Charge for you sending me a replacement for your equipment that broke

I agree it is cheaper in the long run not to have the protection plan. It is more convenient for those that need a small amount known in every monthly bill then coming up with the one-time charges as needed. I never suggested the plan, only mentioned it as I did not know if you had it or not.

DirecTV doesn't have local shops. They have dispatch that sends techs, many of which they contract with. Boxes are shipped to techs as needed from a centralized warehouse, not keeping stock next to every customer.

Difference is DirecTV is nationwide satellite, not a hardline local service that has stores you can just walk in. This hasn't changed in 20+ years as that is how it works.

You want your bill around $100 then reduce service. DirecTV is no longer just handing out discounts left and right. Their CEO announced months back that they are weeding out customers who are hemorrhaging the business. Keeping a customer at a loss is not worth it for any company. So adjust services within budget. Enjoy discounts when they are there, but never rely on them to make the service affordable as they were only a temporary perk.

Networks increase their costs to TV providers, so in turn our bills go up. Even streaming services have gone up over time. This is like many other things (do you expect to get gas for $0.99 a gallon still?). Streaming services have started at a lower price point because they pass the buck. You must purchase 3rd party equipment and rely on your ISP as well as all ISPs in-between to delivery the service. Since internet in my area and my household's usage has not able to support streaming, I am glad to have the sky so I can get my TV. And if my internet goes out, my TV still works, or even vice versa since they are dedicated services instead of lumped together.

Go wherever the service best suits you. But don't expect it to stay at the same cost for life.

Hey, Juniper with scum bucket robots like you doing the bidding of the company, no wonder everyone thinks customer service at AT&T (Edited per community guidelines)! Rule number 1 in customer service, the customer is almost always right! Rule #2 if you treat them poorly, they will no longer be customers!

This isn't customer service. 

This isn't customer service. 

@icedberg 

I do no bidding of AT&T as I do not work for them. However the "customer is always right" meme has been exaggerated beyond context. And it certainly is not an actual rule. Just meant businesses would try to accommodate within reason for their customers. Problem is people are not customers when they are operating at a loss, getting service below what it costs.

So they have had to make a hard decision. Your poor finances does not constitute and emergency for them. It is your responsibility to manage your budget, not expect charity from them. Either pay what it costs or go elsewhere.