Problems With Direct TV - The Firearms Forum

piglatinhater · 09-26-2012, 07:25 AM

So in the beginning of the year my wife and I's contract with Charter cable company expired. This gave us a great opportunity to search for other providers for internet and cable tv. We called around and found a pretty good bundle with DirectTv (obviously for television) and AT&T for internet. We signed a 2 year agreement that DirectTV would provide us cable TV and AT&T would give us awesomely fast internet, all for a great bundled price.
The first month everything went fine, our bill came bundled and both services were outstanding. The second month came and we received two different bills for two different amounts. No big deal, we called Direct TV and informed them of the error and the customer service associate assured us they had taken care of it and the following month we would receive a bundled bill. Like clockwork, the following month we would receive two bills from each company and we would have to call DirectTV. Each time the customer assistant person assured us that the problem was taken care of and the next month we would receive our bundle. Each time the customer experience was different, some days we had a great customer service assistant and things went smoothly. Other times we had to call back 3 or 4 different times because they would hang up on us. Fast forward until July, we were still have problems with DirectTV bundle agreement when my company transferred me overseas. We called DirectTV and informed them we were going to cut off our service with them.

They informed us that we were subject to cancellation fees because we signed a contract with them. I asked them why should we be upheld to a legal obligation when THEY were the one who did not fulfill their agreements?

Case is still pending. I believe that DirectTV will do the right thing and drop all cancellation fees. This thread is being forwarded to them.

Spark Notes: Wife and I signed a bundle with Direct TV, who didn't fulfill their side of the deal, we went to cancel and are subject to cancellation fees.

Has anyone else had a problem with DirectTV?

Helix_FR · 09-26-2012, 07:52 AM

We've had directv for years and never had a problem with them. No I do have to admit when we first signed on, they wanted us to bundle and ATT was supposed to be the ones handling the bundling. When we called ATT they admitted they had a bundling program in place but we had to call Directv to get the satellite system in place. Directv wanted then a confirmation from ATT that we had a bundle contract. Long story short, we go so much run around between the two and neither knew who was responsible for what, we just got them separate.

whirley · 09-26-2012, 08:00 AM

You are naieve if you believe they will drop the cancellation fees. There is no clause in any of their contracts allow anyone to penalize them for non-performance. The worst they can do is put a marker against your credit report for seven years, and that's is nothing. Just don't pay their bill. Never sign any contract with these people unless there is a clause allowing cancellation without penalty usually after 30 days notice. They don't like it, but you're the buyer!

ampaterry · 09-26-2012, 08:15 AM

No problems with Direct TV, but we have had problems with ATT and cancelation fees. By signing a two year contract, we got a lower monthly rate for the church phone. Due to lower income at the church, we decided to cancel the phone service and drop the dial-a-devotion we had there. ATT forced the church to pay cancelation fees that ammounted to the amount they had reduced the phone bill from the beginning of the contract to the time we cancelled it, or pay the reduced bill for the remainder of the contract. It was around $250, which was a real burden -
The church didn't have it, but Judy and I paid the bill so the church would not have a black mark on it's record.

In July, I got a reduced home ATT bill by bundling with our Direct TV here.
In august, we got the lower bill.
In September, the bill had gone back up, and when I called them they said the bundle did not "go through", and they would process the change again -
I sincerely hope I do not have the continuing trouble you did!!

carver · 09-26-2012, 08:20 AM

Singed up years ago with Direct TV. About three months into the contract, we lost signal. I contacted Direct TV, and they informed me that they were in another state, and could not help me. They said to call the installers. The installers told me that they don't do repair work, they just install! So we stopped payment. We then got a hit on our credit card, which is required by the contract, for a $500 fee, breach of contract on our part. We talked to everybody, the card company, and Direct TV, the BBB, and anyone that we thought might help. After about a year of dealing with these thieves, we came to an agreement. I pulled the module on the dish, and mailed it back to Direct TV. They in turn removed the $500 charge to our credit card. As soon as my contract runs out with Verizon, I will drop them, and go with one of the other companies that don't have contracts. So far Verizon has resolved all problems, but when you have a contract, then the company you have that contarct with always has the upper hand.

