Satellite Systems Network - Direct TV
Free home theater and DVD offer denied after 6 months

As per Rachelle's rip-off letter (of Lynnwood WA, dated November), I too have had the same scam pulled on me.

In November I received a range of calls from Satellite Systems Network talking about how great Direct TV was over cable. Comcast is the service provider in my area of Boston, MA, and the cable was always down. I cannot describe how frustrating it is when you have friends over to watch a sporting event and then lose your cable. More often than not it was just poor quality reception.

I called and got the same song and dance: "After 6 months we will send you a 'FREE' Home Theater Center (6-speaker surround sound) and a 'FREE' Sony DVD Player just for placing your order and being a customer for 6 consecutive months!"

Well, my then fiancee (now wife) and I bought a larger home up the street from our previous address. We moved in mid-February and then got married in June. When we returned from the wedding, my wife asked me, "Whatever happened to the Home Theater System & DVD Player?" I called and talked to a representative from Satellite Systems Network. The person I talked to was Crystal and she said, "We never received your form." She faxed me a new one, asked me to fax a copy of my current bill, and said she would send me a "FREE Vacation Weekend" for the delay.

Today is November 22. After much searching online, I have found numerous complaints about Satellite Systems Network. Still being an optimist, I called and talked to TOSH, rep # 147TD. He said, "The copy of the bill you sent to us says 'PAST-DUE' and as a result you do not get the DVD or Home Theater system."

He went on to say that this is clearly stated on all of their offers. Well, I have never seen this, nor did any representative say such a thing to me. Moreover, we (my wife and I) have never been served a late notice by Direct TV.

I can only advise that everyone who reads this and has fallen into a similar situation with this company take the following action:

1. Report it to the Better Business Bureau of CA. They will take some action with no resolve. After 6 weeks go to step 2.

2. Call, fax, and send all your documentation to the State Attorney General's Office in your state. They will put someone on the case. The more information you send, the stronger your case.

3. Good luck. As for me, this is more frustration than it's worth. The "Home Theater System" is sure to be the bottom of the line (about $50 in any electronics store). The DVD Player, well, you can buy those for around $50 too.

If they had informed me last year that they had no intention of sending the equipment, I would have bought my own then.

Good luck and God bless.

Company: Satellite Systems Network - Direct TV
Country: USA
State: California
City: Aliso Viejo
Address: 135 Columbia Suite 100
Phone: 8006151621

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