Direct TV used misleading and deceptive advertising practices to get my business and then has been practicing racketeering-like activities to extort money out of me by frequently overcharging my credit card and demanding cash payment for an already paid service. This company is deceitful, dishonest and practices fraudulent activities.
DirecTV's deceitful practices started with not honoring the advertised incentives. When I first signed an agreement with this company, it advertised a $20 off monthly service bill rebate, a $50 Visa gift card, free installation services and 3 months free of some premium channels. The company was dishonest and has not honored the advertised incentives fully. I have made multiple contacts with the company's customer service protesting and requesting the rebates to be honored. After 6 months of service, the company finally honored the $20 off the monthly bill rebate. The promised $50 Visa card was not honored after all.
The installation was not free; I had to pay $100 for installation of services. When the technical personnel arrived, they told me that I would need two satellite antennas and tripods to have my satellite service installed. Prior to this, I had contacted the company's customer service to inquire about the fees involved and other requirements related to the installation of the satellite service. The customer service agent told me that everything is free and did not mention anything about tripods and 2 antennas. The installation personnel refused to perform any installation services without me paying cash, saying that those installation services are customary. No legitimate documentation was provided, nor a legitimate receipt for the cash payment of $100 I made directly to them.
On 02/20 the company overcharged my credit card account by $62. The overcharge was due to $42 for the expired, earlier advertised, 3 months free of premium channels and the unhonored $20 off the monthly service bill rebate. The 3 months free of premium channels, a $42 value, expired in February, and the company charged me for this service, stating that I had to call and cancel the service. I had not requested the premium channels as a contracted service; I signed up for the Choice Extra ($54/month) and Russian 1 ($29.99) service packages. The premium channels were advertised as a free bonus for 3 months, and no disclosure was made about the need to cancel this free service. Therefore, the company had no right to charge my account for an advertised free service. Although the company had approved my rebates submission, it had not honored any of those at that time and continued overcharging my account. They can do this because I have signed up for an auto bill, which allows the company to automatically charge my account.
The card I used is an American Express credit card without a credit limit. I contacted the company and requested a refund. The refund was promised but not honored. According to my consumer rights, I disputed the amount of $62 on 02/22/08 through the Amex online dispute center. The company did not respond to the dispute, and Amex refunded the entire amount of $150 on 05/04.
Once the refund was made by Amex, the company notified me about an existing overdue amount of $150 on my account. Since it was not my intention to dispute the entire amount of $150, and considering the fact that, after approximately 6 weeks, the company credited my account with the owed amount of $62, I followed the notification instructions and went on the company's website to make the respective payment. In the process of making an electronic payment, I received a note that there is an overdue amount of only $33. Subsequently, I paid the overdue amount requested.
After I made this payment, the company disconnected the services and demanded an immediate cash payment in the amount of $230. I contacted the company and requested an explanation. I was told that I had to pay the $150 that Amex refunded me and the $88 regular monthly service payment. It is important to note that the company automatically charges my credit card each month (on the 20th) for the provided services. Therefore, the demanded extra $88 was an illegal request that I consider a simple extortion practice. I was forced to use the Western Union rush payment service and paid the requested $230 plus a $12 surcharge fee for the rush payment. The company has placed restrictions on my account and requested that I make my monthly payments in cash.
I feel insulted by the company's deceitful practices.
Consumers, do not make my mistake; do not deal with these racketeers.
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