I know he's a supervisor.....but wanted to make sure not not to offend him. Though I suppose calling him a service rep might do that!
New Install - How to assure getting the International Dish, the SWM-16 and a 5-LNB!!
- Thread starter jaj1701
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 54
- Views 9K
- Status
I know he's a supervisor.....but wanted to make sure not not to offend him. Though I suppose calling him a service rep might do that!
An agent had no clue what that was for when I mentioned it to them, the fine print on the D* site connected it to the Hd Free for Life offer and you'd see something on your first bill referencing it, but we know that that promo has other requirements now. I'd say it's just a remnant of an earlier promo offer.
I guess you win some and you lose some on Installers. My installer reran cables and even installed a new line in a room he was no installing. (I asked him if he would since I will probably be adding one later)
Oh and Stonecold...is still a better "Supervisor" than the one's I have spoke with
Oh and Stonecold...is still a better "Supervisor" than the one's I have spoke with
My Install - Hardware edition - 5lnb, Intl. Dish, SWM-16, 5+1owned recvrs, AM21, MRV.
Hello,
Well, I posted a lot before my install concerning my hardware wants, programming, and discounts.
So, 24hrs into my DirecTV subscription, here how things have gone.
Chapter 1 - The Order (Ignoring all the discounts)
Base Package - Choice Ultimate $68.99
International Channel - MYX $4.99
Spanish Package - En Espanol $14.99
Starz + Showing $24.99
HD Access + DVR Service + Whole Home DVR $20
Receiver Fees $20
TV Internet Connection Service $25
4 x HD-DVRs - $0 $100 $200 $200 1x STD - $0
Chapter 2 - Installation Day
I got a great technician. He was very glad for my install. The extra dish, # of receivers made up for some other installs that he had.
He had all the hardware I wanted and was expecting. 4xHR24's, 1xD12, 1 slimline w/5-lnb, I international dish for 95, swm-16, AM21, etc etc.
I had a CSR note in my order that I had an owned HR20-100, and he had the hardware with necessary to use it with MRV.
He removed an old 18" D* dish and an old Dish 500 dish, and installed the new dishes in their locations on my commdeck roof dish mounts. New holes needed to be drilled in the one commdeck since the international dish has a smaller mount plate. So that was done Friday morning instead. He even ran all new RG6 so I could use the old wire for FTA LNBs in the future.
I purposely waited to buy the protection plan from him so he could get the commission, made sure he was never thirsty, told him I'd take care of mounting and pretty'ing up the hardware, let him skip all the training on the receivers, setting up the RF remotes, etc etc.
Instead of having him run 5 rooms, I asked if he'd instead just run 2 rooms but fish the wire (they were very easy fishes). He was as it was either the same length of time or more likely less then if he had to do 5 rooms as I could have made him.
He had help for the first couple hours of the install, then it was me and him. I did as much as I could to help out.....pulling wire as he feed it to me, etc etc.
There were some more time consuming items like finding a good ground, etc. So he was probably at my place for 5-6 hours between Thursday and the Friday morning (95 dish install) and receiver activations.
Chapter 3 - His comments about my order
1. Thanks
2. 3-LNB vs 5-LNB. Didn't blame me at all. Thought performance of both LNBs was similar, but thought that perhaps the 3-LNB was maybe more reliable over time.
3. He could have just be saying it to be nice, but he though my order was "smart".
Chapter 4 - The owned receiver, an HR20-100s
I had called DirecTV Monday before purchasing to assure the receiver was owned. The seller left the access card in the unit. It arrived during the install. The technician did go as far as hooking it up and making sure it had signal. Contrary to the D* CSR but as mentioned here, the installer did not have a "new" access card" and the receiver was left as-is. Hooked up, getting signal, downloading software.
Call 1 - I called to activate, fully expecting a transfer to the "Access Card Dept" and a $20 charge. Well, he looked up my Monday call and confirmed it was owned and activated it with the card in it. All was working, thought I was done.
Signed in online and saw that it said "leased receiver fee $5" instead of "add'l receiver fee $5" it should have shown as an owned receiver
Call 2 - Got CSR, explained situation, transferred me to the Access Card Dept. She agreed it was screwed up, but said since it's working, why make things more complicated, I'll just set it as OWNED. I didn't say anything about not wanting to pay the $20 or anything, she just offered it. Thought I was good to go.
Signed online and saw that it said "leased receiver fee $5" disconnected then "add'l receiver fee $5" then "add'l receiver fee $5" disconnected then "leased receiver fee $5" .....so it's like she changed it to owned and it went immediately back to leased.
