Screwed -- is there anything I can do?

[rb585]

Seeing that Directv was scheduled to offer my local channels in the fall, last August I bought an HDTV and upgraded to a new dish and receiver. I paid $200 for the Directv equipment. Frustrated that I still don't have HD locals showing up, I finally called Directv today. The agent informed me that HD locals are provided in my area, but that my receiver was not capable of receiving them. I would need to spend $99 to upgrade. And there is a $20 handling charge.
I asked why they stuck me with this incompatable equipment when they were scheduled to have local HD available soon, and the answer was because HD locals weren't available to me at the time of installation.

I started to bite the bullet and pay the money, but when she told me that the first installation appointment she could get me was in March, I decided that it was time to hang up the phone.

[veryoldschool]

Seeing that Directv was scheduled to offer my local channels in the fall, last August I bought an HDTV and upgraded to a new dish and receiver. I paid $200 for the Directv equipment. Frustrated that I still don't have HD locals showing up, I finally called Directv today. The agent informed me that HD locals are provided in my area, but that my receiver was not capable of receiving them. I would need to spend $99 to upgrade. And there is a $20 handling charge.
I asked why they stuck me with this incompatable equipment when they were scheduled to have local HD available soon, and the answer was because HD locals weren't available to me at the time of installation.

I started to bite the bullet and pay the money, but when she told me that the first installation appointment she could get me was in March, I decided that it was time to hang up the phone.
:welcome_s to the forum.
This doesn't sound right. The hardware that you would need is the MPEG-4 H/HR-20. If you didn't get this last time, then you should call D* and get transfered to the customer retention group. The have the ability to rectify this error on D* part.

[rb585]

:welcome_s to the forum.
This doesn't sound right. The hardware that you would need is the MPEG-4 H/HR-20. If you didn't get this last time, then you should call D* and get transfered to the customer retention group. The have the ability to rectify this error on D* part.

What I got was the HR10-250. I even remember the tech support guy on the phone complementing the unit, telling me about how many HD channels it would be capable of receiving.

[veryoldschool]

What I got was the HR10-250. I even remember the tech support guy on the phone complementing the unit, telling me about how many HD channels it would be capable of receiving.
Well at the time he may have been right. August was the very beginning of the HR-20.
Those that got them [HR10-250] were promised a break on the upgrade.
There are many here that think it still works better than the HR-20.
I would: be nice, but firm when I call retention & have them resolve your problem.
I went a few rounds with them & ended up with a free HR-20 [I didn't even have a HR10-250].
Do you have the 5LNB dish?

[iceman2a]

Seeing that Directv was scheduled to offer my local channels in the fall, last August I bought an HDTV and upgraded to a new dish and receiver. I paid $200 for the Directv equipment. Frustrated that I still don't have HD locals showing up, I finally called Directv today. The agent informed me that HD locals are provided in my area, but that my receiver was not capable of receiving them. I would need to spend $99 to upgrade. And there is a $20 handling charge.
I asked why they stuck me with this incompatable equipment when they were scheduled to have local HD available soon, and the answer was because HD locals weren't available to me at the time of installation.

I started to bite the bullet and pay the money, but when she told me that the first installation appointment she could get me was in March, I decided that it was time to hang up the phone.

$99 to upgrade to the HR20 is not a bad deal, you may be able to do better (free) with a call to retention. As far as installation, seems like long dates are the norm right now!! Good Luck

[JLucPicard]

As for installation, take whatever they say is available. Once the work order is set up you should be able to log into DirecTv.com and you may possibly be able to change it to an earlier date (a number of people on here have done that). You may even be able to call the installation company and see if they can get you in earlier.

Caution: If you cannot get anything earlier than March and as a result would not choose to upgrade, then don't do what I said above. I think once you say "Go", they charge your card and it can be a bear getting that back if you back out of it.

Good luck! And as veryoldschool said already, Welcome! :welcome_s

[Jhon69]

Seeing that Directv was scheduled to offer my local channels in the fall, last August I bought an HDTV and upgraded to a new dish and receiver. I paid $200 for the Directv equipment. Frustrated that I still don't have HD locals showing up, I finally called Directv today. The agent informed me that HD locals are provided in my area, but that my receiver was not capable of receiving them. I would need to spend $99 to upgrade. And there is a $20 handling charge.
I asked why they stuck me with this incompatable equipment when they were scheduled to have local HD available soon, and the answer was because HD locals weren't available to me at the time of installation.

I started to bite the bullet and pay the money, but when she told me that the first installation appointment she could get me was in March, I decided that it was time to hang up the phone.

Don't know if your HDTV has a digital tuner if so you can hook up an outside antenna for HD locals(just an idea).:)

[terryfoster]

Don't know if your HDTV has a digital tuner if so you can hook up an outside antenna for HD locals(just an idea).:)

The HR10-250 has an OTA tuner so all he would need would be an antenna.