[bronsonlewis]

Hey All, I have an appointment through D* to have my new customer install on Monday 9/28/2008. Does anyone know where I can find out who is doing the install? Can I call D* CSR and get this information? I want to find out what Equipment they are going to install.

 

[joshjr]

Hey All, I have an appointment through D* to have my new customer install on Monday 9/28/2008. Does anyone know where I can find out who is doing the install? Can I call D* CSR and get this information? I want to find out what Equipment they are going to install.

Call them and they can give you the information. Also you dont have to find out what you will be getting make a request for the equipment you want instead.

 

[dettxw]

I was looking for the old thread on Premier Communications, the old installer who was shut down, but can't find it now. The new name is in there but can't remember who it is at the moment.

Thing is, there is activity now at the old DTV/Premier building down in I-240, so maybe the new installer took over the facility. I'll try and recall the new installer outfit's name.

 

[dettxw]

JP&D Satellite Systems replaced Premier Communications as the OKC HSP.

 

[bronsonlewis]

Call them and they can give you the information. Also you dont have to find out what you will be getting make a request for the equipment you want instead.

Thanks Josh! Do I make the request of equipment through the installer or D*?

Anyone know if they are starting to carry the HR22 in OKC area? I know from other posts that the Dallas/FTW area is and North Texas... you know how things eventually filter in to OKC

 

[bronsonlewis]

JP&D Satellite Systems replaced Premier Communications as the OKC HSP.

Yeah, I've seen that building and wondered if that was an independent installer, thanks for the info dettxw. Can I call them and ask them if they have my workorder?

 

[dettxw]

Yeah, I've seen that building and wondered if that was an independent installer, thanks for the info dettxw. Can I call them and ask them if they have my workorder?

Not seeing a direct number for them, maybe you could just stop by there, I-240 & Bryant.

 

[RACJ2]

Hey All, I have an appointment through D* to have my new customer install on Monday 9/28/2008. Does anyone know where I can find out who is doing the install? Can I call D* CSR and get this information? I want to find out what Equipment they are going to install.

If you need the phone number, you can call D* and the CSR can get it for you. If they say they can't, tell them you know someone else who was able to get it from a D* CSR.

Once you call JP&D, if they can't tell you what equipment you will get, see if you can talk to a installation manager. Be friendly and tell them something positive. Like you want to be sure that you get a specifc model to ensure you will be a happy customer after the install. Last thing they want is you upset and calling D* to complain.

Did a quick search after posting and this may be the place:

JP&D Digital Satellite Systems
3800 E I 240 Service Rd
Oklahoma City, OK 73135
(405) 813-7600

 

[bronsonlewis]

Thanks for the information, I will update you tomorrow when I call.

 

[bronsonlewis]

Alright, so here's the skinny

I called the HSP and they told me that they didn't know what models of receivers that I would be getting and I couldn't make a request through them. Referred to DirecTv

Called DirecTv, they tell me they wouldn't know the models until the installer calls to activate them, as my account is in a Pend status until they are activated.

Call the HSP back and inform them of this, and they chuckled. I asked if I can at least place a request on the work order, so she let me. I requested the HR22 and the R22. She then told me I could call in the morning of the install, once the installer has been assigned so that we can talk directly to him so he pulls the right equipment.

I guess I will be calling back Monday morning to make sure of all this.

I just wish there was an easier way to make sure I get the lastest receivers.

 

[BattleZone]

You will get whatever the installer is issued that morning that matches your work order. At this point, they have no idea which installer will do your installation or what equipment they might have on hand on that day. That's why they don't track equipment by model, only by type (1 HD-DVR, 2 HD receivers, 1 SD DVR, etc.).

There is no process in place anywhere in DirecTV to specify a particular model.

 

[RACJ2]

Alright, so here's the skinny

I called the HSP and they told me that they didn't know what models of receivers that I would be getting and I couldn't make a request through them. Referred to DirecTv

Called DirecTv, they tell me they wouldn't know the models until the installer calls to activate them, as my account is in a Pend status until they are activated.

Call the HSP back and inform them of this, and they chuckled. I asked if I can at least place a request on the work order, so she let me. I requested the HR22 and the R22. She then told me I could call in the morning of the install, once the installer has been assigned so that we can talk directly to him so he pulls the right equipment.

