$5.99 vs $7.99 - Protection Plan

[djbarci]

Hello all...

Does anyone know the differences between the two plans? I currently subscribe to the $5.99/month plan and NOW when I log-in to DirecTV.com, it says for "full" protection get the $7.99/month plan.

I cannot find any information on this $7.99 plan anywhere on D*'s website. All I was able to pull up was this information on the $5.99/month plan:

DIRECTV - PROTECTION PLAN

I know that the protection plan is just a way for them to make a butt-load of money anyways, but I like to have it myself because I am not good with electronics.

Thank you in advance for your help and input...

 

[iwc5893]

The $7.99 protection plan used to cover advanced receivers (HD and DVR's), but a couple of years ago D* went to one charge for everything which is now the $5.99 plan.

 

[goober22]

The $7.99 protection plan used to cover advanced receivers (HD and DVR's), but a couple of years ago D* went to one charge for everything which is now the $5.99 plan.

I'll agree. There used to be a $7.99 plan but it gave way to the $5.99 plan. AFAIK there is no $7.99 plan any longer, the $5.99 plan covers everything. The $7.99 references are just OLD links that have not been corrected/updated.

 

[vurbano]

Don't waste your money on it.

 

[glparrish078]

Dont waste you $$$$

 

[NutFlush920]

Save your money. I don't see the point in the protection plan on leased equipment.

 

[hdtvtechno]

Save your money. I don't see the point in the protection plan on leased equipment.

Only Dumb people buy it.. sorry couldn;t resist.. sarcasim

 

[cocoon]

The service plan really does no good if you are a "mover" as they don't allow the customer to choose the company that will deal with whatever problems that might arise.

 

[shibby191]

Save your money. I don't see the point in the protection plan on leased equipment.

Depends. It covers more then receivers, it also covers your dish, switches, cabling and so forth.

For me it's not worth it since I do all my own installs and I enjoy it but many, many people out there have no technical competence or want to do it themselves and thus they just want it taken care of for them. It's also good for disabled people that can't do it themselves even if they wanted to.

But as to the original question, there hasn't been a 7.99 plan for a couple years, as others have already posted. As to if it's worth it or not: $5.99 a month is $72 a year. This is what the cost of one service call which is typically $70. So if you can't or don't want to take care of your own equipment and think you'll need more then one service call a year then I'd get the protection plan and be done with it as it will be cheaper for you. But if you think you'll need only 1 or less service calls and don't mind replacing your own equipment then it's not worth it. Only you can determine if it's worth it or not.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Most cases its not worth it IMO. If you have some knowledge on the service save your money. If you don't know a thing about satellite and you 80 years old , Buy it. But most times D* will send you a replacement receiver for the cost of shipping anyhow. about $20.

 

[shibby191]

Most cases its not worth it IMO. If you have some knowledge on the service save your money. If you don't know a thing about satellite and you 80 years old , Buy it. But most times D* will send you a replacement receiver for the cost of shipping anyhow. about $20.

Mostly agree. For receiver replacement, no, it's not worth it at all unless you can't install it yourself. My mom isn't 80 yet but her and her husband actually have paid the Best Buy Geek Squad more then once to come out and hook up a DVD player. Many, many people are like her and just don't understand anything. I wish I lived closer so they wouldn't get ripped off like that.

But anyway, for just receiver replacement, no. But I don't know how many times I've read "I'm not going up on my 3 story roof to peak the dish" or "there are how many cables from the dish to....a switch thingy...and then it goes...". These are the people that should probably have the protection plan. Can't tell you how many times I'd go to a friends house and he's all proud of their new HDTV they spent thousands on only to find out he has it hooked up with RCA cables or Svideo. Uggggggggg.

Either that or get the 12 years old next door to do it.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Can't tell you how many times I'd go to a friends house and he's all proud of their new HDTV they spent thousands on only to find out he has it hooked up with RCA cables or Svideo. Uggggggggg..

HA thats funny.

