[jyafink]

I have a new customer install set for August 8. When I called to set up service the CSR told me an extra HD-DVR would be $199.99. However, the HR-21 at my Costco is $149.00. Since these receivers are a lease no matter what, if D* won't match Costco's price can I just buy one from Costco and hand it to the installer when he shows up? I guess I would also have to call at some point and tell them to be sure to bring a multi-switch when they come too? Is all this possible or will the installer refuse to hook up something unless he brings it himself? I'd call D* tonight and ask them myself but I've had bad experiences with their night CSRs.

 

[west99999]

I have a new customer install set for August 8. When I called to set up service the CSR told me an extra HD-DVR would be $199.99. However, the HR-21 at my Costco is $149.00. Since these receivers are a lease no matter what, if D* won't match Costco's price can I just buy one from Costco and hand it to the installer when he shows up? I guess I would also have to call at some point and tell them to be sure to bring a multi-switch when they come too? Is all this possible or will the installer refuse to hook up something unless he brings it himself? I'd call D* tonight and ask them myself but I've had bad experiences with their night CSRs.

it can be added to the wo at the time of the install but it may cost you

 

[spartanstew]

What does your install entail?

Do you need lines run to every location?

 

[harsh]

Make sure that D* knows up front so that they can change the workorder before the installer arrives. If you put it off, you will pay.

 

[samrs]

Will an Installer Hook up a HD-DVR not Bought Through D*?

Installing something not on the work order for free. Not gonna happen.

Customer requested additional outlet at time of install $70, switch if required would be extra, prices may vary.

$149 HD DVR is likely a new customer offer and you won't be able to add it to the work order. If they do an add on it has to be a line item an not a comment/note. Be prepared to lose your install date.

 

[GTS]

If the new customer order was placed with D*, as it sounds, simply cancel that ENTIRE order and proceed to wherever you can get the best value. All new customer activations include free Standard installation. One stop shopping is the best way to proceed.

 

[joe diamond]

When you get your car repaired how often do you show up with parts you picked up at Costco? It is like that. After you take the recorder out of the box......everything else has to be planned. The profit for the receiver and the installation has to be distributed fairly. Would Costco come around and do the whole installation?

A thought.

Joe

 

[Mertzen]

Most of the times you can probably work something out with the tech. Greenbacks make for the easiest work order changes. But seeing there is a switch involved it might be harder.

 

[SDizzle]

If I recall correctly, D* is even charging an extra $99 for install when you get an add on receiver form them, right?!? Now, since it is your initial install, maybe a call to them is in order and they will make it happen. DO NOT just wait until the tech gets there, unless you want to pay out of pocket.

 

[Tom Robertson]

Well, if the dealership used Costco as a distribution channel, then yes, I could see buying my car parts at Costco and having the dealer install.

Often, DIRECTV has used other sales channels and included free installation. The key is to arrange the installation for the Costco unit thru DIRECTV, even if the sale wasn't.

That way the installer gets credit and paid.

(Most of my installs were done by me, but I always made sure the installers got all the credit. Karma is important.)

Cheers,
Tom

 

[RobertE]

Would I hook it up? Depends

Lines already in place? Yes No
Would a switch be needed? Yes No
Customers attitude. or
Dead Presidents
Do I have the time available? Yes No

Add up the & and you'll have your answer.

 

[Bill C]

Would I hook it up? Depends

Lines already in place? Yes No
Would a switch be needed? Yes No
Customers attitude. or
Dead Presidents
Do I have the time available? Yes No

Add up the & and you'll have your answer.

This was a class answer from a technician.....good job

 

[joe diamond]

Robert E,

Exactly!

Joe

 

[jyafink]

Good points made, thanks to all. I obviously was not aware the installer wouldn't get paid unless the receiver came through D*. I assumed the installer would get paid the same no matter what source provided the equipment. I found out today I was wrong. I called to add another HD-DVR (actually to replace a SD receiver) and they said it would push my install date out by 15 days because they didn't have an extra one in inventory (hard to believe). I then said what if I buy my own so I can keep the install date? The CSR then said they have no way of adding that to the work order and therefore the installer would not get paid. I guess D* makes a good profit when they sell you the receiver as opposed to you buying it and that is why they don't allow an installer to install one you provide (without an extra install fee that is). Anyway, after over an hour on the phone the CSR said he was able to force the date to keep the install this Friday – with the extra HD-DVR (amazing how they suddenly found one!). He then said the local office would have to call back to confirm that because they were not able to get in touch with the Load Officer (sp?). I said how can you tell me the date will stay the same if it needs confirmation? He told me several times not to worry and it will happen. So, I hope I don't get a bad receiver or a bad installer because of the CSR "forcing the date". Dealing with D* so far has been very different to me than dealing with Time Warner and I guess it's something I'll have to get used to. I hope it works out for the better in the end.

