Residents from across west Texas are crying foul. When they flipped through the channels, they found out, they'd been fooled.
Jennifer Tollison, a DirecTV customer from Monahans says, when we called them, they told us that we'd have so many channels, cheaper price, then we asked about our locals, they said we'd have them and we have channel 2, but we do not have channel 7 or 9, we don't get our local channels we asked them point blank, will we have our local channels and they said yes you will have all your local channels.
And for Tollison the local news is a priority, when we have severe weather, breaking news things, we don't get to be a part of that.
Denny Tollison, Jennifers Husband, says, I feel like I was lied to yes.
He says DirecTV promised them a better deal than the competition, but he says the savings weren't worth being without all their channels, "at this point, Id probably rather pay the extra ten dollars a month to finish getting my local channels we were promised over the phone when we signed up Im really upset about it.
Tracie Ornelas, another Monahans DirecTV customer, says, "all of their ads stated they get local channels".
But like many others, only after signing a contract did Ornelas find out that can be deceiving.
She even questioned the installer, I voiced that while they were here, how important it was for us to get local channels, he mentioned something to the effect that due to the digital TV switch, they weren't offering channel 7 at the time, but we'd have it by the end of the month.
A month later... nothing changed.
John Pulte, a DirecTV customer in Midland says the woman I talked to said you'll get them in 45 days.
Pulte has been dealing with DirecTV for months.
After multiple complaints to the FCC, Better Business Bureau, and the Texas Attorney General, Pulte was so fed up he shelled out $400 bucks to switch his provider.
All these DirecTV customers say they've tried to get answers and solutions to their problems from the company, with no result, so they turned to us for help.
First, we called DirecTV ourselves to confirm their claims.
One representative told us you do receive all you locals our of Midland-Odessa, Texas.
We asked, is that all local channels in my market?
The representative replied, uh huh.
We spoke to another representative and said, news is really important to me, do we get all the local stations?
They told us, absolutely and they're free as well.
We then asked, and that includes the local ABC, CBS and NBC?
He replied, yes ma'am.
Only one DirecTV representative checked to make sure, but only after we re-phrased the question.
We asked, you offer all local channels?
After looking it up she told us, we offer UNI, ABC, FOX, CW and PBS.
We asked for clarification, but you don't offer the local CBS or NBC affiliates?
She answered, let me see no I don't see that available.
We told DirecTV officials what our interviews and our own investigation confirmed - their customer representatives were providing false information to potential and current customers in our area.
They told us in a statement:
"Every one of our agents has access to clear and specific information about what local programming is available to our customers. Theres no excuse for an agent not being able to provide accurate information. We are in the process of identifying these agents and will determine what retraining or other corrective action is necessary so this does not happen again."
But for now, these customers say it's important to ask questions when switching or getting a new satellite provider, but be careful before you sign a contract.
Pulte says, "[the situation is] over and done with, forget it, it was just a costly lesson."
DirecTV does not carry the local CBS or NBC affiliates because, for years, they have never reached a re-transmission agreement with either station.
DirecTV is the only local satellite or cable provider that does not have an agreement with the two stations.
And, contrary to the information some customers were provided, this issue has nothing to do with the switch to digital television in June.
DirecTV has already caught the attention of the Texas Attorney General's Office.
Back in 2005, the company agreed to an "Assurance of Voluntary Compliance"... an order between DirecTV and several states about what they can and cannot do, when it comes to their business practices.
DirecTV agreed to the terms, but did not admit any wrongdoing.
The AG's office says that this type of agreement usually comes after a company has received numerous complaints.
They also tell us that their office has received several complaints about DirecTV recently.
Officials stress that if you believe you have fallen victim to faulty or deceptive business practices by DirecTV, to please go to their website and file a complaint.
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Why DirecTV sucksby thewraithl982,605 views
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