Airlink Communications / DirectTV
Dealer Promised $56 Plan and Rebates That Did Not Exist
- 09-06-2008
- 2
Be careful with Airlink Communications in Missouri. I had been a Dish Network customer for years. I saw a flier that was sent in the mail for Direct TV. I called the number and spoke to a guy named Kevin. I was paying $66 a month for service through Dish and was calling to see if they could beat it. For $56 a month I was supposed to have all the same channels that Dish had, plus HD, a $100 rebate on the hookup and an additional $100 that would go toward my first month's bill if I signed up that day. It was too good to be true. First, there was no mention at any time of a 2 year agreement, which I would have just said no thanks to. Second, when they hooked it up, about 20 channels that Kevin had mentioned were not on.
I had to call, and to my surprise my bill was going to be $89 a month with a 2 year commitment. The $100 rebate was to take 6-8 weeks, and the $100 rebate for signing up did not exist. I also found out that Kevin is not with Direct TV but with Airlink Communications out of Missouri, and they do not honor any deals not made by independent dealers. I then advised them that I would not be needing their services. I reported them to my bank as a fraudulent charge. My bank put my money back in my account while they conducted an investigation. After about 3 months my bank found in my favor and left my money in my account.
I have a monitoring alert at all three credit agencies, and when I see they try a collection agency it shows up and I just dispute it. Since the three credit bureaus have a copy of the letter showing the fraudulent charge was found in my favor, they remove it. Just recently they have tried Allied Interstate, and I just don't try to explain my story anymore. This is the 5th collection agency, and I just wait until they get on my report and then have them removed.
I now tell all the people I know about Direct TV so that they do not make the same mistakes, and I have turned about 15-20 customers to Dish Network. I think that hurts them more.
Company: Airlink Communications / DirectTV
Country: USA
State: Colorado