D*probably scamming me

[branchbouncer]

Well after many tries to get my HD locals OTA with various antenna configurations with limited results,can get ABC,NBC,FOX with great signal strength but no good on CBS(will fade sometimes)I called to cancel D*.CSR looked at our account and asked why we were canceling,I explained that thier page shows that I get Grade A and Grade B on the OTA's but that two of the stations listed with these fantastic strengths are over 90 miles away and that I have tried and there is no way to lock on with any reliability.She transfered me to the waiver dept,he also could not understand why it said that I couldn't get the distant 4 as I am that far away from the Digital Stations.I told him that there are local SD that I maybe able to get with a antenna and a rotor,but that I am not really interested in watching SD on any of the TV's as they are all large HD's.His responce was that he would talk with a few Supers and call this afternoon,he felt that there was a good possibilty we would be allowed to get the big 4.The catch---they want me to put the account back in the suspend mode--pay 15.00 per month and see what happens(they want me to put it there for 2 months)and if they aren't granted we will close the account.I have talked to people and I only know of 1 person that was granted the waivers here and that was some time ago and is grandfathered in.Seems as this is a way to make a couple bucks before we cancel,I seriously doubt that these waivers will be granted



Standard Distant Network Service
Network Affiliate Channel Status
ABC WHSV 3 Grade B (moderate signal)
CBS WUSA 18 Grade A (strong signal)
FOX WTTG 46 Grade A (strong signal)
NBC WVIR 28 Grade A (strong signal)
PBS Eligible

Digital (HD) Distant Network Service
Network Affiliate Status
ABC WHSV-DT Grade B (moderate signal)
CBS WUSA-DT Grade A (strong signal)
FOX WTTG-DT Grade A (strong signal)
NBC WVIR-DT Grade A (strong signal)

CBS and FOX listed in the digital channels are almost 100 miles away and to my knowledge there are no repeaters between me and the DC towers.It will be interesting to see if 1. I actually get a call back today 2.What they say is possible 3.When it is possible

 

[scotsmanron]

I would be very surprised if you get them. I didn't the first time and I have to wait one more week for D* to do it again. I was promised on the Friday before Super Bowl Sunday that I would have the distant HD's because I had the grandfathered SDs. Well, they BLATANTLY denied that I was told that even though I had the CSR's name and the call time. That is the only time I've had that experience with them. Every other time they have been straight forward with me. Next week I'll call again. The waiver CSR did tell me because I had tried and OTA that they just about had to get me the waivers.

 

[VIPERS-PIT]

You will not get the waivers. But it is not D*s fault. The local stations will not let you get HD it is the greed of the local stations that is causing you troubles.

The FCC rules only apply to SD programing and if you are getting SD off D* or anyother sorce, your local stations will turn down your waiver request. You will need to have a sight test done for siginal strenght, to get a waiver. That is the only way to prove you can not get the siginal. If you pass that test the local stations HAVE to give you a waiver.

 

[charper1]

DirecTV is NOT scamming you and has NO control over network signals; approvals or denials; they can only do what they are told to do by law based on your zip code. Looking at the city listed in your profile, I used zip 22840 and got this. Not sure what you were looking at, but your area is well covered by affiliates, and/or repeaters.

Call Sign-----Channel-----Network-----CityState------Heading------Miles-----Freq

WVPT 51 PBS STAUNTON VA 253° 35.1 51

W28BF 28 NBC HARRISONBURG VA 286° 2.0 28

W31CE 31 NBC BRIDGEWATER, ETC. VA 253° 35.0 31

W46AE 46 FOX SOUTHERN ROCKINGHAM VA 286° 2.0 46

WVPT-DT 11.1 PBS STAUNTON VA 253° 35.1 11

WHSV 3 ABC HARRISONBURG VA 29° 15.7 3

W18AA 18 CBS SOUTHERN ROCKINGHAM VA 286° 2.0 18

WDBJ 7 CBS ROANOKE VA 232° 113.3 7

WSLS 10 NBC ROANOKE VA 232° 112.7 10

WVIR 29 NBC CHARLOTTESVILLE VA 163° 31.2 29

W58DK 58 PBS RUCKERSVILLE, ETC. VA 79° 18.3 58

 

[branchbouncer]

DirecTV is NOT scamming you and has NO control over network signals; approvals or denials; they can only do what they are told to do by law based on your zip code. Looking at the city listed in your profile, I used zip 22840 and got this. Not sure what you were looking at, but your area is well covered by affiliates, and/or repeaters.

Call Sign-----Channel-----Network-----CityState------Heading------Miles-----Freq

WVPT 51 PBS STAUNTON VA 253° 35.1 51

W28BF 28 NBC HARRISONBURG VA 286° 2.0 28

W31CE 31 NBC BRIDGEWATER, ETC. VA 253° 35.0 31

W46AE 46 FOX SOUTHERN ROCKINGHAM VA 286° 2.0 46

WVPT-DT 11.1 PBS STAUNTON VA 253° 35.1 11

WHSV 3 ABC HARRISONBURG VA 29° 15.7 3

W18AA 18 CBS SOUTHERN ROCKINGHAM VA 286° 2.0 18

WDBJ 7 CBS ROANOKE VA 232° 113.3 7

WSLS 10 NBC ROANOKE VA 232° 112.7 10

WVIR 29 NBC CHARLOTTESVILLE VA 163° 31.2 29

W58DK 58 PBS RUCKERSVILLE, ETC. VA 79° 18.3 58

Charlottesville is the only station that broadcast HD the PBS is starting to also,as far as D* scamming me I am not refering to the probabilty of getting the waivers approved---they know that this won't happen---it is them collecting the two months payment under false pretense

 

[charper1]

HD distance and/or reception has NOTHING to do with anything yet. The law only relates to SD signals right now. What is the false pretense you are claiming? DirecTV IN NO WAY sets up the affiliate signals. The strength of signal reported is via the affiliate and the FCC. DirecTV just posts the info as they are told. OTA reception and quality is NOT guaranteed and the customer's responsibility anyway; as stated on the website.

