I worked for DirecTv for 9 months, but I finally had to quit because I couldn't stand how the company treats its customers. I felt like I was an immoral person because of the immoral policies the company has.
For example, DirecTv decided to change a very important policy. Supposedly they sent out information regarding this, but every single customer I spoke to who was affected by this said they received nothing of the sort. The policy change was this: If a customer closed their account with DirecTv, if we have their credit or debit card information on file, and if there is still a balance owed on the account, they will immediately take out the money owed from your credit or debit card account. Nice huh. Oh, and since no customer knew about this policy and were not informed about it when closing their accounts, many people incurred charges from their credit card or bank accounts. The policy also stated that we cannot refund any of this money. Basically, they're screwed.
Also, about 50% of the calls I received had to do with a problem with the satellite system. These satellite systems don't work. If you order this system, you will have problems with it at some point or another, and usually it will be a major problem that you the consumer has to pay for out of your own pocket. Unless you have what is called the "Protection Plan", which costs $5.99 per month. You're still paying for it.
Another thing is, when people order DirecTv for the first time, they either aren't informed about a lot of things, (such as a "free" magazine that you'll be charged for after 3 months, or that you will be charged hundreds of dollars if you decide to cancel the account) or people were told they would be getting a package for so much per month, end up getting charged for something completely different, and if they want to change to the original offer, that cannot be done and they have to get a package at a regular price.
One of the commercials that DirecTv has going right now is promoting their HD service. They advertise that you can get a package with HD starting at $29.99 per month. This is a lie. Packages do start at $29.99, but this is the basics of basics. It doesn't include any real channels that you would get with basic cable. You can add HD on for $9.99 a month. Just to let you know, most of the HD channels are sports channels that you can only get if you order an insanely expensive sports package, local channels that many people can't get, or channels that you don't really watch. Oh also if you have the least expensive package, the only HD channels you can get are your local channels.
Now I will let you know about the sports packages. They are a ripoff. The NFL package is about 300 dollars. The prices go down from there, but DirecTv is making a huge profit off of these packages. Oh and if you want sports in HD, even if you have the HD package, you have to order a separate sports HD package at 100 dollars.
Another ripoff is when DirecTv decided to add new HD channels. Everyone has a receiver that you need in order to get the service. Since DirecTv "upgraded the type of HD feed", not only do you have to pay for crappy HD channels, but you also have to order a new receiver if you want to receive these HD channels. These start at 99 dollars.
I would say that 85% of the calls I got a day (on average 200 calls) were from people who not only had a complaint but were enraged by a variety of DirecTv's mistakes or practices.
I suggest that if you want something more than basic cable, go with someone like Time Warner Cable.
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