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DirecTV will sell HR 44s to Solid Signal and Weaknees - but not me

19K views 262 replies 52 participants last post by  Stuart Sweet 
#1 ·
Short story - I'd like a Genie but I can't use an HR34 because my installation is on an inside wall so I can't get a hardwired internet connection to my rcvr. As it stands, I had to run the coaxes up through the floor to feed my HR 22. Yes, I know about the Cinema Bridge but that's not what I want. I'm the customer, I want an HR 44.

A few weeks ago, a CSR told me that right after Memorial Day, I could call in and specifically order an HR 44 and I could get one. I called today. A very nice CSR told me, no, there was no guarantee I'd get an HR 44. Place an order and I might get a 44 but it might be a 34. We chatted for a bit and he told me that thanks to my account status, there'd be no upcharge to go to a Genie but, again, no guarantees. Well, I said, I can wait until the 34s run out and then order a 44. He pointed out that it might be a while - they sent out 22s for a long time after the 24s became available and I know for a fact that's true. In fact, I got a replacement 22 two days before the Super Bowl this year. 34s will be coming back to DTV and getting refurbed and then shipped out for years. Then the CSR very politely pointed out that Solid Signal have the 44s in stock. I thanked him and hung up and an hour later I got an email from Weaknees; they have 44s, too. Ready to ship.

DirecTV will sell HR44s to Solid Signal and to Weaknees but not to me. I'm not sure what I'm going to do but I do know this sucks out loud.
 
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#2 ·
As with their previous HRs, DirecTV considers the Genies the same. Just like you couldn't (and still can't) order an HR24, you can't order the 44.

But if you're in such good standing, you might want to call back and see if you can order a 44 from Solid Signal or Weaknees and get a credit from DirecTV. Others have reported being able to do that (but not very often).

Good luck.
 
#3 ·
According to DirecTV, an HD DVR is an HD DVR, regardless of which HR2x model it is, and a Genie is a Genie, regardless of which HRx4 model it is.

The only guaranteed way to get an HR44 is to order from a 3rd party vendor. However doing so may well not get you a reimbursement from DirecTV for the cost.

Now, if you were to upgrade to a Genie, would it be the only unit in your house, or would you also have another Hx2x device (or simply access to your DirecTV coax) someplace where there is internet available? If the latter, you are still okay, the internet does not have to be connected directly to the HR34/44.
 
#4 ·
I have an HR 22 that can be - and is - connected to the Internet.

But that's not really the point.

When I call up and ask for an HR 44, I'm told there are no guarantees, take what you get. When SS or Weakness calls, "Sure. How many do you want?"

What would people do if they were told if that the only way to get the latest iPhone would be to call A T & T and pay top dollar; call Apple and you might get an iPhone 5, you might get a reconditioned iPhone 4. What kind of crap is that?
 
#5 ·
I know what you mean, but that's DirecTV's policy and always has been. I went through this when the HR24's came out, fought and fought with them, refused multiple 22's that came to the house. Finally I bought one from a third party vendor because I just couldn't wait. Now I'm in the same boat for the HR44 but just can't bring myself to pay $300+ for one when I'm told I can have a free upgrade for a Genie if I just take what they give me. Decisions......
 
#6 ·
DirecTV lost me as a customer over this exact issue. I had a dog of an HR22-100. At the time, the HR24 was a pretty quick DVR (fast enough for my needs.) But DirecTV could not and would not guarantee me that when I got a new receiver it wouldn't be another HR22-100 or other slower model. I figured out that I could buy an HR24 from Solid Signal, but it would be about $500 cheaper to switch to Dish and get their new Hopper for free, as well as the new customer discounts. I simply could not afford to play receiver roulette with DirecTV by signing a 2-year contract without knowing if I'd have a slow or a fast DVR. All they had to do was promise me an HR24, but nobody, not customer retention or anybody else I spoke to at DirecTV as I went through the cancelation proccess, could do that.
 
#8 ·
It is amazing how ridiculous DirecTV’s policy is. The HR34 and the HR44 are NOT equal and anyone other than the ‘Great DirecTV Defenders’ will acknowledge that. Problem is, DirecTV makes money by the truckload and part of the reason they do is because of asinine policies like this. Don’t expect it to change any time soon.

I’d love to do the Solid Signal thing but I’m not willing to pay my way out of DirecTV engineering stupidity again… Paid for 3 HR24s to be rid of ridiculously slow HR22s only to have DirecTV ‘upgrade’ the HR24s to make them slower with firmware updates. Who is to say that if I pay Solid Signal for the privilege getting an HR44 and it fails 3 months later I won’t just get an HR34? They are the ‘same’ right? Nope.

