Given Scratched, Dented Box During Install

[tw0053]

For my movers' connection install, I paid for a new hd box and hddvr. The hd box that they brought was defective. I didn't notice it at first but instead they ended up giving me a used h20 that's all scratched up and has dents. Should I keep this box or call directv and tell them I want a new one? Will they give me a new one or am I stuck with this one?

[flynn337]

let your fingers do the walking.... i think i'd call the installer first though (mine mentioned a "call us within 30 days if you're not happy" sort of deal).

[spartanstew]

Does it work?
Since you're leasing the equipment, that's all that matters.

[tw0053]

Does it work?
Since you're leasing the equipment, that's all that matters.

What happens if the receiver were to break or something? Do I have to buy a new one? Is there are warranty? I don't want to get stuck buying a new box and then having to renew my service for another 2 years if I don't have to.

[TigersFanJJ]

Does it work?
Since you're leasing the equipment, that's all that matters.

+1

You didn't pay for new receivers. You paid a lease upgrade fee. The whole purpose of the lease program was for Directv to re-use receivers.

Call if you want but the only thing that may be accomplished is that the tech may get charged back for something that isn't under his control.

[ChrisPC]

When I upgraded my bedroom receiver to MPEG4, they sent me one that had a couple of small scratches. I'm pretty obsessive, but it really didn't bother me. It would if there were a dent!

[Bill Broderick]

What happens if the receiver were to break or something? Do I have to buy a new one? Is there are warranty?

If it breaks and you have the protection plan, they will send you a new one, no strings attached. If you don't have the protection plan, they will send you a new one, but charge you $19.95 for shipping. They're not supposed to extend your committment when they replace a receiver. But sometimes they do. If the committment time is important to you, if you need to get a receiver replaced, make sure that you discuss the fact that your committment is not supposed to be extended when arranging for the receiver and then double check again after you have received the new receiver.

As others have said, you didn't "buy" anything. Rather than charging a higher monthly fee for more advanced equipment, DirecTV charges a 1 time upgrade fee to cover the increased cost of the advanced equipment and then charges you the same amount per month as if you had an standard receiver.

[David MacLeod]

if its dented send it back. odds are buttons will start failing. had to sent 2 back (2 separate occasions) because of stuff like this. 1 had all buttons inop right out of the box.
scratches, no big deal.

[satguy22]

Direct tv is hoping you will call so they can get 50.00 back from that installer. My company has been charged back 120,000 in just three years. A customer called in and said they dont know how to use the remonte, so direct sent someone to show the customer how to use the remote again and charged the installer 50.00. I say just watch channel 201.

[wolfman730]

+1

You didn't pay for new receivers. You paid a lease upgrade fee. The whole purpose of the lease program was for Directv to re-use receivers.

Call if you want but the only thing that may be accomplished is that the tech may get charged back for something that isn't under his control.

Sorry, but I totally disagree with you. If he paid full price for this receiver he should get a new one. If he pays full price at Best Buy or another retailer he is not going to get a used unit.

[RobertE]

Sorry, but I totally disagree with you. If he paid full price for this receiver he should get a new one. If he pays full price at Best Buy or another retailer he is not going to get a used unit.

But he DIDN't pay full price for the receiver. He paid for a "upgrade". He's not going to pay full price at any other brick & motar store either.

If it's not to his satisfaction, he really needs to call them up, explain why he's not happy with the box and see what (if anything) they will do.

[David MacLeod]

its a sad thing when installers have to cover for a lack of QA on the refurb side of the supply chain.

[wolfman730]

But he DIDN't pay full price for the receiver. He paid for a "upgrade". He's not going to pay full price at any other brick & motar store either.

If it's not to his satisfaction, he really needs to call them up, explain why he's not happy with the box and see what (if anything) they will do.

I guess I didn't state my reply properly. By full price I was referring to the upgrade price of $99 for HD box and $199 for the HD DVR, for which paying this price will get you a new box at the brick and mortar stores.

[netraa]

its a sad thing when installers have to cover for a lack of QA on the refurb side of the supply chain.

The way I do it is if the dents and scratches are 'significant' and i catch them, I just toe tag it, and return it to the warehouse as DOB.

