DirecTV issue

[JohnnyLaRue]

I figured this best belongs in Finance.

Ok, I canceled my service and I get a bill that already charged my debit/cheque card an early $120 cancellation fee.

Irate I called them and asked them what was the basis for this. I was told because I added a new box (leased) that extended my contract for another 18 months.

1.) I never added a new box.
2.) Knowing I was moving out of country at the end of the year why would I agree to such a thing?

I disagreed and I was told twice by the fools on the other end of the phone that their info says I got a new box in Jan of this year. I told them to check my old bills and they claim the box was new/replaced the old box.

How can I prove to them that I did not get this mystery box. I already mailed back the boxes yesterday.

My effort over the phone was for naught. I could mail a letter but that wont work I figure. So what is my next step? Take them to court? Contact the BBB? Have this incident serve as a lesson NEVER EVVVEEER pay bills with a cheque card and just send cash or a money order.

This is not so much about the cash as I can afford the fee but I feel I am getting ripped off.

Mind you I am leaving the USA in December so any action taken should be completed by then.

** Ok I went to my bank and told them what happened and they had me fill out some simple paperwork stating my dispute and I get the $$$ credited to my acct in 4 days! My bank also said DirecTV needs to produce some proof like a work order to show I got the new box. WOO HOO! **

[Crue2001]

I've had problems with them extending my contract without telling me twice now. I HAVE added new receivers to my account (purchased on Ebay, not leased from DTV). When I called with a complaint and told them they could fix it or I'd go back to Cable or Dish, they told me I couldn't because my contract still had a yr & a half to go. I told them that was impossible because I'd had their service for more than 5 yrs and my original commitment was well expired. Then they said, "well, we show that you upgraded a receiver on such & such a date, which was explained to you at that time that your contract would be extended for 2 yrs." PURE BS...On that particular occassion, I had to speak to 4 different DTV people to get the thing activated and set up properly, even spoke with a "manager." Not once did any of the 4 people say one thing about extending my contract. Happened again a year later when I upgraded another receiver. I went thru at least 3 different people to get this one activated (I don't know why it takes three people :rolleyes:). I took names and made notes about all of the conversations I had with each of them. Then I asked to speak to a "manager" because I'd spoken to three people who had not yet bothered to let me know my contract had just been extended AGAIN for another 2 yrs. Do you know the manager got on the phone and argued with me that it HAD been explained to me by each person I'd spoken to that night! I asked her to pull the tape on that and she ended up waiving the contract extension "this one time." :cool: While I love my DTV service, I absolutely hate having to call them on the phone now.

By the way, I've upgraded about 5 receivers now in the last few years...I must be in to DTV for the next 10 by their way of thinking!

[JohnnyLaRue]

Yup they claimed I upgraded a receiver as well. Never did. They have ZERO proof of it and can not provide a work order either.

I only got DirecTV for the NFL and NHL package and a few other sports. NHL season is over and I really dont care about watching NFL anymore I see no need to keep DirecTV around that and I am moving out of country at years end.

But I do know I wont recommend DirecTV to anyone again after this fiasco.

[tazolover]

I am so sorry for your ordeal with DirecTV. I had a very similar occurance with them when they tried to tell me I extended my contract when I called to make a program change (add HBO). Uh, I don't think so. So, we left them (after going round and round with them and NOT having to pay a cancellation fee) and went to Fios.

My husband loved the NFL Programming, but after the way we were treated, no way. They got really dirty with us and that left a really bad taste in my mouth that I don't think will ever go away!

Wishing you lots of luck with your bank and getting your money back. That is awesome!

[JohnnyLaRue]

Fios eh? How much do they charge? I know back home in Canada it is around $129.99 + taxes a month (w/ internet).

I just got the local cable package (Time Warner) as I have their internet service and figures I could bundle and also get the 6 month promo offer too. Saves me some cash and there was no contract and the promo offer ends after I leave. I pay $82 a month for high speed and cable. As opposed to $50 for internet and $80 for DirecTV.

I agree about DirecTV being the only one who has the NFL package but I don't love the NFL that much to keep them around. I will miss the Setena Sports channel but soccer is over in Europe so no big deal.

[letsbeon]

i, too, had many problems with DirecTV....changed to Dishnet and am much happier.

