Got my Direct TV yesterday...

**MVS0122** · 08-03-2008, 08:19 AM

I signed up for the bundled package, thinking I'd save some pretty good money over the next two years but I hadn't counted on a $180 installation bill!

Apparently the free installation is only in certain circumstances which they don't tell you about when you sign up (according to the two guys who came over) and they told me I needed to write a check out to them personally. So I got on the phone and called Direct TV and they said yes, if we need anything custom such as wires that go through more than one wall, or a pole in the yard then we have to pay for it. The guys said the dish we got REQUIRES a pole in the yard, that the HD dishes are too heavy to put on a house.

And they drilled a hole completely through one of my walls so we have a big patch to do. Good thing my husband is a drywaller.

I hope the rest of my experience with them goes better than my initial one did...sigh...

**LeeCee** · 08-03-2008, 09:52 AM

directv is the WORST company to deal with.I cant even begin to tell you the problems I have had with them.Be careful also because they extend your contract without even letting you know.All of their equipment is reconditioned not new and you still have to pay full price for it.Run dont walk away from this company as soon as you can!

**MVS0122** · 08-03-2008, 10:37 AM

Oh yikes - I signed a two year contract.

Well, I can't say I cared much for Mediacom either. It just seems like all the big phone, cable and internet providers (and maybe others) don't offer a lot these days in the way of customer service. Maybe because they know they don't need to, or maybe it is just the way society is going. I tried bundling with Mediacom and they wouldn't give me any deals since I was an existing customer, nor did they care much when I told them I was going to cancel, and I've had them as my carrier forever.

Please tell me there are people out there who've had positive experiences with Direct TV...!

**nancycg56** · 08-03-2008, 10:46 AM

We have Direct TV and haven't had any problems with them at all. We don't have HD though. We have the DVR which we bought outright and they reimbursed us the entire cost and we didn't have any installation costs either. I had to have them come out and fix something that turned out to be really stupid and they were great about it. I've also called CS and we have fixed a couple of things over the phone.

So far, so good

We got DTV for the MLB Extra Innings and the NFL Sunday Ticket ~ no movie channels. We don't even use the PPV.

I think every company has varying degrees of CS and if I am not getting anywhere on the phone, I hang up and call until I get someone who actually sounds like they know what they are talking about and go from there. I don't have much patience for lame CS people.

I also have a tendency to ask a gazillion questions about fees and stuff because I hate being surprised about those things.

**MVS0122** · 08-03-2008, 10:55 AM

I thought I had asked all of the questions and the guy who set me up was pretty explicit about fees; I wrote down all of the one-time costs, shipping charges (for the modem), and monthly once we are past the initial sign up phase. I didn't even think to clarify what "free professional installation" meant - darn!

I'm glad to hear you've had good luck with them though! All hope is not lost yet LOL.

**nancycg56** · 08-03-2008, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by MVS0122

I thought I had asked all of the questions and the guy who set me up was pretty explicit about fees; I wrote down all of the one-time costs, shipping charges (for the modem), and monthly once we are past the initial sign up phase. I didn't even think to clarify what "free professional installation" meant - darn!

I'm glad to hear you've had good luck with them though! All hope is not lost yet LOL.

I think I would push it with someone higher up the food chain at DTV ~ that sounds like deceptive practices to me. I wouldn't have asked about the free professional installation either.

Try it and see what happens

**shoiji** · 08-03-2008, 03:40 PM

I just got DirecTV and had some difficulty with the choice package that I ordered. Meaning amount of money I needed to pay each month and their rebate requirement. Anyway I ended up complaining to the corporate office. I got some information with the installation anyway it said if there were any problems I could contact the president@directsatusa.net. Which I did stating what went wrong and what the problems were. Anyway he was able to verify everything the last customer service person said to me was correct. Apparently the address is for the corporate office. Might be worth it to complain. May be able to get a discount on the installation.

Other than that I am satisfied with what I have. Cable around here is to expensive for the types of channels I enjoy watching. Also the poor installer guy was here on a heat wave day and stayed for about 4 hours fixing things.

Personally right now I think businesses are hurting and customer service reps are probably being pressured to say almost anything to get an account. Unfortunately it is part of business sometimes.

**frugalbabe** · 08-03-2008, 05:14 PM

I think a lot of cable, satellite, and even cell phone providers are moving closer and closer to being no different than their own little "mafias" I swear. We cancelled cable a few months ago after our company on their own decided they could take the money out of our account themselves even though we had it set up to on our automatic on-line bill pay and we were never late! And then when I called to cancel I noticed that they still charged me the next month so when I called them they said I had never requested to stop BEING BILLED! Are you serious?!? I cancelled the service and I am no longer receiving it!! I have to specify that I don't want to be charged for it anymore? Yikes I will never have cable or satellite again because I hate these little games.

**Missourimom** · 08-03-2008, 09:38 PM

Ouch....that's a lot of money. I'm sorry they weren't on the up and up with you at the beginning.

**pecunierrant** · 08-03-2008, 09:43 PM

We've had Dtv for about 3 years now and have had two problems that needed complaining about.

1) Installing HD. the guys wanted to charge us via our bill when it was suppose to be free. I called Dtv in a heck of a panic and upset and they spoke to the installers right then and ironed it all out. No charge for it.

2)Free HD promo but we kept being charged via regular billing. DH Called and called but only half the time did they have a record of the problem. Finally he EMAILED them via the contact us and had a record of it. They called us and credited us more than the original amount.

Overall, we've been satisfied with DTV. I would call and email about the installation charge. Let them know you're upset (in a polite way, of course) and that you would not have signed up had you known.

I believe you have some time to cancel before you're locked in also, not sure but I think we did. You could mention this also.

Good luck and go get em.

**MVS0122** · 08-04-2008, 06:49 AM

I think I will contact them today. I re-read the confirmation I received and the fine print, and the only thing on there says under Additional Fees: Installation = $0. That plus the fact that they never mentioned the particular dish I'm getting cannot go on a house so there would be an automatic $75 charge. The cost to wire to the basement I'm fine with, that is reasonable although again it would have been nice to know going into it.

I'll let you know if I get anywhere!

**nancycg56** · 08-04-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by MVS0122

I think I will contact them today. I re-read the confirmation I received and the fine print, and the only thing on there says under Additional Fees: Installation = $0. That plus the fact that they never mentioned the particular dish I'm getting cannot go on a house so there would be an automatic $75 charge. The cost to wire to the basement I'm fine with, that is reasonable although again it would have been nice to know going into it.

I'll let you know if I get anywhere!

Go get 'em!

If you don't like what the first one says ~ keep going up the chain

**Darlene** · 08-04-2008, 10:16 AM

Glad you are pursuing it! Good luck!

**Mom23boys** · 08-04-2008, 12:24 PM

We have had DTV for over 8 years and have never had a problem with them. If we have, it must have been minor. I do call often to check on discounts and beginning this month I am getting $10 off my bill for a year on any package. If you have been a customer for a while, check in with them to see what they can offer to keep your service. That is what I do. :-)