DIRECTV ****ING SUCKS - LISTEN AND LEARN - Page 3

Frazod · 12-06-2005, 09:39 PM

I just got hardcore fucked - I mean totally and utterly hardcore fucked - by DirecTV. With no recourse, I am simply stuck with useless equipment and an "I'm sorry sir."

I bought an HDTV last week. The first thing I learned was that I needed to upgrade my receiver and dish, which I did, to the tune of several hundred dollars). Expecting to receive an HDTV signal, I turned on my local CBS channel. No HDTV. I called customer service. I've been on the phone with them repeatedly over the course of the evening. Basically, this is what I've been told.

I MIGHT be able to gain access to the network feed, but DirecTV has to REQUEST PERMISSION from the networks, which they may or may not give, at any point between two weeks and 45 days, if not longer. Basically, there is no guarantee this will ever happen.

There is, apparently, a dish which has a built-in antenna that will receive the local HD signal. Of course, it's not the one that was just installed on the side of my house this afternoon. And the receiver which I had installed this afternoon wouldn't work with the dish that would receive the local signal. And the receiver which would process the local signal doesn't have a DVR, and DirecTV won't offer one until that does for MONTHS.

I swear to God I'm not making this shit up.

And DirecTV doesn't tell you ANY OF THIS - NOT ONE LITTLE BIT OF IT - until it's too late and you've already bought the equipment.

So basically, I've paid hundreds of dollars for a hi-def dish and a hi-def receiver which won't pick up or record the network programs I want to watch in hi-def. Beyond that, DirecTV offers about 7 hi-def channels, none of which I regularly watch.

Also, as far as hi-def games on Sunday Ticket go, surprise, surprise - you have to pay extra for them. And, of course, if I pay extra, and the game happens to be shown on local TV (like the Chiefs/Cowboys game on Sunday), it'll be blacked out on Sunday Ticket, and I won't be able to watch it in hi-def anyway.

So I figured I'd punt. I told them to come get their equipment and give me my money back. They won't take the equipment back or return my money. I own it. And I'm fucked, and that's the end of it. I have no recourse, except to attempt to sue them, I guess, which I'm probably going to look into. I do have a really nasty lawyer who likes to start class action suits.

I can't believe that when I talked to these ASSCLOWNS on the phone and ordered my new dish and receiver, that they didn't mention anything about the local channels. Granted, I didn't ask, but then again, if I buy a car, I expect it to be able turn corners without specifically asking whether or not it does. What did these morons think I wanted to watch and record?

I have just absolutely been played. All they'll do is install additional equipment at additional cost, and apparently just toss the crap I just paid for TODAY. I was a loyal customer of these fucking scumbags for years. Now, I don't even know if I'll keep them for Sunday Ticket - how can I continue to do business with these thieving weasels?

Anyway, there is a lesson to be learned here. If Skip can offer any suggestions or somehow paint a happy face on this steaming pile, I'd love to hear from him. Beyond that, DirecTV can eat a dick.

dtebbe · 12-06-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Thanks. I missed your earlier post.

I actually found one that I can hook up inside my house that has gotten decent reviews. I guess I'll try that first.

I think you are going to need more than that, 27 miles is a pretty good clip, I think you are going to need a good sized directional. See:

http://antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx

I've found this site to be pretty spot-on, usually you can get away with a little smaller antenna than they say.

The only problem you may have is with the CBS affilate, since they have thier HD signal on low-band VHF.

Trust me, it's worth the effort and expense.

This wasn't direcTv's fault, you just had a shitty installer. Any installer that knew what they were doing would have explained what you needed and offered to install it for you. I think the going rate for a off-air antenna is between $50-$100.

DT

C-Mac · 12-06-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

There isn't a special plug for an HD antenna - just a regular co-ax jack for a normal antenna. I assume that won't do the trick.

Does your TV have a built in HD Decoder?

Katipan · 12-06-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raiderhader

I'm not entirely sure I follow, but I'll call you whatever you want.

End said TJ would respond to you, but not to me.

So... I figured...

