DirecTV has terrible customer service

I have been a customer of DirecTV for a little over a year now. For the most part, the husband and I have been satisfied with the service we have received over the past year.

When we joined with DirecTV, we knew we had to signed a 2-year agreement with the company. I called the company and spoke with a customer service representative and was told that once my 'new customer' promotion was over, I could call back and the company would honor my promotional rate, as long as I was in good standing with them.

A few months ago, we bought a HD television. My husband was interested in upgrading to the HD receiver. I called DirecTV and was offered a rate of $169.99 plus shipping (19.99) with free installation. Normally, the upgrade would be 199.99 plus shipping with a installation fee. I kindly declined, as we couldn't justify spending that must on television service.

A few days ago, my promotional period was over and I called the cable service provider company to lock in my rate for the next year and to see about upgrading to the HD receiver and DVR again, for my husband, before football season starts. That didn't turn out to well.

I was connected to another customer service representative who was frankly, very rude. She told me that there was nothing that she could to help me with the rate and that the fee for the receiver upgrade would be $199.99 plus shipping plus installation. This was about $50.00 more than when I called a few months ago. I asked to speak with a manger.

The manager was not helpful either. He was not able to offer me a better rate on my monthly package and would not offer me a deal on the receiver either. Since we agreed to a 2 year deal with DirecTV, I asked what it would cost me to get out of my agreement. Get this: It would cost me $220.00 to get out of the deal completely -- less than the DVR upgrade.

Can someone explain to me why a company would choose to lose a good customer because they aren't willing to offer me a better rate on my monthly statement or even a deal on the receiver. Let's be clear-- I am NOT asking for both for free, just one of the two at a discount. Come on, we are in a recession. The manager refused to work with me.

Tomorrow, I will be calling AT&T U-Verse and setting up a new account.

Please beware of the terrible customer service with DirecTV. Consider yourself warned.