- Report: #460113
Complaint Review: DirecTV - Internet
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DirecTV
www.directv.com Internet, U.S.A.
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DirecTV is actively deceptive when "leasing" their equipment Directv.com Internet
Having been a DirecTV subscriber for 10 years, I was recently shopping for 3 standard definition receivers to replace my aging equipment especially since I could purchase them at a local Best Buy store. The salesman did explain that the receivers were leased only and that a $5 per month charge was levied on each receiver (with no charge for the first receiver). Fair enough - especially since this replaced the $5 per month mirroring fee. Fortunately, the salesman was new and apparently was not aware of their 'policy' of not informing prospective customers of the 2 year commitment. Interestingly, a store supervisor overheard the conversation and took the salesman aside after which I was told that he might have been 'mistaken' about 2 year commitment. Paranoia set in, and I returned home and searched Google for any problems in acquiring DirecTV replacement equipment. Several thousand complaints had been reported on this issue.
Out of curiosity, I visited several more Best Buy stores and inquired about any contract commitments when acquiring replacement equipment and every salesman or sales supervisor responded with the same answer - We don't think there is any commitment, but you can always return the equipment if there's a problem. Even if the equipment is returned, DirecTV will charge an prorated early termination fee. Interestingly, there is no mention of a service commitment when purchasing/leasing additional or replacement receivers on DirecTV's website either. I have enjoyed DirecTV service, but will be terminating the service due to the high cost of the replacement equipment (even with a 2 year commitment). I welcome any suggestions for alternate television programming. Thanks.
Techguy
Arlington, Texas
U.S.A.
Out of curiosity, I visited several more Best Buy stores and inquired about any contract commitments when acquiring replacement equipment and every salesman or sales supervisor responded with the same answer - We don't think there is any commitment, but you can always return the equipment if there's a problem. Even if the equipment is returned, DirecTV will charge an prorated early termination fee. Interestingly, there is no mention of a service commitment when purchasing/leasing additional or replacement receivers on DirecTV's website either. I have enjoyed DirecTV service, but will be terminating the service due to the high cost of the replacement equipment (even with a 2 year commitment). I welcome any suggestions for alternate television programming. Thanks.
Techguy
Arlington, Texas
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
James
Guthrie,Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
dish network
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, June 09, 2009
at the rate thing are going leasing equipment is the big thing now. with dish network if your a first time customer .you are setup on a lease, but are not charged a monthly fee for the equipment. later when you go to upgrade your equipment . then you are charged for leasing the equipment. now dish network as dual tuners. what makes this cheaper for the customer is. that if the phone line is connected to the dual tuners. then your not charged the second half of the receiver. lets say you take four standard receivers . you would be charged full price for programming on the first receiver. then 5.00 dollars a month for each receiver after the main. as an example you paid 30.00 for the first and 15.00 for the next 3 receivers. that would be 45.00 a month. with 2 dual tuners you would pay 30.00 for the first dual tuner. then 5.00 a month for the second dual tuner. this would come to 35.00 dollars a month . you would still have four receivers and a savings of 10.00 a month .as long as the phone lines are connected to both dual tuners. it requires a 2 year contract, 10.00 late fee, 25.00 reconnected fee if you turn it off or the turn it off for non pay, they want a credit card to do a soft scan credit check and put a reserve of 10.00 on the card. within 3 to 30 days depending on the credit card the reserve is released. depending on the dealer they are only required to give a 6 month installation warranty . i my self give a one year installation warranty. if you break your contract they will charge your card a fee.after 8 months into the contract they will charge you 7.00 a month for the warranty plan (dhpp) . for therecievers do not get the stand alone vip 411 or a dual tuner 222. i havent had any problems with the vip 722 dual tuner hd dvr. their is a fee of 5.98 a month for the dvr. not the dual tuner hd receivers are only hald hd the second half of the receiver is only sd. ive only installed a vip 211 2 years ago and never had a problem with it. i beleive the curent promo is 25.00 off a month for 6 months for a standard receiver and 35.00 a month off an hd receiver. now this is if the first receiver is either standard or hd. now dish network reserved the right to change the conditions and the programming withotu any prior written or verbal notification to the customers. even while under contract. but i have never seen them raise the price of programming to anyone while under contract. doesnt mean their couldnt be a first time. alwayssssssssssss read the contract before you sign it and get a copy before they leave. never sign it until the are done and your happy with the installation..........the dealers have guide lines to follow. but dish network can always skirt them. since they are the one that make the rules. call around and ask question lots of questions....