ozo · 09-26-2012, 08:23 AM

No DirectTV problems but didn't bundle because of some confusion[?].
I will say they have been good to allow us to change our package
several times.

ozo · 09-26-2012, 08:26 AM

Verizon....yeah, there's another one.......
when my contracts are up, so are they !

nmckenzie · 09-26-2012, 12:20 PM

I know this is going to sound kinda extreme to some folks, but after going through all sorts of hoops with cable, satellite, and some sort of deal with the phone company, and getting garbage service from all of them, we got rid of the TV. While we could afford the package deals, they were expensive and the service just plain awful. So, we figured if we're going to get consistently horrible service, let's just get the basic package. Well, that gave us programs like the Best of Bulgarian Cooking - in Bulgarian, the care and feeding of tarantulas, breaking news from Crapistan, etc. Of course I'm kidding about the titles, but I think you get the picture. For movies and the like we signed up with Netflix. Live streaming news we get from Fox through the computer or on the radio (remember those things?). Called the satellite company and told them to come pick up their dishes. They didn't want them, so we're using one as a birdbath, and I think the lady of the house intends turning the other into a planter of some sort.

mogunner · 09-26-2012, 02:21 PM

I built an antenna out of coat hangers from Walmart, a 2x4 and a cable adapter, the wife gets four or five stations on that, then I got netflix, she watches it on the tv through the Wii or on my computer. I don't miss the $60 a month cable bill for 90% channels I never watched a bit. We have the $19.99 a month internet through Charter, when the year promo is up we may change yet again.

nmckenzie · 09-26-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogunner

then I got netflix, she watches it on the tv through the Wii

The Netflix / Wii setup is great, and NO commercials. Before giving up on the cable and satellite and such and going to Netflix, we timed the commercials. They averaged about 17 minutes out of every 60, and we were paying for it!

cpttango30 · 09-26-2012, 08:59 PM

We did the Dtv bundle with verizon. It was hell for 4 or 5 months. I just got rid of DSL and directv and went to comcast for high speed internet phone and cable. The Cable is just an afterthought. I have built a kick butt Home Theater PC.

AMD 3.0Ghz processor
On board HD.
16gb Memory
24TB of HDD space
ASUS Mobo
ASUS BLU-RAY drive
Adding a Ceton 4 tuner Cable capture card soon.

I also have an Xbox 360 that I use as a media extender from my HTPC. In the bedroom I also have a Roku Streaming box as well.

The Roku is a great little device. As is the Boxee Box. http://www.boxee.tv/

Really all you need is a decent computer with plenty of storage space and win vista or 7.

You can make a linux media box but it is a lot more work.

dad2thebone · 09-26-2012, 10:05 PM

Dont hold your breath waiting for direct to drop the fees. It's been 2 years and they are still bugging me. All over billing problems. never again.

norahc · 09-26-2012, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whirley

You are naieve if you believe they will drop the cancellation fees. There is no clause in any of their contracts allow anyone to penalize them for non-performance. The worst they can do is put a marker against your credit report for seven years, and that's is nothing. Just don't pay their bill. Never sign any contract with these people unless there is a clause allowing cancellation without penalty usually after 30 days notice. They don't like it, but you're the buyer!

Given that your credit score can affect a lot of things like employment, interest rates you pay, etc..., I'm curious as to how you think this is "nothing". And DirecTV can, and will, send people to collections for their cancellation fees.

To the OP, the contract you signed basically stated that DirecTV can change the terms and conditions any time they like. If you don't accept the new terms, then you can cancel but it clearly states that you would be subject to early termination fees.