I guess I will be calling back Monday morning to make sure of all this.

I just wish there was an easier way to make sure I get the lastest receivers.

I spared you all the gory details of my experience, but that is exactly how my install happened. Don't be surprised if a subcontractor calls you on installation day and says he has HR21's and he is leavng from his home. Then you will have to call the HSP again and try to get them to agree to sending HR22's. They will probably have to reschedule, because they have to get that equipment from their warehouse.

Keep in mind that you are going to live with the equipment for 2 years. I felt a couple more days of waiting was worth it in the long run for me. I am glad I have the additional space for recording on the HR22 and didn't have to mess with or spend extra $$ for an external SATA drive. From what I have read, the external drive seems to cause some recording problems, so I would avoid that.

 

[dettxw]

I just wish there was an easier way to make sure I get the latest receivers.

How about bribery?
At least show up at the HSP early in the morning with a big box of donuts.

 

[bronsonlewis]

How about bribery?
At least show up at the HSP early in the morning with a big box of donuts.

Lol, not a bad idea. I had planned on tipping the Installer anyways, he will get a bigger tip if he's there with the right equipment...

No, what I'll do is call early in the morning, around 7:00 AM, hopefully someone will be there, and make sure I get the right equip. If I have to wait, I have to wait.

If it's a subcontractor, can I ask him to swing by the HSP to pickup the right equip? Depends on where he is located I would imagine.

 

[dettxw]

Hmm...
The HSP is a subcontractor - to DirecTv. Don't know if the installers are then subcontractors to the HSP or employees. Seems like the prior HSP (Premiere) actually employed the installers.

 

[beavis]

You probably won't get an R22, AFAIK they're only installing those in 72.5 markets. Seeing as how the R22 is mpeg4 compatible and the SD locals from 72.5 will be moving to 99/103 in the coming months.

 

[BattleZone]

Hmm...
The HSP is a subcontractor - to DirecTv. Don't know if the installers are then subcontractors to the HSP or employees. Seems like the prior HSP (Premiere) actually employed the installers.

HSPs (Home Service Provider) and AFS (Alternate Fulfillment Source) are large subcontractors who get contracts directly with DirecTV. There are maybe 12-15 companies nationwide that are HSP and/or AFS.

The HSP is the "main" provider for DirecTV in the area they are assigned. If they are too busy, DirecTV will open the area to an AFS, who will come in and get about 35% of the HSP's work (and usually the best work; installs and upgrades). HSPs hate AFSs coming into their areas.

Anyway, HSPs are *supposed* to have 80% of their work done by "in-house" techs, who are employees of the HSP. The other 20% is done by subcontractors of the HSP. In reality, most HSPs are lucky to get 50-60% in-house, so there are lots of subcontractors.

 

[bronsonlewis]

You probably won't get an R22, AFAIK they're only installing those in 72.5 markets. Seeing as how the R22 is mpeg4 compatible and the SD locals from 72.5 will be moving to 99/103 in the coming months.

According to other posts, they are only giving R22 in markets where the Local HD source is 99/103 but I may have read that wrong.

Well, whatever they bring, I guess I'll have to deal. I really don't mind getting an HR21 and just using an external HDD, but it'd rather not right away.

I guess I can test it and see how many shows I'll record and decide what to do from there. I'm an easy going guy, just thought it would be nice to have the latest and greatest.

 

[RACJ2]

Hmm...
The HSP is a subcontractor - to DirecTv. Don't know if the installers are then subcontractors to the HSP or employees. Seems like the prior HSP (Premiere) actually employed the installers.

In the Dallas area, the HSP is Mastec and when the installer called he said he worked for Platinum Communications. When I spoke with the manager with Mastec, he told me for a SWM install, he would have to send one of his installers. So those examples lead me to beleive that the HSP uses subcontractors for installations.

 

[bronsonlewis]

So I called in this morning to check the status of my install.

I asked the rep if I am the first on the list for installation, she said there's no way to tell.

Then I asked if the installer would call me, she said "Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't"

I asked if there was still a note on my account about the type of receivers I requested. She said "there is, but there's no guarantee on what type of receiver the installer will bring out."

I don't know if I like this wishy-washy type of answer from the HSP.

I guess we'll see what happens now and I'll let you guys know later today what happens. Some members have called D* after the install to complain that they didn't get a new receiver and had one sent to them.