New here, and I need HELP...

[ukcatfan]

Hi All, and Happy New Year. I'm Katie, just wanted to introduce myself... So glad I found this place.

Please bare with me for being stupid....

So, here's my story... Thought I would switch from DISH to DIRECT. (bad move) I called to get a few price quotes. Decided on the one that was $44.99. Plus another rec. would make it $49.99. TOTAL. He said that I would have 30 days to cancel and owe nothing if I changed my mind. They came to install it a few days later. I told the guy to use the same areas where Dish was, so no other holes would have to be drilled in my floor and wall. So far so good. After he left, I discovered my "first" problem. I was putting my "Dish" DVR in another room, but couldn't hook the thing up because the guy swiped the "Switch" on the back of it. Is this their policy or something? Or was I just ripped off? If so, what can I do? I think I'm more angry about this, than anything else.

The very next day, my service was gone. "Insert valid card" was displayed. Called Cust. Service, and they had to send me a new card. It would take about 10 business days to ship. (this is all happening over the holiday) So, No TV, No DVR, and No DISH Network because I have no Switch.
But I do have a bill.....
I got online to view my it, and to my surprise it has went from $49.99 to $79.82.

I called to cancel, and they told me I would be charged $480, because now they tell me I only had 3 days, not 30.

Anyone have any advice? I'm at a total loss on what to do next.
Thanks a bunch....

 

[JH1949]

I was putting my "Dish" DVR in another room, but couldn't hook the thing up because the guy swiped the "Switch" on the back of it.

#1: A DISH "Switch" or SEPARATOR may not work with a DIRECT DVR. Did you tell the installer to do extra wiring, etc. to allow you to connect the DVR in different rooms ?
#2: If not, then an option would be a followup service call to rewire your service.

I called to get a few price quotes. Decided on the one that was $44.99. Plus another rec. would make it $49.99. TOTAL.

Which of the following packages did you get ?
DIRECTV: Browse Packages

I got online to view my it, and to my surprise it has went from $49.99 to $79.82.

Please supply a list of all charges and their descriptions.

I called to cancel, and they told me I would be charged $480, because now they tell me I only had 3 days, not 30. Anyone have any advice? I'm at a total loss on what to do next.

#1: DIRECT verbal contracts are non-binding
#2: $480 could be a $20 per month early cancellation fee. It should be explained in your paperwork.
#3: Read all the paperwork you were given BEFORE and AFTER your installation and find if it states THREE or THIRTY days
#4: THREE days is the default "buyer's remorse" statute
#5: An option would be to take all your paperwork to your local Better Business Bureau Office as soon as possible.

 

[Van]

So wich service did you get Dish network or Directv? You need to contact the installation company that came out and you need to contact the police and file a police report for theft as you own the equipment the other companies installer took.

 

[ukcatfan]

Sorry, I really didn't explain that right....
I wasn't trying to use "one on the other." I have a Dish 500, dual room DVR, and I think it would be called a "SEPARATOR". It inputs into the SAT "A" and SAT "B" ports in the back of the receiver. He installed the Direct TV receiver in the same room. (I moved the DISH Rec. off to the side, out of his way) After Direct wouldn't work, I completely removed it, and boxed it up. I ran cables from DISH back to the DISH receiver. I tried to "direct connect" but it wont work in 2 rooms, just on that tv.

I got the "Choice Xtra," The $49.99 price was only for 12 months, but he said I could change the package anytime.
I will check each of the charges again.

I have gone over the paperwork several times, and "3 days" just isn't there at all.

 

[JH1949]

...I called to cancel, and they told me I would be charged $480...

From the DIRECT website:

QUOTE
SYSTEM LEASE: Purchase of.....(24 months for advanced receivers) of any DIRECTV base programming package ($29.99/mo. or above) or qualifying international services bundle required......IF YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROGRAMMING COMMITMENT, DIRECTV MAY CHARGE A PRORATED FEE OF UP TO $480.....Receipt of DIRECTV programming subject to DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at directv.com/legal and in first bill. DIRECTV, Inc.
ENDQUOTE

 

[JH1949]

Sorry, I really didn't explain that right....
I wasn't trying to use "one on the other." I have a Dish 500, dual room DVR, and I think it would be called a "SEPARATOR". It inputs into the SAT "A" and SAT "B" ports in the back of the receiver.....I (re-ran) cables from DISH back to the DISH receiver. I tried to "direct connect" but it wont work in 2 rooms, just on that tv.

Apologies if this is obvious, but did you follow the DISH DVR OUTPUT coax cable all the way from the DVR to your second room to be sure the DIRECT installer did not disconnect it somewhere ?

Also, what DISH DVR do you have ? When you run the installation/modulator setup screens, does it show a connection to TV2 ?

 

[jeffincolo]

From the DIRECT website:

QUOTE
SYSTEM LEASE: Purchase of.....(24 months for advanced receivers) of any DIRECTV base programming package ($29.99/mo. or above) or qualifying international services bundle required. FAILURE TO ACTIVATE ALL DIRECTV SYSTEM EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EQUIPMENT LEASE ADDENDUM MAY RESULT IN A CHARGE OF $150 PER RECEIVER NOT ACTIVATED. IF YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROGRAMMING COMMITMENT, DIRECTV MAY CHARGE A PRORATED FEE OF UP TO $480. RECEIVERS ARE AT ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF DIRECTV AND MUST BE RETURNED UPON CANCELLATION OF SERVICE OR ADDITIONAL FEES MAY APPLY. VISIT directv.com OR CALL 1–800–DIRECTV FOR DETAILS. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Pricing residential. Taxes not included. Receipt of DIRECTV programming subject to DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at directv.com/legal and in first bill. DIRECTV, Inc.
ENDQUOTE

However, I do not believe this applies during the 30 day trial period. If she is not satisfied with the service she should be able to return the equipment at no charge within 30 days. This is a policy with cable and satellite companies. It also applies for cell phone companies.

 

[jeffincolo]

However, I do not believe this applies during the 30 day trial period. If she is not satisfied with the service she should be able to return the equipment at no charge within 30 days. This is a policy with cable and satellite companies. It also applies for cell phone companies.

Correction - This does apply in my state - being Colorado. You will have to check your state laws to see if it applies for you. Any State law governing early cancellation will trump Direct TV cancellation policies.

 

[ukcatfan]

Just wanted to thank you guys for your help and advice.....

It was the "input connector" on the back of the receiver after all. I ordered one from Ebay, (off brand) but it didn't work either. I borrowed one from my friends receiver, it worked instantly. So, I ask around and done a little info searching.

I had a neighbor, who installs DISH, formally with DIRECT, check out everything from dish to tv.

Turns out, these are a little hard to come by, only installed by them, with DISH PRO 500, a DPP44 Switch, (""Yes, he removed that one also."") dual receiver, with a DP PLUS SEPARATOR.
Also, that there are a few DIRECT TV Installers that can put this system in for people somehow, for a price that is. Or simply resale them. Now, I have to order a DP Plus from DISH, $29, and a DISHPRO PLUS DPP44 Switch, $199.00, and that's online at Sadoun.

So the jerk made a nice little profit....

I'm out;

DPP44, $199.00
DP PLUS Sep., $29.00 (found one online for 10 bucks)
of stolen property.

Wonder what's in his pocket now?

 

[Jamey K]

Welcome to SatGuys Katie! Hope you'll stay awhile.