I was an unhappy cable tv payer/watcher looking for an alternative. I looked under a "google" search for Direct TV and found "DirectStar TV". They have promotions on their website for different deals on Direct TV packages and what the monthly "specials" are. I called the 800# on the website with the intention of just getting better informed and ended up speaking with a very friendly customer service representative whom explained what the process is and how the promotions worked.
I decided to go with the "Choice Extra" package which has 185 channels. It is listed for $44.99/month for 12 months and as a special deal, they install up to 4 room receivers for free as well as a free installation (they also included a free I-pod shuffle if you ordered before 10/30). To their credit, they are very professional to speak to and keep you informed via e-mail when the installation is to take place. My installation was set for a day this week between 1 and 5 pm. Sure enough, at 3pm I got a call from the installer to say he was coming.
The install was very quick and I am extremely happy with the picture quality. I can't complain about that. I am complaining about the fees that I "thought" were disclosed appropriately.
My bill arrived with some added fees-more than $44.99/month. The bill came to $70.25. Choice extra-$54.99, $4.99 Leased Receiver, $4.99 Leased Receiver, sales tax of $5.28. After calling Direct TV and inquiring into the obvious difference in price/month, I was told that a "credit" of 10.00 would come from DirectStar TV. I also inquired into the leased receiver fees since I knew nothing about them. It was quickly pointed out to me that I signed the paperwork which disclosed those fees... Sure enough, I did. My complaint is with DirectStar TV for not accurately portraying the total costs as part of the monthly fees. For each receiver you have installed, they charge a $4.99 fee. The "promotion" for 4 rooms installed for free is mis-leading. There is nothing on their website to say that there will be a monthly fee of $4.99 for each receiver. I had 3 rooms installed with receivers but am only billed for 2. The first receiver is free. Bottom line, my monthly bill is NOT $44.99/month but $54.97/month. The reason I went with Satellite is because of the poor picture quality and the "shady" tactics of the cable company. I thought it would be different.
To top it off, I at least thought I would be able to get an I-pod shuffle out of all this. On DirectStar TV's website, the promotion is no longer listed because it's a new month. I was told that I do not qualify for the I-pod because I didn't get the "Premium" package.
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