Technical > Cable & Satellite TV > [DIRECTV] DIRECTV Protection Plan?

[DIRECTV] DIRECTV Protection Plan?

I've always believed it optional

*And you're on warranty a period of time anyways (I forget how many months) after install

reply to Henderson50
The receivers are pretty much covered unless you abuse it physically and it's obvious - since you're technically leasing it from them.

However, if your dish takes a lightning bolt, and it blows out the dish, the SWM (splitter to feed multiple receivers) etc. you're probably hosed.

Historically if you had some kind of problem, you could call them up, and they'd try to sell you the plan (with a 2 year commitment) and they'd retroactively cover the problem. Don't know if they're still that gracious.
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Ad astra per alas porci!!

reply to Henderson50
IME, the Protection Plan is worth every penny... Traditionally, your service is covered for the first 90 days; after that, if you don't have the PP, a service call can cost you $50 if the problem is anything but the receiver itself.

If you have not had a service call in the past year or more, or if it's for a repeat issue, they will usually waive the fee, but that is not set in stone. Once you sign up for it, you have to keep it for at least one year.

If you did not sign for it at the day of your install, it should NOT have been added though... Check with them on that one, as with the new Signature Capture, we have a separate form that has to be signed just for the PP itself. If they don't have a signature, they can't make you keep it.
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Words of advice for today... "Be Happy, Drink Coffee, Drive Safe!"

My tech asked during the install and I had to sign the form for the PP. Should of not been automatically added without your knowledge and consent.

reply to Henderson50
I have not read the "rules" lately on the protection plan; so it could be that somethings have changed.

• The PP is optional.

• I have it and it has saved me several hundred dollars.

• They have replaced/upgraded receivers; aligned the dish (many times); even installed/aligned my OTA several times (not purchased from D*); rewired the inside wiring after I moved stuff around; replaced my dish twice; etc....

• Cost to me? Nada, nothing, zero.
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"You can observe a lot by watching". Yogi Berra

Thanks for all the input. I'm still undecided if I should bother keeping it or not, I'll call them today or tomorrow and see exactly what is not covered for service.

It would still seem defective receivers should be covered. And short of the dish falling off the side of the building (which I would think should be covered if the installation was not mounted correctly), I can't see any problems there either (where it's located is very unlikely it could get hit by lightning, the guy did a super job on it, much nicer compared to what my neighbors have). Bad reception also if it should need to be re-aligned, I would think that should be covered as normal service as well.

But I'll see what they say when I call, thanks again for the info.

reply to Henderson50
I signed up for PP after I had a problem with one of the LNBs. They came out replaced the faulty LNB and re-aligned the dish. I've had three DVR replaced over the years and was offered a free upgrade to HD. With the upgrade they replaced the Dish Antenna, three DVRs and added a 2X8 switch. They also had some additional wiring that needed to be done. The cost to me was just the 5.99 per month. So for about $72 a year I am completely covered. I don't even worry about my equipment anymore. A DVR replacement takes about three business days to get to your site.

This is certainly worth every penny.

Without PP you are charged for shipping (usually $20) each time you have a receiver/dvr replaced. If the tech has to make an onsite call your will charged with a service fee (usally $50) each time. They will also charge to rewire or repair any existing wiring in your house.

Roll the dice and make your choice.

reply to Henderson50
Many say it is a rip off. Personally. I like the peace of mind knowing. If something does happen. I don't have to pay a dime. I have had it for 4 years and have not used it once yet. I know a time will eventually come though....

reply to Henderson50
AFAIK if the dish goes out of alignment, the fix is on your dime if you do not have the protection program.
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

reply to Henderson50
I've been paying for it since '04 when we established service and while for many years I thought it was a rip off I've had several hardware issues over the past couple of years that have been taken care of instantly thanks to that protection plan.

reply to Henderson50
A friend of mine has the PP. DirecTV replaced all hardware damaged after a major lightning strike at no charge. They fixed damage after high winds at no charge. They fixed hail damage at no charge. They have replaced failed receivers at no charge. They have upgraded receivers, when necessary, at no charge. Not even shipping charges. The PP seems to work well for him.

reply to Henderson50
It's not just paying for dish adjustments and such -- if you don't have the PP and your receiver takes a dump, they may ship you a replacement but will reset your 2 year commitment over again. If you do have the PP, they'll replace everything and the countdown clock doesn't get reset.

It sounds like it's a necessary evil at this point, which has me a bit less pleased with Directv.

I find it odd too that they charge you for the HD service, yet want another $10 to give you the HD channels in the 560-568 range, which are nothing really special, regular programming (mostly reruns actually) with commercials. That I wasn't aware of since they don't list those channels in the packages they show you when you're signing up, so it was a surprise. I just assumed they didn't carry the Hallmark Movie channel.

When I originally signed up I had wanted the Choice Ultimate, but they talked me down to the Choice Xtra, the movie channels weren't that impressive that made up the difference. And then last night I find out one of my favorite channels, Cloo, is no longer in my package, but now in the Choice Ultimate. Which has left me even less pleased with Directv at this point. To even change to the Ultimate package means I'd probably lose the special 1 year pricing and pay more than the original $5 difference there was when I signed up.

It seems like you're locked into the 2 year agreement, but there's not much that they're locked into. So I'm getting more disillusioned at this point. The honeymoon is definitely over...

Some folks have been successful having the cloo channel grandfathered. Try calling and asking.
Tim
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The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

reply to Henderson50

I tried calling earlier and was just explained that Cloo raised their price to them and that's why they dropped it from the package. I wasn't given any options about a lower price for the Ultimate package. Maybe I'll try calling again on this.

reply to Henderson50
Who in the world talked you down from Ultimate to Xtra? You were talking to or on-line chatting with an official DirecTV sales person and they talked you down? I cannot even imagine one of those sleazy re-sellers doing that. The DirecTV sales people in the Wal-Marts, Best Buys, and Sam's Clubs I go into would be thrilled to have a customer walk up and want the Ultimate package.