I first signed up with DirecTv because of their superior customer service. Dish's frankly SUCKED! I work as a contractor (sole proprietor) and in the past two months times have been VERY tough! Last month I had a 1500 dollar check bounce and it took the long time customer two weeks to make it good. This month I found out that another old customer declared bankruptcy on December 23rd, owing me $2500.00. My wife got laid off last August and can't find a job. Her unemployment barely covers our COBRA.
Last month I made a promise to pay DirecTV on a certain date-and I did. This month I called them as soon as I found out about the bankruptcy and was told to pound sand-that they only allowed a 'promise to pay' every six months and I had burned mine up the month before. Sure enough, on Jan 3rd, my service was cut off. I guess they call it 'minimum service-you get C-Span, NASA and a few god squad channels-I didn't even bother to look as even my local channels were gone. Today I finally got in another check and paid my bills (whew!). All the other creditors (Sprint, LADWP, AT&T) were understanding and willingly worked with me. DirecTv was the ONLY company that cut me off! Now to add insult to injury, they tell me that they won't credit me for the six days my service was on 'minimum', because that is a PUNISHMENT for late payment! It's not a lot of $$ (only about 24 dollars) but their ATTITUDE isn't what I've come to expect from them over the years.
To be honest, they've completely alienated me-and their cutting me off has made me realize something else-that I can do JUST FINE without them! There are more then enough digital over the air signals to keep my family satisfied-and the HD looks BETTER over the air! SO DirecTV, as soon as my current contract is done, I'm GONE! I hope that cutting your nose off to spite your face has satisfied you!
Things are tough out there, DirecTv and you should learn to work WITH your customers instead of alienating them! This isn't the service that I've come to expect from you!