Dish adjustment/re-alignment

[peter17319]

First of all, I want to confirm that I probably need a dish re-alignment. For several weeks now, I've been having a lot of sporadic signal problems (and not just during severe weather, which is the only way it used to go out). It seems to hit at least once a day, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for an hour or more. I've reset the receiver many times, including powering it down completely.

So let's assume the dish needs to be adjusted. Is that covered by DirecTV, or do I have to pay for that myself? And if so, how much should I expect it to cost?

FYI -- doing it myself is not an option. :(

[Brandon428]

How long have you had Directv and do you have the Protection Plan? If not I think its $70.00 but if you call and tell them your problem they may give you a break. They always let me get by with just adding the Protection Plan then I would remove it the next month.

[peter17319]

I'm pretty sure I don't have any sort of Protection Plan. Is there an easy way to confirm that on my online account page - is there a certain place where that would show up?

And I've been with DirecTV since January 2008.

[harsh]

If you want to know with some certainty how DIRECTV is going to treat you, you should ask them.

After they answer, you can try it out here and see if what they told you is reasonable.

[Mertzen]

Yes, if you have a protection plan it would show up in the 'My Programming' section of your account AFAIK.
If you don't have the PP a service call is currently $49. Since the install is +1 year old there is little give on that price.

[peter17319]

I guess it's worth a shot to play CSR roulette and see if I can get my first service call as a courtesy. Or maybe I can do the sign-up-now-and-cancel-afterwards trick like Brandon428 said.

One more thing -- with the way I described the issue, is it safe to assume that it's a dish alignment problem, and not the HR21-700 acting up? No matter how often I reset or reboot the receiver, the problem keeps coming back.

[Brandon428]

You won't be able to sign up and immediately get service. I think the PP starts the month after you get it but if you call and tell them whats wrong ask them politely if you can get the pp and if it'll cover the charge. I never had to pay a service charge and I rarely had the PP so it shouldn't be a problem. Let them add the PP (it should cover the service call) and after a month cancel it.

[Mertzen]

One more thing -- with the way I described the issue, is it safe to assume that it's a dish alignment problem, and not the HR21-700 acting up? No matter how often I reset or reboot the receiver, the problem keeps coming back.

Give us a set of signal strength readings, especially 103c and 99c and we'll be able to tell more.

[MrShowtime]

You won't be able to sign up and immediately get service. I think the PP starts the month after you get it but if you call and tell them whats wrong ask them politely if you can get the pp and if it'll cover the charge. I never had to pay a service charge and I rarely had the PP so it shouldn't be a problem. Let them add the PP (it should cover the service call) and after a month cancel it.

There is a 30 day delay on when you sign up for the DPP and when it takes effect and when you sign up, you are locked in for one year. They do this so you can't do the sign up / cancel scam. Of course, you could always play that CSR roulette game and probably with enough work you could get a service call comped / discounted

[Brandon428]

There is a 30 day delay on when you sign up for the DPP and when it takes effect and when you sign up, you are locked in for one year. They do this so you can't do the sign up / cancel scam. Of course, you could always play that CSR roulette game and probably with enough work you could get a service call comped / discounted

They must have just changed the policy. Good things never last.:D

[JLucPicard]

They must have just changed the policy.
A LONG time ago.