Parents cancelled D*, have questions

[Kirby Baker]

My parents switched providers from D* to cable for their programming. The "newest" receiver on their account was activated on the account last April. They have been a customer for years.

Now to the very best of my knowledge, I purchased the receiver for them at Bestbuy. D* claims it was leased and they are sending a box to return the receiver.

This doesnt sound right to me at all. I cant think of any reason why I would have set up my parents with a leased receiver. And on a leased receiver, would they ship it to the customer for self-install?

To further make a mess of things, the last D* rep on the phone stated "it doesnt matter if you purchased the receiver or not, its ours even if you purchase it, and we want it back". I dont know if this BASE model RCA receiver holds some special sentimental value to D* or not, but I believe that rep is incorrect.

Appreciate any comments on this from those that know.

 

[branchbouncer]

It's a leased receiver even if you bought it at Best Buy or Circuit city, here is what it says on the Circuit City page for the H20


DIRECTV® HD Satellite Receiver (H20) Equipment Leasing 99.99

That why alot of people are seriously reconsidering D* when they need to upgrade thier equipment,the cost to lease and 2 year contract

 

[bidger`]

All D* equipment purchased from retail or dealers after March of last year is considered leased. BB and the other retail outlets and D* themselves do a poor job a lot of times making folks aware of that fact.

 

[Kirby Baker]

Except I am pretty sure that it was purchased prior to the leasing program. I know I purchased it and it sat for at least 2-3 weeks before I was able to install it. So all I need to do is find purchase proof prior to March it sounds like, and then I am set right?

And if I cant, the receiver can be returned, but isnt the smart card their (parents) card? I know when I cancelled D* last year they told me to keep my cards and I could use them in new receivers I might buy if I come back.

 

[sksatellite]

Its funny, buy the product then its lease, why pay for the leasing item. It just don't make sense to me.

 

[Darrell S]

I think they go by when it was activated, not when it was purchased.

 

[Kirby Baker]

And the funniest part is that the shipping they have to pay to send a box, and pay for return shipping will cost MORE than what the receiver is worth.

 

[lou_do]

And the funniest part is that the shipping they have to pay to send a box, and pay for return shipping will cost MORE than what the receiver is worth.

If it is just a ST receiver, it will probably be thrown in a dumpster when they get it back.

 

[Jimbo]

Except I am pretty sure that it was purchased prior to the leasing program. I know I purchased it and it sat for at least 2-3 weeks before I was able to install it. So all I need to do is find purchase proof prior to March it sounds like, and then I am set right?

And if I cant, the receiver can be returned, but isnt the smart card their (parents) card? I know when I cancelled D* last year they told me to keep my cards and I could use them in new receivers I might buy if I come back.

Kirby,
What is the model of the reciever ?
As for the access cards, they ARE the property of either D* or NDS, it states that right on the back of the cards.

Jimbo

 

[Kirby Baker]

jimbo,

I will have to check the model tomorrow. It seems like its an RCA. I take that back, its a D10.

 

[topcats69]

check with BB and they can pull up the receipt by telephone number. And then escalate the matter with *D.

 

[grydlok]

Lease model went into effect march 1, 2006. So even if you bought it in march and let it sit for 3 weeks it would still be a lease.

 

[boba]

Just send it back you are still under the 1 year contract and so far you haven't been assed an early termination fee.

 

[Jimbo]

I think all the D* labeled units are leases, (I think)

Jimbo

 

[Spize]

I still don't understand why people pout about regular boxes having to go back... what else are you gonna use it for?

btw, from what I understand D* does not recycle these things, they destroy them. This is a proactive move to prevent signal theft from pirates.

 

[damaged]

I still don't understand why people pout about regular boxes having to go back... what else are you gonna use it for?

eBay.

 

[Spize]

eBay.

Take a look on eBay... the boxes sell for what.. 5-10 bucks for a standard box? Add in eBay fees, PayPal's cut, and a trip to the post office and you are left with what... 3-7 bucks? Burger King pays a better hourly rate than all that jazz does for ya.

Maybe for an HD-DVR it would be worth it, but if 150 bucks is gonna break the bank, you have bigger things to worry about besides Directv wanting their box back, and how did you afford it to begin with? I mean if 150 bucks loss after 2 years service is too high a cost for you, then maybe you should have saved a couple bucks instead of buying an HDTV for 1000-3000 bucks and an HD-DVR for $300+

 

[Jhon69]

I still don't understand why people pout about regular boxes having to go back... what else are you gonna use it for?

btw, from what I understand D* does not recycle these things, they destroy them. This is a proactive move to prevent signal theft from pirates.

No they refurbish them and send them back out in the field.

 

[Jhon69]

eBay.

Bought a brand new D12w/new card for $25.w/shipping $10.Got it for a spare(sound familiar D12 spare) from Ebay.

 

[Jhon69]

jimbo,

I will have to check the model tomorrow. It seems like its an RCA. I take that back, its a D10.

A D10-100 is RCA.