Two articles from the Consumerist showing what a prick of a company DirecTV really is:
My phone just rang. Caller ID reads: Out Of Area… do I pick up? I did.
It was an automated DirecTv call. “You have asked us not to call you. Because you are on our Do Not Call List, we can’t call you with all of our super-awesome special promotions…” The recording goes on to ask me to hit a button to opt-out of their Do Not Call List.
Dear sir. I say what the fuck? I specifically told them not to call so they call to see if its okay to call.
DirecTV is defending automated sales calls to Do Not Call List subscribers as “informational,” and “not telemarketing.” The satellite TV provider recently called customers to say: “Because you are on our Do Not Call List, we can’t call you with all of our super-awesome special promotions.”
“The purpose of our calls was not to sell you anything or change your do-not-call status without your consent. They were purely informational calls intended to remind you of your status and give you an opportunity to change your do-not-call preference.”
They’re calling to tell you if you want to be on the list. Its only apply to current customers, they’re giving everybody a chance to opt/out, Every subscriber will get a call, if you opt-in you will get calls about your bills/ppv and new offer like the one I just got Show Time Is having FREE Preview this week, tune into channel ### etc.
#18 – 19. I am getting close to being entirely commercial-free. DVR on the cable TV, iTunes and DVDs for the stuff I missed. I decided to take a chance on ‘Heroes Season One’ on HDDVD. (The only thing better than FFing through the commercials is not having to.)
Every once in a while, I think that someone needs to put a comprehensive guide out there to opting out of the whole ad-based media economy. video as above, ad and spam-blockers for the internet, and so on. In other words, basically a big list of ‘If you like X, here’s how you can get it without being bombarded by ads.’
Used to be I did not mind commercials so much. It was the promos for Fox’s ‘reality’ TV shows that pushed me over the edge, I think.
Feel powerless to over-reaching corporations that do not respect boundaries?
Blow up DirectTV satellite stations so they understand you.
Terrorism works.
23. Blow up DirectTV satellite stations so they understand you.
Or, failing that, try a strongly worded letter…..
I stopped getting telemarketing calls when I changed my last name to Thunderpussy…
No one wants to say, “May I speak with Mr. OhForTheLoveOf Thunderpussy?”
I think the real problem is that DIRECTV has so many affiliates and they try their best to control them, but some companies don’t follow the rules, they are just out to try to get that sweet commission check!