DIRECT TV was and is advertising the basic Entertainment Package (140 Channels) for $29.99 a month for one TV and 12 months including a free DVR. Supposed to save you $40.00 an month for the first year and $20.00 a month for the 2nd year. Sounded like a good deal for one of our rental homes so we accepted the offer after receiving verbal verification that we wanted no extended warranties, we only wanted the DVR if it was really fee, and it was to hook up one television. They told me that is how the order was is written.
When I received my contract there was no listing of a monthly charge but the first months payment was for $55.00+. I called and they told me my monthly payment would be $55.00+ a month. I asked what all the other charges were for and they provided this:
- YOUR PROGRAMMING SELECTION, SPECIAL OFFERS AND SERVICES
- Additional TV $0.00ENTERTAINMENT $54.99
- HBO STARZ SHOWTIME & CINEMAX $45.00
- Advanced Receiver $20.00
- Additional TV - 1 Client $6.00
- DIRECTV Protection Plan $0.0024 Mo
- First Bill*$55.99*Estimated first bill amount does not include sales tax, use or other taxes.YOUR
EQUIPMENT SELECTION
- 1DIRECTV Advanced WholeHome DVR$299.00
- 1DIRECTV Client$99.00
- 1 Cinema Connection Kit$0.00
- 1DIRECTV Slimline Dish$0.00
- 1 Instant Rebate-$99.00
- 1 Instant Rebate-$299.00
- Equipment Total$0.00ADDITIONAL
- Installation Fee $0.00
- Delivery & Handling Fee $19.95
- Tax $1.46 Order Total Paid**$21.41
I informed them that I explicitedly told them one TV and the DVR only if it was free. I asked what happened to the $29.99 per month . . and they said while the DVR was free, they charged $20.00 per month for programming it. And all of those other little hidden charges.
They said my monthly bill for the $29.99 Entertainment package would be $55.99 a month.
We told them to cancel the installation, cancel the order, and credit my credit card with the $21.41 charge.
Now they say DIRECT TV keeps no records of cancellations or closed orders and they cannot provide me anything in writing showing the order was closed and card credited.
As they have done in the past, I fully expect them to start billing me the $55.99 even though I supposedly have no account, no satellite dish and no service.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Squeeky Wheel
Dahlonega,Georgia,
United States of America
Direct TV gets a Clear Signal from Attorney General
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 04, 2013
If you are having problems with contract/transparency issues with Direct TV or any other similar service, read this settlement report against Direct TV (2010) which can be found at the Attorney General's website, State of Washington.
There is some great information here:
http://atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?id=26982 If you cannot access the link, simply go to the Attorney General's website (State of Washington) and type in the search box: Direct TV
Also, Wikipedia has some disturbing information at their site about Direct TV's consumer affairs issues, i.e., that BBB had in recent years given Direct TV a D+... Need I say more? Perhaps we should all search our own state attorney generals' website for actions past, present or pending brought by consumers against Direct TV.
Squeeky Wheel
Dahlonega,Georgia,
United States of America
Direct TV gets a Clear Signal from Attorney General
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 04, 2013
If you are having problems with contract/transparency issues with Direct TV or any other similar service, read this settlement report against Direct TV (2010) which can be found at the Attorney General's website, State of Washington. There is some great information here:
http://atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?id=26982 If you cannot access the link, simply go to the Attorney General's website (State of Washington) and type in the search box: Direct TV
Also, Wikipedia has some disturbing information at their site about Direct TV's consumer affairs issues, i.e., that BBB had in recent years given Direct TV a D+... Need I say more? Perhaps we should all search our own state attorney generals' website for actions past, present or pending brought by consumers against Direct TV.