Complaint Review: DirecTV

On 11/16/07 I signed up for Directv service. I chose the High Definition (HD) DVR package because I was told this package would allow me to view all the HD channels that directTV offered. When the service was initially installed all was well. On or about the 17th of Dec. I tried to access a couple of the HD channels. Specifcally, Smithsonian and MGM HD. The receiver respond with an error message that meant I had to pay additional money to receive these HD channels. I called direcTV and inquired.

I was told that as of 15 dec The above mentioned HD channels plus three(3) other HD channels are now in a HD extra package. The HD extra package was an additional $5. I was also told there was a notice of this change in my 15 Sept. bill. I responded that would have been difficult to receive the notice since I was not a subscriber in Sept.

I told the customer service agent that at the time I signed up for direcTV service I was not informed that some of the HD channels would become part of a new package which would be an additional charge. To insure I didn't mis-read the subscription literature, I looked at the material I received at the time the subscription started. I also looked on the direcTV website. There is no mentioned of a HD extra package.

As far as I am concerned I am the victim of a bait and switch scam (i.e. promised certain features, engage the customer, then change the profolio). I thought these practices were illegal. I want what I was would be included in the package I purchased. Namely all the HD channels offered by direcTV as originally indicated. Anything else is fraud.

Carl
Ocala, Florida
U.S.A.