In 2006 we went with Direct T.V. (only because we could not get cable where we lived), at which time we were told we must keep this for twelve months without paying a cancellation fee. The entire time we had Direct we had problems; every time it rained or the wind blew, we lost our signal, and it would be days before we would get reception back. I made several calls and was finally told that to fix the problem someone would have to come out at our expense.
At that time I told Direct to cancel my service because I was going to go with another satellite company. I was told that if I gave them another chance, they would send someone out to try to fix the problem, that the company would split the cost of a repairman, and that they would give me a DVR and three months of a premium channel for the problems that we were having.
Finally in January I cancelled our service with Direct. When asked why, I told them we were moving and did not want their service back, due to the same problems.
In April I received a bill from them for 268.00. When I called to find out what the bill was for, I was told it was for early termination of my contract. I explained to them that my twelve month agreement with their company was over. I was told that because I received a DVR and 3 months of premium channels, this renewed my contract, although I was not told this at the time. I have requested several times that they show me something that was signed, but was told they did not know where or whom I needed to call for this.
In July of this year, my husband was receiving phone calls at work from a bill collector representing Direct. I called and told them that they needed to stop calling him at work and to put everything in writing. I was screamed at so loudly that my son heard her over the phone. I was told that they knew where my husband worked, that I was not cooperating with them, and that they did not have to stop calling us, and because I requested that they notify us in writing I was not cooperating with them. I was being hollered at so loudly I could not even speak.
Finally after she was done, I asked to speak to her supervisor. I explained what had happened, and that I felt we did not owe this bill. I was told again that I was not cooperating and that I needed to pay this and then dispute it with the company, and that this was also going to reflect on our credit. I then hung up and called Direct back again, and I was told I owed this amount and that it was a legitimate debt.
I once again explained to her what had happened, and asked her why I would have agreed to another twelve months if I was having problems with service, and that I was never told that I was renewing my contract with them. She agreed that it did make sense, but I still owed this.
To date, I cannot get anything in writing that I signed, and Direct is reflecting a bad debt on our credit.
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