Warning!! *Rant Inside*

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:00 am

RantI contacted Direct TV on Jan 8th to get a HDTV-DVR installed. The appointment was set for today...(yes kids) almost 30 days from the day I placed the order!! Well, I took the day off work to be here, had some things to do in the morning, the install was scheduled to be done between 1 ~ 5 PM......well, in the past the installer has called the day before to go over the order to be sure they have all the material they need, but this time, no call.... well....Last night, I doubled checked Direct TV's website to make sure I had the date right, and there it was...Feb 1st 1~5 pm...So.....I waited.....and waited....and finally about 3, I decided I better call to make sure there wasn't a problem......OK......Direct TV claims to have called, and gotten no answer....hmmm, I check my caller ID....no calls.....so they cancelled my appointment! OK, I say, why didn't you call my cell phone? I put that # down on the work order in the notes...."well, we don't read those notes, we pass them on to the installer" Ok.....so why didn't the installer call my cell #???? "They aren't allowed to call any number unless it comes from Direct TV" OK....I said, I'm here, now, call the installer and tell him ( or her) to come on. "We can't, we'll have to reschedule" Hmmm, I took the day off to be here, why can't you come on now? "We can't, and the next date we can is Feb 28th" WHAT??????So, I've waited almost 30 days already, my credit card has been charged for the equipment, and I have to wait ANOTHER 3 weeks???? Let me speak to a supervisor!!The stuppidvisor comes on, and parrots what the other person said. THEN I find out they don't have my phone # right......I had to call in when I changed my #, several months ago, (they wouldn't let me change it online) and they STILL had the old #. By this time I am absolutely LIVID....all they have to do is swap the DVR....and hopefully not try to rewire my entire home theather like they did last time (took my hours to fix it back right, btw). So I asked that they just fed-ex the DVR, and I'd be happy to swap it....but Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooo, they have to install a new dish....why??? OH, because it will say Direct TVHD...(removed).....I am So mad right now. Trust me, Direct TV is getting a letter from me....OH, and what was I offered for my trouble? a free month of Showtime.

Baltovibe · Post by **Baltovibe** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:06 am

I am right on the fence on going with DirectTV or Dish ... I think you have helped me make up my mind!

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:09 am

LOL......no, I had Dish in the past, they were WORSE!!!!!

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:25 am

My parents just got Dish Network and had no problems...they decided they wanted it, and a few days later had it installed and done. They like it so far, but haven't had it long.So is the only difference between the current dish and the new one the HD graphic on the dish itself? That's ridiculous...corporate crap amazes me. The cable company did a similar stupid thing to me...luckily I only had to wait an extra week. They told me "Thursday at 9" and no one came all day Thursday, so I called, and they said "Oh your appointment is next week not this week"...well why didn't she tell me that?

