I tried to start an account with Direct TV. First they wanted my social security number, they said so they could do a credit check. I asked if they could use my license number, I am concerned about identity theft, and they said they couldn't do that. I finally spoke with a supervisor who told me the process couldn't go forward unless they had my social security number for the credit check. Reluctantly I gave it to them. Then I was asked what package I would like and the company operator told me the cheapest package was $35 with an agreement for one year. At first I agreed to this. Then they told me that they would be charging me $20 for a service fee and they would have to have a credit card number for this. I explained to them how I just had electricity turned on and all that they required was my name, address, license number and I was all set. I even explained that their $15 service fee would be put in my first bill. The company operator insisted that she needed the information to process my order. I refused this and stated I was hanging up. I told her that they checked my credit and it was good. I also told them it would be quite easy for them to disconnect my service should I fail to pay. The operator kept insisting and when I said I was hanging up for the second time she begged me not to do so. I can understand why the beg you. I later found out that their cheapest package was not $35 as she had stated, they are liars, but $30. Just go to their web site and you can see that. I would never recommend this company to anyone.

They are scammers. They sold me a package and on the next day this package was discontinued from their programming!
They said they didnt know that it will be discontinued and when I asked why they didn't tell me although my installation was 19 days later they simply said they dont have to tell me anything!
They are rude and they are arrogant and they are fraudulent!
I advise you not to use their services.
I paid for custom installation and they refused to refund me these amounts.
This is basically the worst service provider in the world.

Don't just complain on this web site. Direct TV is ridiculous. Complain on the regular 800# and they will tell you that you CANNOT have corporate office contacts and phone numbers. You CAN.

Mr. Chase Carey, President & CEO
2230 East Imperial Highway
El Secundo CA 90245
(310) 964-5000. Ask for Mr Carey's office.

Second - DON"T EVER GIVE UP FIGHTING THESE BUGGERS. That's just what they want you to do. In fact, the MINUTE you know you're being screwed - don't take it out on the poor hourly person - find the Head of Medusa, er, the CEO's name on the internet somewhere. Call them. Give THEM a piece of your mind. They don't want to hear it AND have the POWER to correct it.

If not satisfied, call your State Attorney General's Office and file a complaint. (Make sure you tell Mr. Carey's "office" that you in the process of doing so.)

Record the name and ID # of every employee you talk to. Insist they give it to you. Keep a log. Demand a discount or credit.

Find any and every public complaint board and voice your complaint. Call Mr Carey's office and tell them about it.

I've had many, many issues in my 9 month relationship with Direct TV. Their business model is to keep you from resolving your problems.

Once, I did get a credit for $60. Here's how: I waited until five minutes before the call center closed for the day (12:55am, thank you very much on a work night). Most of the regular employees will be logging off. With luck, the manager (whom you are NEVER permitted to speak to) may just pick up the phone. He did. He had the power to issue me a credit. I was very nice. I said, "Please, have mercy on me." He felt sorry for me. He's probably been fired by now, so good luck.

Today, the tech they had to send (at their cost) came to install a "newer" dish. Didn't need it, thanks to total miscommunication on their part. However, he told me the internet dish had been installed on a too-small pole. He could wiggle it an inch in any direction. Thanks to him, I now understood that my constant connection problems were not related to the "fair access" policy (where they slow your connection down if you use the internet too much) but to DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

I am very appreciative that he showed me (at his own risk) what was really going on. I called them back and said I wanted the correct equipment installed at no cost. No, they want to charge me about $150 to fix their problem because I didn't report it during the first 90 days. Yeah, I'm so qualified to inspect satelite dishes. I said absolutely no. They argued. I again asked for a manager. No. I asked for corporate contact info. No. Fine, I went on this site, got Carey's info and called his office.

I was assured that employees are permitted to give out the CEO's contact info. Bullshit. These poor employees are as abused as the customers. Anyway, I took a hard line with the very nice person I reached. So, there will be no fee for the repair. I am working on getting some small credit for the past nine months of crappy access. She assures me she will do this once the repair is completed. I said, I hope so because I'm NOT giving up.

I told her about this site. We'll see.

Upshot: so many large corporations design their customer service system so that you cannot talk to management. Call center employees make low wages and have to listen to apoplectic customers who are being driven mad by the company. So, we get shit on and the employees get shit on. The company reaps the profits and generously share it up at the customer-proof top levels. It's a sick cycle and just further proof that greed is the underlying motivation today. Immoral, unethical, uncaring GREEDY bastards rule this country. I'm sick to my stomach that these are my own generation. Fair play and compassion for others is rarely exhibited any more.

So, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT. Post your tricks - lets share and let these bastards try to stop us!!!

When I signed up for Direct TV, it was for my Dad who lived across the street from me and myself. I was not made aware of any contract involved. Had I been informed of it I would never have signed up for my Dad. I had been told in Oct 08 that he only had a few months to live. Passed away Good Friday this year. The rep convinced me to put the accounts on my credit card because my Dad didn't have any cr cards. So I did. When my Dad passed, I called to cancel. No mention of cancellation fee was ever made. Then I find a 384.72 charge on my credit card. Was told to send letter of dispute and copy of death certificate, which I did. At first it was denied then my cr card company got involved and Direct said it would be taken under review. I was told by three different reps that the fee had been cancelled. Then, last nite 6/17/09 that the fee was going into collections. I spent two hours on the phone with them. One rep said it could be cancelled and then I was transferred to the dept that could handle it, and they refused. I was told that I can't contact the corporate office dispute dept other then by mail. They don't accept calls. What a surprise. I paid last nite on line because I am not letting this low life company ruin my credit. I also asked to cancel the insurance that I was talked in to but was told there's a cancellation fee for that. The ins is a laugh. When I called for service, the woman on the phone tried to 'talk me thru a repair'. After an hour and a half I said to send someone out. I have the ins and I'm not a tech. She said they 'didn't like to do that'. Finally, after two days, got a tech out and found the box was defective. Am trying to find a way to get to corporate office without using the mail.

When you call to activate service they do not tell you, that you are signing up for 2 years and there is a $300-400 early disconnect fee. When the technician installs the equipment, you think you are signing for the equipment installed, but you are putting your signature on the 2 year contract. They do not tell you any of this. If you have to disconnect before the 2 years, then you are told you signed the contract and there is absolutely no way around it. They never ever wave the fee, that is company policy. This is blatant false advertising practices. When you try and talk to them, all you get is 'you should have been told at sign up about the contract, if you were not then the technician should have told you. Well what do you do when neither one of them told you about it?