Directv
Told Receivers Were Mine, Then Threatened $470 Each Charge

I have been with Direct TV for many years. Usually when the prices have risen they have been okay with offering perks to keep the business.

I called them and said they were a little high and I needed to drop services. They offered me free Showtime for six months. I then got a bill that was a little off, and when I called about it and told her about the changes, she informed me that the Showtime perk was only for 3 months. (Not that important to me, except it was a breach of trust.) I then started noticing they were offering new customers almost the world for half of what I was paying for very little. I called and asked for one of the promotions and was rejected, with another offer of 3 months of some programming I did not want.

I decided that because I had no contract commitment with them anymore, which I verified, I would shop. I found a killer deal offering way more with Dish Network, ordered it and had it installed. They sent a crew of 2 people who were polite and efficient and did the job cleanly, quickly and professionally. What a contrast to the installations I had experienced with Direct TV.

As soon as the installers were out the door, I called Direct TV customer service and cancelled. I was put through to a department for this. I asked what I should do with the receiver boxes. She replied that I had finished my contract and that they were mine. I asked again and said, "Will you make sure you want them back? I cannot throw them away and I will need to dispose of them." She again told me she was sure that they did not want them back. I ended that conversation by saying, "You better be right, because I do not want any surprises." She told me not to worry.

For the next 5 days I got at least one or two phone calls from Direct sales, offering me free payments every year for a month each, free equipment and so on, to come back. It reminded me of the mop commercial. I told them to stop calling me, that it was done. The next day I got an automated (recorded) call saying they wanted the boxes back and were sending packing materials by UPS.

Ironically, I had already driven the receivers about 40 miles to my friend's house, as he has a charitable organization that would take them. The next day I got a UPS delivery of a box and packing material, along with a letter telling me to return them or be charged $470 each. (They probably hoped I had dumped them. And I had.) But I called my friend, who thank goodness still had them.

I called Direct TV again and, as usual, waited 10 minutes to speak to anyone. I finally explained to the gentleman who answered that I had called and asked what to do with the boxes, and was told that they did not want them back and that they were mine because I had them past the termination of the contract. His response to that part of the conversation was "That's right." I then asked, if that is right, why am I getting a box and a letter saying I will need to return them or be charged $470 each? He put me on hold and said, yes, they must be returned. I asked why I was told they did not need to be returned. I think I went off a little on a tirade about the company not knowing its own policies or training its people. I said, "Doesn't anyone know what is going on?" He said he did. I did not confront him with his earlier statement agreeing that they did not need to be returned.

In summation, I believe that anyone cancelling a contract with that company should not believe one word about billing or returning equipment, or rely on any spoken words from Direct TV. Insist on something in writing. I am calling my bank and my credit card companies and putting an immediate stop on all charges from them. Thank God I use American Express to pay them. They will not allow them to take money fraudulently. After reading some of the blogs out there, I would say never let them do direct deductions from a bank account, even if you save 5 dollars a month. They proved to me that they cannot be trusted to tell the truth. It is sad that it has come to this.

I honestly think they should be investigated for dishonest dealings.

Good luck if you have an account with them. Be sure to get everything in writing. Be cautious. It walks like a SCAM.

Company: Directv
Country: USA

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