Lightning took out my HR21-700 & R15

[jss92]

Storm last night took out 2 of my 3 DirecTV units as mentioned in the topic title. It spared my R10.

HR21 won't even power on and the R15 will start up but states it's checking the disk and tries to download satellite info, but never completes.

Called DirecTV and stated they would send a tech. on site to fully diagnose for a $79 service fee - wanted to hook me into the $5.99 insurance for product lifetime and reduced service fee, but declined.

I'm assuming they will replace the boxes if proven "fried" since they are "leased." Any chance my Slimline dish was damaged - as mentioned the R10 works but it's not the "new" DirecTV technology for HD, etc.

Anyone with similar experience or insight.

Thanks!

[ziggy29]

It's unlikely that the dish itself is damaged unless it took a direct hit, though it's possible the LNBs on the dish could be. Having said that, if you still have one unit that works fine and pulls in just as strong a signal as before on all the transponders, chances are nothing is wrong with it.

[Scott in FL]

As I understand it, they will replace your fried receivers for free because they are leased. But because you did not have the protection plan, this will restart your 2 year commitment clock. Is that correct???

[Steve Robertson]

As I understand it, they will replace your fried receivers for free because they are leased. But because you did not have the protection plan, this will restart your 2 year commitment clock. Is that correct???

That is the way I understand it.

[Mavrick]

As I understand it, they will replace your fried receivers for free because they are leased. But because you did not have the protection plan, this will restart your 2 year commitment clock. Is that correct???

I believe that is correct that since no protection plan 2 year commitment clock starts over.

[tcusta00]

There is a chance they may not cover it at all, since technically it's not faulty equipment, it's your "fault."

CARE OF EQUIPMENT. You are responsible for the loss of or any damage to the DIRECTV equipment that you have leased from DIRECTV. You shall have no right to sell, give away, transfer, pledge, mortgage, remove, relocate, alter or tamper with the DIRECTV equipment at any time. DIRECTV PROVIDES YOU THE DIRECTV EQUIPMENT AS IS, AND MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE DIRECTV EQUIPMENT PROVIDED TO YOU. ALL SUCH WARRANTIES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED. DIRECTV IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RELATING TO THE DIRECTV EQUIPMENT PROVIDED TO YOU. In the event the DIRECTV equipment you have leased from DIRECTV does not operate, contact DIRECTV at 1-800-531-5000.


I think they will most likely replace it for the service call fee, but be prepared to pay for the equipment too.

[Greg Alsobrook]

Did you have any sort of surge strip or UPS on the recievers??

Also... If your slimline took a hit... you'd know it... :grin:

[jimb726]

Of course you could accept thier protection plan offer, they will waive the service call fee and that will essentially spread the cost of the service call over an entire year. Plus then if anything else is damaged, it would be covered as well.

[workindev]

As I understand it, they will replace your fried receivers for free because they are leased. But because you did not have the protection plan, this will restart your 2 year commitment clock. Is that correct???According to this post (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1630638&postcount=24), that isn't correct. Replacing a broken leased receiver with a new leased receiver does not extend your contract. However, they may try to extend it without your knowledge, so you'll need to call and follow up after the fact.

[K4SMX]

As I understand it, they will replace your fried receivers for free because they are leased. But because you did not have the protection plan, this will restart your 2 year commitment clock. Is that correct???
That is the way I understand it.
I believe that is correct that since no protection plan 2 year commitment clock starts over.
I don't think that is correct, with a caveat to which tcusta00 alluded. Please see this post (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1451607&postcount=1), quoting an e-mail regarding the rules for commitment extensions, which is excerpted below.

Obviously if you have the PP, you're going to be covered for lightning damage. Without the PP, you're sort of in gray limbo. While I've not heard of them not replacing these receivers under the same rules as any other failure, i.e., $19.95 + no extension, I don't think they're absolutely required to replace any non-PP receivers under the Lease Addendum (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P500014) as I read it, once it's out of warranty. And I don't think you'll find anything definitive covering their apparent current policy on replacing leased receivers not covered by the PP.

So while I might not worry about it if it were just one receiver ("It just went dead one day":rolleyes: ), I might be a little nervous with multiple receivers to replace all at one time due to an obvious cause with a service call required. I think I would take the PP deal, at least for one year, so I wouldn't have to worry about this issue. With them requiring an $80 service call, it's a no-brainer. You've then got the warranty issue and the commitment issue covered. :)

Thank you for writing. Your email has been forwarded to me for resolution and I would be glad to address your concerns in regards to commitments.

So that all the information is clear, here is what you have previously asked as well as the question you have just asked. (Please note that all commitments are now 18 months for standard equipment, and 24 months for advanced equipment which includes DVR, HD, or HD DVR receivers. Before November 19th, 2007, the commitments were 12 and 24 months for standard and advanced Equipment.)

Owned Receivers:

-With no Protection Plan coverage - You can A) replace the receiver with an owned receiver at full cost and no commitment, or B) replace the owned receiver with a leased receiver, pay $19.95 for Delivery and Handling, with a commitment.
-With Protection Plan coverage - You will never pay for the replacement unless not covered by the Protection Plan, and it will not extend your commitment. The receiver should also be marked as Owned on your account.

An owned receiver that is replaced outside of warranty, unless with the protection plan, is leased, and has the commitment.

Leased Receivers:

-With no Protection Plan coverage - You will pay the $19.95 for delivery and handling, but the commitment should not be extended.
-With Protection Plan coverage - You will never pay for the replacement unless not covered by the Protection Plan, and it will not extend your commitment.

There is also the opportunity to have the $19.95 waived if you sign up for the Protection Plan when you replace the receiver.

Either way, a leased receiver, when replaced is not supposed to extend your commitment with DIRECTV. These policies that I have outlined are in reference to a receiver being replaced due to technical problems. Any receiver that is still covered by the 90 day warranty, whether leased or owned, does not extend the commitment on the account. If there is ever an instance where these policies are not correctly adhered to on your account, please let DIRECTV know immediately so that the situation can be rectified in a timely manner.

This does not apply to upgraded receivers. Unless you pay the full cost to own the equipment, there will always be the respective 18 or 24 month commitment associated with an upgraded or additional receiver.

I hope you find this information helpful and thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Anna D.
**** (redacted, Tom)
DIRECTV Customer Service

[jeffmacguy]

I experienced something nearly identical... I believe that the surge came through the wired network connection, in my case. I lost a HR20-700 and a HR21-700 which were both hard-wired to my home network. I also lost every wired PC on the network EXCEPT the only one that had a PCI network card (the others had networking integrated on the mobo) The HR10-200 survived since it had no network interface. Every electronic device in my hous is connected through a UPS, and I'm pretty sure AC was not the problem. Now everytime I "think" I see lightening, I run to my data closet and disconnect and unplug the cable modem.

All the damage was covered under my homeowners policy, but D* did replace both receivers free.

[looney2ns]

Exactly why every network drop should be surge protected as well.

[workindev]

Exactly why every network drop should be surge protected as well.Yes. It should also be pointed out that unplugging the cable modem won't eliminate the risk. If you have long CAT5 runs in your house, lightening can induce a current on them regardless of whether your cable modem is plugged in or not.