DirecTv aka used sleazy, false sales and billing practices against me. Direct Tv El Segundo California

I'm posting this in addition to my new complaint that I've filed with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).

I believe I first called Directtv on January 1, 2011 to see if they had any “special deals.” Spoke to Mauricio (Banderas -?) as well as an agent named Juan – both insisted that they could offer me $29.99 for 24 months. I agreed to it, however, after the installation man (Gustavo-?) installed the system (on 1/8/2011), he asked me to sign a contract stating that only the first year was $29.99, after that, it was a mystery just how much higher my bill would be.

Given that I badly needed tv reception for personal and business reasons as well as the fact that the man spent well over an hour installing the unit and stapling/drilling my apartment, I wrote on the contract I signed, “Per salesperson, I’m paying $29.99 for 24 months” and I signed where I wrote that. Unfortunately, Directtv ignored what I agreed to in writing and they doubled my fees after one year. I filed a “Fraud Complaint” with “Tony” (Operator Code or confirmation #100101757) on 1/14/2011. If I could, I would have taken them to court a long time ago.

My second complaint is that, I moved out of that apartment in early 2012 and had to suspend my account several times since I was temporarily renting from friends and did not have my own apartment. I finally moved into my own apartment in early 2013, however, I was the Property Manager and my boss (the landlord) said that the building was built in the 1920’s and the roof was so old, it was risky to have any drilling of satellites done there. I explained this to Directtv and, they said they agreed and understood (I have names and dates) and they continued suspending my service every six months (although there were several times they tried billing me even after I my suspensions were granted).

However, when my latest suspension was to end (on 8/6/13), I was unable to call on that day because a relative had just had major emergency surgery and I was flying many miles to be with her the next day. While I was supposed to be spending time with my family, I instead took the time to renew my suspension on 8/11/13 and spoke with Directtv Employee Leslie (#100212576) who informed me that I’d “run out” of suspensions and needed to cancel or start the service back up again. I asked that since I was living in a place that didn’t allow satellites if I could get a discount on the cancellation fee. She said someone would call me back about it. I got a voicemail a few days later saying they were not going to reduce my cancellation fee.

I was busy making arrangements for my relative, so I could not call them back until (I believe) 8/26 and spoke with several Directtv employees for over an hour (Mary #88848, Kelvemetrece #Trg53566, and Justin #Trg99938 and Sandra or Cassandra). I believe it was Justin who kept insisting that Directtv wanted to charge me for 8/8/13-8/23/13 for TV service. I kept arguing that there are NO satellites here (I have not used Directtv since Winter 2012) – they could come out and verify this. Then they accused me of perhaps using their website to enjoy their member content there - ? I was unaware that even existed (!).

I let them know I had not logged into their site in months, then they said they cannot know for sure when I logged into their site last - ? ALL sites show statistics-! Then they were insisting there’s an FCC law that would make my boss/landlord be “forced” to put a satellite on his roof (!). As if I’m going to go argue with my boss & risk my job and home for them - ?! Furthermore, I was informed that they were going to have Fed Ex bring me an envelope for me to return the Receiver, Remote Control, etc. within 7 business days. Unfortunately, 7 business days have passed and I have only received a bill – today – on the 7^th business day which includes charging me for service I did NOT receive.