Karen F.

I honestly don't know where to begin. 18 months ago, I signed up for DirectTV ( bundled package with Century Link Telephone Co.) After weeks, Century Link could not provide internet and phone service. I spent 12 hours on the phone being passed from one account rep to another between DirectTV and Century Link. I must have told the story 100 times to different account reps. Finally, finally I was successful in cancelling DirectTV and returned to Comcast as our bundled provider.

This month, we attended the State Fair here in Oregon, and were "snagged" by a sweet talking sales rep that said he could save us a lot of money and give us better service than we were receiving from our cable provider. He begged us to give DirectTV and Century Link another chance. He told us that our transition would be seamless and gave us free HBO, Showtime, & Cinemax for three months, and the NFL Sunday Ticket for free for a year. He told us that our TV would be hooked up the next day. (A Sunday, if you can believe that!) He told us that the equipment from Century Link would follow within 3-4 days, and it would have full instructions on how to install it for our Internet & phone service. After three phone calls to Direct TV, Century Link and First Choice (whoever they are), and three weeks had passed, we finally received a confirmation in the mail that we had a bundle. Yea, right? A week later, we received a modem on our front doorstep. The same day, an installer from Century Link showed up at our door, unannounced saying that he was here to make sure we had dial tone. We were told that we had no phone lines, and therefore they couldn't connect Century Link service. Now, keep in mind that we have had phone service at this same house through Comcast for the past 9 years. I guess the "land line" just miraculously works for no good reason. Right? He informed me, that we could pay them to come out, trench, and lay new phone lines. Uh... of course we would have to pay for that. So, for the past week and a half, we have spent numerous hours on the phone, talking to sales reps, supervisors, etc. Tonight, a very nasty young man, informed us that he would be happy to discontinue our service, however, we would have to pay them $450+ because we failed to honor our 2-year contract. Now, correct me if I'm wrong... I have to keep a "bundled service" that I don't have for two years or pay a fine for "breaking a contract" that they don't have to honor? There's something wrong with this picture. Don't get caught up in the hype. We get what we pay for. I'm not saying DirectTV bundles aren't good for some people. What I'm saying is... the sales reps should know what they can offer to a prospective customer up front. Don't promise them the moon and then not deliver. This is not over! Make sure that you have the complete bundle before you let anyone from any of those companies through your door.