Just so I understand correctly, you are asking the direct tv offer inconsistent customer service?... don't you think as a long time loyal customer you should apprecate gifts, not expect them? Isn't that tied hand in hand with loyalty? You sound like you want hand outs... why not just be happy with a product if its offered at a decent price? And don't get me started on price increases. They are mandatory for all companies. If you feel its too much and you are not getting your monies worth, its simple... just leave. This will change the value of television.

Why is it that companies believe they can treat their loyal customers the same as their new customers. If someone has been with a company for a period of time and in a contract to me the price should not change, I understand they have package deals for the first year but your base price should stay the same. Directv feels that it is a good idea to raise a contracted price after the first year deal almost a $10 increase to "everyone".

They do this because they can. They rope you into a one sided contract that gives you zero leverage. They know they have lawyers on their side and you don't.

They also know that people are willing to be screwed over to watch Comedy Central and Cartoon Network. People have become fat and lazy. God only knows how many DirecTV subscribers out there willing to pay far out the ass to watch the idiot box. It doesn't matter the cost.

Because of urban sprawl. no other carriers can even provide service. I live in a small town that spans a two hour drive from where I live to the other side of the city. The city only has a population of 316, 000 people. Just about everyone lives outside the area the cable TV providers are willing to service. The phone companies only makes high speed internet service available to a very small segment of the population that live in the outskirts of the city proper. A lot of residents are stuck with a choice of either DirecTV or Dish Network in the end.

The answer to this problem is to stop paying for it. A boycott of pay TV providers who insist that contracts should benefit the company and screw the consumer is the only way. Why would a company like DirectTV change their operating model when they have people lined up to be treated like dogs?

I had DirecTv at my last rental property. I had the service from June 2007 till I put the account on hold for 6 months, in October of 2009, with a $68 credit on my account. Even tho I spent big $$$$ on the 3 boxes I had at the house, one a DVR, I was told I had to send them all back or get charged for them upon cancelation. (thought I was already charged for them?) So March I called to cancel the account (making constant reminders so I wouldnt forget, cause they didnt call)

So I was on Vacation at the time and didnt get home for a couple of weeks. Called and asked if that was ok to wait to send the boxes and it was, according to the lady I talked to. They sent me return boxes, and when I got home, there was only a return box for one box. So I called. They said now I only owed one box, the DVR. (yay, small victory) So I sent the box when I got home.

In the meantime they charged me for a month of service at a house that I dont live at anymore. They also charged me $175 for the box I "never" returned. With FedEx tracking number in tow, I called, they finially reversed the fee for the extra month, and said that eventually the charge for the box would get removed. HA.

So then, I think because I had that pesky little credit on my account, they charged me $60 for an early cancelation fee. But I have had my account for 2+years you say?, even over and above the 6 month suspension? But that loyalty does not count. Cause in June 2008 I purchased another box and paid for another room and I canceled the account in October 2009, 2 months shy of the December contract which aparently got renewed with the new box. Now they NEVER told me I had a new contract, cause I had planned my move out date accordinly not to have these charges, with any of my uitilities. So after 3 years with DirecTv, they still wouldnt help me out.

"Well it is now our policy to inform our customers of that." said the lady.
"Well what about people who you did not tell?" Says I
"Well we should have told you." says the lady.
"Huh? So you should have?" says I.
"Yes Mamn." Says she.
"but you didnt?" Says me.
"No Mamn."
"So I still have to pay the fee.
"Yes mamn."

"Best in Customer Satisfaction" my rear end! So you pay if you do and you pay if you dont. Please look elsewhere for TV service. I know that DTV has all the good chanels, but you pay dearly. THey have sooooooo many fees, it is rediculous. Better yet, buy some books! Or some movies! Or a good internet connection so you dont need those greedy bastards at all!

if you ever have equipment you needed returned, and you see a DirecTV van, flag the driver down and give the boxes to them and they will return it to the warehouse where the devices will get deactivated off of your account, otherwise be responsible for your own sake and keep calling, never refrain from requesting a supervisor if you aren't being properly addressed! Also, if you are entirely fed up with DirecTV, just switch to something else, that is your right as a consumer and no one will stop you! On a very important note, DirecTV isn't responsible for the programming that these channels have on them, that is controlled by the networks producing those programmings, if you want to see a change, talk to them and make it happen. "unchienne" made the perfect statement about everything in their post above, so give it a read! I work for the company as an installation technician and I will say flat out that we have the absolute best customers, , and I am proud of that. We've taken great strides forward over the last year under new leadership to help propel our customer service into the future, positively, and much is being done to further that ambition. Just remember, if you have been with the company for years, or just got it installed and are not happy, there are so many creative channels available for you to be heard. This is a place for that, however it seems it's been more of a ventilation zone for most! I reside in the Seattle market! Hope only for the best for everyone here. Stay dry!