Call 3 - Got CSR, explained situation, transferred me to the Access Card Dept. She agreed it was screwed up because I didn't get a new card and that it was required. If I kept the old card, I could be on the hook for PPV the old customer ordered (???). So, she was going though the process. I had said nicely it was be nice if I didn't have to pay the $20 since this is call #3 to get this done. She said, wish I could, but we have to. I was like no problem. Then she put me on hold, which was fine. She came back and said she was able to just keep the card I had activated, changed the unit to owned, and assured it had to ties to it's old account.
Signed online, "leased receiver fee $4.83" disconnected then "add'l receiver fee $5" then "add'l receiver fee $4.83". So I appear to be set. But weird, no new access card, no $20 fee on a used receiver. I would assume this situation would be a rare occasion, but I was happy.
Chapter 5 - My thoughts after 24 hrs.
I like the speed on the HR24s. Not that extremely intuitive, but not hard to figure out either. I would still say I liked the software on the original UltimateTV better then these. But still very happy so far with the HR24. The remote programming was nice.
My most watched single channel so far..... MYX!
Ok, I took a hell of a lot of crap (mostly somewhere else) for ordering MYX to get the international dish. I had looked up MYX before signing up, and it seemed like it might be cool. Well it is. It's like MTV of the 80s, tailored to the Asian American youth. All English speaking hosts and commercials with a mix of English and Asian music videos. It's what I'm listening to while typing this. I may just keep paying the $4.99/mo for this channel. If you get sick of hearing US top 40 all the time, like some of the Asian music and miss when MTV played videos, this might be your thing. Of course, it's only on the bird at 95. In fact this channel is offered by VERY FEW providers, DirecTV, Comcast in California, and one other I believe.
Chapter 6 - Tonights viewing.....NASCAR CUP Race
I started watching NASCAR a couple years ago to have something to talk to my mom about, and now I'm hooked. My driver happens to be Kyle Busch, who has his own channel tonight. I'm putting a 32" tv along side my 50" plasma so I can watch his channel and the race (since I had two runs in each of my fished locations). Nice bonus for my first weekend DirecTV.
(yes, I know I'm a redneck for watching NASCAR....figured I'd get that out of the way...moving on)
Chapter 7 - Lessons learned for me and others signing up
1. If you miss MTV, try MYX. If you think you might want international programming, get MYX to get the dish so you have the choice. My tech did not put in the 101 LNB, since it's already on my 5lnb. I don't know that I cared one way or the other.
2. The 5-lnb realistically probably isn't need, but you might gain a channel you'd watch/listen too the way the channels are configured now. Probably not worth worrying about....but you technician will probably care if he's installing a 5 or a 3 LNB.
3. You can always drop the # receivers. If you have future plans for a room or rooms, consider getting enough receivers so those rooms are wired and your switch will be able to handle your future upgrades. The standard receivers are free....paying an HD-DVR and not keeping it makes no since. But if your getting 4 HD-DVRs, like me, and you think/know you'll want more receivers in the future, add a standard receiver. Your tech will make more on your install and you'll be able to handle more receivers without needing to pay for new switch hardware or worry about getting an RG6 run to that room. In the end, this will pay off for you and D*.
In conclusion I have 0 regrets about my order or my decision to sign up with D*
Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.
Jason
Hello,
Well, I posted a lot before my install concerning my hardware wants, programming, and discounts.
So, 24hrs into my DirecTV subscription, here how things have gone.
Chapter 1 - The Order (Ignoring all the discounts)
Base Package - Choice Ultimate $68.99
International Channel - MYX $4.99
Spanish Package - En Espanol $14.99
Starz + Showing $24.99
HD Access + DVR Service + Whole Home DVR $20
Receiver Fees $20
TV Internet Connection Service $25
4 x HD-DVRs - $0 $100 $200 $200 1x STD - $0
Chapter 2 - Installation Day
I got a great technician. He was very glad for my install. The extra dish, # of receivers made up for some other installs that he had.
He had all the hardware I wanted and was expecting. 4xHR24's, 1xD12, 1 slimline w/5-lnb, I international dish for 95, swm-16, AM21, etc etc.
I had a CSR note in my order that I had an owned HR20-100, and he had the hardware with necessary to use it with MRV.
