DirecTV sucks.
DirecTV sucks. Not only because they forgot to put the second T in their name, but for their horrible customer service.
Back in July, I called to cancel my service.
They said if I did, I would need to pay the early cancellation fee and whatever else I owed at the time.
I said that was fine, but I would need to wait until payday.
They said that if I cancelled it, they would charge my account that same day.
I said that wasn’t going to work, so just hold off on cancelling it.
They cancelled it anyway, and took $200 from my account the day before payday.
I just dealt with it and waited for them to send the package for me to return the receivers. I figured maybe they had sent it to the old address and it was taking its time getting here through the mail forwarding system.
Then last week I received a letter saying I owed $310.45.
And today, DirecTV helped themselves to my bank account, taking the money out.
When I called to complain, they said that they were authorized to do so because I kept a card on file, and that it was part of their agreement that they could take any money that I owed.
I argued with them, saying that I never owed that money.
They said I owed it for not returning the boxes.
I said they never sent me the thing to return it.
She said that they were sorry, that they would send me out a new return package today.
And once they received my receivers, they would refund the money.
“Back to my bank account?” I asked.
No. They will send it in the mail and I will receive it in six to eight weeks.
“Because it takes that long to process.”
So let me get this straight. They can take out money directly from my account whenever they want, but they can’t put it back in. And to send me a check will take up to TWO MONTHS?
This isn’t the first time I’ve had bad customer service from DirecTV either.
Don’t get DirecTV.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’m so sorry! I’ve had excellent service. In fact, just today DH called about something and the lady asked if he wanted to take advantage of a special offer (free HBO for 3 months) that we didn’t know about AND told him we didn’t have to cancel, it would go away automatically. (Of course, in 3 months I should update you on that one.) We’ve had DTV for at least 5 years and never had any real problems.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
By the way, I’ve sent the link to this post to the President of DirecTV. I’ll let you know if I get any response.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Um…wow. That’s kind of sucky.
I’d definitely be interested to see what kind of response you get.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I’ve never had DirecTV, but I’ve had other, similar problems. I used to have Cingular for my cell phone and never had any problems with them. Then they merged with AT&T and everything went south. Customer service was awful, I had problems with their web site, and so forth. Finally I called to cancel, and was told I had to wait for a few months because of my contract. So I waited until the end of the contract and then cancelled. They were friendly and canceled my service without question. I never recieved another bill and everything I owed was paid up. About six month later I got a call from a collection agency saying I owed over $300 to AT&T. They claim that I never cancelled my service but that it was shut off for non-payment. The fact that I have an emailed receipt of final payment made on the date that I cancelled it and I have a confirmation number for the cancellation should be enough, right? Nope. I keep thinking it’s final and taken care of, and then my phone rings again. The odd thing is, they keep farming it to new collection agencies. When I submit the proof of payment and cancellation to the collection agencies, they close the case. But AT&T keeps pursuing.
Long story short, I feel for you.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I hate Direct TV (I refuse to spell it the other way. I think it’s ridiculous). I have had nothing but trouble with them in the past.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sadly enough I know someone that had almost the exact same thing happen to them. They were supposed to get the package, which never arrived, and then one day had over $300.00 taken from their account. Unluckily enough it caused them to be overdrawn and then it was a huge fight to get that money back. With a fight they did but it was a HUGE pain and caused them a lot of trouble. I would definitely never use them, not after the stories I’ve heard.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
And if you know someone who does NEVER EVER offer to pay a bill or a pay-per-view program, except by giving the subscriber cash and letting them pay it. If their charge to you had bounced they would have used any other information from any other person they had to get it.
If they have given you “freebies” to talk you out of leaving in the past, like 3 months of HBO, they may tell you that if you cancel they will back-bill you for those too.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Brandy..I think the same thing is going to happen to me. I just paid a TON of bills that were lingering from after my house purchase, and now being hit with this $300 deal is probably going to cause some of those to bounce.
Hopefully I will get a respose from Mr. President, but I’m not holding my breath.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Yes, Direct TV (gag on the cutesy spelling) sucks. And I’m stupid enough to have given them a second change – but only because it was the cheapest way to get PBS Sprout. Sure, they “give” you the receivers, but if you have a 2-year contract, you can count on the receivers only lasting about 14 months. Then you either have to pony up for stupid expensive replacements, or cancel you contract and pay a huge penalty. Plus, I never did get the promised portable DVD player they were supposed to give me when I signed up. Come March, we become a Direct TV free household for good. Rat B@sturds!
August 18th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Hey DonnaT65! That reminds me! I never did get my portable DVD player either!!! What a rip off!
August 18th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
This is terrible! Looking around to scout prices has been on my to-do list for quite awhile since our contract has expired with Direct TV (I’ll never spell it correctly now in honor of you!). I need to get away from this company fast!
August 18th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Everyone I know that uses them has had trouble. Thanks for putting the nail in the coffin for me!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I had problems too and maybe you have tried this but I kept asking for people’s manager’s until I finally found someone who could really help. I had one person hang up on me and had to call back. You should link Mr. CEO to your website.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Ugh, I HATE when companies do things like that. I hope you get your money back ASAP!
I always refuse to sign up for automatic payments for this exact reason. I’m afraid they’ll just go in there and take money out at random, or take it out when I’m not ready for them to, or who knows what else. I do pay bills online, but I pay each one as it’s due, and usually through my bank’s bill pay service. But then I’m a paranoid control freak who has lost way too much money to bounced-transaction fees!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
We have DirecTV and also went for the free portable DVD player. It actually arrived way earlier than we thought it would and worked very hard until its slow death from overuse by my kids.
We really haven’t had much of a problem with DTV so I’d keep pushing for the instant money-back status. Anything less would be unacceptable to them!
August 18th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
First response:
To whom it may concern,
Thank you for your recent correspondence. I would like to have someone from our Customer Advocate Team contact you; however, your e-mail did not provide enough information for us to reach you by phone or locate your account. Please forward your account information or a preferred contact number so we can have a member of our team contact you immediately and discuss your situation.
Thank you,
Verla
DIRECTV Customer Advocate Team
August 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Whatever… stupid auto response.
*Computer program*
“Did the customer send you an email with no contact info? Check yes or no.”
*Rep*
“Yes”
*Program*
“Send them this email right here. Put your name in the box. Press send.”
Grr. I’ve been in customer service way tooo long. LOL
August 18th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Yep, I have heard similar stories from other people. Moneysuckers.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Ugh. I hate that. Stupid companies are always able to take money out immediately and take weeks/months to refund it. Damn corporate america.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Have you tried disputing the charge? Something similar happened to me with a different cable service. In my case it was $1200. Contact your bank and tell them they took money out mistakenly after your service was terminated. If you are no longer with them they are NOT authorized to go into your account. It can’t hurt to try.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I think M&H has excellent advice. Best of luck. What a horrid situation. Like you need more hassle on your plate now (or ever).