Direct TV
Automatic Contract Renewal and $150 Fee After Job Relocation

Last year, I purchased a new HD TV from Best Buy. They offered special pricing if customers also purchased HD receivers from Direct TV. As an existing customer of Direct TV, I thought that it made sense to purchase the HDTV from them and take advantage of the sale price.

It wasn't until months later that I found out that Direct TV had automatically renewed my two-year service contract. I contacted their service department to discontinue my agreement, explaining that I was being transferred (job relocation) and that I was being housed in an apartment complex that had an existing cable contract with another service provider. I would not be able to have my service transferred.

I was told that because I had renewed my agreement (I did?), I would have to pay an early cancellation fee of $150.00, even though:

1) I had no knowledge of this extended agreement

2) My new home location could not accommodate their service - not because I didn't want it, but because there was another service provider already there

3) I had been made aware -

Really, I asked? I wrote to their customer disputes center asking for verification, several times, and have heard nothing. I've asked for copies of a signed agreement, voice recordings, anything that would prove that I was notified that my agreement would automatically be renewed. I've written them, called and e-mailed, and still have no response. This unresolved bill is now going into collections.

Beware - Direct TV is not direct! Not in their communications, their customer service practices or in their consideration of their customers.

If anyone has any suggestions as to what to do, I would greatly appreciate them.

Company: Direct TV
Country: USA
State: Georgia
City: Atlanta

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