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DirecTV (Again!)

Yahoo Message Number: 101839
I just finished my semi-annual battle with DirecTV.  I was on the phone with them for 4 hours straight!  It had to do with the dreaded distant networks.
 When I put the coach in storage last fall (and disconnected the distant networks that I had been paying $20/month for while traveling across the country), I was told specifically (by a member of the Customer Retention Group CRG) that it would be a simple matter of turning them back on when next I used the coach for extended travel, as long as I left the receiver in the coach active (and paid them $6.50/month for the privilege).  So, imagine my surprise (NOT) when I was told yesterday that this was not the case.
 During the four hour ordeal, I talked to three people in CRG (the last two who were supervisors of the previous one), three people in Distant Network Services (DNS), two people in DNS Eligibility, and several of the idiot call center people one gets when first calling since I was cut off several times while being transferred.
 Here is what I learned--in that order that the various supervisors told it to me:  1) I have to re-file an FCC waiver, even though I have been assured countless times that, if the receiver in the coach was left active, this wouldn't be necessary.  2) I have to get a separate account for the motorhome (and pay them $90+/month for each account.  3) Under no circumstances WILL I EVER BE able to watch "local" broadcast channels if I am away from my home spot beam, even in metropolitan areas that have locals.  4) I WiLL BE able to watch local channels where I am parked (and she immediately connected me!!!).  And, they blame all of this on the broadcasters and the government!
 My situation is that my "home" service is in the Bay Area of California at a second home.  My coach is stored at Premier in Junction City (which is where I had the above conversation and ended up watching Eugene local channels (though I missed the  All Star game).  I have two receivers active at all times and have always used distant networks while traveling around or across the country...much less hassle than having to call the idiots at the call center and try to get them to change my zip code to where I am pried for the night (often where there is no cell service).
 I pay them $90+/month for service and obviously can only watch one TV at a time.  But, they persist in making it difficult.  I have filed 4 FCC waivers over the last 15 years of this battle, I have written to the President of DirecTV (and gotten a vow that it won't happen again),  I have talked to countless supervisors in numerous departments, and nothing seems to change.  I get a different answer to the same questions again and again.  If I had an alternative, I would pursue it, but I really want to have access to satellite TV in my motorhome.  And, I'm told that Dish is as bad or worse.
 So, after this lengthy bleat, has anyone figured it out?  Is there a way to watch the DNS feeds from LA and NYC with out a new hassle every timeout?  I suppose I could keep them active all of the time, but I don't feel like paying the $20/month.  Quite a conundrum.
 Thanks for listening.  I'm now on the Metolius River in Central Oregon watching the Eugene locals, but not at all happy with DirecTV.

Dave Glen

'06 Magna 6591

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101840
I have LA local channels and have watched them in Ingleside Texas  And Camaron Wi Sturgis Sd have never had a problem and I just pay 6.95 a month for the service added on to my home account

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101847
The FCC is the problem.

The advantage of having 2 accounts is that you can suspend one account and have the other active.  For example, when you are in one location, suspend the other account, then when you are in the other location suspend the "home" account.

  • Customers with 2 or more accounts are allowed a maximum of 4 suspend requests per account every 12 months
  • Total time with service suspended per 12 month period cannot exceed 6 months
Some CSR's used to change the address but they weren't supposed to and they have just about stopped that.

Now that we full time we only have the DNS account so when we're at our home base in Florida (based on the service and billing address) we get the local channels. When we travel we get the DNS feeds from NY or LA.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101848
Switch to Dish  Network.  As long as I carry my receiver with me I have no problem turning on or off or receiving locals.

Tom Coomes

2005 Inspire 51177

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101849
We fired Direct TV in 2009 and have been with Dish ever since.  Only once in the 6 years we have been with Dish did we have to add a group of programming at an extra fee that we had been receiving on our plan before.  That is much better than the experience we had with Direct TV.  When we are travelling I check first to see if local channels are available on the over the air antenna and if they aren't, I call Dish and have the locals changed.  Up and watching with 15 to 20 minutes.

S. Brant, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101850
Marvin:

Is your home  account in an area of the country where you cannot get "locals", i.e. you have to have the DNS feeds to get ABC, CBS, NBC etc?  That is their supposedly current policy.

Dave Glen

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101853
I use a simpler approach.  When leaving on a trip, I take two of my receivers from home and put them in the coach.  When I reach my destination, I change my service address to the address of the campground I am in.  Each time I move, I update my service address.  That way, instead of the NY/LA channels, I get the local channels for my current location, which is much more relevant for news, weather, etc. And also - no additional charges, and you can change your service address as often as you like.  Seems to work for me!

Phil Webb, 2006 Inspire #51836

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101857
OP - Sorry you had such rough time, again... With Direct being purchased, and the history of the company that is buying them - compassion or even common courtesy will probably remain the same, or worse...

We currently still have our TWC (Or whomever ends up buying them.) in our Sticks & Bricks vacation home in San Diego. MIL is in our home, and pays for her share of the service. She is not a friend of change, so even though I'd probably cancel all but the Roadrunner Internet service if it was just us, I'll leave things for her as is.

