DWYM: DirecTV Contract Gotcha

DWYM: DirecTV Contract Gotcha

Many people subscribe to satellite TV because it often offers more channels for less money than cable – but it has a catch that can be costly.

MANY PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE TOSATELLITE TV BECAUSE IT OFTENOFFERS MORE CHANNELS FOR LESSMONEY THAN CABLE.

BUTIT HAS A CATCH THAT CAN BECOSTLY.CONSUMER REPORTER JOHNMATARESE HAS ONE LOCAL MAN'SCAUTIONARY STORY, SO YOUDON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.IF CABLE PRICESARE CRAZY.... AND STREAMING ISGETTING PRICEY TOO....SATELLITE TV MAY BE YOURCHEAPEST TV OPTION.BUT A LOCAL GREEN TOWNSHIP MANJUST L EARNED ABOUT A CATCHTHAT CAN WIPE OUT YOUR GREATDEAL.

MARK GRAY SIGNEDUP FOR DIRECTV TWO YEARS AGOFOR ITS 60 DOLLAR PROMO RATE,HALF THE PRICE OF CABLE.A REP AT THE AT&T STOREWARNED HIM THE RATE WOULDDOUBLE AFTER A YEAR, BUTSUGGESTED MARK RENEGOTIATEWHEN HIS CONTRACT ENDED.BUT LAST FALL HE MADE ALITTLE CHANGE THAT WOULD COMEBACK TO BITEHIM."My daughter decided shewanted a TV in her room."SO A TECHNICIAN ADDED ARECEIVER."They said it wouldbe $10 more a month for havingthe extra TV.

And thats all Iheard." BUT WHENMARK CALLED AT THE END OF HISCONTRACT TO GET HIS 140 DOLLARA MONTH PLAN REDUCED.... HEWAS SHOCKED AT WHAT THEDIRECT TV PHONE REP TOLD HIM."The lady said we cantgive you any other plans rightnow, because you still have 18months left on your plan.

AndI said how can that be?"THAT'S WHEN HE LEARNED THATADDING AN EXTRA RECEIVER RESETHIS TWO YEARCONTRACT!"our policy isanytime you add any piece offequipment, that starts yourcontract over.'REDITT AND AT&T BLOGS AREFILLED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUTEQUIPMENT UPGRADESAUTOMATICALLY RENEWINGCONTRACTS.

AT&T SAYSTHIS IS BECAUSE IT IS MAKINGAN INVESTMENT IN YOUR HOME.BUT MARK, LIKE SO MANYOTHER CUSTOMERS HIT BY THISSURPRISE, SAYS HE WISHES HEHAD KNOWN INADVANCE."What do you think ofthem renewing your contract,just for making a small changein your equipment?

That kindof irritates me.

I would neverhave done that with 6 monthsto go on acontract." WECONTACTED DIRECTV AND AT&TWHERE A SPOKESMAN PROMISED TOLOOK INTO MARKS CASE.HE JUST WANTS TO WARN ALLDIRECTV CUSTOMERS ABOUT IT, SOYOU DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY.

JMWCPO 9 NEWS.