What are they going to do when someone initially gets an HR44 and figures out they can use RF and IR remotes at the same time only to have the HR44 fail? What if they replace it with an HR34 and now they can’t use their Slingbox without buying a third party remote solution? The HR44 and HR34 are the same right? Nope.

What if someone builds their system around the small size of the HR44 and gets a HR34 to replace a failed HR44? The HR44 and the HR34 are the same right? Nope.

Now those that come to the defense of DirecTV will say that DirecTV will only replace a 44 with a 44 but if that’s true then DirecTV must have an inventory system that knows 44s are not 34s and that contradicts previous statements that DirecTV’s system doesn’t differentiate between them. Can’t have it both ways.

DirecTV knows the HR34 is not ‘equal’ to the HR44 but isn’t going to change their policy because the bottom line is what is most important.
 
#10 ·
Mike Greer said:
It is amazing how ridiculous DirecTV's policy is.
I'm sure this opinion comes from your point of view.
If I can't get the latest & greatest for free, then "it sucks".
On the other side: what are they to do with older models when a new one comes out?

A HR44 isn't the same as a HR34, but after using someone else's HR24 for a while, "I wish I had" a HR34 instead as it's a lot closer to the 44.
 
#11 ·
Mike Greer said:
DirecTV knows the HR34 is not 'equal' to the HR44 but isn't going to change their policy because the bottom line is what is most important.
It probably is all about the bottom line. Which is what a for-profit company is supposed to do.

If it bothers you that much, let DirecTV know and vote with your wallet as others have done and get another provider.
 
#12 ·
veryoldschool said:
I'm sure this opinion comes from your point of view.
If I can't get the latest & greatest for free, then "it sucks".
On the other side: what are they to do with older models when a new one comes out?

A HR44 isn't the same as a HR34, but after using someone else's HR24 for a while, "I wish I had" a HR34 instead as it's a lot closer to the 44.
Yep - just my point of view...

I said nothing about getting the latest and greatest for free. If I wanted to pay double for HR44 they could still send me a beat to hell HR34.
 
#14 ·
trh said:
It probably is all about the bottom line. Which is what a for-profit company is supposed to do.

If it bothers you that much, let DirecTV know and vote with your wallet as others have done and get another provider.
No probably about it. If it didn't improve the bottom line they wouldn't have the policy. They pick a target and go for it. If they piss too many people off and they start to leave they'll change. If they make too many people happy and it cuts into the bottom line they'll change. If they are on target for the best bang they'll stay as-is.

I know the policy and live with it. I am considering 'cutting the cord' but more because of the increasing costs, DVR sluggishness and the repeating cycle of screwed up updates. Not really the topic of this thread...
 
#15 ·
Mike Greer said:
Yep - just my point of view...

I said nothing about getting the latest and greatest for free. If I wanted to pay double for HR44 they could still send me a beat to hell HR34.
I know you didn't, but that does seem to be the TS's position starting this thread, which you were quick to jump into.
"Seems like" someone so concerned with keeping the same model, would be well served to have the protection plan, so any replacement will be the same model.
 
#18 ·
veryoldschool said:
I know you didn't, but that does seem to be the TS's position starting this thread, which you were quick to jump into.
"Seems like" someone so concerned with keeping the same model, would be well served to have the protection plan, so any replacement will be the same model.
Point taken.

Is the protection plan policy that you'll always get the same model? So they do have inventory control systems so they know where a particular model is headed? I guess that would be a double edged sword too. What if you have the protection plan and an HR22? Does that mean you're stuck with HR22 until you buy your way out? Just curious...
 
#19 ·
Mike Greer said:
Point taken.

Is the protection plan policy that you'll always get the same model? So they do have inventory control systems so they know where a particular model is headed? I guess that would be a double edged sword too. What if you have the protection plan and an HR22? Does that mean you're stuck with HR22 until you buy your way out? Just curious...
That is the way the plan was explained to me, though I've never used or had it.
The PP folks do seem to have access to a third inventory "program".
If I had a HR22, I'd try the same thing I did with a HR20, where I had a service call and got it swapped for a HR24 [because there was one on the truck].
 
#20 ·
For 90% or more of DirecTV's customers there is no functional difference between the HR34 and HR44. For those who absolutely, positively must have a HR44 (for whatever reason) there is always the independant reseller channel. If your HR44 fails, you can get another from, say, Solid Signal (at least until there is a HR45 or some other, latest, greatest thing that some people will just HAVE to have).

However, to say DirecTV is responsible for providing a replacement with the same form factor as the original is as unreasonable as saying that Whirlpool is responsible for providing a replacement microwave oven with same form factor as the unit you built into your kitchen previously.
 
#21 ·
veryoldschool said:
Maybe not, but also a favorite of yours it seems.

Knowing "what we do", how long will it be before the 44 falls into your "DVR sluggishness and the repeating cycle of screwed up updates."?
That would be up to DirecTV engineering.

