Directv After less than a week, we have tried to cancel many times, but have been told that if we do, they will bill us for 24 months for a contract and a DVR that we DIDN'T ORDER. Customer service is rude and untrained. Greenwood Village Colorado

The report I filed with the Better Business Bureau got me nowhere. Directv kept saying that they couldn't talk to me because my name wasn't on the account, but it is because I'm the one who set it up and when I call them, I have to verify my information. The credit card they are billing is mine and the cell phone they call is mine, but they say it isn't in my name, but my husband's. (I asked them to list him as a secondary)

I kept trying to talk about the issues, but the BBB didn't push it and Directv never even so much as answered my complaints. Needless to say, I feel the BBB is useless. (Incidentally, they rated Directv with a D- Grade on their website.)

As for the FCC, they said they don't handle this and told me to contact the Trade Commission.

What I suggest is that anyone who reads this and who has had a negative experience with Directv or other companies like it contact their congressmen, senators, mayor, etc and file complaints. Until legislation is inacted to FORCE them to conduct business fairly, and holds them accountable, nothing will be done.

As for me, I'm not finished. I plan to tell my story to anyone who will listen. This means that I'm going to contact all media sources, all governement entities, and of course, all internet blogs and chat rooms that apply. Please do me a favor and do the same. You can sit there and read this (and maybe empathize) but nothing will be accomplished. We have to do this in force to make change.

Who knows? Maybe someday we'll even be able to make cell phone companies stop having contracts when you buy a new phone or make changes to your plans.......now there's a thought.........

I was curious as to whether the FCC or the Better Business Bureau actually responded back to you?? I tried to contact the FCC and I was told that they did not regulate Directv. I'm in the same situation as you and I have FOUGHT for HOURS with directv about it. So how is this issue actually resolved?

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but you yourself are wrong, not me. Just read the MANY comments on this site and you will know that my case is not unique.

You stated that my service could not be sporadic at best. Do you live where I do? No, of course not. How then can you make this assumption? I live in a town of 900. We do not have any trees blocking the view, by the way.

As for them telling us about the 2 year commitment, you are essentially calling me a liar. Customer service did NOT tell us about the commitment and neither did the installer that YOU say does NOT work for Directv. They hired him and according to their OWN paperwork, he was required to tell us certain things and verify placement which he failed to do.

I don't know how familiar you are about the law, but where I come from, a contractor for a company has to be bonded and the company as well as the contractor are liable for damages. Maybe it's different where you live.

As for the screensaver popping up ONLY if you pause a program, hogwash. We have NEVER paused a program. Why you ask? Because the DVR is not even activated! Our only viewing was in real time. No forward or rewind or PAUSE. It comes on automatically.

As for the paperwork that came with it explaining the contract, they told me today that the contract was VERBAL and we would be receiving the paperwork in the MAIL. I haven't even seen it yet. What I know now is from speaking with them and from their website.

Read the comments from others who have been ripped off. We can't ALL be wrong, now can we?

First of all, I don't work for DirectTV, but I do have it with the DVR. First of all, they DO tell you about the 2 year comittment, and you get a free DVD player for that comittment. Secondly, their service is sporadic at best? PLEASE. Their service ONLY quits working when a heavy storm passes through. The satellite then re-adjusts itself and your service is restored. Any other time the service is excellent, unless you have a tree blocking the satellite view.

The screensaver pops up ONLY if you pause a program. They do that to save your expensive TV from burning in the image of the paused program.

Lastly, the installer doesn't work for DirectTV. They are independent. Their name and address is on your paperwork. Call them to fix the installation.

And yes, if you cancel they will bill you for the entire period, it's spelled out clearly in your contract. And, if you gave then a credit card to start the account, they will use that card automatically to collect the money owed to them if you cancel or are late making your payment to them.