I was going to switch from Dish network to DirectTV...
According to there special I would save $50 a month for the first year over what I am paying now and also got a $10 a month discount for a friend discount. I was quite excited about saving a total of $60

So I explained EXACTLY what I wanted. 2 DVR's and 2 standard TV boxes. Also that I had DVR's with Dishnetwork. I scheduled my appointment and they really PUSHED that I sign up for my rebate BEFORE my scheduled appt. That way my credit would be on my first bill..... Needless to say I did not sign up for the rebate.... Got a letter in the mail explaing when my appt would be and to sign up for my rebate BEFORE install...

Well install guy shows up and says that he will have to run 2 add'l cable lines... WHAT? $50 for the first one in the master bedroom dropped thru the wall. and the 2nd would run a BLACK cable down my 2 story house. DRILL 1 hole thru the screened in porch and a 2nd HOLE to come in thru the exterior wall. Hmmm.. I dont thinkso. I asked the guy why they did not explain that 2 wires were needed for the DVR.. he just smiled and said "that they never do". He told me that this happens everyday to him. His fix to this was upgrading to the HD DVR and that system runs on 1 wire...hmmm OK we have wanted HD anyhow. Well now my special does not cover this, that and the other thing At 257$ I said No THANKS and did not want there service. SO Guess what would have happened had I signed up for the REBATE??? I would have to pay $200 in cancellation fees!!!!!! For a service I never received!

Why do companies do this????

To separate us from our money. They no longer care about retaining customers as in many cases, like cell phone, cable, satellite, etc you sign a two year contract. So as long as they stick to the contract (fine print included) you are stuck with them. There is very little developing a relationship with the customer. A good example: when someone comes to fix something and you either need the same thing fixed again or some other component fixed they NEVER send the same tech. It would be good for the company to do so as I, for one, would rather have the same person as he/she knows the problem(s) I've had and most likely we've developed some sort of rapport. When I inquired about this from the local subcontractor who deals with DirectTV in my area he said DTV forbid them from sending the same tech out each time. He said they didn't want mad customers taking it out on the techs which is a big fat load of rotten baloney.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I just got an email from Direct TV....they are going up again on their prices. My contract expires in June, and unless they offer me a good deal to renew, I will be looking elsewhere!

Mine is only going up $3 which I think is pretty reasonable

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Call them. I call them every time they try to raise my price and sometimes when they don't. I tell them if they won't give me a better price, I'm going to start shopping for another service. I usually get a discount for 6 mos. - 1 yr.

I believe I'm getting $10/mo. off my bill now. (it's either $5 or $10)

My internet bill with Time warner has gone up $20.00/mo because my contract expired. They will only give me a better place if I have a bundle. I do not pay for cable, just basic channels and high-speed internet and my bill is going to be about $68.00/mo. So ridiculous. They told me to call back on the 19th of every month and they might have another special.

__________________
-Kristi

I do plan on calling them when it is closer to my contract date (June). I didn't think they would do anything at this point, because they know I can't cancel without a huge penalty. But...in June, I will not only threaten to cancel, I will if they do not give me a price break! I am paying almost $80 for cable (with no movie channels), and right now, the reciever in my daughters room only works occasionally. If I don't get an offer from their retention team, I will grab one of the deals offered by Dish or go with our local Cable company! It just is a hassle to change, but if thats my only option, I will do it!

Yeah, that's the only reason I stay with DirecTV even though I have never been totally satisfied with their service.

I would hate to have to start over and lose my gazillion season's passes

Yes so much so and it happened to me and my dd Caitlin this past June when we decided we would sign up to be a member of Lucille Roberts and ladies never mind the small print how about conditions that are not even listed oh but when you ask the customer service their reply is you should have asked or were told, excuse me I am the customer I should be told all and everything so many lessons were learned there and be so careful especially for senior citizens its a total shame excellent thread. Peace. Catherine