Service call vs upgrade call?

[IndyMichael]

Didn't think we'd get an HDtv til our 36" Jvc SDtv died, but the wife saw a Thomasville entertainment center on Craigslist and wanted it. The guy selling it included a 52" Hitachi rear projection HDtv with it. I called D* to buy an HD dvr, but they wanted $199 plus $50 more since we were new customers, so I went to Best Buy and they had it listed for $199 too, but it rang up for $169.

Anyway, I called D* again to activate it and found it couldn't get my local channels or any of the HD channels with the basic round dish they initially installed. I had a service call for today for a new dish to be installed and two new lines to be run to where the 36" tv will live. When the tech got here, he said he was told nothing about installing a new dish or running more cable and said neither of those would be done under a service call, and that D* should've ordered an upgrade call. All seems odd to me, ever more odd is that the lady I talked to today said they were going to send the KA_KU dish to me, then call back to schedule a date for it to be installed.

[rhambling]

you need to have a dish upgrade call done. i have done many of them. sounds like an incompetent csr

[BattleZone]

The "$50 more" included the dish upgrade; you were "new" to HD and needed the new dish. Techs make so little on a service call that no tech is going to do a dish upgrade, which in many cases is virtually a complete system reinstall, for service call pay. You're going to have to have an upgrade work order created including installation for the receiver you leased via Best Buy. This is going to end up costing you more than if you'd gone ahead and gotten everything from DirecTV from the beginning.

The receivers at retailers like Best Buy are for existing DirecTV customers who can do their own installations, including any dish/switch/cabling needed. Some folks like to do all their own work, even if it's more expensive. Anyway, going forward, once you have the new dish installed, you could probably install additional receivers yourself, but if you have any questions, check here first and we can give you better, more correct advice than you'll likely get from a big-box sales clerk or DirecTV CSR.

[davring]

I would suggest a short e-mail to DirecTV explaining the misunderstanding upon your upgrade and that you purchased equipment not knowing that you may have gotten a better deal through the DirecTV installation people. I would be very surprised if you do not receive credits to offset your added expense and inconvenience.

[IndyMichael]

I've been told by two csr's that since we're still within the 90 day window of when we got D* installed, the new dish install and new cables run for the 4th tv will be free. I'll let you know if that indeed is the case.

Oh, for those who read my post about the install and the tech hitting a water pipe, causing us to be without water for a few hours and the plumbing bill of $530 coming out of our pockets, the $530 reimbursement check is said to be in the mail.

[Rich]

I've been told by two csr's that since we're still within the 90 day window of when we got D* installed, the new dish install and new cables run for the 4th tv will be free. I'll let you know if that indeed is the case.

Oh, for those who read my post about the install and the tech hitting a water pipe, causing us to be without water for a few hours and the plumbing bill of $530 coming out of our pockets, the $530 reimbursement check is said to be in the mail.

Really gotta love plumbers, don't you? But when you need them, what choice do you have? DIY is rarely successful when it comes to liquids.

By the way, do yourself a favor and get the Protection Plan and you'll never have to pay for service calls or hardware replacements.

Rich

[IndyMichael]

We ordered the protection plan, it will kick in after the 90 day window expires.

[BattleZone]

I've been told by two csr's that since we're still within the 90 day window of when we got D* installed, the new dish install and new cables run for the 4th tv will be free. I'll let you know if that indeed is the case.

Okay, that does make a difference. Good luck this time around!

[RobertE]

I've been told by two csr's that since we're still within the 90 day window of when we got D* installed, the new dish install and new cables run for the 4th tv will be free. I'll let you know if that indeed is the case.
Oh, for those who read my post about the install and the tech hitting a water pipe, causing us to be without water for a few hours and the plumbing bill of $530 coming out of our pockets, the $530 reimbursement check is said to be in the mail.

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

Part of me says no way are they going to do free HD upgrade and add a room at no charge.

The other says with the past issues there will be a charge and an offsetting credit.

[IndyMichael]

Found this on my account today. Sounds like it will all be free like the csr's said.

High-Definition Programming
1
Free
DIRECTV HD DVR. Install Only (Expanded HD Prog. Capable)
1
Free
DIRECTV 5-LNB Multi-Satellite Dish
1
Free
Swap Relocate DVR IRD
1
Free
Handling
1
Free
Professional Installation
1
Free
Installation
Monday, December 29, 2008 (Noon to 4PM) | Re-Schedule Installation