My family and I were pioneer subscribers to DirecTV service beginning in approx. 1992. (106 Briarwood Dr) When I moved out of my parents home in 1995, I transfered all related equipment to my father Manuel Amaral. He ended up opening a separate account, but, same equipment connected to my account was assigned to him. I paid my final bill in the amount of 84.00 due at the time.
When my father took over my account, he ended up selling one out of the two receivers I had. He sold it to a Tom Kennedy who in turn opened his own account.
My father went on for years paying the bill until his death in October. At that time, the account was transferred over to my mother, Agnes Amaral, who continued service. My mom maintained paying the bill on time, as same as my father, and enjoyed the programming.
In September of I moved into my own apartment (131 Fort St Unit #1 East Providence, RI) and contracted for service in my name. I maintained service at this address till I had a falling out with billing in June. I indicated then to close service, final bill me and take the equipment away.
When I attempted to make these arrangements, someone in billing to me that an outstanding bill in the amount of 86.00 was due from June or May of 1995. This was for the following month after I transferred equipment and account to my dad's name.
The head of customer service at DirecTV told me that when my dad sold the receiver over to Tom Kennedy, the access card was never shut off from my name and apparently 86.00 worth of pay per view movies were ordered. The following month, Tom Kennedy opened an account in his name.
DirecTV then told me that if this bill is not paid, they will shut off my mom's service as she resided at 106 Briarwood Drive. This was 11 years later. My mom paid the bill always on time and never was late. She was 80 years old at the time.
When I pointed out to DireecTV that it was their mistake, they refused to acknowledge and shut my mom's service off. I paid my outstanding bill from East providence and flatly refused to pay the 86.00.
It shocked me, to say the least, that it was worth DirecTV's reputation and financial bottom line to shut off an 80 year old womens TV service. And to beat, it was an account always in good standing for 11 years.
After this experience, I vowed never to get their service again & my entire family has stopped doing business with DirecTV.
When I got cable service for my mom from Comcast locally and explained what happened, they gave her 6 months of free basic service, HBO and Showtime. They even offered the installation to multiple TV's at no charge.
Just to let everyone know, be aware that DirecTV advertises itself as a direct competitor to cable, but yet, their customer service department claims they are a luxury service.
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