Complaint Review: DIRECTTV

I signed on to Directtv in March of 2005.A year later(March 2006)that commitment was done.In October of 2006 my husband & I went to Circut City to purchase a big screen tv and also got talked into the new HD DVR that Direct tv now had available.We left there believing we had "purchased" a HD DVR for $300.Later we find out that it was a "lease" when we had to exchange it for another due to faulty ports.That didnot fix the problem.Shows werenot being recorded like they were supposed to be.I spent hours on the phone time after time trying to get the issue resolved.I was told they were still having software problems and that the new downloads would fix it.If I was told the software was not perfected I wouldnot have bought it in the fist place.I had a Tivo that worked perfect already.After the supposed "download" took place the problem still wasnot resolved.In December of 2006 I had enough and canceled HD tv and returned the HD DVR.They would not give me a check refund so after much back & forth debate they credited my account for $300.When that credit was used up I decided to change my tv provider due to being mislead from day one of the HD DVR purchase,excuse me,lease and the poor customer service.After my new service was installed I called to cancel Direct tv and found out they had signed me on to another year without my knowledge and that I was to be charged an early cancelation fee.I made numerous phone calls where I was passed around for hours from one useless customer service person to another.I even wrote a letter explaining everything and that if they had something that I signed and didnot realize it to show it to me.I was told that it should have been understood that by activating the HD DVR it would recommit me for another year.Silly me for not assuming all the corporate loopholes to keep dissatisfied customers for as long as possible.Thier product was junk right from the start and I didnot agree to recommit for a year verbally or by signature.Therefore it is out of principle,not financial, that I refused to pay the early termination fee.They have reported me to a collection agency that hounds me daily.Thank goodness for caller id.Fortunatly I'm not real concerned with my credit.My house is paid off and I don't need any loans.Still I would like justice.

August
Colchester, Connecticut
U.S.A.