Protection Plan

[tommytanker]

Never have purchased any extra warranty for anything but for whatever reason I decided to jump in. Well last Thursday (3/10/11) HD-DVR24 started freezing picture and after couple minutes do a reset and come back on. It might work for 3 hrs and repeat and as quickly as 8 minutes and repeat process. I then did the manual push red button reset and also tried the unplug unit for 5 minutes, It did not fix freeze problems.

This unit installed 6/11. I called the installer and he said it sounded like drive was going out and I should call DirecTV, I did and they put me through to protection and a support lady (Debbie in Dallas) This lady ran me through an update firmware program which appeared to go through without a hitch. She said if I had more problems she would put on account that the unit should be replaced.

10 minutes after update the unit did another reset and then ran great for 2 days and problem came back. I then got back in touch with Protection and they set up Appt to replace unit today 3/15/11. I just thought this info might be handy to others.

 

[raoul5788]

Actually, the only thing the protection plan covers relative to the boxes is free shipping. The boxes themselves are covered without the plan. It covers virtually everything but the boxes.

 

[ClemSole]

We have been with D* sence 1998 and with all the money we have saved by not buying the " Protection Plan" I can't see anything that Would make it worth the money.

 

[raoul5788]

We have been with D* sence 1998 and with all the money we have saved by not buying the " Protection Plan" I can't see anything that Would make it worth the money.

Perhaps, but many others aren't willing or able to fix problems that are outside of the protection plan. It's worth it to them for the peace of mind.

 

[tommytanker]

We have been with D* sence 1998 and with all the money we have saved by not buying the " Protection Plan" I can't see anything that Would make it worth the money.

Well as I said this is 1st Protection Plan I've ever tried, and I will get back to discuss outcome.

 

[jwgreen68]

The protection plan is worth it to me. What else would I spend $5.99 on? A gallon of gas?

 

[tommytanker]

The protection plan is worth it to me. What else would I spend $5.99 on? A gallon of gas?

Well the support guy got out here and did the remove/replace the 24 unit yesterday, He also checked the dish line up and all appears proper.

I guess the reason I took the Pro-plan was because a new unit warranty etc is only a limited 90 day program. Am I correct? Even though I took advantage of a sale and got units and installation free I just did not think 90 days was a good program. Especially since the 24 unit model was pretty new and some of the bugs may not have been ironed out yet.

I figure 199.00 for a new unit and 50.00 for a service call I'm ahead of the game. I'm disappointed that original unit crashed in 9 months but I like how quickly they replaced it.

We did have about 60% of the hard drive with recorded programming but it's only TV and we will survive.

 

[ClemSole]

The units are "Leased" so if one goes bad you pay only $20.00 for shipping if not on the protection plan. At 5.99 a month thats 71.88 a year so to come out close to even you would need to replace 3.5 units every year. We have saved over $800 not having the plan.

 

[tommytanker]

The units are "Leased" so if one goes bad you pay only $20.00 for shipping if not on the protection plan. At 5.99 a month thats 71.88 a year so to come out close to even you would need to replace 3.5 units every year. We have saved over $800 not having the plan.

Well that's exactly what I asked about before I took the protection plan and whoever it was I talked to gave me the info that they did not cover leased units and that you had to purchase a new unit. I will give a call to DirecTV to investigate. What about the service call or when unit is shipped it's up to owner to install and authorize etc as that could possibly get a little confusing for the inexperienced.

 

[slls]

I have had no plan since 2006, any problems I had were repaired no charge. That has been 5 visits including the initial setup.

 

[Ronnie-]

Well that's exactly what I asked about before I took the protection plan and whoever it was I talked to gave me the info that they did not cover leased units and that you had to purchase a new unit. I will give a call to DirecTV to investigate. What about the service call or when unit is shipped it's up to owner to install and authorize etc as that could possibly get a little confusing for the inexperienced.

99% of D* boxes are leased, so I am not sure why they would give you that info.
They are covered except as Clem said, for the shipping.

