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Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:33 am Subject: Billing dispute with Direct TV

I owe directv money. My husband called a company to sign up for dish network. Instead they qualified him for directv. He had to pay $128 for hardware. We used my debit card. Now they cancelled the install and they are keeping the money. Are they allowed to do this?

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:20 am Subject:

You have posted on a forum for credit/debt advice. You have a customer service question.

However, if you recieved the hardware and no contract was ever signed, it looks like you are out of luck, unless you can get a refund on the hardware.

Perhaps posting to a customer complaint bulletin board will likely be more useful to you.

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:00 pm Subject:

This is not legal. You need to dispute the item with the company. Write a letter to the manager and tell him about your payment done. If necessary, show proof of the debit in your bank statement. The manager should post your payment towards the account.

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:12 pm Subject:

Go to www.ftc.gov. Review info. on the fair credit billing act and the equal credit opportunity act. There may be enough in those statutes to help with a dispute.

Here is what I believe happened. When you paid with your debit card,they pulled your credit or they pulled their inhouse records and seen that you owed them money. So they said no tv for you. I am not sure of the legality of what they did since you were not a signed up customer when they kept your money. Dispute with them. If it doesn't work out,then file consumer complaints with your attorney general and the better business bureau.

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:16 pm Subject:

Forgot to mention something very important. Since you paid with a debit card and goods/services were not to your satisfacton,go to your bank and do a chargeback. This is a procedure disputing that they have no reason to have your money so you want it back in your account.

Guest · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:30 pm Subject:

I think they should have told you they were going to do that. It sure seems like what they did was less that honest, but I feel what you and your husband are doing is also less than honest. I used to collect for a phone company, and we ran into this type of situation all the time. Wife owes, husband or child tries to get new service at same location without paying old bill in their name. It really is a shameful thing to do. That being said, I'm not really sure what they did to you was "legally" right.

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:41 pm Subject:

I misunderstood the part about you owing them. Disputing the charges for the hardware would only work if the couple did not recieve the hardware, unless your bank dispute policy applies to customer service issues. Additionally, we are all unaware as to whether or not a contract was signed.

Also, you owe money, and you paid with YOUR debit card. You might have to refer to your old contract with them...

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:00 pm Subject:

I think that directv is starting to mess with their books. I have (well had an account with them until this happened) We were a directv cust for 2+ years and then we missed one months payment. About 1 week after payment was due we got a letter from a CA telling us that we owed the money. Oue Directv service was still active and just showed that had a outstanding balance along with our current month bill. We paid it all to Directv and then I closed the account/canceled service. The CA kept calling and calling about the money. I told that a$$ that we paid Directv in full. But he kept telling me that is not his problem, until they update it with him then he will keep calling. Then I got creative, He called one day and I had the time. I asked if he could hold on the line for a min. I then 3way'ed directv billing in the call also. And I made them tell the ca that we were paid in full. The CA then requested some other crap but it was taken care of. Just beware that I think they are starting to get creative with their books right now.

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:04 am Subject:

Count Vlad, are you saying that an active account was sent to a CA? I am in customer service for directv, collections being part of my job, and have never heard of such a thing. If you don't mind can you provide more information? I would be more than happy to look into this. I am very curious about it.

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:14 pm Subject:

Guest,

Yes the account was sent to a CA and it is still active. But because ao the service that we have recieved from directv (not directed at you) we have canceled it and are now going with cableinternetphone with our cable provider. All 3 of those with the calbe company saves me about $65 or more a month. So I get to drop verizon and their crappy dsl too. Hook up date is thusday.

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:36 pm Subject:

As I spoke to Count before this post,this is directed at Guest who is supposed to be with directv. I can believe it. That company is on my last nerve. Fail to send me a bill and then have the nerve to call.Where's my money? Where the hell is my statement? You guys over there should realize there are federal laws that dictate disputes with creditors. Directtv has one last chance,if they forget to send my statement ever again,out the back door your receiver shall go!!! Guess you can tell I don't like you guys much.

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:05 pm Subject:

Cajun, They hit my last nerve already. I just had a very pleasent surprise. The cable company had a guy reschedule for next week in my area and called me and asked it I wanted to get hooked up today. I said, he!! yeah. LOL So now I have a good impression of the cable company so far. To bad Directv could not think of their cust's like this.

Guest · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:28 am Subject:

cajunbulldog, I work for directv, and don't care whether you believe it or not. It is my job not my life. I have a wonderful family that is my life. I was just very interested in Count Vlads situation. Thats it. Nothing more. If you feel service is unsatisfactory, then by all means do something about it. Count Vlad did and appears to be happy with his decision. Only you can change what you do not like. Please don't get negative on me and infer I am not what I say because you are angry. Do something about it. Have a nice day.

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:59 am Subject:

For Guest,
As long as you hide and remain unregistered in this forum, your word will not be taken too seriously. So you work for direct tv,that's good. Everyone has to work somewhere. My comments were not a personal attack in any way.I am simply stating that your firm's billing department has issues it needs to address. For you to take it personal shows me there is some truth in what I say. Have yourself a good day and remember if you want happy customers then provide the service they contracted for.