While I'd like to think that DirecTV would do the right thing, I wouldn't hold my breath if I was you. If you check the forums over at satelliteguys.us, you will see hundreds of threads where people have thought that DirecTV should let them out of their contract. Very few actually were.

WHSmithIV · 09-27-2012, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mogunner

I built an antenna out of coat hangers from Walmart, a 2x4 and a cable adapter, the wife gets four or five stations on that, then I got netflix, she watches it on the tv through the Wii or on my computer. I don't miss the $60 a month cable bill for 90% channels I never watched a bit. We have the $19.99 a month internet through Charter, when the year promo is up we may change yet again.

Out where we live - a few channels over the air - nothing more. Will not pay Direct TV or any other pay television company for that matter. I have the net and I'm a computer engineer. 99 channels? What the hell would I use them for? I don't have that much free time to watch TV.

My advice: Cancel immediately. You will probably get stuck with one more month of payments. Make sure that when you cancel that you do it both over the phone AND in writing with a letter requiring a return receipt. I am the computer repair company in this sparsely populated area in Idaho. Some of my customers have cancelled then, get a new bill and get told "Oh, we never received your cancellation". The same thing happens with Wild Blue.

piglatinhater · 09-27-2012, 02:43 PM

Its interesting to see the ratio of good to bad comments. Pathetic since they "pride" themselves in customer service, maybe its pride in hooking the customer than relentlessly gauging them

Nighthawk · 09-27-2012, 05:49 PM

Never used Direct TV, I use Dish Network for about 6 years now and never
had problem.

langenc · 09-28-2012, 03:47 PM

My problem w/ Direct TV and probably the other guy also is PRICE.

65 bucks for locals and about less than 10 channels that sre worth anything.

As long as prople keep buying the crap the longer we will have it.

I turned off the tv when I went on a 4 week vacation. Been home 2+ weeks and still aint on yet.

Actually I have to call em and say "just forget it" and then they will call and ask what do they have to do to get us back.

Zhurh · 09-30-2012, 12:16 PM

We had dish about a dozen years back. When dir tv came out with HD, we switched over. I've had dir tv so long, they gave me free NFL package last season, in appreciation so they said; left me scratching my head?

We have everything plus center ice and NFL deal, a little over $200/month. I know that's 2500/year. what a waste. Wife is teacher, deals with unreal junk & parents that have no parenting skills & troubled kids & on and on all day long. All she wants to do is sit and watch her cop shows when she gets home and thats fine with me. I once mentioned about cutting back and she said no way, so end of story.

I haven't had any tech probs since I cemented a 6 inch pipe in the ground, wish I could buy Canadian Jr hockey games like my Canuck upriver buddies do. AS long as I have HD, sports, outdoor channels, local pbs shows, fox, gun shows, since I ain't allowed to watch porno, I won't even go there, nat geo, discovery, ect; I'm satisfied with dir tv.

Here's a good dir tv story: I once called and got this afri guy from Alabama. He started arguing with me about changing something or another. Of course, I couldn't let up and kept at him. He hated hunting, so I told him about my one hunting buddy who after Vietnam worked in Rhodesia for South African Govt in late 70's. Told him about dragging commie afri's outta their shacks, burnin bodies in pits. He lost it, ha ha, left him bewildered I do believe.

All in all, dir tv ain't so bad. I feel better about paying that bill, but won't get high speed dish for internet that will cost $150/month & 1500 to install. I wish I could buy more and better programming though.

FordMan59 · 10-01-2012, 02:48 PM

I used Direct TV in the past with no problems, but once decided to go with Dish Network since their packages were cheaper. This was a mistake about a year into my contract we lost service. I called and set up appointments 4 different times, each appointment had a 4 hour window for them to show up and they didn't show up for any of the appointments. I told them I was tired of staying home waiting for them to show up and never showing up, to discontinue my service. They said I'd have to pay off the remainder of the contract. When they billed my credit card I disputed the charges and contacted one of the local news stations and they contacted Dish Network on my behalf. I never heard anymore from Dish Network about having to pay off the contract. Seems Dish Network didn't want the negative publicity and decided to forget the contract. You might check to see if one of your local news stations can help you out with Direct TV.

langenc · 10-18-2012, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by langenc

My problem w/ Direct TV and probably the other guy also is PRICE.

