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DirecTV Protection Plan

14K views 98 replies 27 participants last post by  Rich 
#1 ·
Coming up on my first month with DTV - when I'll have to decide if I want to cancel the protection plan. On the plus side, the protection plan provides new equipment every two years. On the other hand, it looks like the HR44 and C61 receivers are extremely reliable.

Do you recommend or not recommend continuing with the protection plan for $10/month for the next two years?
 
#77 ·
There's a difference between having the right to keep replaced equipment and enforcing that right. You won't know until you file a claim. Back in July I had issues with my 2011 Sony 55" HDTV. I filed a claim and DIRECTV sent a tech to my home to diagnose the issue. He determined the mother board failed. Because of the age of the HDTV there was no longer any support for it and parts were no longer available so it would have to be replaced. DIRECTV informed me because it was a high end Sony HDTV it would be replaced with a high end Sony model. They replaced it with a Sony XBR-55X900C 55" Smart LED 4K Ultra HDTV as I posted earlier. They didn't require me to send them the replaced HDTV and the tech that was sent to my home was happy to take it off my hands.
 
#78 ·
GordonGekko said:
Wait a second, you wrote "most" laptops, this is a revelation to me, are you saying that if you have the Directv protection plan and your laptop dies, maybe the hard drive finally gives in, they will do what? Give you enough money to replace your particular brand of laptop? Is there a price limit as to how much they will give? What does most cover? Macbook Pros?
the "most" was meant to apply to the TVs, my post was poorly worded, but yet hit hit a point there is a limit on each claim, and I believe that limit is $2000, so yes it wont cover your new beefed out MBP, or at least you don't get the entire purchased covered

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#79 ·
I just had my Directv installed. I did not get the protection plan. However, I'm curious on something. The installer did tell me that if I had the lower package protection plan that I would qualify for a free upgrade every 2 years. I'm just wondering how much an equipment upgrade normally costs? Because keeping the protection plan for 2 years would be around 200 dollars.
 
#80 ·
MysteryMan said:
There's a difference between having the right to keep replaced equipment and enforcing that right. You won't know until you file a claim. Back in July I had issues with my 2011 Sony 55" HDTV. I filed a claim and DIRECTV sent a tech to my home to diagnose the issue. He determined the mother board failed. Because of the age of the HDTV there was no longer any support for it and parts were no longer available so it would have to be replaced. DIRECTV informed me because it was a high end Sony HDTV it would be replaced with a high end Sony model. They replaced it with a Sony XBR-55X900C 55" Smart LED 4K Ultra HDTV as I posted earlier. They didn't require me to send them the replaced HDTV and the tech that was sent to my home was happy to take it off my hands.
I agree but I can't imagine anyone who would be cool with Directv or anyone keeping their hard drive even if it was encrypted, if you could wipe the drive as you would do before selling it that would be fine but in this situation your computer just died so obviously nothing can be done to secure your information.
 
#81 ·
GordonGekko said:
OK, I'm looking over the terms and Apple computers are included but it also states that Directv has the right to keep your equipment if they provide a replacement which means if your Macbook Pro dies, presumably they are going to want you to mail it in so they can try to fix it, if they purchase and have a new one delivered and keep your old one, they also keep your hard drive with all of your information on it, that is unacceptable and in my mind would kill the advantage of having what would amount to $95 a year of insurance for your laptop.

And the limit is $2000 per product and $6000 for the year which is fair but it also states if they can't fix your product they will replace it with a comparable product not to exceed the purchase price of the original product.

What does that mean? Does that mean they will replace a 2010 Macbook Pro with a Dell? Also what if a 2010 Macbook Pro cost you $2000 but the current value on such an old device is much less so how would they value that? I agree with most of the sentiment here that in my experience Directv will upgrade long time customers for free and the protection for receivers is not worth it and as a sort of computer insurance it is probably more of a hassle than it is worth. Based on the language in the agreement it looks like you might have to register your laptop within 30 days of purchasing in order for it to be covered, I could see Directv getting out of replacing a Macbook Pro in a myriad of ways.
It means you'll get back another Macbook 2010 or something newer/better. They usually give you apple for apple and windows for windows. The two times I've used it(for tvs) I got better TVs back because they were newer.

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#82 ·
I used it once to replace a laptop, which was very old, had my choice of brand new or refurbished new, the one I picked was a Toshiba Satellite model which is very nice with like 8 times the memory and all the bells and whistles, I am very pleased with it.

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#83 ·
Regarding overseas call centers, I wish that the PP actually helped in terms of phone support, I think it used to. I had a Dell laptop and was able to get Gold support. It was awesome. Always got a tech in Tennessee or Texas, they always followed up the call with an email and their direct contact info, work hours etc.
 
#85 ·
Agree. I too have the Protection Plan Premier. A few months ago the mother board on my five year old 55" HDTV failed. Because of it's age support and parts weren't available. DIRECTV replaced it with a Sony XBR-55X900C Smart LED 4K Ultra HDTV.
i Guess i wouldnt get TOO excited about a new $800 tv after paying $240 a year in PP costs......lets say you had the PP for those 5 years since you bought the tv, so you just paid $1200 to get the $800 tv.....which pry only cost them about $500
 
#88 ·
When ever upgrading packages is best to do it over with a CSR just in case you may qualify for some discounts, computer will most likely throw street price.

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#94 ·
No need to be uncivil.

Back to the point, do you refute that for the vast majority of customers, the PP is not a good value? When you look at the relation of the very low risk of electronics failing, and the fairly low cost of replacement, as compared to the steep premiums, it is a terrible deal for the consumer.

What is your source for the 90%??? I'll save you the time... you pulled it out of an area where 'the sun don't shine.'
 
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