DirecTV for part-timers-beware of policy

[adventurers]

We have just discontinued our service with DirecTV. They do not seem to be RV-friendly for the part-time RV'er. We have had service with them since 2006 (different service for home). At that time, they allowed us to activate our service whenever we took trips (approximately 4 per year)--no big deal since the activation and suspending is all done by phone prompts. Anyway, we were recently told we could only activate/suspend our service twice in a year and we could suspend service no longer than 6 months. We could never get an answer if that is 2 times in a calendar year or a 12 month period.

Also, recently we had to start paying our bill (for advance service) prior to suspending service. This forces us to sit with a credit balance for months. Previously, they would allow us to suspend service; they would do a billing adjustment; and we would pay the net amount due via their online payment service.

We opted to cancel our service because of these changes. This is when their customer service became rather nasty. They demanded we immediately return our receiver which we bought through a satellite company and had Newmar Service Dept. install--with threats of huge charges if we didn't--up to $470. We bought the receiver prior to their 3/06 lease policy. We have tried to debate this with them but to no avail. Knowing we will never use DirecTV again we decided the argument wasn't worth it.

Yesterday, we received an automated message that DirecTV had not received our receiver (1 week since they shipped the box for return). FedEx confirmed the receiver was delivered to them 2 days ago. In calling them, no apologies, just a response that they do have our receiver.

In asking for refund of our credit balance, they said we should have within 6 weeks. I asked why we are threatened with a $470 charge if they don't have their receiver immediately but we can't get our money back for at least 6 weeks. Not much of a reply.

Be very careful, before you use DirecTV in a part-time situation. We plan on going full-time in next year. We will look for a more RV-friendly company.

[RustyJC]

We have a 3rd DirecTV receiver in the RV in addition to the 2 receivers in the sticks-and-bricks house. I pay $4.99/month for the RV receiver (which we own) as a mirrored receiver. No hassles and no problems - it's worth $60/year for us to do it this way. We've been DirecTV customers since the early/mid 1990s and have tried a number of different schemes in dealing with the RV receiver (including suspending and reactivating service), but this way works out best for us.

YMMV....

Rusty

[tomsm]

Rusty - you must be either be grandfathered in or getting away with something . Their current rules only allow mirrored receivers if it's continuously connected to the same phone line as the primary receiver. There's even a FAQ about using a mirrored rx in an RV and the answer is "no way".

I wanted to try the mirror thing myself as we are currently doing the suspend/activate thing and would like to get away from that...

[RustyJC]

They know it's in my RV, and it's been this way for probably 4-5 years or more. It's not connected to any phone line (never has been in its life), and the only consequence to that is that we can't order pay-per-view programming through the receiver (no impact on us as we don't watch it anyway). In fact, it became a mirrored receiver when, after calling to suspend service following a trip, I finally talked to a supervisor who said, "Why don't you just make this a mirrored receiver?" So we did, and it's been that way ever since.

Rusty

[adventurers]

tomms, do you activate/suspend your service more than 2 times a year? We wrote DirecTV a polite email asking them to reconsider this policy. They replied back with a pin code and phone number to call. They wanted to talk to good customers before making the decision to cancel services. The only reason they wanted to talk to us was to get the receiver back.

I have read different internet chats and it appears there are many people who think they own their receivers but are surprised when they cancel service.

I have been looking at the Dish Network pay for use option. We aren't big movie fans--just want to get the national news and we like the weather feature.

[wazone3]

We've been using Direct for several years and like it very much. We move 2 house (not connected to a phoneline) receivers back and forth between the RV and house and never had a problem. The technician that originally installed our house units told us never to call Direct regarding moving (non phone line connected) receivers between an RV and house, as that causes more problems than it resolves. The only downside is that local channels only follow you for a few hundred miles before they quit that said you get all the other Direct channels. Also, no pay-per-view.

[emeryts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC "Why don't you just make this a mirrored receiver?" Rusty

what does "mirrored receiver" mean?