DomCasual · 12-06-2005, 10:12 PM

Stuff like this doesn't happen to Broncos fans. You should switch over - seriously.

Raiderhater · 12-06-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mer

End said TJ would respond to you, but not to me.

So... I figured...

Gotcha.

But here's the preoblem with that, Jamie doubles as a girl's name. It might not increase your odds of a response.

dtebbe · 12-06-2005, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsLV

What is this then?

http://tv.about.com/od/glossary/g/OffAirHDAntenna.htm

Total bunk, an off-air antenna is a off-air antenna. HD signals are in the same band(s) and standard NTSC signals.

DT

KC Jones · 12-06-2005, 10:17 PM

Should have gone with Dish Network.

Frazod · 12-06-2005, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtebbe

I think you are going to need more than that, 27 miles is a pretty good clip, I think you are going to need a good sized directional. See:

http://antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx

I've found this site to be pretty spot-on, usually you can get away with a little smaller antenna than they say.

The only problem you may have is with the CBS affilate, since they have thier HD signal on low-band VHF.

Trust me, it's worth the effort and expense.

This wasn't direcTv's fault, you just had a shitty installer. Any installer that knew what they were doing would have explained what you needed and offered to install it for you. I think the going rate for a off-air antenna is between $50-$100.

DT

Every customer service asshole that I yelled at tonight told me that this is a common experience. They should have told me about this when I ordered the equipment in the first place. One simple question - "do you plan on watching local channels?" would have been sufficient. I would have happily ordered the proper equipment, and that would have been the end of it. Instead, this happened. I don't blame the installer.

And I'm about 35 miles from downtown, so perhaps I should go with the attic receiver.

Frazod · 12-06-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomCasual

Stuff like this doesn't happen to Broncos fans. You should switch over - seriously.

I prefer teams that actually WIN in December. Sorry.

**Bugeater** · 12-06-2005, 10:22 PM

I learned my lesson with DirecTv years ago.

Never again.

No way.

Never never never.

**Skip Towne** · 12-06-2005, 10:23 PM

I haven't read the thread yet, but I will. So far, you did all this shit without consulting me. You should know better than that. And I did read that you thought Directv would give (or sell) you the equipment to get your off air signals in hi-def? How stupid can you get? Directv deals in digital satellite signals only. I'm tired tonight but will look into this in the morning. Not that you deserve it. You'd rather fly off the handle than deal reasonably.

dtebbe · 12-06-2005, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

Every customer service asshole that I yelled at tonight told me that this is a common experience. They should have told me about this when I ordered the equipment in the first place. One simple question - "do you plan on watching local channels?" would have been sufficient. I would have happily ordered the proper equipment, and that would have been the end of it. Instead, this happened. I don't blame the installer.

And I'm about 35 miles from downtown, so perhaps I should go with the attic receiver.

I agree, they just assume too much sometimes, but the installer still should have told you what you needed and offered to take care of it before he left.

If I were you I would try a call a few places (installers or stores) and find out what antenna works best in your area. In atlanta, that CM4228 is the hot-ticket for attic use, all the way out to 40-50 miles. I'll bet if you call a few places you will find a pattern in what they reccomend. The only issue I see is that CBS affilate in low VHF.

DT

WilliamTheIrish · 12-06-2005, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

I haven't read the thread yet, but I will. So far, you did all this shit without consulting me. You should know better than that. And I did read that you thought Directv would give (or sell) you the equipment to get your off air signals in hi-def? How stupid can you get? Directv deals in digital satellite signals only. I'm tired tonight but will look into this in the morning. Not that you deserve it. You'd rather fly off the handle than deal reasonably.

Like you old people need sleep.....

Eleazar · 12-06-2005, 10:26 PM

Man, talk about some straight up BS.

I'm glad I live where I can get all the games so I don't have to jump through all these hoops. Sheesh

dtebbe · 12-06-2005, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Man, talk about some straight up BS.

I'm glad I live where I can get all the games so I don't have to jump through all these hoops. Sheesh

Supposedly next year Sunday Ticket is not going to be blacked out due to local affilates showing the same games. It's about Fing time.

