topic Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts in Community Chat

Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

petepetey — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:38:46 GMT

We've been a customer for over 16 years. We are now going to cut the cord and go with various streaming services at a much lower cost.

Just this past March we had to have a new box for directtv because it broke. I guess when you get one of those they stick you with an oral agreement to stay with them for 24 months. We actually asked the guy installing it if we were stuck to a contract and he said 'no'. ( I told customer service this, they didn't care)

So I have spent a few hours on the phone trying to end our contract with them and so far we will be stuck paying over $400 to end our contract with them.

As we all know equipment breaks. Each time you get one replaced you are again stuck with 24 months of service.

How do you get out of contracts with them? Help.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

brandiwine — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:44:41 GMT

Try getting in touch with your state's consumer affairs department or one of your local tv station's consumer helpers. They can sometimes intervene and can be very persuasive. Do you still have an original contract? Check to see if there is any info regarding equipment. Back in the day, they didn't have the same stipulations as they do now. Good Luck.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

SilleeMee — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:46:12 GMT

I've been a Directv customer for over fifteen years and each time they upgrade my equipment then I get new contract with them...PLUS a higher bill! I end up calling their CS and ask for a price reduction and pleasantly threaten to discontinue my service with them. They usually agree to lower my cost and sometimes they give me "new customer" rates which I've been very happy with. I'm not looking to go with any streaming subscriptions because Directv has been good for me all around.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

pegsue — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:47:29 GMT

I am going to follow this post because I too wish I could ditch Direct but due to where I live satellite is the only choice we have. Anyway I don't think you can "get out of contracts with them" - it's a contract for a reason. Yes, you can pay to end it, just like you can your cell phone carrier, a lease, etc. but maybe you can wait out the time and then just end your business with them.

BTW-if you do that and you have to return your equipment be sure to send it back ground, etc. - any way you can track it. Several years ago when we switched from Dish I sent back equipment and they charged my CC thousands of dollars as they claimed they never received it back-wrong-I was able to prove them through the tracking when it was delivered and who signed for it.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

GCR18 — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:49:44 GMT

I don't think a company can hold you to an oral contract. Did you sign anything when the service person installed the new box? Read the small print. Look around the better business bureau website and see if others had similar issues.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

SilleeMee — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:54:06 GMT

If you are concerned about equipment failure then I would suggest purchasing the warranty and service agreement. It covers replacing faulty equipment and service calls to your house and they even give you two free remote controls every year if you ask for them.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

country gal — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:17:26 GMT

I don't have an answer to your situation, but maybe this will help with the expense of DTV. A few months ago when I received the DTV bill I noticed that it was higher. When I compared it to the previous months bill I saw they had put a $5.38 charge for Regional Sports Fee. Since DH and I are not sports fans, I called to see if it could be removed. The man from DTV said no can do, so I said we're long time customers, DH retired due to ill health, Vietnam vet etc. I also stated that I would love to stay with DTV, BUT there were alot less expensive options out there..could he cut us a break? So to my surprise, he offered to take $30.00 off of our bill each month for 12 mons. I gladly accepted as we live in a rural area and DTV is our best option and except for an occasional storm outtage, we are very happy with them. Maybe this might help you or anyone else who reads this.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

SaRina — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:35:19 GMT

If you didn't sign anything or if they did not give you any paperwork where it says you are under contract, it seems to me they don't have a legal leg to stand on. Contact your State Attorney General's Office and ask for the Consumer Advocate. Before you call the AG, you can try asking for a Supervisor at DirectTV, asking them where you signed on the dotted line, and then informing them you are contacting the AG.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

ANewHue — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:38:15 GMT

@petepetey. We are also long time customers of directtv and are also fed up. Back in September our box broke and they were coming between 12-4 well they showed up at five and called me from my porch to tell me I needed to reschedule since a storm was looming. If they came when they were supposed to there wouldn't have been a problem. Believe it or not we were out of a TV for three weeks, Now 2 weeks ago the box went out again and they started off the conversation by telling my DH there was a $99 service charge. Well, needless to say we didn't pay any service charge and they did come within two days. After the installer fixed the equipment he told me it was guaranteed for 90 days and if something happens within that timeframe he gave me a direct contact email to the President. Don't know what's happening there but when you're a customer for close to 20 years and they don't seem to care it's time to move on. We know others as well that are having the same issue.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

Foolywooly11 — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:42:48 GMT

I was a DTV customer for approximately 6 years. The last 2 years were the worst. It seemed as though I was on the phone with them more often than not; erroneous charges, etc. I, too, wanted out. I fought over the remaining balance for a few months. I did not have my monthly payment taken out automatically, but they did have my debit card #. Much to my surprise, they took what they claimed was the remaining balance right out of my bank account! The bank said it was submitted to them as if I had authorized it! There was nothing I could do to stop it, but I continued to "negotiate" with them, & eventually they credited me back the difference between what they took out of my account & what I said I owed them. I have Dish now, & have no complaints so far! I wish you luck!!