65 bucks for locals and about less than 10 channels that sre worth anything.

As long as prople keep buying the crap the longer we will have it.

I turned off the tv when I went on a 4 week vacation. Been home 2+ weeks and still aint on yet.

Actually I have to call em and say "just forget it" and then they will call and ask what do they have to do to get us back.

I cancelled and to em no more.

Few days 'the office of the pres' was calling. Put em off and finally negotiated $29/month rebate for 1 year. No contract just asked that I stay 2 months.

They threw in 3 mo of the movie channels and the NFL package at no charge till next year or the 4th mo for the movies.

09-26-2012, 07:25 AM	#1
piglatinhater Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 42	Problems With Direct TV So in the beginning of the year my wife and I's contract with Charter cable company expired. This gave us a great opportunity to search for other providers for internet and cable tv. We called around and found a pretty good bundle with DirectTv (obviously for television) and AT&T for internet. We signed a 2 year agreement that DirectTV would provide us cable TV and AT&T would give us awesomely fast internet, all for a great bundled price. The first month everything went fine, our bill came bundled and both services were outstanding. The second month came and we received two different bills for two different amounts. No big deal, we called Direct TV and informed them of the error and the customer service associate assured us they had taken care of it and the following month we would receive a bundled bill. Like clockwork, the following month we would receive two bills from each company and we would have to call DirectTV. Each time the customer assistant person assured us that the problem was taken care of and the next month we would receive our bundle. Each time the customer experience was different, some days we had a great customer service assistant and things went smoothly. Other times we had to call back 3 or 4 different times because they would hang up on us. Fast forward until July, we were still have problems with DirectTV bundle agreement when my company transferred me overseas. We called DirectTV and informed them we were going to cut off our service with them. They informed us that we were subject to cancellation fees because we signed a contract with them. I asked them why should we be upheld to a legal obligation when THEY were the one who did not fulfill their agreements? Case is still pending. I believe that DirectTV will do the right thing and drop all cancellation fees. This thread is being forwarded to them. Spark Notes: Wife and I signed a bundle with Direct TV, who didn't fulfill their side of the deal, we went to cancel and are subject to cancellation fees. Has anyone else had a problem with DirectTV? -->

09-26-2012, 07:52 AM	#2
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Problems With Direct TV We've had directv for years and never had a problem with them. No I do have to admit when we first signed on, they wanted us to bundle and ATT was supposed to be the ones handling the bundling. When we called ATT they admitted they had a bundling program in place but we had to call Directv to get the satellite system in place. Directv wanted then a confirmation from ATT that we had a bundle contract. Long story short, we go so much run around between the two and neither knew who was responsible for what, we just got them separate. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

09-26-2012, 08:00 AM	#3
whirley V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Contributor Posts: 457	Re: Problems With Direct TV You are naieve if you believe they will drop the cancellation fees. There is no clause in any of their contracts allow anyone to penalize them for non-performance. The worst they can do is put a marker against your credit report for seven years, and that's is nothing. Just don't pay their bill. Never sign any contract with these people unless there is a clause allowing cancellation without penalty usually after 30 days notice. They don't like it, but you're the buyer!

