Directv
Two Year Contract Extended Each Time Defective DVR Was Replaced

In June I moved to my current home. I called DirecTV on 6-1-07 to install service at my new home. I already had DirecTV service at my old house, including one DVR and one regular receiver. I brought my existing receivers with me to my new house. Since then, I have had to have three DVRs sent to me because the old ones quit working. I was sent new ones on 6-11-06, 7-13-06 and 4-26-07. I was under the impression that my contract was for one year. In mid-May, I called to find out when my contract was up and was told 6-9-07. When I called in late May to cancel, I was then told that I was under contract until 4-28-09.

I understand now that since I signed up for DVR service, I am under contract for 2 years. What I do not understand is why the 2 year contract is extended every time I get a new receiver because the last one quit working. I could understand, perhaps, if I was adding a second DVR to my service, but I was simply replacing a defective one.

I was told that it was in the customer agreement that DVR service is a 2 year commitment. I have read the customer agreement. Nowhere in there do I see something about "As a bonus for us sending you a different DVR because the last one quit working, we are extending your contract for two years from the date we ship the new one." Also, at no point on 6-11-06, 7-13-06 or 4-26-07 was I told that I was agreeing to extend the two year contract to 2 years from the date of shipment of the new, working receiver. Had I been told that, I would not have agreed to it.

The latest time I called DirecTV to inquire about this ridiculous practice, the rep told me that it was not just the fact that I had a new DVR sent to me, but rather that the one that most recently became defective was no longer under warranty! What? That is totally insane. When I signed up for the original two year contract with DVR service, I was under the impression (I know, sounds crazy) that I was signing up for 2 years of service with a working DVR. And every time I get a new one, I get to pay $20 for it to be shipped to me.

Since I do have DVR service, my contract should be up on 6-9-08, not 4-28-09.

(I copied the letter I sent to their billing disputes department.) When I was looking up phone number information for them, I came across info on their "refer a friend" program. What a joke! I would not refer my enemies!

Company: Directv
Country: USA
State: Colorado
City: Greenwood Village
Address: Po Box 6550
Phone: 8004944388

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