I also do the same thing "wazone3" does by just using one of my stick bedroom receivers. Never a problem.

[RWSP600]

We've had Dish receivers for the last 10 years in our house and a Dish 311 receiver in our MH. We just up graded to a DVR receiver in the house and Dish has 3 receivers on our account 2 in house and 1 in MH. Never a problem but as wazone3 said, we loose local stations about 200 miles south of home.

[RustyJC]

Your "stick bedroom" (i.e., 2nd or 3rd) receiver is most likely a mirrored receiver - at the bottom of your DirecTV invoice, do you show a charge of $4.99 for each additional receiver? That's what is commonly known as a mirrored receiver.

From the DirecTV website:

Quote:

No mirroring on additional receivers for RVs Do you already have multiple receivers through DIRECTV? Say you have more than one receiver through your residential account. In the past you could mirror this programming onto your RV dish by simply adding a second receiver. But now you will need to pay the full monthly programming package price for your RV receiver, instead of just the $4.99/month fee. But mirroring is okay when additional receivers are connected to several tvs in your home.

Emphasis above mine. Apparently at this point my RV receiver is grandfathered under the mirroring provisions highlighted above. If that changes, then I guess I'll have to decide how I will respond.

Rusty

[RustyJC]

A possible alternative could be the DirecTV Mobile service. From the linked website,

Quote:

DIRECTV Home Subscribers Customers with DIRECTV in their home can subscribe to the Total Choice MOBILE package for $4.99 per month. TracVision A7 owners may add local channels (where available) for an additional $1.00 per month.

From the DirecTV website:

Quote:

On the road again with DIRECTV in your RV! What are you missing when you go on long trips in your RV? If you enjoy having DIRECTV at home, why not extend your subscription to your RV? DIRECTV Mobile takes away the monotony of a long drive and gives you something to focus on when you stop to camp. Don't miss out on DIRECTV's varied programming options when you're on the move! Several different packages are available to make your drive more entertaining and educational.

Rusty

[emeryts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Your "stick bedroom" (i.e., 2nd or 3rd) receiver is most likely a mirrored receiver - at the bottom of your DirecTV invoice, do you show a charge of $4.99 for each additional receiver? That's what is commonly known as a mirrored receiver. From the DirecTV website: Emphasis above mine. Apparently at this point my RV receiver is grandfathered under the mirroring provisions highlighted above. If that changes, then I guess I'll have to decide how I will respond. Rusty

Thanks Rusty!! 2nd or 3rd receiver I understand. As long as I don't say anything and Directv doesn't ask...my second receiver is still in my bedroom!

[MGO BLUE]

I've had direct tv for over 8 years I have 7 boxes in my stick house I get charged $4.99 abox for 6 boxes and I take 2 of them with me in the bus ....some times I bring one to work...we only get basic at work and I got sports and hbo,showtime etc.......none of mine have phone lines attached.....only needed for pay per view.........on occasion when I get to a track out of florida I'll call and get them to put me in bristol or charlotte for the locals if you get the right person they will ...........most times they will not however

[RonPatt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by emeryts what does "mirrored receiver" mean? I also do the same thing "wazone3" does by just using one of my stick bedroom receivers. Never a problem.

Same here.

[SideRoads]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC We have a 3rd DirecTV receiver in the RV in addition to the 2 receivers in the sticks-and-bricks house. I pay $4.99/month for the RV receiver (which we own) as a mirrored receiver. No hassles and no problems - it's worth $60/year for us to do it this way. We've been DirecTV customers since the early/mid 1990s and have tried a number of different schemes in dealing with the RV receiver (including suspending and reactivating service), but this way works out best for us. YMMV.... Rusty

Same Here!,,,,3rd receiver I use in the RV is about a 1998'r,,,,,,,NONE of my receivers at the house are on a land line,,,,,

we are on the go too much to use other than a cell phone.