DirecTV DirecTV attempts to bully me into continuing service with fraudulent statements Lake Forest California

I could hardly wait for 2 years to run out so I could cancel my DirecTV service. Regardless of my calls to them, they were not interested in giving me a decent signal. We don't even have trees or overhead power lines. Just wide open sky.

The day came. I called and cancelled. They told me they loved me and didn't want to see me go. I told them its too late, I want out. They told me I would have to speak with another person. They transferred me. After waiting on hold more than 45 minutes between two different folks, I spoke with the guy that could turn me off. 

He told me DirecTV doesn't want to see me go. He asked why I was leaving. I told him I didn't want to say. He told me he needed to put a reason down. I told him I didn't want to comment. I told him "no comment". He asked if I was switiching to another service. I told him most likely yes. He wanted to know which one. I told him I didn't know. This went on for some time. Finally I told him to turn off my service and I was now going to record the call. (I didn't have a way to record the call).

He asked me lots of information about me, and verified who I was. Then he told me if I cancelled I would have to pay a $480 early termination fee. I told him I had fulfilled my 2 year promise. He told me that actually I only fulfilled 23 months. I asked him how does that become a $480 fee. He got a little testy and said, "I said up to a $480 fee". I asked him to calculate the fee. He told me it was $20. I laughed. I said, "You are pretty tricky there, trying to get me scared into keeping the service."

He told me the best thing to do would be call back in a month. I told him that is not going to happen. I pointed out that by cancelling now, I save $80 on the last bill I would have incurred for another month, so the $20 is fine. He told me I would not save that $80. I asked him why. He told me it was already 2 days into the billing cycle. I pointed out that I would save the bulk of the $80 month. He told me he could not confirm that, only the computer can decide that.

I was really getting frustrated. The rep was clearly lying to me. He was attempting to confuse me. He kept offering a way out. He kept trying things like, "I can show you how you can keep your account and never have to pay an early disconnect to anyone. I laughed because of course I woud not have to pay early termination fees. I was at 2 years. This guy was really pushing me hard.

Then he told me that if I quit before the final month is done, my credit rating could suffer. I asked him why that is. He pretended like it was because I broke a contract. I pointed out that the contract gives me the right to quit anytime, and pay $20 early termination for each month left on the contract. I told him I thought that was an intimidation trick. He told me he only meant that if I don't return the equipment I would have to pay for it, and if I didn't my credit would suffer.

This went on and on. Instead of treating me nicely, he just wanted to mess with me. It was really pathetic.

Finally I was able to quit. It actually happened. I left DirecTV. I don't envy anyone that tries to cancel their account. 

DirecTV is one of those companies like AT&T, they actually hate their customers for having choices. They believe their role in this world is to provide ugly attitude and pretend to be stupid after getting caught in fraudulent statements. I wish them well. They need help. A new CEO would be a good start.