So that meant when we added our new Trav'ler, we decided to go with a Direct account, and yes, DNS. It is the FCC, that dictates the rules - though I do feel Direct could do a much better job at helping their customer's thru the rules and process. (They fumbled bad with us, and if I had not called after 5 days of no DNS, nothing would have been done. They tried to activate our DNS/Service, but our dish was not yet installed. Missed it by one day! Instead of putting all of the paper work we filled out and sent into them via mail (did not have the fax at that time) into a 'try again later' stack - the just toss it. No proactive call, or email to account holder, that they could not activate the DNS. And yes, my talk with 1st line and then the Supervisor and then supposedly the DNS Manager - was more of 'That's how the system works...'. They did not really seem to care about trying to do things better... My email to the Direct CEO, was never responded to.)

OK - Our DNS is working now, South Dakota Domicile address, ended up with the West coast feed. We are OK with that, as one of the channels that provides news, is from San Diego, so we keep up with what is going on in that neck of the woods. For local news, we added the Rayzar Automatic OTA - and are pleased with it so far. Have a redundant A/B switched in new Sensar IV too, if ever needed. If no OTA is available, we use the internet. We have a Unlimited Data Grandfather plans on both ATT and Verizon. The Verizon plan has a Hotspot, so we use that along with our WiFiRanger for in coach internet. When bandwidth is strong enough, we do lots of streaming too. ATT is non hotspot, and we have never jailbroke my wife iPhone to add a Hotspot option. (Too many horror stories of problems. And for now, the DW uses her iPhone for most of her surfing, when it has coverage.)

If we are going to be in a location long enough, we call and change the service address to that areas Zip, and that will provide more local channels to our options, besides the West coast fed DNS ones. Have done this maybe 5-7 times, so not that option.

I alway approach calls to cable, phone and in the pass - California DMV, as a known PITA ahead moment. Take a deep breath, and just consistently persist until success - or it becomes obvious that I should just move on:)!

Too important to keep a calm profile, be straightforward and honest on providing our feedback when unhappy - but do so in as polite and professional and pleasant way as possible.

Best to all,

Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101858
I login in to my Direct TV account, open a chat window and request a change of my SERVICE ADDRESS and in 10 minutes it is done. I also have LA channels ($15?). I thought the deal with this was NFL Blackouts, I thought that they do not do this anymore? NFL package is available on Direct TV and not Dish. In your home you will get the NFL games, that the NFL thinks you should see.

I think Direct TV is coming after him, is because they can, really needs to start taking names and work his way up the food chain.

Wally & Elta Mae

2007Allure 470 #31535

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101859
How is that possible?  Locals wherever you go in the US and/or Canada?  Not east and west coast feeds?

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101861
My understanding is that only DirecTV allows for receiving east and west coast feeds, which is the only way to get network channels when hundreds of miles away from home.  Am I missing something?

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101862
Sorry for that obvious omission - DirecTV, and service address change is done via a brief phone call.

Phil Webb, 2006 Inspire 51836

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101877
Ken:

The supposed purpose of the DNS is when one is not in an area where a spot beam broadcasts "local" channels.  For example, I am now about 135 miles from Eugene, Oregon, so (after they refused to give me the DNS because of the FCC waiver b.s.) I gave them the local Junction City zip code and they changed my spot beam.  I imagine that if someone were to try to watch local broadcast channels in my home in the Bay Area, they would not get them.  And, they would not get the local Eugene channels that I am getting because of the distance involved (about 500 miles).  I think one has to be within about 300 miles to get whatever spot beam services the zip code they are in.
 I did not give an address specifically, and I think one is supposed to to get the service changed.  It may have been because I was so angry and had been on the phone for so long, that the supervisor's supervisor took pity on me.

Dave Glen

'06 Magna 6591

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101881
With Dish all I have to do is call Dish and give them the new zip code for the RV Park.  I will occasionally have to explain I am in an RV, but usually have the local stations within 15 minutes. The computer for Dish now recognizes my cell phone, so all moves a little more quickly.

S. Brandt, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101882
I forgot to add, to get my hometown news I check the local newspapers on line and also check their various Facebook pages.  Anything really major and breaking news and my family or friends call or text me.

S. Brandt

Re: DirecTV (Again!)

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 101883
My experience has been, through over-the-air antennae, that many locations (postal codes) in both the US and Canada do not have available all the networks.  In some areas, I have noticed a sharing of one channel between two commercial networks, leading to a great confusion as to what will be available when.  And often missing is PBS, both locally and in some cases nationally, which is to me the most reliable, in depth and unbiased news coverage and interesting programming available.  Except for the Dog Whisperer, of course.

So it appears to me that the only way one can be assured of receiving all networks (including PBS) in all locations is to have the East and West Coast feeds, including PBS (which I think is an Eastern Time only availability, which is why one has a DVR).

At one time, we owned a cabin in the Sierra foothills.  It was beyond the range of the local (Sacramento) stations, so we were able to get East and West Coast feeds.  When we went on a trip, I simply took the receiver and hooked it up into the CC, and continued to use it as if we sere still in the cabin.  No hay problema!  Except that the PBS station in Sacramento would not sign off on our using the PBS national feed, so we were never able to get that feed (alas, the one we most wanted).

To be frank, I'm seldom interested in the local news.  I find it to be offered generally by news readers (who call themselves journalists, by the way) who find themselves unable to formulate complete and incisive thoughts regarding the events the allege to be reporting.

So, again, given my proclivity towards better news coverage, how do I get the national ABC, CBS, and NBC programs (Fox is a non-starter for me) plus PBS, using a satellite system (which, by the way, I do not yet own).

Thanks for any help.

Ken Harrison
2004 Allure #31035