[kmbrly]

They charged me an early term fee also when I moved from Florida to NC.... I tried disputing it with the bank, but they said because I did business with Directv they wouldn't do anything about it.

FWIW, I did find out that if you ever go back to Directv (I won't be, but if you decide to), they will credit back the early term fee to your acct.

[sas377]

It has now been two years and DirecTV has yet to return my father's money from when he canceled (the remainder of the month because it was pre-paid). From what I've heard they do this to most people! They're a shady company and I would NEVER do business with them!

[JohnnyLaRue]

Wow that stinks for your dad. I would at least contact the BBB or something. I'll be sure to use your example when I convince friends not to sign up.

[JohnnyLaRue]

Update! Ok as mentioned above my bank refunded me my money and said DirecTV was wrong to charge me the $120.

Today I get a damn collection agency letter stating I owe DirecTV $120. It says I have 30 days to respond/dispute. Now seeing how the bank said I was right and DirecTV was wrong (and the $$ taken out via my cheque card was refunded to me) why should I even bother to respond to this letter? It is clearly a 3rd party collection agency.

Also I am leaving the country for good in 65 days. I'm not too concerned about my USA credit score as it only matters in the USA.

What should I do? I fear if I contact the 3rd party agency they will then harass me to no end until the day I leave. If I contact DirecTV they will say they don't agree with the banks decision (hence the collection agency letter).

[kranky]

I think it's a mistake to ignore the letter, but anyway...

You can notify the collection agency that it is inconvenient to call you at work or at home and all contact must be in writing via the mail. Do this in writing, delivered certified mail with return receipt requested. They are obligated to comply with that. So the worst that can happen is they send you a lot of nasty letters before you leave the country.

[JohnnyLaRue]

I think it's a mistake to ignore the letter

Why? :confused:

[pryan67]

because if you ignore the letter, they gain a slight advantage...whereas if you dispute it properly, they're required to cease collection activity until they provide you with PROPER validation of their claims...

if you don't, then they COULD sue you in your CURRENT state...maybe...which would entail you coming back for court...possibly...


but if you disptue it properly, they'll be stopped in their tracks...your credit report won't suffer...and if they break the law, you can sue THEM...

[mabennett]

this may be a side note but we've been w/ direct tv since 95. never got a free upgrade of any kind, no free nothing!! my father has been with direct tv since 02. he gets free upgrades all the time, free months on his bill and the last thing was free sports channels all for being "a valued customer"! WTH????? I'm the one who recommended direct tv to him!!! i get nothing and he gets stuff like this all the time!

[JohnnyLaRue]

It was already disputed properly and I won. I did send them a certified letter back showing them proof. I've done my part and that is all I am doing. I hope this should end this stupid fiasco.

But I highly doubt they will extradite me to the USA over $120 that was already disputed (and won). Also like I said my USA credit score means nothing to me. A.) I don't need a good credit score in the USA 2.) My USA credit score has no bearing in Canada.

But this was a learning process as I learned never evvveeerrr use DirecTv again.

[kranky]

When pryan67 says "dispute" he doesn't mean talking with your bank, he means contacting the collection agency and using the US debt collection laws to your advantage (hence, "disputing it properly") With debt collection, "dispute" has a special meaning. Just because the bank took your side does not mean that a debt collection effort won't happen. The bank's position is irrelevant, actually.

I understand it's a moot point since you aren't going to pursue it, though.

[rabx5]

We had Directv for about 10 years when we decided to switch. The only reason we did is because the reception was gawd awful. They had been out several times and couldn't get it to come in any better. We happened to get a bundle through our phone company that included Dish.
When I cancelled the Directv, there were no problems and they even reimbursed me a couple of bucks I had coming back within 2 weeks. I guess I was lucky compared to some of the stories I am reading here.

Good luck. Don't ignore that letter. Fight them. You will win if you stick to your guns.:)

[alexac]

I just left DirecTV and went back to Cablevision. DirecTV couldn't provide me with decent internet (would have had to use WildBlue satellite internet service which sucks and is expensive.) Cablevision is paying for my early termination with DirecTV. I told DirecTV that and they really couldn't offer me anything to have me stay. I have found DirecTV to be difficult and threaten to make you stay for any upgrade. The final straw was telling me I would have TWO dishes installed and the internet one was twice the size of the DirecTV dish. They also were going to have to install a POLE for the dish to be on in my front yard, and I was going to have to pay for the pole. Umm, nope.