He removed an old 18" D* dish and an old Dish 500 dish, and installed the new dishes in their locations on my commdeck roof dish mounts. New holes needed to be drilled in the one commdeck since the international dish has a smaller mount plate. So that was done Friday morning instead. He even ran all new RG6 so I could use the old wire for FTA LNBs in the future.
I purposely waited to buy the protection plan from him so he could get the commission, made sure he was never thirsty, told him I'd take care of mounting and pretty'ing up the hardware, let him skip all the training on the receivers, setting up the RF remotes, etc etc.
Instead of having him run 5 rooms, I asked if he'd instead just run 2 rooms but fish the wire (they were very easy fishes). He was as it was either the same length of time or more likely less then if he had to do 5 rooms as I could have made him.
He had help for the first couple hours of the install, then it was me and him. I did as much as I could to help out.....pulling wire as he feed it to me, etc etc.
There were some more time consuming items like finding a good ground, etc. So he was probably at my place for 5-6 hours between Thursday and the Friday morning (95 dish install) and receiver activations.
Chapter 3 - His comments about my order
1. Thanks
2. 3-LNB vs 5-LNB. Didn't blame me at all. Thought performance of both LNBs was similar, but thought that perhaps the 3-LNB was maybe more reliable over time.
3. He could have just be saying it to be nice, but he though my order was "smart".
Chapter 4 - The owned receiver, an HR20-100s
I had called DirecTV Monday before purchasing to assure the receiver was owned. The seller left the access card in the unit. It arrived during the install. The technician did go as far as hooking it up and making sure it had signal. Contrary to the D* CSR but as mentioned here, the installer did not have a "new" access card" and the receiver was left as-is. Hooked up, getting signal, downloading software.
Call 1 - I called to activate, fully expecting a transfer to the "Access Card Dept" and a $20 charge. Well, he looked up my Monday call and confirmed it was owned and activated it with the card in it. All was working, thought I was done.
Signed in online and saw that it said "leased receiver fee $5" instead of "add'l receiver fee $5" it should have shown as an owned receiver
Call 2 - Got CSR, explained situation, transferred me to the Access Card Dept. She agreed it was screwed up, but said since it's working, why make things more complicated, I'll just set it as OWNED. I didn't say anything about not wanting to pay the $20 or anything, she just offered it. Thought I was good to go.
Signed online and saw that it said "leased receiver fee $5" disconnected then "add'l receiver fee $5" then "add'l receiver fee $5" disconnected then "leased receiver fee $5" .....so it's like she changed it to owned and it went immediately back to leased.
Call 3 - Got CSR, explained situation, transferred me to the Access Card Dept. She agreed it was screwed up because I didn't get a new card and that it was required. If I kept the old card, I could be on the hook for PPV the old customer ordered (???). So, she was going though the process. I had said nicely it was be nice if I didn't have to pay the $20 since this is call #3 to get this done. She said, wish I could, but we have to. I was like no problem. Then she put me on hold, which was fine. She came back and said she was able to just keep the card I had activated, changed the unit to owned, and assured it had to ties to it's old account.
Signed online, "leased receiver fee $4.83" disconnected then "add'l receiver fee $5" then "add'l receiver fee $4.83". So I appear to be set. But weird, no new access card, no $20 fee on a used receiver. I would assume this situation would be a rare occasion, but I was happy.
Chapter 5 - My thoughts after 24 hrs.
I like the speed on the HR24s. Not that extremely intuitive, but not hard to figure out either. I would still say I liked the software on the original UltimateTV better then these. But still very happy so far with the HR24. The remote programming was nice.
My most watched single channel so far..... MYX!
Ok, I took a hell of a lot of crap (mostly somewhere else) for ordering MYX to get the international dish. I had looked up MYX before signing up, and it seemed like it might be cool. Well it is. It's like MTV of the 80s, tailored to the Asian American youth. All English speaking hosts and commercials with a mix of English and Asian music videos. It's what I'm listening to while typing this. I may just keep paying the $4.99/mo for this channel. If you get sick of hearing US top 40 all the time, like some of the Asian music and miss when MTV played videos, this might be your thing. Of course, it's only on the bird at 95. In fact this channel is offered by VERY FEW providers, DirecTV, Comcast in California, and one other I believe.
Chapter 6 - Tonights viewing.....NASCAR CUP Race
I started watching NASCAR a couple years ago to have something to talk to my mom about, and now I'm hooked. My driver happens to be Kyle Busch, who has his own channel tonight. I'm putting a 32" tv along side my 50" plasma so I can watch his channel and the race (since I had two runs in each of my fished locations). Nice bonus for my first weekend DirecTV.
