Directv ripoff Extended contract because had to replace a DVR that was no longer under warranty Greenwood Village Colorado
In June of 2006, I moved to my current home. I called DirecTV on 6-1-07 to install service at my new home. I had DirecTV service at my old house already, including one DVR and one regular receiver. I brought my existing receivers with me to my new house. Since then, I have had to have three DVRs sent to me because the old ones quit working. I was sent new ones on 6-11-06, 7-13-06 and 4-26-07. I was under the impression that my contract was for one year. In mid-May, I called to find out when my contract was up and was told 6-9-07. When I called in late May to cancel, I was then told that I was under contract until 4-28-09.
I understand now that since I signed up for DVR service, I am under contract for 2 years. What I dont understand is why the 2 year contract is extended every time I get a new receiver because the last one quit working. I could understand, perhaps, if I was adding a second DVR to my service, but I was simply replacing a defective one.
I was told that it was in the customer agreement that DVR service is a 2 year commitment. Ive read the customer agreement. Nowhere in there do I see something about As a bonus for us sending you a different DVR because the last one quit working we are extending your contract for two years from the date we ship the new one. Also, at no point on 6-11-06, 7-13-06 or 4-26-07 was I TOLD that I was agreeing to extending the two year contract to 2 years from date of shipment of the new, working receiver. Had I been told that, I would not have agreed to that.
The latest time I called DirecTV to inquire about this ridiculous practice, the rep told me that it wasnt just the fact that I had a new DVR sent to me, but rather that the one that most recently became defective was no longer under warranty! What? That is totally insane. When I signed up for the original two year contract with DVR service, I was under the impression (I know, sounds crazy) that I was signing up for 2 years of service with a WORKING DVR. And every time I get a new one, I get to pay $20+ for it to be shipped to me.
Since I do have DVR service, my contract should be up on 6-9-08, not 4-28-09.
(I copied the letter I sent to their billing disputes department.) When I was looking up phone number information for them, I came across info on their "refer a friend" program. What a joke! I wouldn't refer my enemies!
Alayne
Wickliffe, Ohio
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Alayne
Wickliffe,Ohio,
U.S.A.
UPDATE - "Possible resolution" DirecTV extended contract
#2Author of original report
Thu, July 26, 2007
After trying to talk to a supervisor and having no success, I was told to write a letter to the billing disputes department. After I recieved no response for quite some time, I called them up. I asked if they received my letter and was there any response. First thing out of his mouth was "We can't change your contract" (sounded very canned, like he said it before looking at my account.)
Then he said, let me put you on hold. When he came back, he told me that if I ever needed another DVR sent to me, they would no longer extend my contract, and that I was able to cancel my account at any time without paying a cancellation fee.
We'll see what REALLY happens when I call to cancel. They've already told me one thing and told me another the second time I called.