Satellite TV Following Deceptive Policies

The United States of America has several satellite TV providers which are picked by customers for their entertainment needs. A lot of them have brought good programming packages, with hidden charges though. In fact, because of these few satellite TV providers, others are also facing tough time. One such provider in the US is DirecTV, which has been alleged to follow deceptive policies and cheat on its subscribers. Most of the States in the US are of the view that ‘nation’s largest satellite TV provider’ could serve a book on tricks to customers.

According to Rob McKenna, Washington Attorney General, DirecTV has “built deception into their business model”. He has even remarked in one of his interviews that the provider has not left any deceptive practices unused! He continued to remark, “It's amazing, the wide variety of ways they've taken advantage of their customers.”From these statements, it has been clear that the company has truly indulged into malpractices to lure customers into signing up with the provider.

Many of the cases against DirecTV centers on alleged ambiguous advertisements, and on a series of issues related with prices along with early termination fees that the firm levies on consumers. If we consider an example of trickery, here it is. A lot of aggressive promotional campaigns hype service for about $29.99 per month, but does not clarify the two-year obligation attached with the deal.

Alternatively, it doesn’t even clearly state that the price nearly doubles post first year subscription. After the lapse of first year, customers face a Hobson’s choice – either pay a huge early-termination fee, which can amount to $480 or resolve to pay the higher price from the following year. Regarding this, McKenna has commented, “It is what amounts to a bait-and-switch strategy. They use a variety of lures to bring people in at prices the customer doesn't actually pay."

You will find it really shocking to know that around 16 different causes have been traced regarding the complaints that have poured in almost on a regular basis with the Attorney General of the company. It has been reported by the Better Business Bureau that a grand 39,000 allegations have been received by them since January1, 2007. People have faced difficult times with the firm, who has used unethical policies of business.

The 50 states of the United States have sued the company for its malpractices and have settled the score by ordering DirecTV to pay a massive fine of $13.25 million plus a complete restitution to those who have grieved. However, in spite of clouded by controversies and allegations, the satellite TV giant has not accepted its wrong doings and one of its officials stated, “The vast majority of our customers in Washington, and the U.S. for that matter, understand our lease agreement and are happy with our overall service. We are disappointed that the state elected to file a lawsuit.”

But it is very clear from thousands of complaints received that AGs and BBB have received that the company has certainly followed deceiving strategies and goofed up things for Americans at large.

Sophia Johnson is an eminent writer of social media and also a DirecTV customer for last two years. But recently she faces some problems while renewing her package plans, and being a writer she feels it’s her social duty to let her countrymen know about this malpractice of DirecTV. To know more about it visits my Facebook page.