DT

12-06-2005, 09:39 PM
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3215085	DIRECTV fuckING SUCKS - LISTEN AND LEARN I just got hardcore fucked - I mean totally and utterly hardcore fucked - by DirecTV. With no recourse, I am simply stuck with useless equipment and an "I'm sorry sir." I bought an HDTV last week. The first thing I learned was that I needed to upgrade my receiver and dish, which I did, to the tune of several hundred dollars). Expecting to receive an HDTV signal, I turned on my local CBS channel. No HDTV. I called customer service. I've been on the phone with them repeatedly over the course of the evening. Basically, this is what I've been told. I MIGHT be able to gain access to the network feed, but DirecTV has to REQUEST PERMISSION from the networks, which they may or may not give, at any point between two weeks and 45 days, if not longer. Basically, there is no guarantee this will ever happen. There is, apparently, a dish which has a built-in antenna that will receive the local HD signal. Of course, it's not the one that was just installed on the side of my house this afternoon. And the receiver which I had installed this afternoon wouldn't work with the dish that would receive the local signal. And the receiver which would process the local signal doesn't have a DVR, and DirecTV won't offer one until that does for MONTHS. I swear to God I'm not making this shit up. And DirecTV doesn't tell you ANY OF THIS - NOT ONE LITTLE BIT OF IT - until it's too late and you've already bought the equipment. So basically, I've paid hundreds of dollars for a hi-def dish and a hi-def receiver which won't pick up or record the network programs I want to watch in hi-def. Beyond that, DirecTV offers about 7 hi-def channels, none of which I regularly watch. Also, as far as hi-def games on Sunday Ticket go, surprise, surprise - you have to pay extra for them. And, of course, if I pay extra, and the game happens to be shown on local TV (like the Chiefs/Cowboys game on Sunday), it'll be blacked out on Sunday Ticket, and I won't be able to watch it in hi-def anyway. So I figured I'd punt. I told them to come get their equipment and give me my money back. They won't take the equipment back or return my money. I own it. And I'm fucked, and that's the end of it. I have no recourse, except to attempt to sue them, I guess, which I'm probably going to look into. I do have a really nasty lawyer who likes to start class action suits. I can't believe that when I talked to these ASSCLOWNS on the phone and ordered my new dish and receiver, that they didn't mention anything about the local channels. Granted, I didn't ask, but then again, if I buy a car, I expect it to be able turn corners without specifically asking whether or not it does. What did these morons think I wanted to watch and record? I have just absolutely been played. All they'll do is install additional equipment at additional cost, and apparently just toss the crap I just paid for TODAY. I was a loyal customer of these fucking scumbags for years. Now, I don't even know if I'll keep them for Sunday Ticket - how can I continue to do business with these thieving weasels? Anyway, there is a lesson to be learned here. If Skip can offer any suggestions or somehow paint a happy face on this steaming pile, I'd love to hear from him. Beyond that, DirecTV can eat a dick.
Posts: 119,482

12-06-2005, 10:12 PM	#34
DomCasual Shameless Homer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dove Valley Casino cash: $8055673	Stuff like this doesn't happen to Broncos fans. You should switch over - seriously. __________________ www.orangehuddle.com - Even Chiefs fans are welcome!
Posts: 708

12-06-2005, 10:17 PM	#37
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	Should have gone with Dish Network.
Posts: 5,366

12-06-2005, 10:22 PM	#40
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	I learned my lesson with DirecTv years ago. Never again. No way. Never never never.
Posts: 70,443

12-06-2005, 10:23 PM	#41
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	I haven't read the thread yet, but I will. So far, you did all this shit without consulting me. You should know better than that. And I did read that you thought Directv would give (or sell) you the equipment to get your off air signals in hi-def? How stupid can you get? Directv deals in digital satellite signals only. I'm tired tonight but will look into this in the morning. Not that you deserve it. You'd rather fly off the handle than deal reasonably.
Posts: 69,689

12-06-2005, 10:26 PM	#44
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Man, talk about some straight up BS. I'm glad I live where I can get all the games so I don't have to jump through all these hoops. Sheesh
Posts: 80,659