make the system work. The appointment was for between 8-12AM. He showed up at 8PM. The law, I believe, requires a 4 not a 12 hour window. Do any laws apply to Direct TV? The technician could not complete the repair because the system was down. He said he would return the next day, that was weeks ago. We are still waiting for repair. The hoops and time one must expend to get anything done is atrocious. These people are effectively stealing from the public. I believe the city has an obligation to provide some sort of protection for its citizens against a predator company like Direct TV. This is a quality of life issue that should be addressed.

Arthur L Finn
Los Angeles

My 85 yr. old mother signed up for Direct TV without realizing what she was in to. I called immediately to cancel and they said "no deal." When we had to put her in a nursing home for dementia, they still refused to cancel the contract. The said "we don't care if you are in a coma or move out of the country...you have to pay the contract."

WE had Direct TV installed in a rental house for 15 months. At the end of this time we called to have it diconnected. We were informed our contract was for 18 months. I asked for a supervisor and she told me the same. I read our signed contract to her and she said they never had this contract. I asked for a signed copy to be sent to me and was told they don't have one. I explained that I did right in my hand but was again told they never had a contract for less than 18 months and she read the new 2009 contract to me. I tried to reason with her but she yelled at me and told me we would be charged anyway. So we requested a move for the remaining 3 months and when the technician came we had no signal and they voided our contract. While waiting for the return boxes to arrive someone else called and told us that if we didn't return them immediately we would be charged 470 for each one. Great customer service. I would never recommend this company.

I ordered over the phone HD cable TV. It was installed on 5/27/2009. I was told that I would receive a promotional rate of $54 and some cents. I asked two different times for a paper bill and a 3rd time today for a paper bill. I was told my bill was $151.00, not the promotional rate of $54. for 12 months. After the first 2 requests for a paper bill, I called again today making my 3rd request for a paper bill. I was told I had to go on the internet and file my "rebate" request with the "rebate" department. " Direct TV refused my email address. When I called in today, they told me I had to pay $75. a month until they were able to start the "54.rebate." Previous call to them told me that I didn't do what they told me to do. Asked for supervisor and he told me "you have to go on line to get the rebate." Until this was approved, I would continue to have to pay the $75. a month. Since I never received any paper bills I requested twice, I asked for them to refund my first payment of $75. that I used my ATM card for. They did return the $75. credit to my account. However, they continued to charge the $75 a month which I have not paid, as I intend to contact every consumer protection resource I can find for help. I also contacted my bank to block any charges to my credit card.

I was never told about the details of my starting their service. Such as having to go on line to get my "rebate." I told them I ordered my service over the phone, and why would I have to go to the website. They kept saying "you have to go online for your rebate." I also told them I would not tolerate such devious practices. I was then told "you have the option to cancel, but there will be charges, but I was not told what they would be. I am at this time looking for another cable TV service.