While in a home center, a DirecTV representative approached me with an offer I couldn’t refuse. Straight forward, he offered me a two year contract for close to $30 cheaper a month than Time Warner Cable (Why is my internet always buffering?). To sweeten the deal, DirecTV thrown in a $125 gift card for the home center. What did I have to lose? My sanity.

Several days after the dish installation, I received the shipping notice (Dec 5). This surprised me since the paperwork stated 6-8 weeks for delivery. The next turn of events will blow your mind.

• Dec 5 (Friday) – Shipment transmitted to FedEx
• Dec 9 (Monday) – Attempted delivery, indirect signature required
  A door tag was left with the signature location circled. I signed this and taped it on the door since the sticky was worn off and the cold door would likely allow it to blow off.
• Dec 11 (Wednesday) – Called FedEx; no record of door tag number in their system. Assured me that it would be delivered the next day. (door tag still on door)
• Dec 13 (Friday) – Another call to FedEx, they now claimed they would re-deliver on Monday (door tag still on door)
• Dec 17 (Tuesday) – Still no package, another call to FedEx, they now claim that the package is lost and I needed to contact the shipper to have them submit a claim. Called DirecTV with the information and was told a new card would be issued and the old cancelled. At this point, I removed the door tag.
• Dec 23 (Monday) – Two weeks later, an attempt at delivery was made, according to the tracking website, no door tag left
• Dec 24 (Tuesday) – Knock at the door at 8:15am, it was FedEx…with theoriginal package. After a call to DirecTV it was found out that they don’t re-issue gift cards nor do they cancel them.