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:07 am

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy Â»RantI contacted Direct TV on Jan 8th to get a HDTV-DVR installed. The appointment was set for today...(yes kids) almost 30 days from the day I placed the order!! Well, I took the day off work to be here, had some things to do in the morning, the install was scheduled to be done between 1 ~ 5 PM......well, in the past the installer has called the day before to go over the order to be sure they have all the material they need, but this time, no call.... well....Last night, I doubled checked Direct TV's website to make sure I had the date right, and there it was...Feb 1st 1~5 pm...So.....I waited.....and waited....and finally about 3, I decided I better call to make sure there wasn't a problem......OK......Direct TV claims to have called, and gotten no answer....hmmm, I check my caller ID....no calls.....so they cancelled my appointment! OK, I say, why didn't you call my cell phone? I put that # down on the work order in the notes...."well, we don't read those notes, we pass them on to the installer" Ok.....so why didn't the installer call my cell #???? "They aren't allowed to call any number unless it comes from Direct TV" OK....I said, I'm here, now, call the installer and tell him ( or her) to come on. "We can't, we'll have to reschedule" Hmmm, I took the day off to be here, why can't you come on now? "We can't, and the next date we can is Feb 28th" WHAT??????So, I've waited almost 30 days already, my credit card has been charged for the equipment, and I have to wait ANOTHER 3 weeks???? Let me speak to a supervisor!!The stuppidvisor comes on, and parrots what the other person said. THEN I find out they don't have my phone # right......I had to call in when I changed my #, several months ago, (they wouldn't let me change it online) and they STILL had the old #. By this time I am absolutely LIVID....all they have to do is swap the DVR....and hopefully not try to rewire my entire home theather like they did last time (took my hours to fix it back right, btw). So I asked that they just fed-ex the DVR, and I'd be happy to swap it....but Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooo, they have to install a new dish....why??? OH, because it will say Direct TVHD...(removed).....I am So mad right now. Trust me, Direct TV is getting a letter from me....OH, and what was I offered for my trouble? a free month of Showtime. First off, I went through a similar scenario when I MOVED my service from my rental to my home. However, I can tell you TWO things:1) Upgrading to HD is NOT as simple as "swapping the DVRs". The new AT9 5 LNB dish must be installed , as it's required to receive/decode MPEG-4 HD transmissions. This new dish is approximately TWICE as large as the old one, and is much, much more complex than the old one. This isn't a 30-minute job. It's more like 1-2 hours minimum. I know..2) NEW subscribers will always receive top priority. That goes for DISH Network, DTV, Comcast, etc. It doesn't matter, I've been on the other side of the fence of all of 'em, and DTV has given me the BEST overall customer service.Why they didn't give you a new appt. is beyond me; but the ORIGINAL wait time you received of ~3 weeks is absolutely NORMAL for this kind of upgrade and install. Just remember that they have to roll out the new HR20's and NEW AT( dishes all over the nation, not just in your home town.I feel for ya, as I was there, but I couldn't be happier with HD quality AFTER the wait. I'd keep bugging them to fit you in ASAP until they do (they will). PS I can take a pic of my HD dish if you want to compare it against the little one. It's huge.

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:08 am

Quote, originally posted by Kari Â»My parents just got Dish Network and had no problems...they decided they wanted it, and a few days later had it installed and done.Ok, the true test is to have them call DISH and ask for a MOVERS appiointment. See what happens..New customers always get top service, always. Just ask Netflix.EDIT: Yes, IMHO, DISH Network was WORSE. And, they don't have Sunday Ticket, so, aside from a slightly buggy first-run HR20, I'm a happy DTV customer.

engineertwin2 · Post by **engineertwin2** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:08 am

Unless he currently has HD, the new dish will have a quad LNB with HD capabilities. Even my parents quad LNB had to be replaced because it wasn't HD compatible.

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:09 am

Quote, originally posted by engineertwin2 Â»Unless he currently has HD, the new dish will have a quad LNB with HD capabilities. Even my parents quad LNB had to be replaced because it wasn't HD compatible.No, it should have 5 LNB's, not 4...it's massive.EDIT: Here's a write-up on DTV's new HD dish: http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/?p=129And this from http://www.hdtvprimer.com:Quote Â»DirecTVYou must have the oval dish that receives three satellites: 101Ã‚Â°, 110Ã‚Â°, and 119Ã‚Â° west longitude. In general, none of the local channels is in high definition.DirecTV is constructing its next generation of direct broadcast system. Unlike all present DBS systems, which use Ku band (12 GHz) and MPEG-2, the new hardware will use Ka band (30 GHz) and MPEG-4. This hardware will permit DirecTV to offer over 1600 channels in high definition, including locals. Present DirecTV receivers will not work with these new satellites, nor will the existing dishes.The first Ka band satellite, Spaceway F1, is in operation at 103Ã‚Â°. The second Ka band satellite, F2, is now in operation at 99Ã‚Â°. The two satellites provide high def locals for 49 markets, which is about 65% of U.S. households. The third and fourth satellites, which have greater capacity, are being built for launch in 2007.DirecTV has unveiled the H20 high definition receiver, their first Ka/MPEG-4 receiver. It also has Ku/MPEG-2 capability. It is a single receiver for satellite and ATSC OTA. It has HDMI and component video outputs but lacks a DVR.DirecTV has unveiled the AT9 dish antenna. It is a 25.5Ã¢Â€Âx 29.5Ã¢Â€Â oval (32 lb) with 5 LNBs. It receives Ka satellites at 99Ã‚Â° and 103Ã‚Â°, and also Ku satellites at 101Ã‚Â°, 110Ã‚Â°, and 119Ã‚Â°. It has a multi-switch that supports four receivers. Older receivers can use it (Ku only).DirecTV might eventually want to discontinue broadcasting on Ku band. But the fact they are introducing a new Ku/Ka dish suggests that will not happen in the foreseeable future.DirecTV showed a DVR at CES 2006 and said it will be available by summer. Called the HR20, it will record 30 hours of MPEG-2 HD, 50 hours of MPEG-4 HD, or 200 hours of SD.32lbs!! Yeah, I'd say it's a tad heavier than the standard dish..

