Could Directv be entitled to an early termination fee without a written contract?

Directv charged me $250 for breaking a two year service commitment they say I entered into when I obtained a leased receiver/dvr at a local electronics store (to replace a failing older unit). This was a surprise. I signed no contract. I wrote to Directv Billing Disputes asking for a copy of a signed contract. They have failed to produce one, a fact that doesn't seem to bother them in the least.

A contributor to the consumer electronics forum has answered similar inquiries with reference to the Consumer Agreement and Equipment Addendum available on the Directv website, seeming to imply the consumer is responsible to search Directv's electronic storefront and learn all the policies that may affect their relationship. That doesn't smell right. Am I wrong to assume I had the right to acknowledge my understanding of and consent to this agreement in a written contract?

Thanks, Art. I installed the dvr.

yep,that the deal when they turn you on ,,and they got some thing some where that covers them

you just didn't see the fine print ,and yes it doesn't matter they are going to make you pay or put it on your credit record


if they installed the older one,if you think about it they made you sign 3 papers before they left your house
1saying what you received
2 that they installed it satisfactory and everything works
3 the contract

if the the installers don't turn that those in they don't get payed

Art has it right.

Even though you installed the DVR yourself, you are still bound by the contract 1) because you did not pay the full price (it would have actually cost around $250) and 2) because the contract is available to the public at http://www.directv.com/agreements (that provides both the customer agreement and the lease addendum). You don't have to sign anything, as activating a receiver constitutes an acceptance of the terms at hand.

I'm on the fence with this issue, though. I feel that DirecTV should do more to make customers aware. The CSRs are technically required to advise you of the commitment and whatnot, but they don't always do that (I'd say it happens about 70% of the time). That is something they're failing to do, and I think it's a bad idea to continue the way they're going. I think customers should call and voice their concerns (in a professional way) and specifically request that the idea be sent as what's called a Direct From You (or DFY). Those are customer and CSR suggestions for the company, and people really do read those.