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28 days until installation?

1456 Views 20 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  gfrang
I called Directv on Tuesday to get the ST package installed. She told me that in my area, the earliest installation date is Oct 14 (28 days from my call). I complained a little and she gave me the installers phone number (DirectSat). I talked to them and they again said Oct 14 is the earliest, but did put me on a "cancellation list"... If someone cancels they'll call me and come out earlier.

Is there anything I can do? 28 days seems a bit outrageous. As this is my first time with Directv, and the reason I wanted it was for ST, I'm seriously thinking about just canceling the order since I'll end up missing 6 of the 17 weeks.
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I had the same issue, the delay in my area was storm related (Gustav, Ike) and while I could understand, I canceled my order w/Directv.com and had a great DirecTV install done by a local Sat/Home Theater shop in a few day wait time, you might try that avenue, it worked better for me, YMMV.
Yes, check around your area for local retailers. Most should be able to get you installed within a few days, and you have someone local to you should you have any problems down the road.
28 days wasn't that a movie about the Cuban missile crises?
I bet it would be because everyone is wanting it for the same reason. It took me like 2 weeks and this was before the seson started. Im not suprised.
I have a good idea it was because of the shortage of equipment, mainly dishes, due to the recent hurricanes. Just my guess as that happened back in '04 and '05 when we had hurricanes do major damage in areas of the country. Just my guess, but have an idea that is why.
The guy lives in Baltimore was the weather even an issue there?
joshjr said:
The guy lives in Baltimore was the weather even an issue there?
No, but they may have pulled all available equipment, from their distribution centers, and sent it to the areas hit by the hurricanes. Especially the dishes.
loudo said:
No, but they may have pulled all available equipment, from their distribution centers, and sent it to the areas hit by the hurricanes. Especially the dishes.
Doubtful but possible. I would think if that happened they would say something about it to help the guy understand the wait. I really think it has more to do with the demand of install for the NFL Sunday Ticket.
joshjr said:
Doubtful but possible. I would think if that happened they would say something about it to help the guy understand the wait. I really think it has more to do with the demand of install for the NFL Sunday Ticket.
I would guess it's both.

Installs, thus equipment demand, always go up at the beginning of the football season due to 1) it being the football season and 2) the Sunday Ticket special they run to get new customers (and pretty popular, too, I would guess).

Add to that the storms and the damage to the outdoor equipment especially (i.e. dishes) and DirecTVs focus to get the storm victims up and running again, I can certainly see them diverting some equipment to those affected areas, making it less available elsewhere.

One of the things I see mentioned here a lot - and something that satellite services have ALL OVER cable at times like this - is that they aren't dependant on the terrestrial infrastructure (i.e. power polls, cable runs all over, etc.) like cable services are. They can be up and providing service as soon as you have power and a dish pointing in the right direction. Cable can be out for weeks after something like this.

And not a bad selling point for DirecTV when the whole neighborhood is over watching the game with the guy who has DirecTV when all the others are without cable service! They'd be fools to not recognize and take advantage of that.
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joshjr said:
The guy lives in Baltimore was the weather even an issue there?
I think they did have Hurricane (or by then, Tropical Storm) Holly blow up the East coast...
gfrang said:
28 days wasn't that a movie about the Cuban missile crises?
No, that was 13 Days. You're thinking of the bio-tech horror film 28 Days.
PurpleHaze said:
I called Directv on Tuesday to get the ST package installed. She told me that in my area, the earliest installation date is Oct 14 (28 days from my call). I complained a little and she gave me the installers phone number (DirectSat). I talked to them and they again said Oct 14 is the earliest, but did put me on a "cancellation list"... If someone cancels they'll call me and come out earlier.

Is there anything I can do? 28 days seems a bit outrageous. As this is my first time with Directv, and the reason I wanted it was for ST, I'm seriously thinking about just canceling the order since I'll end up missing 6 of the 17 weeks.
On the positive side, if they have a better offer before your install date, you can call and have them to match it. I have always wondered why they don't prorate the sports packages. Since there are 16 weeks in the NFL Ticket, if you are activated in week 4, they should give it to you at a 25% discount. I guess they know if you want it, you will pay.
JLucPicard said:
Add to that the storms and the damage to the outdoor equipment especially (i.e. dishes) and DirecTVs focus to get the storm victims up and running again, I can certainly see them diverting some equipment to those affected areas, making it less available elsewhere.
This discussion reminds me of the 2 hurricanes we had within 2 weeks, back in 2004. My dish is in a protected area behind the house. Back then most of my neighbors had cable, and I had DirecTV. We lost power for a week and cable was out for about 2 1/2 weeks. At our house we had power and TV back, as soon as I fired up my generator. Other neighbors had generators but no cable, so our house was the focal point of the neighborhood nightly entertainment for a couple of weeks. Since then many of the neighbors have switched over to DirecTV or DISH. I always advise them to try to have their dishes placed in a prtected area, if possible, instead of on the roof.
i wonder if the storm are the reason it has been 2 weeks and i still have not heard from them about my installer application???
gfrang said:
28 days wasn't that a movie about the Cuban missile crises?
Not unless Sandra Bulloc with mental problems was involved.:lol:
firefighter4evr said:
i wonder if the storm are the reason it has been 2 weeks and i still have not heard from them about my installer application???
Have you checked the Directv website. You should find it under your account and recent orders.
Post back if you need more help.
FHSPSU67 said:
Have you checked the Directv website. You should find it under your account and recent orders.
Post back if you need more help.
I took him to mean that he applied to be an installer and hasn't heard back yet. I could be wrong. :lol:
Yep, I am in the same boat. Placed the order on Sept. 16 and received an Oct. 20 install date. Called Mastec and was told they have my "request" for a sooner install date. With a 6-tuner install, I'm hoping to get a SWM.
Seems like there was also a high backlog this time about a year ago, between people upgrading to HD with the massive HD rollout last fall and the usual Sunday Ticket crush this time of year. And depending on your location, the hurricanes haven't helped matters, either.
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