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View Full Version : How do I get a SWMline dish for my upgrade?


I8AZuk
12-24-08, 11:05 AM
I need some help. My in-laws are looking to upgrade to HD service with D*. They currently have an 18" round feeding a switch in the attic which in turn feeds four receivers throughout the house: one D12, two D10s and one R10 (just one tuner). They'd like to upgrade the R10 to an HD-DVR and activate both tuners. But it will be very difficult to run a second line to the location where the R10 is currently at (where the HR2x will go). In my mind the best solution would be to install a SWMline dish and upgrade both of the D10s to D12s (along with upgrading the R10).

Yesterday I spend over an hour on the phone with D*.

The first CSR said the single wire is not available in the market, but put me through to someone in the technical group to see if they could help find a solution. I'm in the same market as AZShawn, and clearly he got a SWMLine install just last week (link (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1926864&postcount=1)).
The techincal group person eventually confirmed that the solution I listed above should work but said I needed to talk to someone in the upgrade department to get costs on upgrading the D10s (they already agreed to upgrade the R10 for free).
After another 30 minutes explaining the whole issue again to the upgrade department person, she insisted I needed a slimline + had to purchase a SWM myself in order for this to work. Grrrr...

My patience expired and dinner plans fast approaching, I ended the call after 69 minutes with the following order:

HD-DVR - Free
Internet Connection Kit - 24.99
HD Access - Free
Professional Install - Free (I'm assuming the workorder will specify slimline dish install)


Is there a certain way I need to phrase my request to the CSRs so that I can get the SWMline install from the first person I talk to? I think part of the problem here is that each person put notes in the account and the next person had to read them and also had to get add'l info from me and their supervisor before he/she came to their own conclusion on what should be done. It was very frustrating. If I can talk to just one person that can understand the request and actually complete the order themselves, that would probably work.

Any suggestions?

BattleZone
12-24-08, 12:30 PM
I appologize in advance for being blunt, but: you (or rather, your in-laws) simply don't qualify for a SWM. Thus, it is impossible for any DirecTV CSR to create a work order to give you one, because the order system is designed to prevent end-runs around the business rules, which is what you are trying to do.

Upgrades don't qualify for SWMs specifically for the reasons why you'd have problems: you have legacy receivers, and DirecTV doesn't want to swap out perfectly good, owned receivers just to make them SWM compatible.

So, your choices are two: either let DirecTV do the install with legacy equipment (and decide whether to let them run the 2nd line), or buy SWM equipment yourself.

I8AZuk
12-24-08, 02:45 PM
That wasn't too blunt, so no apology needed IMO.

...you have legacy receivers, and DirecTV doesn't want to swap out perfectly good, owned receivers just to make them SWM compatible.
...

The R10 is owned. When we made the initial call to upgrade to HD the CSR offered the R10->HR2x for free (+$20 handling). I offered to pay for the D10->D12 upgrades. I never asked to get those for free. Are you saying that it's against D* business rules to give the customer an upgrade they're willing to pay for? (BTW, I'm not trying to be argumentative there - I sincerely wonder if that's the case.)

BattleZone
12-25-08, 01:00 AM
If you have legacy receivers active on your account, DirecTV's ordering system will not allow SWM dishes to be selected, and this can't be overridden.

You might be able to deactivate and have removed your legacy receivers, then call back and get the upgrade. You would have to pay for the D12s, of course, but at least then you wouldn't have any disqualifying receivers, and the system should let a SWM order go through.

miketorse
12-25-08, 09:21 AM
If I may suggest, if cost isn't such a big deal, actually buying a SWM-8 online, and giving the installer a tip to install it for you with the regular Slimline dish. That way, you can keep your D11. Or you can install it yourself, it is very easy to install the SWM-8, since you don't have to mess with the dish.