You seem to be one of the more level thinking straight shooters around here. If you don't think the number of updates sent out over the last 4 or 5 months is unusual maybe I am just to picky. If you don't think the HR24s were faster and more responsive when I paid $600 than they are now maybe I am just to picky. If you can compare the 'speed' of DirecTV receivers to ANY Dish Network receivers and not see the difference then I am just to picky.
 
#22 ·
Diana C said:
For 90% or more of DirecTV's customers there is no functional difference between the HR34 and HR44. For those who absolutely, positively must have a HR44 (for whatever reason) there is always the independant reseller channel. If your HR44 fails, you can get another from, say, Solid Signal (at least until there is a HR45 or some other, latest, greatest thing that some people will just HAVE to have).

However, to say DirecTV is responsible for providing a replacement with the same form factor as the original is as unreasonable as saying that Whirlpool is responsible for providing a replacement microwave oven with same form factor as the unit you built into your kitchen previously.
Reading here the HR44 is the fasting thing around. If 90% of DirecTV's customers wouldn't notice the downgrade from a 44 to 34 then I am too picky.

I am not willing to pay $349 for an HR44 from SS with what essentially equates to an as-is purchase. If it fails in 3 months (or two days for that matter) I should have to pay another $349 and another 2 year commitment? That doesn't sound reasonable to me, and I suspect 99.99% of everyone else. I can a buy a $19 toaster and get a better warranty than that.

Of course Whirlpool is going to replace my microwave with the same size - at least for a reasonable amount of time. 10 years later they likely still will not because they have to but because they want to sell me a new microwave. 3 weeks after my microwave is installed they are not going to make me remodel my kitchen or use a counter top microwave just because 'there is no functional difference'.
 
#23 ·
Mike Greer said:
You seem to be one of the more level thinking straight shooters around here. If you don't think the number of updates sent out over the last 4 or 5 months is unusual maybe I am just to picky. If you don't think the HR24s were faster and more responsive when I paid $600 than they are now maybe I am just to picky. If you can compare the 'speed' of DirecTV receivers to ANY Dish Network receivers and not see the difference then I am just to picky.
I do try to shoot straight.
I haven't counted the updates of late. "I'd guess" there are more in them for compatibility with other products these days, than we had in the old days.

You can I have been back and forth over the 24s before, and if I hadn't been using this HR24-100 of late, I'd have no idea how much it differs from the two HR24-500s I had.

I don't care about Dish, just like I don't care about U-Verse, or comcrap.
If any of these were "the standard" for what I wanted, it would make sense to use their service, wouldn't it?
 
#24 ·
The bottom line is companies have policies that sometimes lead to customer dissatisfaction. I have Verizon cell phones, despite the fact that Verizon has some of the most consumer hostile policies in the industry. Why? Because they have the best network, and being able to make a call when I need to is the most important factor, to me. By the same token, there are some policies of DirecTV's that I am not totally pleased with, and which I wish were more like Dish Network's. However, I have been a Dish customer in the past and I prefer DirecTV because they seem to me to pay more attention to infrastructure (my opinion only - I don't want this to become a Dish vs. DirecTV discussion).

Several years ago, my therapist told me "we are all responsible for our own happiness." While the context was far more serious than selecting TV service, it is a good axiom for all aspects of life. Getting angry and ranting about the same issues over and over is not productive. We need to pick the best options available for us and then move on. If something more appealing comes along, we should switch. Life is too short, and full of REAL issues and obstacles to spend anytime at all getting upset over what model DVR one can or can not buy.
 
#25 ·
Mike Greer said:
That would be up to DirecTV engineering.

You seem to be one of the more level thinking straight shooters around here. If you don't think the number of updates sent out over the last 4 or 5 months is unusual maybe I am just to picky. If you don't think the HR24s were faster and more responsive when I paid $600 than they are now maybe I am just to picky. If you can compare the 'speed' of DirecTV receivers to ANY Dish Network receivers and not see the difference then I am just to picky.
The speed and responsiveness of my HR24-500 remained the same the two years I used it. Looking back, prior to getting my HR34-700 the HR24-500 was the most reliable of all the HD DVR's I've had. I've never witnessed a side by side speed comparison between DirecTV and DISH receivers. Given that I'll take your statement that DISH receivers are faster with a grain of salt.
 
#26 ·
Mike Greer said:
The HR34 and the HR44 are NOT equal and anyone other than the 'Great DirecTV Defenders' will acknowledge that.
I was simply posting DirecTVs policy, not defending it. There are a great many things I do not agree with as a consumer (and this certainly is not limited to DirecTV). Fact of the matter is, businesses listen to the consumer through the bottom line. If this particular policy was "that big a deal" to "that many customers", it would change.
 
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