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

Spurt — Wed, 03 May 2017 18:55:25 GMT

@petepetey

It looks like the State Attorney Generals Offices have gotten involved ....What State are you in. Read these Blogs: GOOD LUCK!!!

https://tvanswerman.com/2017/03/07/directv-settles-ftcs-deceptive-practices-lawsuit/

http://ctwatchdog.com/business/directv-will-provide-restitution-nationwide-for-violating-consumer-protection-laws

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that DIRECTV will provide restitution to consumers for numerous alleged violations of consumer protection laws, including deceptive advertising, contracts, pricing and promotional offers, as well as failure to clearly disclose cancellation fees.

The restitution is part of a nationwide settlement involving 49 states and the District of Columbia. Blumenthal’s office helped negotiate the settlement in cooperation with Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.

“DIRECTV was anything but direct with consumers, conning them with confusing contracts, deceptive ads and misleading promotions,” Blumenthal said. “This was classic bait and switch — hooking consumers with phony discounts and then hitting them with hidden charges. Consumers thought they were getting a deal only to get clipped. Customers who caught on and canceled were sometimes clobbered with substantial cancellation fees.

“This settlement compels DIRECTV to turn off these abusive practices and provide customers with restitution — money back for unfair charges.

https://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/legal/equipment_lease_addendum

I am so glad I do NOT have DirectTV!!!! WOW Boy it looks like Direct TV covered every angle of their contract covered and tied it neatly with a bow....I read the leasing agreement on line it says:

If you received this agreement in connection with replacing like for like receiver(s)/Genie Mini(s) because of a defect, you are still bound by the Programming Agreement and Early Cancellation Fee provisions of your original Equipment Lease Agreement as well as Part Two below, which applies to all customers.

Read this consumer blog AND the responses............

http://ctwatchdog.com/govt/directv-complaint-contract-renews-with-each-replacement-of-defective-equipment/3

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

CelticCrafter — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:00:37 GMT

I wish I could cut the cable cord and get rid of one bill!

The thing is, I don't watch news or local network programming except for Survivor and The Amazing Race, so going with just over the air wouldn't be good for me.

We do have Netflix but it's a rare occasion that I will watch a movie, I'm too antsy and can't still for that long of a period. I don't watch a lot of serials either. A lot of what I do watch isn't offered on Netflix and if it is, I've probably already seen it a thousand times.

I guess most times the television is on just for background noise!

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

Katcat1 — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:04:36 GMT

I was with the other guy and when I broke the contract (I was moving) they were so rude. They do not pick up their equipment. I don't remember everything that happened but I never paid any penalties. Just tell them you will contact the attorney general in your state about lying to you regarding a contract. Yes, people are sick of the high costs of watching tv.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

Nightowlz — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:19:38 GMT

We have had DISH for 18 yrs but we are not in a contract. They tried to put us on another one when we changed equipment to the Hopper 3. I told them No. We have been a customer long enough & not doing a 2 yr contract & they said ok. We have already had it over a year so it would not have mattered. I'm seriously considering changing our packaging to a lesser price & start using some stick my DH uses. We are now paying $120 per month & there is still not much on TV to watch.

I doubt you can get out of the contract. Change your package to the cheapest they have until the contract ends.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

software — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:29:17 GMT

@petepetey wrote:
We've been a customer for over 16 years. We are now going to cut the cord and go with various streaming services at a much lower cost.

Just this past March we had to have a new box for directtv because it broke. I guess when you get one of those they stick you with an oral agreement to stay with them for 24 months. We actually asked the guy installing it if we were stuck to a contract and he said 'no'. ( I told customer service this, they didn't care)

So I have spent a few hours on the phone trying to end our contract with them and so far we will be stuck paying over $400 to end our contract with them.

As we all know equipment breaks. Each time you get one replaced you are again stuck with 24 months of service.

How do you get out of contracts with them? Help.

See if you can reason with someone in the "customer retention" department

They will still put you on a 2-year contract but maybe they can discount your bill or give you some perks to make it worth your while.

I've been with them for 14 years and I refuse to upgrade to anything because I don't want to get stuck with the 2 year contract.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

chickenbutt — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:34:14 GMT

It's so wrong that they can say that you agreed to a contract to which you never agreed.

I'm glad more people are seeing this and doing something about it.