 

[tivoman]

Jyafink I hope you have good luck with your install this Friday. I hope my HD upgrade goes well this Thursday, since this will be the third visit from DirecTV in 8 days. The first visit they came with the HR-21, but no HD dish. The second visit was a "service call" per the tech's notes.

 

[Tom Robertson]

Good points made, thanks to all. I obviously was not aware the installer wouldn't get paid unless the receiver came through D*. I assumed the installer would get paid the same no matter what source provided the equipment. I found out today I was wrong. I called to add another HD-DVR (actually to replace a SD receiver) and they said it would push my install date out by 15 days because they didn't have an extra one in inventory (hard to believe). I then said what if I buy my own so I can keep the install date? The CSR then said they have no way of adding that to the work order and therefore the installer would not get paid. I guess D* makes a good profit when they sell you the receiver as opposed to you buying it and that is why they don't allow an installer to install one you provide (without an extra install fee that is). Anyway, after over an hour on the phone the CSR said he was able to force the date to keep the install this Friday - with the extra HD-DVR (amazing how they suddenly found one!). He then said the local office would have to call back to confirm that because they were not able to get in touch with the Load Officer (sp?). I said how can you tell me the date will stay the same if it needs confirmation? He told me several times not to worry and it will happen. So, I hope I don't get a bad receiver or a bad installer because of the CSR "forcing the date". Dealing with D* so far has been very different to me than dealing with Time Warner and I guess it's something I'll have to get used to. I hope it works out for the better in the end.

The installer gets paid if the "Install" comes thru DIRECTV, not the unit itself. If you call them, you usually can get units added to an existing workorder that is no sooner than today as you found out.

Good luck!
Tom

 

[joe diamond]

Tom,

They are not as good as you think. Some CSR may even try to reroute the deal as a sale to themselves.........happened tp me once (only). The installer gets paid...sort of.......when the HSPs figure they must cut a check.

Much pressure in a circular system.

Special orders...make them....... nuts.



Joe

 

[BattleZone]

I guess D* makes a good profit when they sell you the receiver as opposed to you buying it and that is why they don't allow an installer to install one you provide (without an extra install fee that is).

Receivers available from Costco and BestBuy are mostly for customers who can do their own install/upgrade.

If you take your car to Midas to have a brake job, it costs you (let's say) $100. "Ahh, but I can buy those brake shoes for $15 at the parts store," you think to yourself. And you're right, you can. But they aren't going to include installation for them, are they?

Same idea here.

 

[wildbill129]

Receivers available from Costco and BestBuy are mostly for customers who can do their own install/upgrade.

If you take your car to Midas to have a brake job, it costs you (let's say) $100. "Ahh, but I can buy those brake shoes for $15 at the parts store," you think to yourself. And you're right, you can. But they aren't going to include installation for them, are they?

Same idea here.

Not even close to the same thing. These are LEASED receivers (you don't lease brake pads) being sold by DirecTV through Costco, Best Buy, etc. These are not aftermarket DirecTV boxes. They are OEM. Even at Costco, they provide information on how to get them installed at the kiosk.....buy them, take them home, call DirecTV for an install.....In fact, when I bought mine at Best Buy, they called DirecTV for me, arranged everything, I picked up the phone and confirmed the install date. (I was upgrading my dish to go with my new Hr10-250 at the time, and I realize that was a couple of years ago....)......

 

[TigersFanJJ]

Not even close to the same thing. These are LEASED receivers (you don't lease brake pads) being sold by DirecTV through Costco, Best Buy, etc. These are not aftermarket DirecTV boxes. They are OEM. Even at Costco, they provide information on how to get them installed at the kiosk.....buy them, take them home, call DirecTV for an install.....In fact, when I bought mine at Best Buy, they called DirecTV for me, arranged everything, I picked up the phone and confirmed the install date. (I was upgrading my dish to go with my new Hr10-250 at the time, and I realize that was a couple of years ago....)......

Not too sure what the receivers being leased has to do with anything. Anyway, the receivers on the shelf at local stores are supposed to be for existing customers only. Any new customers that sign up through stores like BB, etc. aren't supposed to be given the equipment at the store. The store is supposed to get them an install date and then the tech brings all of the equipment listed on the workorder.

There are really only two ways to get this done. Pay the tech what it takes to get him to install it during the install (provided he has the time and the price is reasonable to you). Or you can wait until after the install, call Directv, pay them, and set up an upgrade workorder to have your receiver installed.