1 Message
No longer prorating bill (Edited per Community Guidelines)
I have been with DIRECTV for years and years and years now. Tired of the price increases and decided to try streaming for a few months. Called DirecTV today to cancel services and was told I CANNOT cancel until the end of my billing cycle. When I signed up (pre 2015) there was a two year contract and a “CANCEL ANYTIME” agreement after the two year period. Well apparently “cancel anytime” actually means “at the end of your next billing cycle because we are going broke and need to squeeze every dollar possible from you before you go”. Anyone else dealing with this?? I asked for paperwork with my signature where I agreed to those cancellation policies and fees. They don’t “have access to it”. When I asked what the reps name was, she hung up. I was also told that if I lived in CA I could cancel today and have no other charges!!!! Ok so I’m being treated differently because of where I live???? Just curious if anyone else has been hit with this and who’s interested in a (Edited per Community Guidelines)?
DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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254.6K Messages
1 year ago
Hi @KYunsubscriber, we apologize for the experience you had over the phone. Let's turn this around for you our Social Media team is ready to assist you. Luna, DIRECTV Community Specialist.
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shannon02
ACE - Expert
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20.8K Messages
1 year ago
When you where first installed you could cancel at anytime and receive a prorated bill for the days not used. DTV changed that policy in 2019 to you pay for the month and receive service until the end of the billing cycle, while you can still cancel at anytime it doesn't go into effect until the end of the billing cycle. Emails and bill inserts where sent at that time and the Terms Of Service(TOS) was updated and continue use of the service after the update means you have agreed to it. Per the TOS you are limited to binding arbitration. CA is one of a few states that has this law where DTV has to still prorate the bill.
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OldTimerTimedOut
2 Messages
1 year ago
I am in the exact same boat. Customer since 1998.
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OldTimerTimedOut
2 Messages
1 year ago
Please update if @DIRECTVhelp was able to "turn it around for you".
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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22.6K Messages
1 year ago
@KYunsubscriber
It is standard in the industry to not prorate the final bill. DirecTV (along with other AT&T services) joined the standard several years ago. Notice was sent out and all that continued service were in acceptance of the update to the Terms of Service (ToS).
Terms of Service also restrict you to binding arbitration. Also be advised the forum guidelines have not allowed legal discussion or threats as that is private between you and the company.
Please read this if you receive DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse® TV, AT&T Internet, AT&T Phone, and/or AT&T Fixed Wireless service(s). We want to remind you that you’re billed in advance for recurring service(s) and/or programming charges and applicable fees based on the terms of your current service agreement(s) with us. Starting January 14, 2019, subject to applicable laws, we’re updating your agreement(s) to include your recurring service(s)/programming charges and fees won’t be prorated if you cancel the above service(s) on any day other than the last day of your billing cycle. Your service(s) will continue until the end of your billing cycle but you won’t get a refund (prorated credits) for any remaining days left in your billing cycle. For products not listed above, refer to their terms of service for more information.
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DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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254.6K Messages
1 year ago
Hi, @OldTimerTimedOut. Seems like Aces addressed the inquiry about the updated terms and condition on cancelling an account. Please check Read the DIRECTV Terms & Conditions | DIRECTV Customer Service & Support to know more. DIRECTV appreciates you. Armando, DIRECTV Community Specialist
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Carri
2 Messages
5 months ago
Yes, the same thing happened to my son. He lost his job around covid and couldn't afford the direct TV and canceled his service. They charge him $250 dollars for early termination fee. They promised they wouldn't charge him due to the lost of his job but they did. He made 5 calls and talk to the supervisor and now they have sent it to the collection and ruined his credit he worked so hard to build. He is steal young and working hard to get established. Direct TV is not honest with their customers. So unfortunate. (Edited per Community Guidelines)
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Carri
2 Messages
5 months ago
Yes, the same thing happened to my son. He lost his job around covid and couldn't afford the direct TV and canceled his service. They charge him $250 dollars for early termination fee. They promised they wouldn't charge him due to the lost of his job but they did. He made 5 calls and talk to the supervisor and now they have sent it to the collection and ruined his credit he worked so hard to build. He is steal young and working hard to get established. Direct TV is not honest with their customers. So unfortunate. We are willing to Join you with class action lawsuit.
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shannon02
ACE - Expert
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20.8K Messages
5 months ago
Per the TOS you are limited to binding arbitration. You son agreed to the TOS about the ECF/ETF just like everyone else, losing a job is hard but doesn't release him from his commitment,
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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22.6K Messages
5 months ago
@Carri
Losing your job does not get you out of bills. Certainly not luxury pay TV for entertainment.
DirecTV does not waive bill and charges because you have financial trouble. Either your son misunderstood what the agent told him or that was a bad agent.
In any case he has been billed correctly, just like the OP was. Losing a job is hard, but your son must take responsibility for his own finances. Also the Terms of Service have an arbitration clause.
Sorry but "I have no money to pay bills" does not remove the existence of those bills.
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DirTvisajoke
3 Messages
3 months ago
Directv is a dinosaur and is losing customers rapidly, this is why they changed this policy in 2019. I just cancelled and while upset that I have to pay a final non prorated bill, I am happy to be leaving. Their customer service is a joke and gives the runaround. And yes, there are many “bad” agents as mentioned in an above post.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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22.6K Messages
3 months ago
@DirTvisajoke
Many companies have changed their billing policy the same way. DirecTV simply joined the standard so has nothing to do with being a "dinosaur" or having customers leave "rapidly".
As for customer service, that is not what it used to be. After all the issues from being acquired by AT&T, I had hoped we would have seen more improvements with the new co-owner but unfortunately not much so far. If the merger with Dish goes through that may be a make it or break it move. That is something the entire industry would be keeping eyes on.
But I guess it matters not to you since you create a post on the DirecTV help forum to announce you've canceled (always curious about this as aren't departure notices the purview of airports and train stations?). In any case, safe travels.
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shannon02
ACE - Expert
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20.8K Messages
3 months ago
@DirTvisajoke So why didn't you wait until the end of your billing cycle or use the service until it ended?
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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22.6K Messages
3 months ago
@shannon02
Possibly they were impatient and had already subscribed/installed another service before they even called to cancel. Or they just don't like it as a matter of principal.
In either case, @DirTvisajoke already canceled and is now aware (hopefully) that most service companies do not prorate their bills and cannot rightfully blame DirecTV as being the only one that does this. They already left, yet had to create an account just to announce their departure which is always curious as seems a waste and just throwing a tantrum to me.
(oh and if you canceled user do look up this thread again, contrary to your accusation, I am not a DirecTV rep. If you would bother to read in full, you will see I disclose I am just another customer like most others in the forum. Just been around the block enough times to have knowledge and experience to share, even if it isn't the blindly agreeing words you may have wanted to hear).
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