A ? about DirecTV service

[Chip718]

Hi. I am currently using Analog TWC with a 32" Aquos and the quality in horrible and I was wondering if you can answer a question for me. I just moved in to an apartment where the previous tenant had DirecTV. When they moved they left the dish on the roof. My friend who just switched to Verizon FIOS gave me his old DirecTV receiver. I checked the dish to see if it worked and it did.

Does anyone know if it is possible for me to keep the receiver hooked up to the dish and then call DirecTV to set up an account and have them send me a card? I am not interested in a 1/2 year contact, but a month-to-month bill.

Any info would be appreciated.

[djstough]

Does anyone know if it is possible for me to keep the receiver hooked up to the dish and then call DirecTV to set up an account and have them send me a card? I am not interested in a 1/2 year contact, but a month-to-month bill.

Any info would be appreciated.

Yes, you should be able to do this. If you have the old access card, you will get a better deal on a new one. Otherwise, they will send one out to you, and you'll be in business.

[HDTVsportsfan]

They will probably want to charge you 20.00 for the access card. But they do send it FED-ex 1 or 2 day I beleive.

I don't think you going to get a month to month arrangement. Someone can come along and correct me, but I believe a Standard Defenition activation is one year and an HD activiation is a 2 year commitment.

[harsh]

Does anyone know if it is possible for me to keep the receiver hooked up to the dish and then call DirecTV to set up an account and have them send me a card?If your friend just deactivated the receiver, it is likely that it won't need a new access card.I am not interested in a 1/2 year contact, but a month-to-month bill.You had better look into digital cable, because you're in for a one year commitment with DirecTV as HDTVsportsfan pointed out.

[HDTVsportsfan]

If your friend just deactivated the receiver, it is likely that it won't need a new access card.


Hey Harsh, not to be argumentative.....

I know alot depends on what CSR you get at the other end. But I just sold an HR10-250 on Ebay. Of course I deactivated it and it came from a clean account, but they wouldn't activate it for the new owner. I originally listed it w/ no access card knowing that would probably be the case. The buyer asked i send it anyway, and I did. It was a no-go. They had to send him a new one. I thought they pretty much stopped re-activating used cards?

[jpl]

I don't think you going to get a month to month arrangement. Someone can come along and correct me, but I believe a Standard Defenition activation is one year and an HD activiation is a 2 year commitment.

I don't believe this applies - the commitment comes with leasing new equipment. If you just reactivate a receiver that you own, I don't believe you get hit with any commitments. A co-worker of mine bought an R15 off a web-site for just that reason - he didn't want to be locked in.

[bonscott87]

I don't believe this applies - the commitment comes with leasing new equipment. If you just reactivate a receiver that you own, I don't believe you get hit with any commitments. A co-worker of mine bought an R15 off a web-site for just that reason - he didn't want to be locked in.

Perhaps. Good luck getting a CSR to waive the commitment. It's for activating *any* receiver. Not saying it can't be done...

[bonscott87]

You had better look into digital cable

Depends on the cable system as ours has a 15 (maybe 18) month commitment when you sign up for their super deals they always advertise. Don't assume just because it's cable there is no commitment. Be sure to read the fine print on the super deal you are signing up for.

[jpl]

Perhaps. Good luck getting a CSR to waive the commitment. It's for activating *any* receiver. Not saying it can't be done...

I stand corrected, then. My understanding was that it was tied to the receiver (as part of the lease agreement), and not to in activating service.

[bonscott87]

I stand corrected, then. My understanding was that it was tied to the receiver (as part of the lease agreement), and not to in activating service.

Yep. Well, there is nothing that is tied to the receiver with DirecTV (or Dish for that matter that I'm aware of). Everything is tied to the users account. When you activate a receiver they don't know (nor care) if you got it at Best Buy, eBay or your brother in-law gave it to you.

[BigSey]

Yep. Well, there is nothing that is tied to the receiver with DirecTV (or Dish for that matter that I'm aware of). Everything is tied to the users account. When you activate a receiver they don't know (nor care) if you got it at Best Buy, eBay or your brother in-law gave it to you.


But if it was a recently deactivated receiver/card, wouldn't D* know that and be able to differentiate between a previously-used box and one bought from a store?

[bonscott87]

But if it was a recently deactivated receiver/card, wouldn't D* know that and be able to differentiate between a previously-used box and one bought from a store?

Sure. Basically if you are activating it and that receiver was activated before they will most likely (as in 98% of the time) require you to get a new access card.

My point is that it has nothing to do with extending your commitment. Activating a new receiver (as in new to your account) usually extends your commitment. If it's a used receiver you can try and argue with them about it. Sometimes you can get out of it. Just depends on the CSR. But don't count on it.

If you've never had DirecTV before then you will *definitely* have a commitment.

[Chip718]

Thanks for all you replies. My friend only gave me his receive. Its an old RCA one. He didn't give me only cards. The only reason I don't want a commitment is because as soon as Verizon Fios is available I am going to get that, but the Verizon CSR has no idea when it will be in my area. I guess a 1 year commitment is doable.