Direct TV Satellite Service They Charge and hold you Hostage Internet

I purchased Direct-tv and the service was acceptable until I tried to add a receiver. I got moved out of my promotional package that I had been paying for some time already. I purchased the receiver from a supplier on e-bay. I thought you only needed the high definition receiver to receive the service. This was not the case you need a new dish which is huge and they wanted to put it on my new roof. I didn't want the large dish on my new roof and that was the only place they could put it. I spent 100.00 on the receiver from the ebay store.

So when I phoned to add the receiver it wouldn't work right and I was paying 10.00 on my package for it. I sent the installer away fearing damage to my roof and how awful it looked. In short, Direct TV locked me into their service for three years since I activated the high definition receiver. However, I never got to watch High Definition on any of my tv's. It is ridiculous that no one informs you that buying a receiver outside of Direct-TV is construed as a contract for three years.

I reduced the service to a minimal and one tv. As of last year I have a new cable tv provider who I'm happy with. I wanted to wait my contract out. This started in March of 2009. About a month ago my receiver from Direct-tv broke. I had a old receiver that was one of the two that I bought from ebay. I hooked that one back up. I asked if that would cause a contract extension and they said it wouldn't. In fact, they said I could cancel this March 2010. Today, I called to cancel and they said it wouldn't be until 2011 and it would be $220.00 due to the mistake of activating a High Definition box that I never got service on.

They will not let me out of the contract without paying the penalty fee. Buyers beware! I don't feel that I should have to pay a penalty fee on a service that was never provided for me in the first place. I never watched High Definition TV due to the technical and installation issues. I also, did not receive anything in writing stating that I was locked into a contract for three years. I believe this is an example of extremely unfair labor practices that hurts the consumer. They are getting more than Something for Nothing! At this point, I have paid another year of basic cable service for a tv in my basement that I don't even watch because of this so called contract.

I have asked for a copy of the "contract" in writing which I'm waiting for. I am pursuing other options at this time possibly a consumer attorney, please advise if you have possible suggestions. In conclusion, I will be sending their receiver back and paying the penalty fee. Which seems to be nothing but a rip off for services unprovided/delivered. Their policy's and practices with their cancellations and package fees needs another closer look. They are taking money out of the consumers pockets hand over fists. This needs to stop. I am going to look at all my options to make other consumers aware of these POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES. Where they get your money practically for nothing!

I bet they feel good at night knowing they got money coming in no matter what.  You activate the gold box and that's it!  It doesn't matter if you don't have that box hooked up or it's broken the bill keeps coming and coming.  It doesn't even matter if you don't watch it.  And if you cancel, well they just get all of their money anyways that they would of gotten if you stayed with the service.  So what's the incentive for them to treat their CUSTOMERS RIGHT?  NOTHING!  Stay AWAY Quit Purchasing their SERVICES!!!  You are just their CASH COW....I will NEVER DEAL with them again!