[dtdoda]

Love Directv. We're currently getting all the movie channels and NFL Sunday ticket for
$6/month.

Hard to beat that deal.

[JohnnyLaRue]

When pryan67 says "dispute" he doesn't mean talking with your bank, he means contacting the collection agency and using the US debt collection laws to your advantage (hence, "disputing it properly")

Thank you, I truly appreciate your clarification and advice. I guess the laws are different here.

Well I already sent the letter from the bank to the thugs I mean debt collectors. The bank and Mastercard (my cheque card) took my side and I sent them a copy of the letter. Its just damn frustrating when I was in the right and I still have to defend myself! DirecTV should have never sent it to a collection agency. They also got a copy from the bank stating why they were wrong (as the letter had DirecTV's name on the "To" line along with my name).



Good luck. Don't ignore that letter. Fight them. You will win if you stick to your guns

Well I sent the letter to them and told them the debt was invalid. I will fight it until I leave here. I don't think I can fight it legally after I leave here.

[pryan67]

yep...I'm not familiar with the debt collection laws in Canada (although I DO want to learn them...I come across people from Canada every now and then that don't know how to handle the actions of the crooked CAs...and I want to be able to help them)...

I'm glad you're wealthy enough to not want the money though ;) cuz if you play your cards right, DirectTv and the CA would be paying you

[pryan67]

you can still legally fight it after you've left...since the violations of your rights happened (will happen) here in the States

[upnover]

Go to their website and find the corporate offices email address. There is a VP of customer service I believe. Email there and they will help. I argued for 3 months with customer service and dispute resolution people, no one doing what they said they would. As soon as I did that I got an immediate call back (in under 24 hours) and it was resolved in less than a week completely.

[MonsterMutts]

It has now been two years and DirecTV has yet to return my father's money from when he canceled (the remainder of the month because it was pre-paid). From what I've heard they do this to most people! They're a shady company and I would NEVER do business with them!

This is what they did to me. They sold me 3 receivers and only hooked 2 up. The guy tells me they are going to credit me 100.00 for the error. Not to mention the ENDLESS service errors. So they have my first double month payment of 60 that THEY KEEP and charge me another 40 when I cancelled. They said it was because if I promised to stay they'd give me 100 credit and it hadn't been 2 months yet. I asked to see where it says I have to stay sighned up for 2 months and they say well you're SOL.

Don't deal with Direct TV.

[JohnnyLaRue]

I argued for 3 months

Yikes 3 months! I don't have that kinda time. :( But thank you for letting me know how long to expect a resolution. :)

Besides I am off to Europe for a year at years end and no way am I dealing with DirecTV while I am there.

[rachealb]

Funny I noticed this today- We are currently in a Directv problem too- Last night our box in the bedroom stopped working. Called them, they said we would have to pay $50 to have someone come and fix THEIR box!!! My husband is super mad. If it was our box, fine, but you have to send it back to them when you are done with service, so why should we pay to fix their crap????!!!! So when he yelled and told them we were cancelling, they sent us to a CSR that said their system was down and they couldnt access our account. Oh yeah, they are pulling the 2 year contract BS with us too and we know we only signed an 18 month one. They are claiming that because we had them come and fix their screw-up at beginning of service, that gave us a new 2 year contract. What? I dont even think so. You fixing your bs screw up does not constitute a new contract on our part. Oh yeah, there is a charge on our bill from calling in and ordering some stupid thing we didnt order (whatever it was was automatically credited off, obviously an error on their part, but they left the call in phone charge on there). I think they suck.

[JohnnyLaRue]

I truly feel your pain rachealb. I don't know if reporting them to the BBB would help or not? I would almost think a class action lawsuit should happen.

[rachealb]

I do think a class action suit is called for with Directv because everyone complains about their shady contract bs. The only problem with that is the lawyers would make out like bandits with all the money, the person that filed the claim would get some too, and the rest of us would get something totally lame like a free pay-per-view movie and continue to get the shaft!

[dtdoda]

We own our boxes. You lease them?

[JohnnyLaRue]

You lease them?

I owned a box (got it at Circuit City for $29 clearance) but they refused to use my owned box upon hookup and said how it was not compatible. So I had to lease the boxes.