When I was getting ready to leave ATT (for landline and internet), they told me that I was in the middle of a contract. I am one thousand percent positive that I never agreed to any contract period. Absolutely no doubt about it.

But - they said that I was under contract and it would cost me $x to leave them. I wanted to leave even more, but I got myself set up and left a couple of months later and just paid the amount. Granted, it was nowhere near as much as DTV is nailing you for, but it was worth what little I paid (less than $100) to get outta dodge.

I hope you are able to find a way. I really like cable and there is nothing that could convince me to go with either of the satellite companies for my tv or anything. Now, I have my cable co for tv, internet, and landline. So far, so good and it's been just over a year since the switch.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

HappyDaze — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:47:31 GMT

I had an issue with Direct TV about 16 years ago and will never ever use them again. I actually had to send in a written letter from a lawyer for them and that finally resolved the issue.

But, unfortunately, almost all the companies now lock you into a contract for a certain amount of time any time you want to upgrade your box or, as in your case, it broke. Back in the day, when a box broke they simply replaced it. Now, it is a way to lock you in or make you pay more per month for the "maintenance fee" that will cover a broken box. Either way, you pay more. So you either need to bite the bullet and pay the maintenance fee or be okay with a contract or simply don't use any of these companies.

I've been wanting to upgrade my Dish to the Hopper because the one we got years ago is POC and hardly has enough room to record anything but the only way I can do that is to be stuck in a contract and I don't want to be so I deal with the one I have. Ours did break awhile ago but they gave us a new one free FOR JUST THAT ONE TIME because I threatened to just leave them completely. I can wield that power since I am currently NOT in a contract with them. I would have had absolutely no negotiating power if I were already locked into a contract. Hence the reason I will never lock myself into a contract again.

It is also important that you read the fine print before doing anything next time. The people who install the boxes, etc are NOT Directv employees- this is contracted out to other companies and therefore do not know all the rules and you should never rely on anything they say to your or promise. They actually aren't even suppose to be promising you anything and they are suppose to direct you to CS. Nothing they say is binding.

Good luck to you.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

itsmagic — Wed, 03 May 2017 19:52:31 GMT

I agree - contact your attorney general's office and file a complaint.

@chickenbutt Your reply resonated with me. I recently got rid of AT&T for landline and internet too and went with cable for everything (I used to have Dish for tv). The Dish was no problem but AT&T was another story. When I told them I was leaving the rep said I would get a refund. Instead a month later I received a bill for money past due. When I called to inquire about it the rep was practically threatening me. I just paid the amount (which wasn't much) and said to myself good riddance.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

chickenbutt — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:01:47 GMT

itsmagic wrote:
I agree - contact your attorney general's office and file a complaint.

@chickenbutt Your reply resonated with me. I recently got rid of AT&T for landline and internet too and went with cable for everything (I used to have Dish for tv). The Dish was no problem but AT&T was another story. When I told them I was leaving the rep said I would get a refund. Instead a month later I received a bill for money past due. When I called to inquire about it the rep was practically threatening me. I just paid the amount (which wasn't much) and said to myself good riddance.

Yikes! That's kinda harsh. The only part that was more frustrating to me than being told I was on a one-year contract was that when I asked to speak to somebody higher up and couldn't get there.

Now, one might say 'well, then, you should have pushed it or called back', and I get that but I'm at a point where I really have to pick my battles. I needed to get away from ATT big time not only for this reason, but the orignal reason in that the service for landline and internet had become positively horrid.

At the time, I was told (I had to lok it up - couldn't remember the deets) that I would have to pay $90 to disconnect with them. No ifs ands or buts about it.

So, I just took my time and in the next month or so I got myself set up with Charter for the rest of my svcs (already had Charter for cable tv for decades) and then when I called to disconnect ATT it was down to $60 and I said 'fine, bill me' and I paid it.

Like you said, it was worth it to move away from ATT.

Here's the interesting thing - well, first the aggravating thing - ATT started sending me all kinds of literature to go to ATT and DTV (ATT acquired them or something).

But the interestingly GOOD thing is that in the 13 months I've had my internet with Charter I have not had one single spam email. (hope I don't jinx it) YET, with ATT, I had quite a few spam emails every single day across my three email addresses. I'm not totally sure what, but that does say something.

Re: Any tips on getting away from Directtv, they keep you stuck in contracts

BornToShop — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:25:03 GMT

DH & I had Directv for 16 yrs & have excellent service. We relocated & could only get Brighthouse cable who has recently became Spectrum. What a nightmare. I would take back Directv in a heartbeat if we could. I don't think there is any one sacred/special cable company out there. What annoys me is having to deal with these so-called customer service experts who could care less. All cable companies have them.