So I called DirecTV to reorder service. I was a customer from '97 to about '03 and then again from, I think, '05 to '07. During that second time, I left with about two months on my contract, I paid the early termination fee, and thought all was well.
Last year, '09 I signed up again, but prior to install I ended up canceling due to the possibility of moving. It took DirecTV more than 5 months to credit me back for service and equipment that they charged to my CC and I never even had the install done.
In spite of their billing screw up last year, I decided to try again today. I was intrigued by MRV, new HD channels and other improvements to the service. So I call to see what offers are available and I'm told that the best they can do is give me two standard receivers. Not even HD and that I would have to buy my HD equipment. That ain't happening. I was going to get two HD DVRs and an HD receiver. I'd have been happy to pay for one of the HD DVRs, same as any new/returning customer would have too, but I'm not buying all three pieces.
When I was a customer, my account was always in good standing. I paid via auto pay, so there was never a late fee. And the CSRs, even today, said that I was a good customer and that my account was always paid on time. I spoke with three different CSRs today, the first gave me the offer that I wanted, but I was running late for a meeting and told them I would call back. The second and third both told me that the first CSR was wrong and because I did an early termination in the past that I was not eligible for returning customer discounts.
Does this sound right? I would think that a company that is in business to get more customers and revenue would be looking to sign up customers not send them off to Dish. But, hey, that's just my opinion.
Last year, '09 I signed up again, but prior to install I ended up canceling due to the possibility of moving. It took DirecTV more than 5 months to credit me back for service and equipment that they charged to my CC and I never even had the install done.
In spite of their billing screw up last year, I decided to try again today. I was intrigued by MRV, new HD channels and other improvements to the service. So I call to see what offers are available and I'm told that the best they can do is give me two standard receivers. Not even HD and that I would have to buy my HD equipment. That ain't happening. I was going to get two HD DVRs and an HD receiver. I'd have been happy to pay for one of the HD DVRs, same as any new/returning customer would have too, but I'm not buying all three pieces.
When I was a customer, my account was always in good standing. I paid via auto pay, so there was never a late fee. And the CSRs, even today, said that I was a good customer and that my account was always paid on time. I spoke with three different CSRs today, the first gave me the offer that I wanted, but I was running late for a meeting and told them I would call back. The second and third both told me that the first CSR was wrong and because I did an early termination in the past that I was not eligible for returning customer discounts.
Does this sound right? I would think that a company that is in business to get more customers and revenue would be looking to sign up customers not send them off to Dish. But, hey, that's just my opinion.