Raivis · Post by **Raivis** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:17 am

i believe that hd does need a different dish (depending on which one u have now)dish network while they do have fast response quality is poor, they offer nothing for trouble and there installers are bad(independent but still bad)direct is better tho not by much

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:06 am

demand free service! threaten to cancel, they will suck your (removed).

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:16 am

so i currently have DTV with a Standard 3LNB dish and standard reciver and 27" tube tv. What would be the upgrade cost and how many RG-6 cable would be fed to a single NEW HD DVR DTV Reciver?Looks like I'm still out of luck for the time being...I need to have a Landbased phoneline and i do not.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:42 am

that sucks. sorry to hear it. i had my Dish up and installed within 3 days from when i ordered mine. we can't really get the HDTV here, unless i want to spend $800 more for the second dish. not worth it for the 6 or 8 channels. and as for installations, it depends on who does it. here we have several outfits. the one that i used and now am an authorized agent for is top notch. not only do they get it done within 3 days (standard), but have an almost next day response time for anyone having issues! i had a customer call me with some issues they were having w/ theirs and the next morning i emailed and called my guy and he was there the same day fixing it! not only that, they are the only outfit here that gives a 12 month guarantee on the equipment and installation. if we moved to a new place, they will come out within the 3 days and have it installed and done without any charge! as for the quality of service and picture, it far beats out our local cable co. sure i don't get HD TNT anymore, but then i'm not paying $30/mo MORE to get it. so it's not a big deal to me. still picture quality is better than the analog cable. plus, i can get the local channels in HD for free with a $50 HDTV antenna from walmart!

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:57 am

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»demand free service! threaten to cancel, they will suck your (removed).I did that, they refused. I threatened to cancel, they told me I was under contract until Oct. I told them I'd cancel and get Dish, they said go right ahead.......

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:01 am

i think you could fight it since they haven't even installed it! and if you used a credit card, you can dispute the charges for services not received and their unwillingness to resolve it. if anything they will have to pay a $50 fee from Visa/Mastercard for handling the dispute.

CCD · Post by **CCD** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:17 pm

OK, this is coming from a guy who owns a Home Theater sales and install company. Call your LOCAL dealer! Here is a list of them:JCE Installation Services Phone: (615) 449-2992Web SiteRetail sales and service of DirecTV, Dish Network, Ku-band FTA, HD TV antennas and Satellite Internet Access. Servicing Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Approximately 50 mile radius of Lebanon, TN and Clarksville, TN.Klein Enterprise Phone: (931 )296-5972Retail sales and service of DirecTV, Dish Network, Home Theater, Plasma, RV Satellite Systems, Structured Wiring and more. Servicing daily routes are 100 mile radius of zip code Waverly, TN. We have techs that travel nation wide completing project installsR&S installations Phone: (931) 332-0914Retail sales and service of commercial VSAT, Computer Networking, DirecTV and Dish Network. We also provide Satellite Internet Access using WildBlue Satellite Broadband. We service N.E. MI, NW AL, Middle and West TN.Gateway Communications, LLC Phone: (931) 645-3474 US Army Veteran owned and operated Full Service Satellite Dealer/Installer for Dish Network, DIRECTV, FTA, WildBlue, Hughesnet, XM, and Sirius. Specializing in new construction custom pre-wiring for full home theater/home automation integration along with residential and commercial computer networks. XpressTech Phone: (901) 382-3955 XpressTech provides sales and service for the Mid-South covering West Tennessee and North Mississippi and East Arkansas with DirecTV (residential and commercial), XM& Sirius Radio, HughesNet (Internet), Home Theater and LCD & Plazma TV installation. In the business for over 5 years. I do not know the area but one of these guys has got to be close by.Yes you may pay a few bucks more but the experience will be radically different and the install will be better. Last time I checked a day off (company owner) costs me about $800 in income. Even at min wage you would lose $50+. Why do you have to be able to do everything online? I like face to face business. I only buy things online I can afford to throw away without ever getting to use them. Just the .02 from a guy with 22 years in the business. Yes I am too old to drive a Vibe so I can only drive mine on the weekends. Sorry if a squashed any toes....

