Are there no laws governing satellite companies?

[ohheckyeah]

Here's the scenario. Comcast took away the picture in picture ability and we were having connection issues with all of the DVRs and receivers. They would just shut off. We decided to drop Comcast when the final straw of them raising our bill $80 hit.

Called DirecTV and spent over an hour telling them exactly what we wanted and being assured that the equipment they were installing would do exactly that. We paid $100 for the Whole Home system and they installed it at 5:00 pm (an hour late) and left about 6:30 or so. We found out that we don't have the functions we want in all 3 rooms and the two receivers keep kicking off the internet, making the whole home system worthless.

If we cancel with them we have to do it by 11:00 p.m. tonight or we have a $480 early cancellation fee. We still lose the $124 for the whole house unit and "handling" fees unless I challenge it through my credit card.

I call DishNet....tell them what I want and get it all straightened out as to what rooms get which equipment, the package we want, etc. I asked "how soon can you install it?" The reply was "tomorrow between 8 - 12". Cool - are you sure I'm getting picture in picture? "Yes, let me double check". He comes back on the line in about 45 seconds and assures me there is PiP. I give him my credit card number and he says "We can be out there to install on MARCH 19". What? You told me tomorrow between 8 and 12. His reply? "Those spots all filled up while I was asking about the PiP."

I told him to forget it, called my credit card and told them not to allow the charge. He had the audacity to ask if I was staying with DirecTV event though I was mad at them. Well, I informed him that I was now mad at him.

So - we're stuck. We either suck it up and put up with DirecTVs crap and pay $199 plus installation for another DVR to get what we were supposed to have, or we go with DishNet and wait until the 19th - or whenever and maybe get what we want.

Does anybody oversee these people? Is there any recourse against DirecTV lying about the functions we would get?

[Cleita]

1. I would stay with DirecTV, cause DishNet isn't better.

I have DirecTV and my family has DishNet. I have a superior plan and service IMHO. Maybe you should try to talk to customer service one more time and make them stick to the original deal if you can. Sometimes talking to a different person on the other end gives you different options. Also, ask to speak to someone in the USA.

[ohheckyeah]

2. Thanks - they

were all in the USA if the accents are any indication. I spoke to two supervisors - the best they can do is say "I'm sorry".

[Cleita]

3. Well, good luck anyway.

I feel that in the future our legislators are going to need to make some regulations regarding the satellite providers. They need to be reigned in some.

[ohheckyeah]

5. sure do...

we are staying, unfortunately, with DirecTV considering Dish can't guarantee me an install date before the 19th.

I'm not happy and my husband is going into the local office and talk with them.

I may be calling my local television channel to see if they can get some action out of them.

[tridim]

4. I'm moving soon and looking at AT&T UVerse.

It's one of four options. No idea at this point which service has the best deal, or which one has the lowest price increase after the first year. It would be nice if the real price were listed with all the "fees" instead of hiding it all in the fine print.

Agreed, there should be consumer protection for these companies, just like with mortgage companies.

I had Dish before and was pretty happy with it, but they claim I owe them $50 so I guess they're out. I'm not paying it.