Beware Direct TV

Last August I cancelled my Time Warner cable and signed up with Direct TV. Why? The NFL package. I wasn't thrilled about satellite TV but I thought I would try it. We were promised On Demand, (which was always my favorite feature with my digital cable) so we signed up. We were told at that time that there would be a $150.00 dollar early termination fee. That's fine, I don't plan on cancelling my service so I agreed. Upon receipt of the service, I was immediately turned off by the HUGE satellite they nailed to the roof of my house (yes, nailed). The thing must weigh 100 pounds. Then, when the service was installed, there was no On Demand. They hooked the system into the phone line but my computer wouldn't work once their line was in. That was my first sign. I could never find the channels I liked, you couldn't order pay preview because of the installation and when it snowed, our service went out.

I cancelled with Direct TV roughly 2 weeks ago. I told them we weren't happy and had signed on with FIOS instead.When I called they told me I would be charged an early termination fee and that I had to mail the receivers back to their company. Wait!!! What about the satellite nailed to my roof?? The girl told me we could keep it. What?? I don't understand. So, you hook up satellites to all these houses and when the service terminates, you just leave them? Yes. OMG, you must be joking? I asked the girl what I was supposed to do. She said they didn't expect me to get on the roof and take it down so I should just leave it there. Really? What kind of company is this? Today, I received the final bill. It wasn't $150.00 dollars, which was my agreement but rather $320.00 dollars. Now I know how they pay for all of those missing satellites they are too lazy to take down.

I quickly called back to inquire about their mistake. The rep told me that I had signed on for 24 months and that they were charging me $20.00 dollars for every month I no longer wanted their service. I requested a copy of the signed contract showing proof that I agreed to this, he said he would mail me the agreement but that my signature was not on it. However, when I signed up for the service they requested a credit card. If you don't pay the bill, they will get their money anyway. They give you fraudulent information over the phone and via TV but its not what you sign up for at all. A coworker was charged $300 via invoice and they charged her credit card an additional $300 when she called to cancel. Direct TV is a horrible product and I wouldn't recommend this service to anyone. I have no problems paying the $150.00 but they are ripping people off by changing their terms and charging more fee's. Just one more company out there screwing the consumer into believing what they say is true. In the end, its all bullshit. Never again!!