DirecTV Aka DirectTV Aka Direct TV $400 Cancelation Fee for "Free" HD Equipment Replacement - "no strings attached" El Segundo, California Nationwide
1) DTV said I *HAD* to replace my equipment because they had changed their HD format, making the equipment I bought years ago obsolete.
2) I received, in writing, a promise of 'free of charge, no strings attached' when they replaced the equipment.
3) Because my TV stopped working, and had repeated bad experiences with the at home service techs, I decided to cancel service.
4) On the phone to cancel, I was told the termination fee was being waved because I had received a letter stating there were 'no strings attached' to this replacement.
5) Based on being told NO FEE would apply, I asked them to cancel my service
6) Almost 1 week later, they wrote to me saying they changed their mind about the fee, and charged by credit card $393.25.
7) I was told my only recourse was to send a letter to a PO box, wait 14 days, and hope for the best.
DirecTV is flat out lying to customers. This is fraud. They must be stopped.
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Here is the letter I received. Tell me this is not completely despicable.
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"We have changed the manner in which we broadcast HD channels. Soon, your current DIRECTV High-Definition equipment will not be HD compatible. Please call 1-888-763-7772 today and DIRECTV will replace your incompatible HD equipment FREE OF CHARGE. No strings attached.
MORE CHANNELS IN HD
The new HD broadcasting method will allow DIRECTV to deliver more channels in HD. We recently launched 130 HD channels with this new method, and many more are coming soon.
THE LATEST EQUIPMENT--FREE
The HD programming you currently enjoy--NFL games, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, HDNet, HBO, SHOWTIME--and others will need the latest HD equipment to be viewed in HD.
CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE HD REPLACEMENT
Just call us at 1-888-763-7772 to schedule your appointment. Mention the "FREE HD SWAP" and we'll get your replacement HD equipment set up ASAP.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we just want to continue to improve your HD experience with us. Thank you for being a loyal DIRECTV customer.
Best Regards,
Your DIRECTV Team"
Matt h
Waterford, Michigan
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Carolinawmn
Frontroyal,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Yes I would say you missed it!
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, January 23, 2009
No strings attached is just that...a phrase used quite frequently in the american english language ....and what about the Free of charge...and what about the marketing tactic..was this really an upgrade due to old and/or problematic equipment? If truly needing to replace, then why should the customer be charged if they want to cancel (again it's free???). Seems to me it was a ploy of DirectTV.
Another big corporation ripoff!
Several years ago I was a customer and had customer and technician service issues...not timely at all.. made having satellite very stressful. We ended up cancelling...we were thinking of going back but after reading these postings it doesn't seem that it has gotten better but maybe even worse.
Sean
Cupertino,California,
U.S.A.
Am I missing something?
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, January 10, 2009
They never said there's no commitment. They said only 'no string attached'. You should've made sure that there's no commitment with the free HD swapping.