(yes, I know I'm a redneck for watching NASCAR....figured I'd get that out of the way...moving on)
Chapter 7 - Lessons learned for me and others signing up
1. If you miss MTV, try MYX. If you think you might want international programming, get MYX to get the dish so you have the choice. My tech did not put in the 101 LNB, since it's already on my 5lnb. I don't know that I cared one way or the other.
2. The 5-lnb realistically probably isn't need, but you might gain a channel you'd watch/listen too the way the channels are configured now. Probably not worth worrying about....but you technician will probably care if he's installing a 5 or a 3 LNB.
3. You can always drop the # receivers. If you have future plans for a room or rooms, consider getting enough receivers so those rooms are wired and your switch will be able to handle your future upgrades. The standard receivers are free....paying an HD-DVR and not keeping it makes no since. But if your getting 4 HD-DVRs, like me, and you think/know you'll want more receivers in the future, add a standard receiver. Your tech will make more on your install and you'll be able to handle more receivers without needing to pay for new switch hardware or worry about getting an RG6 run to that room. In the end, this will pay off for you and D*.
In conclusion I have 0 regrets about my order or my decision to sign up with D*
Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.
Jason
that is usually a good sign
very good that he had all the equipment
I know some techs dont like when customers help but sounds like in both yours and my case the tech was more than happy to have the customer help
you'll love hot pass. Its very cool to see from inside the cars (although saying you're a Kyle fan is on the same line as you being a Gopher fan)
Welcome to the D* family...enjoy
The one about the pricing is on its own thread here
http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/219051-my-install-discounts-my-first-bill.html
as for the install part...that really should stay with this thread since its the conclusion of the existing thread
http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/219051-my-install-discounts-my-first-bill.html
as for the install part...that really should stay with this thread since its the conclusion of the existing thread
that is usually a good sign
very good that he had all the equipment
I know some techs dont like when customers help but sounds like in both yours and my case the tech was more than happy to have the customer help
you'll love hot pass. Its very cool to see from inside the cars (although saying you're a Kyle fan is on the same line as you being a Gopher fan)
Welcome to the D* family...enjoy
Thanks Iceberg! Especially again ripping me on the Gopher thing...and then adding Kyle to the mix!
I love it here....it's so much fun. I hated doing the rant on the Mod that moved my posts, but geez.....well, you know how long it takes to type stuff out in detail.
Thanks for giving me a grin right after I typed my rant!
Last edited:
yeah you did write a book there
Getting stoked for the race tonight.....after the Twins win of course
Getting stoked for the race tonight.....after the Twins win of course
yeah you did write a book there
Getting stoked for the race tonight.....after the Twins win of course
LOL! Yes, I did. I'm pretty stoked about all of this....from my order, my equipment, my discounts....etc. If I can help others do the same, then it was worth it! I've never been accused of not having anything to say.
Since I'm so high in your book know (Gophers and Kyle Busch), I suppose this is a perfect time to mention that the Twins are a #2 behind the "our pitching always sucks" Milwaukee Brewers. I will cheer for the Twins to beat the Brewers though if it's a matter of post seasons hopes are alive for them and not the Brewers.
I am excited for the race too. Too many Cup and Nationwide races watched on my computer thru Justin.tv and etc. No more burry, snowy, tiny window on my computer window, finding new feeds after the first one goes down.....etc....etc. BTW, who is your driver?
FYI.....I still have MYX playing while I do all of this.
Thats fine. I like watching both (since they're available for me and you to see on 668 and 669). Since they're in different leagues its OK
But as for the Packers? Oh heck no....
But as for the Packers? Oh heck no....
Yeah, I'm still very happy with my decisions. Really enjoying the service. I currently have another receiver that is owned (an HR20-100) that I've added to my account....so now I have 11 tuners at home.
I've actually done a lot of watching MYX tv (pronounced MIX). You know, if it was HD, I'd probably keep it and I wouldn't be surprised if I ordered it again some day.
Haven't had time to hook up my OTA antenna to the AM21 or HR20-100 yet.
But again, everything worked out great and I'm very happy with the results.
I've actually done a lot of watching MYX tv (pronounced MIX). You know, if it was HD, I'd probably keep it and I wouldn't be surprised if I ordered it again some day.
Haven't had time to hook up my OTA antenna to the AM21 or HR20-100 yet.
But again, everything worked out great and I'm very happy with the results.
- Status
