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View Full Version : Unit problems and what to do


shocky
01-04-08, 12:24 PM
*start vent*

God I hate direcTV customer service.

So before Christmas I called direcTV because since install I had been getting Pixelation whenever the wind blows on the satellite dish on HD channels. (Which happens to be every day here in Texas) There solution? Send me a new unit. I told the CSR that I think the unit is fine and that the dish may not have been aligned/installed properly. She assures me they have to replace my unit. That was the only problem I had (besides the HR21 lockups that seem to be happening with this model..

Replaced the unit and sent the old one back. Same day start getting 771 on HD channels. A reset of the unit corrects it. Next day same thing. Reset unit corrects it. Called DTV and they said they will send a technician.

Posted this message here and did more research to find that even transponders on 103b are all 0's. But tuner 2 works just fine. I swapped the cables from tuner 1 and tuner 2 and it made no difference.. Tuner 1 still had even transponder problems. That means it's not the cabling and the unit right?

I called DTV and told them all this and they tell me it'll be another week before they could get a replacement unit to me and the technician will not be able to replace the unit. They also told me it would not be covered by the protection plan. I had to REMIND the agent that I'm a customer less than 90 days from install and had the protection plan as well. Agent wouldn't budge and basically said tough luck and did a repeat that he couldn't help me and gave me the local installers number.

Contacted them.. They said it's not there problems and they won't replace equipment only realign the dish/wiring/etc.

ALL BECAUSE THEY SHIPPED ME A DEFECTIVE OPEN BOX UNIT. (sticker was already cut and box was not sealed.).

Pretty crappy service for a customer with service LESS than 90 days AND has the protection plan.

*end vent*

Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this?

Stuart Sweet
01-04-08, 12:31 PM
My suggestion would be to write a literate, informative, and entertaining rant at a leading satellite TV web site.

Oops, too late ;)

Canis Lupus
01-04-08, 12:38 PM
Call D* back and at the first voice prompt, say "Cancel". This will take you to customer retention. There is also, I believe, a somewhat new installation/warranty support department.

You're in the 90 days AND you have the protection plan. Anything less than complete satisfaction is unacceptable.