The PPlan comes in handy if you have problems away from the boxes, say on the dish itself. When it comes to just a box swap out though, all it does is do away with the shipping charge (and I have had them waive that before as well), and like he said, it would take several box swaps a year to make that back.

 

[tommytanker]

99% of D* boxes are leased, so I am not sure why they would give you that info.
They are covered except as Clem said, for the shipping.

The PPlan comes in handy if you have problems away from the boxes, say on the dish itself. When it comes to just a box swap out though, all it does is do away with the shipping charge (and I have had them waive that before as well), and like he said, it would take several box swaps a year to make that back.

Below is warranty and in bold is the confusing issue.

[FONT=&quot]You are responsible for the loss of, damage to or the entire cost of any necessary service or repair of the leased DIRECTV equipment. You have no right to sell, give away, transfer, pledge, mortgage, alter or tamper with the equipment. DIRECTV PROVIDES THE EQUIPMENT AS IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS. YOU BEAR THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT. DIRECTV MAKES NO WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE EQUIPMENT PROVIDED TO YOU. ALL SUCH WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED UNLESS OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY YOUR STATE'S LAW. DIRECTV IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT DIRECTV [/FONT]

 

[1234567]

Without the PP, along with your new/referb box, you get a renewed contract.

 

[JerseyMatt]

Without the PP, along with your new/referb box, you get a renewed contract.

This ^^

As a rule I never buy protection plans or extended warranties unless I know I can make them work in my favor. Like I was on the fence about the extended warranty on my new DSLR camera, until I found out that it includes two free cleanings over the next 3 years, in addition to total coverage including if it gets dropped or wet or sand in it. The price of one cleaning by itself is almost what I paid for the warranty, so its worth it.

Living in Kansas we get some serious stormage. In the last year, the power pole behind my house has been struck by lightning (took out my PS3, computer power supply, and several other things that were connected to surge strips), and I've seen several trees chuck branches at houses, cars, and people from the winds. We sometimes get 50-60mph south wind even on sunny days (they say it's because Nebraska sucks and Oklahoma blows ). Given the lightning incident and the proximity of my neighbor's trees to my dish, I feel the $5.99 is worth it if the dish gets mangled or lightning destroys the boxes. Also having two DVR's, that's two potential hard drive crashes that I'd rather not be responsible for.

 

[tommytanker]

Well as stated the original contract from DirecTV is a "as is" contract unless I'm reading it wrong. Need an attorney to do a dumbed down explanation of contract for me. I know buying or selling a used car or anything used for that matter I am familiar with the term "As Is" I always took that to mean that I am buying something at my own risk. I have just never seen that term used for brand new units/cars etc.

 

[RSorak]

The extended contract with new equipment is NOT happening anymore due to a DTV settlement with the FCC, or some gov't agency due to unfair advertising practices.

 

[Ronnie-]

Without the PP, along with your new/referb box, you get a renewed contract.

This is not true, or at the very least, not true in all cases. I have had two boxes replaced over the past two years, and neither came with an renewed contract. Again, I have never had the PP.

My experience with this issue has been, if the box fails, they replace it at no cost to me, other than shipping (which you can usually get waived), and with no contract renewal.

If you want to add a box, then yes, you will extend your contract.

 

[tommytanker]

The extended contract with new equipment is NOT happening anymore due to a DTV settlement with the FCC, or some gov't agency due to unfair advertising practices.

Does that mean my 5.99 protection plan monthly charge will stop.

 

[marquitos306]

I have PP since the begining of the service. I live in the Tampa Bay area, the capital of lightning so I need the PP.

 

[JerseyMatt]

The extended contract with new equipment is NOT happening anymore due to a DTV settlement with the FCC, or some gov't agency due to unfair advertising practices.

Proof? Link?

I have PP since the begining of the service. I live in the Tampa Bay area, the capital of lightning so I need the PP.

Exactly.. Like I said, it comes down to the individual whether it's worth it or not.