2 year commitment

**tranceFusion** · 04-30-2009 09:58 PM

I am confused. I signed up for Directv and nowhere during the signup process did it seem to indicate that there was a 2 year commitment. It also seemed that my price wasn't locked in for those 2 years.

When I got my confirmation email, it had down at the bottom that I was committing to two years of service. I quickly called and cancelled my installation. Unfortunately I am assuming they already did their hard credit check!

I have seen numerous ads and none of them have any fine print about a 2 year commitment. I couldn't find anything about the commitment on their site except buried down in their equipment lease agreement (which according to the CSR, leasing the equipment is required).

In contrast, Dish Network's website makes it quite clear in large bold letters what you are committing to.

So I am confused - is there any way around the commitment? Are they able to just jack the price up as high as they want after your first year deal is over, and you are stuck in the commitment for another year? Why aren't they required to put the commitment in their fine print during the signup process?

I really wanted their service but it seems like they are trying to pull one over on me!

**Jimbo** · 04-30-2009 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

I am confused. I signed up for Directv and nowhere during the signup process did it seem to indicate that there was a 2 year commitment. It also seemed that my price wasn't locked in for those 2 years.

When I got my confirmation email, it had down at the bottom that I was committing to two years of service. I quickly called and cancelled my installation. Unfortunately I am assuming they already did their hard credit check!

I have seen numerous ads and none of them have any fine print about a 2 year commitment. I couldn't find anything about the commitment on their site except buried down in their equipment lease agreement (which according to the CSR, leasing the equipment is required).

In contrast, Dish Network's website makes it quite clear in large bold letters what you are committing to.

So I am confused - is there any way around the commitment? Are they able to just jack the price up as high as they want after your first year deal is over, and you are stuck in the commitment for another year? Why aren't they required to put the commitment in their fine print during the signup process?

I really wanted their service but it seems like they are trying to pull one over on me!

They have had a 12-24 month commitment since the very beginning ... nothing new here.

**jimisham** · 05-01-2009 08:06 AM

There's an HR21 Pro you can buy, with no lease, for around $400, but the warranty is only 90 days.

DIRECTV HR21PRO 500 GB HD DVR PRO Receiver for Ka-Ku Band (HR21PRO) | HR21PRO [DIRECTV]

**Ira Lacher** · 05-01-2009 10:01 AM

There seems to be a sentiment in this forum that it's "buyer beware," which I totally disagree with. I believe that an ethical business has the responsibility of telling you in writing of any contract commitments. I also believe that DirecTV is not an unethical company but that it doesn't train its staff and contract employees to be as aboveboard as they should.

I was introduced to this when I realized this week that my contract had been extended because I upgraded to HD last September!

Does anyone know whether DISH has the same policy that if you change anything they extend your period of serfdom?

And wouldn't it be a good idea to have a no-contract month-to-month plan that would have significantly higher rates than the contract package plans but absolutely no strings?

**joed32** · 05-01-2009 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by tranceFusion

I am confused. I signed up for Directv and nowhere during the signup process did it seem to indicate that there was a 2 year commitment. It also seemed that my price wasn't locked in for those 2 years.

When I got my confirmation email, it had down at the bottom that I was committing to two years of service. I quickly called and cancelled my installation. Unfortunately I am assuming they already did their hard credit check!

I have seen numerous ads and none of them have any fine print about a 2 year commitment. I couldn't find anything about the commitment on their site except buried down in their equipment lease agreement (which according to the CSR, leasing the equipment is required).

In contrast, Dish Network's website makes it quite clear in large bold letters what you are committing to.

So I am confused - is there any way around the commitment? Are they able to just jack the price up as high as they want after your first year deal is over, and you are stuck in the commitment for another year? Why aren't they required to put the commitment in their fine print during the signup process?

I really wanted their service but it seems like they are trying to pull one over on me!

Cable would be your best choice if you don't want a commitment.

**kirbyhawk** · 05-01-2009 11:59 AM

I have been a dish customer for 5 years and am looking to switch to directv ASAP. Every time I have switched receivers I have ended up with a new contract. I thought it was common practice in the satellite industry. Not that I agree with it though.

**ChrisK114** · 05-01-2009 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Ira Lacher

There seems to be a sentiment in this forum that it's "buyer beware," which I totally disagree with. I believe that an ethical business has the responsibility of telling you in writing of any contract commitments. I also believe that DirecTV is not an unethical company but that it doesn't train its staff and contract employees to be as aboveboard as they should.

I was introduced to this when I realized this week that my contract had been extended because I upgraded to HD last September!

Does anyone know whether DISH has the same policy that if you change anything they extend your period of serfdom?

And wouldn't it be a good idea to have a no-contract month-to-month plan that would have significantly higher rates than the contract package plans but absolutely no strings?

I can't speak for everyone, but when I signed up, they told me that I was committing to a 24 month agreement over the phone. In all my dealing with them, they have told me of any changes to my account.

**Ira Lacher** · 05-01-2009 04:03 PM

Have you changed receiver or otherwise upgraded? Do you recall they mentioned that you were committing to two more years for that?

**ChrisK114** · 05-01-2009 04:11 PM

As a matter of fact, I have had to replace two receivers that went bad. Neither extended my commitment. The fact is that D* is investing a lot of money when they sign up a new account. They want to make sure they can recoup some of the money back. The receivers aren't cheap. If you upgrade your equipment, the same applies. Now I think a long term customer ought to get a break every now and then, but D* is certainly within their rights to do so.

**satjay** · 05-01-2009 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by cgking114

I can't speak for everyone, but when I signed up, they told me that I was committing to a 24 month agreement over the phone. In all my dealing with them, they have told me of any changes to my account.

In my past dealing with Directv, each time I did a equipment upgrade over the phone I was reminded of the new commitment I was going into