[SportingFan9]

Hi there,

I have a few questions with regards to getting a DirecTV account setup:

1. Does the installation need to be done by an authorized DirecTV installer? Can someone just do the install themselves?

2. Will DirecTV activate receivers that have been previously used? If so, will the previous owners' card be okay (so long as the balance on the previous accout is okay) or will a new card be required?

3. Up to how many receivers can one have on their account, anyways?

Thank you all for your assistance - it is much appreciated.

 

[say-what]

If you're a new account, they're not going to activate it with only used equipment. They also prefer that a new install be done by an authorized installer - the new dishes take a bit more effort than point and aim to get the signals locked.

DirecTV will activate used equipment, but they almost always insist on sending new access cards - sometimes you can get a CSR to transfer you to the access card department and they'll waive that, but if not, you can sometimes get credits.

There is no limit on the number of receivers you want to have.

 

[cdizzy]

Hello. I will try to answer youe questions.

1. I think that if you already have the equipment then you could do it yourself but if you need a new dish then they will probably send out an installer.

2.Yes, and No. You can use a old receiver but it usually requires a new card. 20 bucks. Unless maybe you were the one that had it on your account at some point.

3. Pretty much as many as you want. But it will cost you 4.99 per receiver after the first one.

 

[curt8403]

Hi there,

I have a few questions with regards to getting a DirecTV account setup:

1. Does the installation need to be done by an authorized DirecTV installer? Can someone just do the install themselves?

2. Will DirecTV activate receivers that have been previously used? If so, will the previous owners' card be okay (so long as the balance on the previous accout is okay) or will a new card be required?

3. Up to how many receivers can one have on their account, anyways?

Thank you all for your assistance - it is much appreciated.

1. it should be done by one of our professional installers, it is easier for them to do it. It is also free.
2. sometimes you can use old rcvrs, but never the old cards, better to get new units.
3.. you can get up to 4 rcvrs (standard) installed free. and there is no real limit to the number of rcvrs you can have

 

[SportingFan9]

All in all, though, the dish does not need to be set up by an installer. I mean, if I already had a dish put up and re-pointed it to the necessary satellite, 101, then I should be okay.

So it looks like I'll need new cards. It's not that bad, I suppose. I got the receivers for a really good deal and the cards will actually be more in price than the receivers!

 

[spartanstew]

Just remember that they might not activate the used receivers at all. If they were previously leased, they won't reactivate.

And as say-what mentioned, I don't think they'll activate new accounts with only used equipment.

 

[carl6]

I don't think they'll activate new accounts with only used equipment.

I am curious as to why. If person A (whomever that might be) buys a dish from source 1, a used (not previously leased) receiver from source 2, and a used (not previously leased) DVR from source 3, installs everything and hooks it all up, why wouldn't DirecTV allow them to set up a new account? Granted, they may (probably will) have to get new access cards - but is there a specific policy against activating such an account?

While I agree you can get free installation, etc., and there are good reasons for doing so, is there an actual policy that prevents a do it yourself with used equipment installation?

Carl

 

[spartanstew]

Don't know carl, just seems to me I remember reading that before (here?).

 

[rudeney]

there is no real limit to the number of rcvrs you can have

Hey Curt, isn't there a limit to how many receivers one can have on a residential account? I seem to remember something like 20? (Not that I am anywhere close to that). Oh, and anyone wanting to move to Dish, they do have a limit and it's not based on "receiver" but on "tuners" and since DVR"s count as two, many people find themselves bumping that limit.

I am curious as to why. If person A (whomever that might be) buys a dish from source 1, a used (not previously leased) receiver from source 2, and a used (not previously leased) DVR from source 3, installs everything and hooks it all up, why wouldn't DirecTV allow them to set up a new account? Granted, they may (probably will) have to get new access cards - but is there a specific policy against activating such an account?
While I agree you can get free installation, etc., and there are good reasons for doing so, is there an actual policy that prevents a do it yourself with used equipment installation?

An existing customer can add a self-installed dish and/or receivers, but a all indications are that a new customer does require an installer visit and at least one new receiver. My guess is it's all about the commitment lock-in to reduce churn.

 

[SportingFan9]

I still don't understand the full need to have an installer come to the house when a dish is already set up. While it may not be the easiest of tasks, it's also not rocket science. I guess I will have to be firm on the issue with the CSR and see where it takes me.

 

[eakes]

Back a number of years ago I activated a new account, self installed, with one used receiver. I don't see any reason they wouldn't activate a new, self installed, account using a previously Owned (by someone) receiver.

Personally, I would always want to install and replace/repair any Directv system I was involved with. Given all the problems encountered with sloppy work, multiple trips, etc., I would hesitate to ever have a Directv installer do anything for me.

 

[SportingFan9]

Back a number of years ago I activated a new account, self installed, with one used receiver. I don't see any reason they wouldn't activate a new, self installed, account using a previously Owned (by someone) receiver.

Personally, I would always want to install and replace/repair any Directv system I was involved with. Given all the problems encountered with sloppy work, multiple trips, etc., I would hesitate to ever have a Directv installer do anything for me.

That's another thing. There are always some nasty stories about sloppy work, installation appointments missed, etc. It doesn't happen often, but in my situation I have a friend who does this and thus I have no need for their installer to come by. We'll see what happens.