Need to know who owned an old receiver to activate???

[Matt L]

This is a new one to me. One of my older DTiVos is acting up, and I had picked up an old HR10-250 just in case I needed a part for my unit. So far it's just been sitting there so I called D to swap the Hr10-250 for the DTivo that is acting up.

The guy checked and said it could be activated no problem but I had to know the person who's account it was on. I've had this thing sitting on a shelf for close to two years, got it at a garage sale. There is no way to track who it belonged to. It's not like it was leased equipment, this is an old HD TiVo. Is there any other option?

Bah.

[say-what]

It's possible that the prior owner never had the receivers removed from his account or has an outstanding balance due.

I had tried to activate an old receiver that one of my brother's tenants had left behind - said he could keep them. I was asked who I got them from because they were still listed on his account and he needed to have them removed. They can't activate a receiver until it's removed from the old account, not just deactivated - particulary if the old account has a balance due.

I've also been given some difficulty transferring my old receivers to my parents - but that was easier to resolve, even got them to activate without swapping the access card.

[erosroadie]

It's possible that the prior owner never had the receivers removed from his account or has an outstanding balance due.

I had tried to activate an old receiver that one of my brother's tenants had left behind - said he could keep them. I was asked who I got them from because they were still listed on his account and he needed to have them removed. They can't activate a receiver until it's removed from the old account, not just deactivated - particulary if the old account has a balance due.

I've also been given some difficulty transferring my old receivers to my parents - but that was easier to resolve, even got them to activate without swapping the access card.

I ask because I don’t know…:confused:

Any chance that D* can crosscheck the S/N of the HR10-250 with what they show in their active inventory? Barring that, can they crosscheck the number on the Access Card? Failing those options, what about buying a new Access Card from D* and starting from scratch? Is that even possible...and would that solve the problem?

[mammut]

Had a similar situation with a sat go receiver I bought on ebay.

To get it to work I had to order a new access card but the rep had no issue at all removing the inactivated receiver from the other guy's account.

Give CSR roulette a try.

[say-what]

Just call back, explain the situation and see if they're able to issue a new card. Unless the receiver is still tied to an account that owes money, there shouldn't be an issue. It's possible that the CSR you got the 1st time, just didn't know how to handle the situation.

[bridge]

Interesting issue...So, lets say the garage sale guy's account is delinquent and he sold his receivers (after losing his job during this recession). They were both owned receivers and the original owners personal property. So, why does D* care? Why would they not activate them for the new owner if they still work?

[BattleZone]

Interesting issue...So, lets say the garage sale guy's account is delinquent and he sold his receivers (after losing his job during this recession). They were both owned receivers and the original owners personal property. So, why does D* care? Why would they not activate them for the new owner if they still work?

That should be pretty obvious: they want to collect the money they are owed. That's why it is the responsibility of the buyer to get the RID number and call DirecTV to verify that the receiver:

- is owned, not leased
- has been removed from the previous owner's account
- has no outstanding balance

If you fail to do those things, you risk buying a receiver that DirecTV won't activate. And it's always been this way, at least since I started with DirecTV over 6 years ago.

[bonscott87]

Interesting issue...So, lets say the garage sale guy's account is delinquent and he sold his receivers (after losing his job during this recession). They were both owned receivers and the original owners personal property. So, why does D* care? Why would they not activate them for the new owner if they still work?

There is a balance due on the old guy's account. Until that is paid in full they won't activate it.

[Matt L]

Maybe I'll try CRS roulette. Got nothing to loose. I also have another one on the shelf, might try that one.

[gfrang]

Call and ask for access card department,they activated a old receiver i had when the csr couldn't do it because the system wouldn't let it happen.

[bridge]

That should be pretty obvious: they want to collect the money they are owed. That's why it is the responsibility of the buyer to get the RID number and call DirecTV to verify that the receiver:

- is owned, not leased
- has been removed from the previous owner's account
- has no outstanding balance

If you fail to do those things, you risk buying a receiver that DirecTV won't activate. And it's always been this way, at least since I started with DirecTV over 6 years ago.

Holding a third party responsible for someone else's delinquent account doesn't make sense. It makes sense if the purpose is to frustrate a customer in good standing. I would understand if it's a leased box, but it is not. It's fully owned, making it personal property. So, it makes perfect sense that D* has the right to dictate use and privilege on PERSONAL PROPERTY? That would be like buying a used Ford and the dealer not wanting to perform an oil change because the previous owner stiffed the dealer on a service bill.

I'm glad I didn't go to school for a Business degree. I clearly don't have the business "logic" to think of, enforce, or adhere to these types of policies.

[Doug Brott]

Holding a third party responsible for someone else's delinquent account doesn't make sense. It makes sense if the purpose is to frustrate a customer in good standing.

You're only "responsible" if you want to activate that receiver .. Move on to the next receiver or get a new one if activating the one in your hand is too expensive.

As for why it makes sense? Suppose some guy racks up a bazillion dollars in charges then walks from DIRECTV without paying .. then hands the receiver to his girlfriend (who lives in the same house) and asks her to turn on the receiver in her name. If DIRECTV says "sure" with no concern for the dollars associated with that receiver, then those two successfully stole money from DIRECTV.

DIRECTV may not get their money in the case described above, but without the policy they have in place don't you think the scenario I described would be happening on a regular basis? It actually makes good business sense for them to have the policy that they have.

I would understand if it's a leased box, but it is not. It's fully owned, making it personal property. So, it makes perfect sense that D* has the right to dictate use and privilege on PERSONAL PROPERTY? That would be like buying a used Ford and the dealer not wanting to perform an oil change because the previous owner stiffed the dealer on a service bill.

I'm glad I didn't go to school for a Business degree. I clearly don't have the business "logic" to think of, enforce, or adhere to these types of policies.

Interesting car analogy, but in this case, DIRECTV has control of the road. They're just collecting the toll before you can get back on the freeway .. Find another car as the toll for that car might not be as steep.

[dtremain]

Interesting issue...So, lets say the garage sale guy's account is delinquent and he sold his receivers (after losing his job during this recession). They were both owned receivers and the original owners personal property. So, why does D* care? Why would they not activate them for the new owner if they still work?Because they cannot be certain that the "new" owner is not just the "old owner" trying to get the unit reactivated without paying what he or she already owes.

Whoops! I just noticed that Dour Brott gave a very clear example of my point just above, but I guess it won't hurt to say it twice.