So I have been a big DirecTV fan/subscriber for about 5 years. I found a good deal on an HR10-250 on ebay ($280) and figured I would get that and not have to hassle with the supposed rebates.
I called to activate the receiver (big mistake there). And I told the CSR that since I was deactivating my old HDVR2 and activating the new HR10-250, that I did not agree to a 2 year service agreement.
She went ahead and did it, but behind my back activated the new receiver, did not deactivate the old receiver and put me down for a 2 year service agreement.
I then noticed a few days later, on my account it said I had a 2 year commitment. I called to "get out of the commitment", because basically when it comes to HD DirecTV is definitely far behind Comcast (for cost to benefit ratio). I want the option to bail if the HD sucks (which basically it does, the OTA constantly has dropouts).
The CSR "specialist" I then talked to said that he was sorry the CSR did not explain to me that anytime you call DirecTV and do anything, including having your unit serviced, or a card replaced, or activating used equipment or reactivating equipment you had previously deactivated that you would be held to a 1 year contract for nonDVR receivers and a 2 year contract for DVRs.
I then told him that I did not agree to the 2year commitment when I called in before and that they illegally "signed" me up. He stated that when I purchased the new unit and called DirecTV that I automatically signed up and that there is no opt out policy. He also stated that once signed up there is no grace period, from the point someone puts that 2 year commitment on your account you are held to it. Even though I told them NOT TO!
I then heatedly told him that was extortion and that I wanted to cancel my whole account. He then proceeded to state he could not do that unless he charged my credit card $300. He said that if I sent back my HD Tivo AND my other 2 HDVR2s (which I have had both for about 4 years, got them the day they came out) that would be the only way I would not owe $300.
At this point it just becomes surreal and I am considering contacting the BBB, laywers and posting on as many places as I can that DirecTV is running a racket. I did not realize how sleazy these guys have become and I now feel that Comcast is a relative angel by comparison.
I am also plan to cancel all this lame DirecTV crap and then contact Credit Card conflict resolution and stop payment to DirecTV if they charge me the 2 year commitment.
Sorry for the long rant, but just 3 questions:
1. I assume I am correct in stating that if I declined the 2 year commitment, that the CSR should have just not activated my new DVR until I accepted the commitment?
2. I assume that one should have a grace period when having to sign up for something that requires a commitment? That is certainly true with cellphones.
3. I assume that I don't have to hand over ALL my receivers to avoid a penalty. After all I PAID for them AND paid for 4 years worth of programming on each of those receivers.
Just a word of warning to all those folks out there who might still be DirecTV fans like I once was. Many of you might think they can do no wrong, but in my opinion that are headed downhill fast.
Disgruntled is an understatement,
--Wayne
I called to activate the receiver (big mistake there). And I told the CSR that since I was deactivating my old HDVR2 and activating the new HR10-250, that I did not agree to a 2 year service agreement.
She went ahead and did it, but behind my back activated the new receiver, did not deactivate the old receiver and put me down for a 2 year service agreement.
I then noticed a few days later, on my account it said I had a 2 year commitment. I called to "get out of the commitment", because basically when it comes to HD DirecTV is definitely far behind Comcast (for cost to benefit ratio). I want the option to bail if the HD sucks (which basically it does, the OTA constantly has dropouts).
The CSR "specialist" I then talked to said that he was sorry the CSR did not explain to me that anytime you call DirecTV and do anything, including having your unit serviced, or a card replaced, or activating used equipment or reactivating equipment you had previously deactivated that you would be held to a 1 year contract for nonDVR receivers and a 2 year contract for DVRs.
I then told him that I did not agree to the 2year commitment when I called in before and that they illegally "signed" me up. He stated that when I purchased the new unit and called DirecTV that I automatically signed up and that there is no opt out policy. He also stated that once signed up there is no grace period, from the point someone puts that 2 year commitment on your account you are held to it. Even though I told them NOT TO!
I then heatedly told him that was extortion and that I wanted to cancel my whole account. He then proceeded to state he could not do that unless he charged my credit card $300. He said that if I sent back my HD Tivo AND my other 2 HDVR2s (which I have had both for about 4 years, got them the day they came out) that would be the only way I would not owe $300.
At this point it just becomes surreal and I am considering contacting the BBB, laywers and posting on as many places as I can that DirecTV is running a racket. I did not realize how sleazy these guys have become and I now feel that Comcast is a relative angel by comparison.
I am also plan to cancel all this lame DirecTV crap and then contact Credit Card conflict resolution and stop payment to DirecTV if they charge me the 2 year commitment.
Sorry for the long rant, but just 3 questions:
1. I assume I am correct in stating that if I declined the 2 year commitment, that the CSR should have just not activated my new DVR until I accepted the commitment?
2. I assume that one should have a grace period when having to sign up for something that requires a commitment? That is certainly true with cellphones.
3. I assume that I don't have to hand over ALL my receivers to avoid a penalty. After all I PAID for them AND paid for 4 years worth of programming on each of those receivers.
Just a word of warning to all those folks out there who might still be DirecTV fans like I once was. Many of you might think they can do no wrong, but in my opinion that are headed downhill fast.
Disgruntled is an understatement,
--Wayne