Directv
Honesty? Newest Cancel scam?

I have been with Direct TV for many years. Usually when the prices have risen they have been o.K. 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 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 decided to call and ask them for one of the promotions and was rejected with another offer of 3 months of some programming I did not want.

I then decided that because I had no contract commitment anymore with them... Which I verified. That I would shop. I found a killer deal offering way more with the Dish network and I subsequently ordered it and had it installed. Boy 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 previous Direct TV experiencie I had with the installations.

As soon as the installers were out the door, I called Direct TV custome service and cancelled. I was put to a department for this. I asked her what I should do with the receiver boxes. She replied that I had finished my contract and that they were mine. I double asked her and said will you make sure you want them back as 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 because I do not want any surprises. She told me not to worry.

Well 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 to free equipment etc to come back...

Reminded me of the mop commercial. I told them to stop calling me that it was done. The next day...

I get an automated call (recorded) saying they wanted the boxes back and they were sending packing materials by UPS.

Ironically I had already driven the receivers to my friends house about 40 miles as he has a charitable org that would take them.

I got a UPS delivery of a box and packing material the next day 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 the 10 minutes to speak to anyone, and finally explained the the gentleman who answered the phone 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 as I had 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 no knowing their own policies or traing their people etc. I said doesn't anyone know what is going on? He said he did. I did not confront him with his earlier statement in agreement that they did not need to be returned.

In summation... I do believe that anyone cancelling a contract with that company not believe one word about billing returning equiptment or rely on any spoken words from Direct TV.insist on something in writing. I am calling my bank, my credit card companys and putting an immediate stop on all accounts for charged from them. Thank God I use American Express to pay them. They will not allow them to take money fraudently. 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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