09-26-2012, 08:15 AM	#4
ampaterry TFF Admin Staff Chaplain Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Tennessee Contributor Posts: 6,269	Re: Problems With Direct TV No problems with Direct TV, but we have had problems with ATT and cancelation fees. By signing a two year contract, we got a lower monthly rate for the church phone. Due to lower income at the church, we decided to cancel the phone service and drop the dial-a-devotion we had there. ATT forced the church to pay cancelation fees that ammounted to the amount they had reduced the phone bill from the beginning of the contract to the time we cancelled it, or pay the reduced bill for the remainder of the contract. It was around $250, which was a real burden - The church didn't have it, but Judy and I paid the bill so the church would not have a black mark on it's record. In July, I got a reduced home ATT bill by bundling with our Direct TV here. In august, we got the lower bill. In September, the bill had gone back up, and when I called them they said the bundle did not "go through", and they would process the change again - I sincerely hope I do not have the continuing trouble you did!! __________________ A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders. Larry Elder

09-26-2012, 08:20 AM	#5
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,221	Re: Problems With Direct TV Singed up years ago with Direct TV. About three months into the contract, we lost signal. I contacted Direct TV, and they informed me that they were in another state, and could not help me. They said to call the installers. The installers told me that they don't do repair work, they just install! So we stopped payment. We then got a hit on our credit card, which is required by the contract, for a $500 fee, breach of contract on our part. We talked to everybody, the card company, and Direct TV, the BBB, and anyone that we thought might help. After about a year of dealing with these thieves, we came to an agreement. I pulled the module on the dish, and mailed it back to Direct TV. They in turn removed the $500 charge to our credit card. As soon as my contract runs out with Verizon, I will drop them, and go with one of the other companies that don't have contracts. So far Verizon has resolved all problems, but when you have a contract, then the company you have that contarct with always has the upper hand. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. Last edited by carver; 09-26-2012 at 08:21 AM..

09-26-2012, 08:23 AM	#6
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: Problems With Direct TV No DirectTV problems but didn't bundle because of some confusion[?]. I will say they have been good to allow us to change our package several times. __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

09-26-2012, 08:26 AM	#7
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: Problems With Direct TV Verizon....yeah, there's another one....... when my contracts are up, so are they ! __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

09-26-2012, 12:20 PM	#8
nmckenzie Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sitka, Alaska Posts: 1,921	Re: Problems With Direct TV I know this is going to sound kinda extreme to some folks, but after going through all sorts of hoops with cable, satellite, and some sort of deal with the phone company, and getting garbage service from all of them, we got rid of the TV. While we could afford the package deals, they were expensive and the service just plain awful. So, we figured if we're going to get consistently horrible service, let's just get the basic package. Well, that gave us programs like the Best of Bulgarian Cooking - in Bulgarian, the care and feeding of tarantulas, breaking news from Crapistan, etc. Of course I'm kidding about the titles, but I think you get the picture. For movies and the like we signed up with Netflix. Live streaming news we get from Fox through the computer or on the radio (remember those things?). Called the satellite company and told them to come pick up their dishes. They didn't want them, so we're using one as a birdbath, and I think the lady of the house intends turning the other into a planter of some sort.

09-26-2012, 02:21 PM	#9
mogunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Missouri Posts: 1,020	Re: Problems With Direct TV I built an antenna out of coat hangers from Walmart, a 2x4 and a cable adapter, the wife gets four or five stations on that, then I got netflix, she watches it on the tv through the Wii or on my computer. I don't miss the $60 a month cable bill for 90% channels I never watched a bit. We have the $19.99 a month internet through Charter, when the year promo is up we may change yet again.

09-26-2012, 08:59 PM	#11
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Problems With Direct TV We did the Dtv bundle with verizon. It was hell for 4 or 5 months. I just got rid of DSL and directv and went to comcast for high speed internet phone and cable. The Cable is just an afterthought. I have built a kick butt Home Theater PC. AMD 3.0Ghz processor On board HD. 16gb Memory 24TB of HDD space ASUS Mobo ASUS BLU-RAY drive Adding a Ceton 4 tuner Cable capture card soon. I also have an Xbox 360 that I use as a media extender from my HTPC. In the bedroom I also have a Roku Streaming box as well. The Roku is a great little device. As is the Boxee Box. http://www.boxee.tv/ Really all you need is a decent computer with plenty of storage space and win vista or 7. You can make a linux media box but it is a lot more work.

