I am a current Comcast customer - but decided to shop for a better deal on cable. Called directtv, and started out by saying: "I don't want to make a deal, I just want some info." The sales guy insisted on taking my home address and phone number so he could "see what was available in my area." I reluctantly gave it to him - when all I really wanted was to know what the cost of the service would be. Typical sales, he wouldn't give me a direct answer - I had to keep asking questions, etc. At one point he asked me for my social security number so he could run a credit check. I told him I didn't want to give him my social, and he replied "I can run it based on your name and address." My reply was something to the effect of, "okay, well, can't I give you a deposit or something for the equipment so I don't need a credit check?" He went on to explain as with any utility, they run a credit because of the expensive piece of equipment, etc. I said, "well, never mind then, I don't want you to run a credit report" and he said something like "just for full disclosure, I already ran it based on your address, and your okay." I was so pissed - I knew it would be "okay", I didn't want that company to run my credit. He told me that based on my "verbal okay" he ran my report. I told him I had never given an okay, anbd he went into a diatribe about how the conversation was being recorded, and we could go back and review the tapes, etc. I was about ready to stomach the unauthorized credit check, because I wanted the service, and he sprung on me that it was a two-year deal. (Mind you - we are a good twenty minutes into our conversation at this point - and never ONCE did he mention a two year contract.) I told him I felt like he was hiding the ball, and he got very defensive. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was transferred to an alleged supervisor named KIONE who assured me he would personally review the tapes and call me back, and insinuated that the practice is any sign of an "okay" is a green-light to run the credit. He promised a call within an hour. It's been about an hour and a half and he hasn't called. No surprise. Next step for me is to call the corporate ethcis hotline (Direct TV Companys Helpline (800-385-9470) because I truly believe that the sales person and his manager illegally (or least unethically) ran my credit, and also tried to "trick"me into a sale that wasn't what I was asking for. What really troubles me is that if something like this happens to me, what if it had been a person with less ability to argue, my grandmother, my college aged daughter, etc. Unscrupulous. Unethical. Possibly illegal? I will not be doing business with this company, and I encourage those who choose to do so to really understand what the person on the other end of the line is saying, choose your words carefully, and understand the full commitment. This was a lesson to me.
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