[dschumacher]

Early on 14 September, I paid online a bill that was due on 17 September. Later on the same day, I suspended my account for about 60 days.

During the week of 17 September, I checked my account online and was surprised to find that the credit for my account was less than half of the total bill paid. It also incorrectly showed that my account was suspended on 15 September rather than 14 September.

I reviewed the customer agreement and confirmed that we pay for service in advance. So my question is whether the payment in advance is based on the date the bill is issued, or the date the payment is due?

Regards, Dan

 

[Davenlr]

Its based on your Start Date on your bill, which on mine is 10 days after the Due Date.
It sounds like they suspended the account before posting the payment.

 

[Shades228]

Early on 14 September, I paid online a bill that was due on 17 September. Later on the same day, I suspended my account for about 60 days.

During the week of 17 September, I checked my account online and was surprised to find that the credit for my account was less than half of the total bill paid. It also incorrectly showed that my account was suspended on 15 September rather than 14 September.

I reviewed the customer agreement and confirmed that we pay for service in advance. So my question is whether the payment in advance is based on the date the bill is issued, or the date the payment is due?

Regards, Dan

Since your bill is due 20 days after your bill cycle date you're monthly cycle goes from the 28th to the 27th of each month. The suspend starts the next day as you had service for the day and cannot start a suspension on the same day. You received a credit for the 15th through the 27th or 12 days of service.

 

[dschumacher]

Shades,

Thanks for the explanation. Based on what you stated, I interpret it to mean that we are not really paying prior to the start of the service month, but as much as 20 days into the service month. Is that correct? Or is it that the payment due on 17 September is actually for the service month starting on 28 September?

As to the suspension effectivity, I was going by the recording that said my account would be suspended effective the 14th. What you say makes eminently good sense.

Regards, Dan

 

[RollsRoyce]

Shades,

Thanks for the explanation. Based on what you stated, I interpret it to mean that we are not really paying prior to the start of the service month, but as much as 20 days into the service month. Is that correct? Or is it that the payment due on 17 September is actually for the service month starting on 28 September?

As to the suspension effectivity, I was going by the recording that said my account would be suspended effective the 14th. What you say makes eminently good sense.

Regards, Dan

I'm not Shades, but i can say that your due date is 20 days into the service cycle, just as he explained it.

 

[The Merg]

Shades,

Thanks for the explanation. Based on what you stated, I interpret it to mean that we are not really paying prior to the start of the service month, but as much as 20 days into the service month. Is that correct? Or is it that the payment due on 17 September is actually for the service month starting on 28 September?

As to the suspension effectivity, I was going by the recording that said my account would be suspended effective the 14th. What you say makes eminently good sense.

Regards, Dan

The payment you made on the 14th that was due on the 17th is for service that starts on the 28th.

- Merg

 

[dschumacher]

The fact that RollsRoyce and Merg have conflicting responses reinforces why I, as a retired systems engineer who tends to like precise language, asked for clarification of Shade's reponse. Much as I regret it, I may have to actually ask DirecTV.

Regards, Dan

 

[cariera]

Simplistic approach, assuming balance at start of bill cycle is $0:

Bill Cycle 8/28-9/27 Charges: $100

Due Date 09/17

Payment $100 on 09/14

Suspend Account 09/14…Effective 09/15

Portion of payment on 09/14 for service from 09/15-09/27 (13 days out of 30 day bill cycle): $100 x 13/30=$43.33

Credit is less than ½ of the total bill paid, as presented by OP

 

[Shades228]

The fact that RollsRoyce and Merg have conflicting responses reinforces why I, as a retired systems engineer who tends to like precise language, asked for clarification of Shade's reponse. Much as I regret it, I may have to actually ask DirecTV.

Regards, Dan

They don't conflict they're just simplified by people who understand how it works so making simple statements are clear to them but not necessarily to people who don't deal with it.

Your question isn't a simple answer because of the different answers that can happen with different types of payments.

DIRECTV bills in advance meaning that your bill is generated on the first day of your billing cycle. If you have automatic payments setup with a credit card it comes out that day. Different payment types can change the paid date.

So without any automatic payments setup the bill due date is 20 days into the current billing cycle which is less of a bill in advance and more of a bill during if you paid it on that date. Clear as mud?

 

[dschumacher]

Shades,

Absolutely! Thanks much for the clarified explanation.

Regards, Dan