Direct TV Refund

To Whom it May concern,

I dropped Direct TV service in August 2005 due to a lack of HD programming on Direct TV and their additional $12 a month fee for a handful of channels. Comcast offers a wide range HD programming included in their programming without additonal charges. In August 2005 I was due a refund from Direct TV to the amount of $54.82 which was to be received in 4- 6 weeks.

Fast foward to February 2006 and I still have not received the refund and have spend countless hours on the phone and emailing Direct TV's customer service agents and supervisors. I was told I would have it in 4-6 weeks at least 3 times, 7-10 days another 10 times and have not received anything but monthly statements showing the credit due to me. I have kept detailed records of all the agents and supervisors I spoke with and took the liberty of recording many of these conversations, in their full knowledge, as they record me for "quality assurance purposes". This bolied over recently when a supervisor named Mellissa stated she would have this expedited to 7 days and call me back on February 14, 2006 to tell me the status of my refund. She gave me her word and ofcourse no call and no refund. I attempted to call her again on the 15th and they transfered me to a dead line that dropped the call. I called back and they said it would be an hour to get a supervisor. I tried emailing Direct TV one last time and got a response from another supervisor named Jeffrey who said it would take 7-10 days. This is not the way treat a very long standing customer and it has to raise questions about Direct TV's integrity and honesty. I'm forwarding this complaint all my local regulatory commissions and consumer advocacy groups. Additionally the local newspapers consumer advocates have copies as the local TV advocates as well. If I cannot get a simple refund then i will make sure that Direct TV is exposed for it's practices and hopefully spare someone else from the same aggravation I have been put through by Direct TV.

James M Riley

Allison Park, PA

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In Florida-

I have another type of complaint about Direct TV's unscrupulous business practices. I had been a long time customer who requested that their service be moved to my new home in another city. They insisted that I needed a new type of box which they sent. After 1 1/2 months of trying to get reliable reception I finally said forget it. They now are billing me for early disconnect! I have offered to send their boxes - they refuse. I have asked a local Direct TV installer to please take their equipment - he refused. I contacted the BBB but Direct TV refused to acknowledge the problem. They now have turned me into a collection agency because I refuse to pay an early disconnect fee for a service they couldn't provide in my new home. At a loss of what to do next.

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I'm in the same position. Did you get your refund? How? Please help.

F