 

[sonydude1966]

Mostly agree. For receiver replacement, no, it's not worth it at all unless you can't install it yourself. My mom isn't 80 yet but her and her husband actually have paid the Best Buy Geek Squad more then once to come out and hook up a DVD player. Many, many people are like her and just don't understand anything. I wish I lived closer so they wouldn't get ripped off like that.

But anyway, for just receiver replacement, no. But I don't know how many times I've read "I'm not going up on my 3 story roof to peak the dish" or "there are how many cables from the dish to....a switch thingy...and then it goes...". These are the people that should probably have the protection plan. Can't tell you how many times I'd go to a friends house and he's all proud of their new HDTV they spent thousands on only to find out he has it hooked up with RCA cables or Svideo. Uggggggggg.

Either that or get the 12 years old next door to do it.

And it does really happen. My mom who has cable, decided to get HD. The cable guy forgets the component cables, and hooks it up with the regular TV cable only. We had to call for repair to get another guy out with component cables. The repair guy said he's seen it all, and doesn't know what some installers are thinking.

 

[djbarci]

Thanks all for the input! I do currently have the $5.99 plan, but will consider dropping it since I am a "little" electronic savvy!

I got all my receivers through D* so they are all leased. And reading off some input on this thread it seems as if since I already lease via D* that they should have to replace any problems I have for any of my receivers.

Thanks again!

 

[djbarci]

But if you think you'll need only 1 or less service calls and don't mind replacing your own equipment then it's not worth it. Only you can determine if it's worth it or not.

So say for example I was to cancel the PP and later down the line I have an issue with my service and I need a part replaced or something...I know that D* makes me pay for the service call to come out and diagnose the problem, but if I needed to replace say a "switch" for example...does D* make me pay for the replacement part too...or is it included with my service call fee?

Thanks!

 

[hdtvtechno]

So say for example I was to cancel the PP and later down the line I have an issue with my service and I need a part replaced or something...I know that D* makes me pay for the service call to come out and diagnose the problem, but if I needed to replace say a "switch" for example...does D* make me pay for the replacement part too...or is it included with my service call fee?

Thanks!

The Lease Program only covers the DirecTV Receivers nothing else..
so other then that your on your own.. with your own out of pocket expense..sorry..

 

[djbarci]

The Lease Program only covers the DirecTV Receivers nothing else..
so other then that your on your own.. with your own out of pocket expense..sorry..

Thanks bud! Ya...I just wanted to be clear on certain things before I drop the insurance.

Sorry...one more quick question: Say if for example I have a message error on my screen (771...etc...). Do they charge you for those kind of problems too?

Thanks again!

 

[hdtvtechno]

Thanks bud! Ya...I just wanted to be clear on certain things before I drop the insurance.

Sorry...one more quick question: Say if for example I have a message error on my screen (771...etc...). Do they charge you for those kind of problems too?

Thanks again!

I dont remember what that error message stands for..
all i could find is DIRECTV: Support : Sound & Picture

but i think that error 771 is that you dont have service.. or a channel is blacked out.. ? not sure..
anyone else know ?

 

[djbarci]

Hey thanks for looking into that for me! That's a great reference to have in the case of an error message!!!

Basically I just wanted to know in general if an error message of any sort pops up on the screen...does D* make you pay for whatever needs to be fixed since their system is the one generating an error?

I know the answer to this is probably yes, but I think that if it's an error with their service that they should repair/fix for free....don't know how that works though or if error messages are even an issue w/out having the PP...

Thanks again for your help!

 

[hdtvtechno]

Well every error has a different issue different meaning to it and a different fix / solution to it..
for example one error could say "Program blacked out" neither you or Directv cannot fix that as that is mandated by the program provider or station channel,

other error you can see if you dont subscribe to a particuler channel package..

another error could be "Network Issue" meaning that your internet connection is not working.. if you have an ethernet connected to your Directv Receiver...

another error could say that your DirecTV remote batteries are almost or allready dead... I know i once had that error before...

"searching for satellite error" would mean that your satellite dish antenna has either been moved of position (Your expense to fix it) or bad weather heavy rain or clouds are moving in... (nothing you can do about that - all is to wait for the weather to get better)