 

[branchbouncer]

In my first statement I said that the CSR in the waiver dept felt that there wouldn't be a problem getting the waivers---they know that is not going to happen and I have been put in the suspend mode so that I can pay for 2 more months for ths possibilty of getting the waivers that will not happen

 

[charper1]

Sounds like they told you that AFTER you convinced them that YOU KNOW there is no signal within 100 miles and NO repeaters? Which is not true according to the FCC website.

AND that they are TRYING to see if you are correct and want to maintain you as a customer while they research.

In fact CSRs DO NOT KNOW zip code status, they generally have no information on what is NOT in their script or zip code screens; by your assertions to them, they filed papers to escalate your call, so why would they cancel your account while the review is in process?

Just call back, seems you don't want DirecTV anymore anyway; don't wait, just call customer retention and get it taken care of today.

 

[branchbouncer]

Waiver Dept does know the status of zip codes--when we tried while living in DC the waiver dept typed in and said outright there was no possibilty

 

[grydlok]

Waiver Dept does know the status of zip codes--when we tried while living in DC the waiver dept typed in and said outright there was no possibilty

1st of all you are lying to D*. You are not in DC DMA. I heard this from you before. Just cancel you service and get cable.

 

[grydlok]

Sounds like they told you that AFTER you convinced them that YOU KNOW there is no signal within 100 miles and NO repeaters? Which is not true according to the FCC website.

AND that they are TRYING to see if you are correct and want to maintain you as a customer while they research.

In fact CSRs DO NOT KNOW zip code status, they generally have no information on what is NOT in their script or zip code screens; by your assertions to them, they filed papers to escalate your call, so why would they cancel your account while the review is in process?

Just call back, seems you don't want DirecTV anymore anyway; don't wait, just call customer retention and get it taken care of today.

Charper He knows he is in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville DMA. He is convinced that he is in DC and Richmond DMA.

 

[charper1]

Yep, I had his DMA map. He needs to move to Page County

http://www.city-data.com/city/Massanutten-Virginia.html

 

[grydlok]

Yep, I had his DMA map. He needs to move to Page County

http://www.city-data.com/city/Massanutten-Virginia.html

I just don't get this guy.

 

[charper1]

In a way I feel for people in this scenario. The NAB and the network affiliate system needs to be totally undone until the FCC can setup a better plan: MY PLAN! LOL!

The old DMA system has run its lifespan and there have been too many DMAs allowed to be created. This general DC area is a great example, but it is still no fault or scam by Dish or DirecTV.

 

[grydlok]

In a way I feel for people in this scenario. The NAB and the network affiliate system needs to be totally undone until the FCC can setup a better plan: MY PLAN! LOL!

The old DMA system has run its lifespan and there have been too many DMAs allowed to be created. This general DC area is a great example, but it is still no fault or scam by Dish or DirecTV.

If he really was in D.C. area and couldn't get them I would fill simpathy, but c'mon that is like me trying to get dc locals because I like them better from my house.

 

[branchbouncer]

Read the orginal post--D* knows where I live now--outside Harrisonburg.When I called yesterday to find out what services I could get they lied to me saying that I maybe able to get Distant ,what this company is doing is to put me back in the suspend mode for two(2) months while the waivers get rejected,and they can collect 15.00 more per month.It really doesn't make that much difference which way the ball rolls Adelphia provides 17 HD channels and D* has alot of catching up to do,which will probably be a few years down the road,if ever since less than 500,000 of the 20,000,000 have HD.Where as out of 900 homes where I live 80% have HD---Wonder why Charlottesville,40 miles away, has no HD cable or very limited no deep pockets--want the 50 dollar cable,got the 27" don't need anymore

 

[loki23]

Clueless

You do not have a clue, so i do think you should just leave D*.

Where do you come up with this $15 number? There is no charge to suspend your account.

You should go to Adelphia and enjoy your 17 hd channels until Feb. 2009, because they are not going to be able to add anymore until then.

Buh-Bye

 

[grydlok]

Read the orginal post--D* knows where I live now--outside Harrisonburg.When I called yesterday to find out what services I could get they lied to me saying that I maybe able to get Distant ,what this company is doing is to put me back in the suspend mode for two(2) months while the waivers get rejected,and they can collect 15.00 more per month.It really doesn't make that much difference which way the ball rolls Adelphia provides 17 HD channels and D* has alot of catching up to do,which will probably be a few years down the road,if ever since less than 500,000 of the 20,000,000 have HD.Where as out of 900 homes where I live 80% have HD---Wonder why Charlottesville,40 miles away, has no HD cable or very limited no deep pockets--want the 50 dollar cable,got the 27" don't need anymore

Hey you chose the live out there and ther are 2 channels that are digital for Charlottesville.

 

[branchbouncer]

I did not give D* the zip code for DC when I talked to them,read the the freakin post they know that I am outside Harrisonburg,not the sh*t hole DC.

 

[FlyingJ]

Yup, D* needs that $15 for the next two months. May make or break them. I am cretain that the CSR that gave you this info has a percentage of that too.