VforVIBE · Post by **VforVIBE** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:24 pm

NO!!!!!!! STEP AWAY FOR THE HDTV!!!!!!!! trust me, you don't want it, I have it and it likes to black out randomly, Direct TV knows there is a problem, but they don't know how to fix it. While you still can, dump the HDTV!!!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:25 pm

Quote, originally posted by CCD Â»I do not know the area but one of these guys has got to be close by.Yes you may pay a few bucks more but the experience will be radically different and the install will be better. Last time I checked a day off (company owner) costs me about $800 in income. Even at min wage you would lose $50+. Why do you have to be able to do everything online? I like face to face business. I only buy things online I can afford to throw away without ever getting to use them. Just the .02 from a guy with 22 years in the business. Yes I am too old to drive a Vibe so I can only drive mine on the weekends. Sorry if a squashed any toes....(removed)! PREACH ON!!!!!i can't tell you how many customers i have to turn down to help because they went online and signed up! why won't i help them? they aren't my customer and i don't get paid for free consulting! that is why you should ALWAYS contact a local dealer before signing up for anything online! unless you absolutely cannot, you just will not get the service or support after the sale! my customers get my full attention almost 24-7. I have many who call me at 8 pm and are amazed i will still answer my phone and/or take time out from what i am doing to help them w/ their problems. that is why they sign up with me vs online or calling a toll free number! maybe it's not too late, but perhaps the dealer can do something if you can contact them locally.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:37 pm

am i the only one here who is going to ask, why bother getting HD with a regular tv?that sucks everyone has to pay so much for HD. for me, it's only $6 extra a month, and i will be getting it soon!

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:15 pm

I just got a 50" HDTV......that's the whole reason for getting the upgrade. But I'm really thinking it's time to cancel the install, get my money back, and wait a while......maybe they'll see the error of their ways.Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»am i the only one here who is going to ask, why bother getting HD with a regular tv?that sucks everyone has to pay so much for HD. for me, it's only $6 extra a month, and i will be getting it soon!

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:50 pm

aha!perhaps you are right.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:18 pm

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»am i the only one here who is going to ask, why bother getting HD with a regular tv?I got an HDTV, and when I hooked it up to my cable, did the auto channel scan and it pulled in a bunch of HDTV signals. I am still going to sign up to get the full digital and HD package from the cable company to be legal, but not paying extra is a temptation. hopefully integrity will prevail.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:20 pm

do you have a cable box joat? i have to get a different box to get the HD channels. hence the extra money.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:31 pm

no, but the tv has builtin NTSC and ATSC tuners, it's just cable from the pole to the tv, only a splitter or two in between.The HD channels seem to be the broadcast networks from Balto and DC, I am too far to pick up anything without cable, and there are some other channels I would like that I need to sign up to get, so I probably will. However, what I have right now should serve me well for Sunday's game.sorry for the hijack, tnpartsguy, I hope you get it straightened out soon.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:47 am

if your local stations broadcast in HD, you are not STEALING anything. they are FREE channels. if those are the only ones you watch and you can receive them, then don't waste your money on HD subscriptions. if you want TNT, ESPN, Discover, etc in HD, then that would require a subscription to a service that can provide it.

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:50 am

My gf's father had Direct TV, keyword HAD. He put the call in when he got his new flatscreen and after 30 days still nothing. He cancelled Direct TV and got Cable (Optimum io). $5 extra a month for the HD box and you already get all the channels it has in HD.

VforVIBE · Post by **VforVIBE** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:29 am

Fois http://www.verizonfios.com/

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:31 am

Quote, originally posted by VforVIBE Â»Fois http://www.verizonfios.com/Sadly, not an option here.......neither is Cable....the city has a contract with Charter, the worlds WORST Cable Company.

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:55 pm

Got my upgrade cancelled, AND because they missed their service commitment, I got $100 credit. End of story. I like Direct TV, but their service still sucks. Should NOT have taken me 3 days to get a refund. And the 1st 3 people I talked to NEVER mentioned the missed appointment/service commitment credit.The End*roll credits*

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 2:49 am

well, still good news! at least they cancelled it and gave you $100 credit on your account! better than what you were looking at down the road.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:30 am

i have charter and i am extremely satisfied. they have good customer service from my experience. i am itching to get the $5 HD cable box.

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