If a refer so much as sneezes when i'm putting it on, it get's tagged and returned.

[boba]

I guess I didn't state my reply properly. By full price I was referring to the upgrade price of $99 for HD box and $199 for the HD DVR, for which paying this price will get you a new box at the brick and mortar stores.If you search the forums you will find a recent post about a shortage of HRs and BB having some refurbs so coming from a brick and mortar store no longer means BRAND SPANKIN NEW. It just means a working unit just like the cable company.:):):)

[oldpianos]

I wouldn't put up with it. Say you record a bunch of stuff you really want to watch and the hard drive fails. Who knows how old the unit is, or if it even went through a refub process. I would be very upset if I lost recordings because I got a used unit the installer had bounching around in the back of his van for the past 6 months. (And, the dents probably prove it was indeed just ruding around with the rest of the "junk"). I would call the installer and complain. If no-go, then call D* and complain. Maybe they should give you the protection package for free for a year.

[tw0053]

I was reading in the manual that the receiver has a 90-day warranty. If they receiver breaks you get a new one, but have to pay the shipping unless you have the protection plan. It says to call directv for out of warranty information. Anyone know what happens after the warranty period or have any experience with a receiver breaking after the warranty period?

[bobcamp1]

For my movers' connection install, I paid for a new hd box and hddvr. The hd box that they brought was defective. I didn't notice it at first but instead they ended up giving me a used h20 that's all scratched up and has dents. Should I keep this box or call directv and tell them I want a new one? Will they give me a new one or am I stuck with this one?

You need to get a better one. When you go to return that unit, D* might claim that YOU caused that damage and charge you $400+ to buy the receiver you had leasing all this time.

Plus, a dent is not a good sign. Electronics (especially ones with hard drives) aren't supposed to be subjected to sharp, jarring events.

[spartanstew]

I wouldn't put up with it. Say you record a bunch of stuff you really want to watch and the hard drive fails. Who knows how old the unit is, or if it even went through a refub process. I would be very upset if I lost recordings because I got a used unit the installer had bounching around in the back of his van for the past 6 months.

But you'd be happy if you lost the recordings on a new box? :confused:

There's no correlation between failure rate and the age of the box. In fact, the opposite might be more accurate (a newer box is more apt to fail over one that's been in use).

[gen2rx7]

its a sad thing when installers have to cover for a lack of QA on the refurb side of the supply chain.

I have been seeing H20-600 (refurb) receivers without the 2.0 stickers on the bottom. I actually had two of them today. I think that sums up the QA on the refurb units!!

[TigersFanJJ]

I would be very upset if I lost recordings because I got a used unit the installer had bounching around in the back of his van for the past 6 months. (And, the dents probably prove it was indeed just ruding around with the rest of the "junk").

You will never get one that has been bouncing around in the installers van for six months. An installer will never install a receiver today that he had to personally pay for several months ago. Would you?

[wolfman730]

If you search the forums you will find a recent post about a shortage of HRs and BB having some refurbs so coming from a brick and mortar store no longer means BRAND SPANKIN NEW. It just means a working unit just like the cable company.:):):)

In that case if it wasn't advertised as not brand new they would be getting it back. There is no way I would pay the same price for a refurb vs. a new unit period.

[David MacLeod]

I have been seeing H20-600 (refurb) receivers without the 2.0 stickers on the bottom. I actually had two of them today. I think that sums up the QA on the refurb units!!
I received one (hr21-100) that had the plastic cover installed wrong and all vent holes were covered. in 10 minutes it was so hot it started smelling.
that one got sent back :)

[tigerwillow1]

I would expect anything that's "refurbished" to be free of any significant cosmetic defects.

[Getteau]

You need to get a better one. When you go to return that unit, D* might claim that YOU caused that damage and charge you $400+ to buy the receiver you had leasing all this time.

Plus, a dent is not a good sign. Electronics (especially ones with hard drives) aren't supposed to be subjected to sharp, jarring events.

Exactly. I was going to type the same thing.

[paulman182]

I probably wouldn't do anything about it if it worked, but I would be very dissappointed if I received a refurb box as an upgrade.

Thankfully, it has never happened to me thru several upgrades.