09-26-2012, 10:05 PM	#12
dad2thebone Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,357	Re: Problems With Direct TV Dont hold your breath waiting for direct to drop the fees. It's been 2 years and they are still bugging me. All over billing problems. never again. __________________ 9-11-01 we will never forget.And then we have dec 7 now it's Nov 6th all sad days for our country. And dont whizz on my leg then tell me it's raining.

09-27-2012, 02:43 PM	#15
piglatinhater Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 42	Problems With Direct TV Its interesting to see the ratio of good to bad comments. Pathetic since they "pride" themselves in customer service, maybe its pride in hooking the customer than relentlessly gauging them Last edited by piglatinhater; 09-28-2012 at 12:37 PM..

09-27-2012, 05:49 PM	#16
Nighthawk Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Central Texas Posts: 3,330	Re: Problems With Direct TV Never used Direct TV, I use Dish Network for about 6 years now and never had problem. __________________ Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives." --John Adams, letter to Benjamin Rush, April 18, 1808 NRA Life TSRA Life GOA Member

09-28-2012, 03:47 PM	#17
langenc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 406	Re: Problems With Direct TV My problem w/ Direct TV and probably the other guy also is PRICE. 65 bucks for locals and about less than 10 channels that sre worth anything. As long as prople keep buying the crap the longer we will have it. I turned off the tv when I went on a 4 week vacation. Been home 2+ weeks and still aint on yet. Actually I have to call em and say "just forget it" and then they will call and ask what do they have to do to get us back. Last edited by langenc; 10-18-2012 at 10:07 PM..

09-30-2012, 12:16 PM	#18
Zhurh Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Upper Yukon, Alaska Posts: 1,807	Re: Problems With Direct TV We had dish about a dozen years back. When dir tv came out with HD, we switched over. I've had dir tv so long, they gave me free NFL package last season, in appreciation so they said; left me scratching my head? We have everything plus center ice and NFL deal, a little over $200/month. I know that's 2500/year. what a waste. Wife is teacher, deals with unreal junk & parents that have no parenting skills & troubled kids & on and on all day long. All she wants to do is sit and watch her cop shows when she gets home and thats fine with me. I once mentioned about cutting back and she said no way, so end of story. I haven't had any tech probs since I cemented a 6 inch pipe in the ground, wish I could buy Canadian Jr hockey games like my Canuck upriver buddies do. AS long as I have HD, sports, outdoor channels, local pbs shows, fox, gun shows, since I ain't allowed to watch porno, I won't even go there, nat geo, discovery, ect; I'm satisfied with dir tv. Here's a good dir tv story: I once called and got this afri guy from Alabama. He started arguing with me about changing something or another. Of course, I couldn't let up and kept at him. He hated hunting, so I told him about my one hunting buddy who after Vietnam worked in Rhodesia for South African Govt in late 70's. Told him about dragging commie afri's outta their shacks, burnin bodies in pits. He lost it, ha ha, left him bewildered I do believe. All in all, dir tv ain't so bad. I feel better about paying that bill, but won't get high speed dish for internet that will cost $150/month & 1500 to install. I wish I could buy more and better programming though.

10-01-2012, 02:48 PM	#19
FordMan59 Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 7	Re: Problems With Direct TV I used Direct TV in the past with no problems, but once decided to go with Dish Network since their packages were cheaper. This was a mistake about a year into my contract we lost service. I called and set up appointments 4 different times, each appointment had a 4 hour window for them to show up and they didn't show up for any of the appointments. I told them I was tired of staying home waiting for them to show up and never showing up, to discontinue my service. They said I'd have to pay off the remainder of the contract. When they billed my credit card I disputed the charges and contacted one of the local news stations and they contacted Dish Network on my behalf. I never heard anymore from Dish Network about having to pay off the contract. Seems Dish Network didn't want the negative publicity and decided to forget the contract. You might check to see if one of your local news stations can help you out with Direct TV.