I'm a couple of months into my new DirecTV subscription, just got my $100 VISA gift card, and everything's running smoothly, but not after much anguish.
At the onset, I had decided on a two DVR system for several reasons:
- So I'd have a backup recording unit in case one went out.
- To be able to watch at least two different shows without the expense of mini-genie boxes
- and to have a box to take in my RV on road trips.
I have five TVs in my house, but only two warm bodies who watch at any given time. So I planned on whole-home DVR, installing a few splitters from Monoprice, some cabling, UHF remotes at each TV, and presto! Problem solved without extra ongoing monthly fees for mini-Genies.
Starting with a local DirecTV installer / rep, I had my order lined up until they started the paperwork. They wanted a SSN from me. I told them they had no business knowing my SSN. They said they couldn't open an account without it. I told them they just lost a customer.
So next I called DirecTV / AT&T directly who agreed that they didn't need no stinkin' SSN to set up an order. I got a high-pressure sales person type who kept trying to steer me into bundles of other AT&T products. I finally convinced him what I wanted, but he stated that he couldn't order the two boxes (HR44 - I wanted the multiple output jacks, Component and HDMI, to reduce the signals I was splitting, plus I like the old school land line caller ID on this box, and... an HR24 - my 2nd DVR). Apparently, the AT&T order dialog doesn't allow for ordering more than one DVR, or for specifying model numbers. "No problem", he said, we'll just put together a bogus order, then in the "Notes" section, we'll spell out your real order. "Then when the installer contacts you, just verify that he's bringing the boxes that you want." I was skeptical, but went with it. Then the rep hangs up before I gave him my friend's info to get the referral credit.
I call back and get forwarded a few times, then give the referral info to another rep who assures me she'll take care of it.
From reading this forum, I anticipated there would be a $200 charge for my extra DVR. Nobody at AT&T could quote me a price on this - my "real" order - as their order entry system doesn't allow for ordering such configurations.
Next I get multiple emails, confirming an order for equipment I didn't order, and I play along.
Next come the robo-calls about my installation appointment. I wanted to contact the installer to confirm that he would have my equipment on the truck when he arrived, but apparently contact info for installers is top secret. AT&T won't give you any direct contact info (phone or email) for your installer. Ridiculous.
Of course when the installer arrives, he hadn't read the "Notes" section of my order, and doesn't have my equipment. But luckily, he's able to chase it down locally, and then returns. Next I have to get on the phone with an AT&T rep and verbally give them my credit card info so they can charge me for the extra DVR, but I expected that.
I had pre-wired the coax cabling to the dish antenna location, and between the two boxes in my house, so the installation went quick. The installer didn't know a whole lot, saying my HR24 wouldn't work with a UHF remote, but I finished doing my own setup after he left and switched it from IR to UHF mode. Installed my splitters and was pleasantly surprised that everything worked as planned. One run I was skeptical of consisted of a 15 foot HDMI run up the wall, to a powered splitter in the attic, then out 50' in two directions to two other TVs. But with RedMere HDMI cables on the 50' runs, it works perfectly.
The last bit of drama was calling AT&T today to complain that my $10 monthly referral credit wasn't appearing on my bill. Apparently I have some other promotion that doesn't allow for the referral promotion. Of course they didn't tell me that when I was placing my order.
Overall I'm happy with the DirecTV technology, but I've left my Dish antenna up and plan to switch back after my 2 year contract is up. Regularly switching providers seems like the only way to get a good price.
At the onset, I had decided on a two DVR system for several reasons:
- So I'd have a backup recording unit in case one went out.
- To be able to watch at least two different shows without the expense of mini-genie boxes
- and to have a box to take in my RV on road trips.
I have five TVs in my house, but only two warm bodies who watch at any given time. So I planned on whole-home DVR, installing a few splitters from Monoprice, some cabling, UHF remotes at each TV, and presto! Problem solved without extra ongoing monthly fees for mini-Genies.
Starting with a local DirecTV installer / rep, I had my order lined up until they started the paperwork. They wanted a SSN from me. I told them they had no business knowing my SSN. They said they couldn't open an account without it. I told them they just lost a customer.
So next I called DirecTV / AT&T directly who agreed that they didn't need no stinkin' SSN to set up an order. I got a high-pressure sales person type who kept trying to steer me into bundles of other AT&T products. I finally convinced him what I wanted, but he stated that he couldn't order the two boxes (HR44 - I wanted the multiple output jacks, Component and HDMI, to reduce the signals I was splitting, plus I like the old school land line caller ID on this box, and... an HR24 - my 2nd DVR). Apparently, the AT&T order dialog doesn't allow for ordering more than one DVR, or for specifying model numbers. "No problem", he said, we'll just put together a bogus order, then in the "Notes" section, we'll spell out your real order. "Then when the installer contacts you, just verify that he's bringing the boxes that you want." I was skeptical, but went with it. Then the rep hangs up before I gave him my friend's info to get the referral credit.
I call back and get forwarded a few times, then give the referral info to another rep who assures me she'll take care of it.
From reading this forum, I anticipated there would be a $200 charge for my extra DVR. Nobody at AT&T could quote me a price on this - my "real" order - as their order entry system doesn't allow for ordering such configurations.
Next I get multiple emails, confirming an order for equipment I didn't order, and I play along.
Next come the robo-calls about my installation appointment. I wanted to contact the installer to confirm that he would have my equipment on the truck when he arrived, but apparently contact info for installers is top secret. AT&T won't give you any direct contact info (phone or email) for your installer. Ridiculous.
Of course when the installer arrives, he hadn't read the "Notes" section of my order, and doesn't have my equipment. But luckily, he's able to chase it down locally, and then returns. Next I have to get on the phone with an AT&T rep and verbally give them my credit card info so they can charge me for the extra DVR, but I expected that.
I had pre-wired the coax cabling to the dish antenna location, and between the two boxes in my house, so the installation went quick. The installer didn't know a whole lot, saying my HR24 wouldn't work with a UHF remote, but I finished doing my own setup after he left and switched it from IR to UHF mode. Installed my splitters and was pleasantly surprised that everything worked as planned. One run I was skeptical of consisted of a 15 foot HDMI run up the wall, to a powered splitter in the attic, then out 50' in two directions to two other TVs. But with RedMere HDMI cables on the 50' runs, it works perfectly.
The last bit of drama was calling AT&T today to complain that my $10 monthly referral credit wasn't appearing on my bill. Apparently I have some other promotion that doesn't allow for the referral promotion. Of course they didn't tell me that when I was placing my order.
Overall I'm happy with the DirecTV technology, but I've left my Dish antenna up and plan to switch back after my 2 year contract is up. Regularly switching providers seems like the only way to get a good price.
