Directtv
Contract Renewed a Year After HD DVR Swap, Fee Demanded

I signed on to DirecTV in March. A year later (March), that commitment was done. In October my husband and I went to Circuit City to purchase a big screen TV, and we also got talked into the new HD DVR that DirecTV had available. We left there believing we had "purchased" an HD DVR for $300. Later we found out that it was a "lease" when we had to exchange it for another due to faulty ports. That did not fix the problem. Shows were not being recorded like they were supposed to be.

I spent hours on the phone time after time trying to get the issue resolved. I was told they were still having software problems and that the new downloads would fix it. If I had been told the software was not perfected, I would not have bought it in the first place. I had a TiVo that worked perfectly already. After the supposed "download" took place, the problem still was not resolved.

In December I had enough and canceled HD TV and returned the HD DVR. They would not give me a check refund, but after much back and forth debate they credited my account for $300. When that credit was used up, I decided to change my TV provider due to being misled from day one of the HD DVR purchase (excuse me, lease) and the poor customer service.

After my new service was installed, I called to cancel DirecTV and found out they had signed me on to another year without my knowledge and that I was to be charged an early cancellation fee. I made numerous phone calls where I was passed around for hours from one useless customer service person to another. I even wrote a letter explaining everything and saying that if they had something that I signed and did not realize it, they should show it to me. I was told that it should have been understood that by activating the HD DVR it would recommit me for another year. Silly me for not assuming all the corporate loopholes to keep dissatisfied customers for as long as possible.

Their product was junk right from the start, and I did not agree to recommit for a year verbally or by signature. Therefore, it is out of principle, not financial, that I refused to pay the early termination fee. They have reported me to a collection agency that hounds me daily. Thank goodness for caller ID. Fortunately, I'm not really concerned with my credit. My house is paid off and I don't need any loans. Still, I would like justice.

Company: Directtv
Country: USA
State: Maryland
City: Baltimore
Address: PO Box 830032
Phone: 8005315000

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