Frustration, venting, rant

[Redwahine]

When we were at boot camp in Livingston Dawn and Paul hooked up Dawn's spare Direct TV receiver and their dome shaped auto setting potable Winegard satellite dish. DH was happy So now I am ready to set up getting an Direct TV acct. I have spent 4 1/2 hrs on the phone trying to do just that!! OMG. You'd think it would be easy. But nooooo.

First I explain to the sales person what I want to do. I want an acct for my RV. She informs me that all the equipment and antennas are free and they will provide all the equipment and set it up and install for free. I asked, "even the portable dish like the winegard??" After a long time she sells me an accountant sets up an installation date. I reiterate that I do not want this acct if the equipment is not what I want. She puts me through to the customer service dept...she's gone. (Latter I learn that the winegard antenna I want does not receive HD, so I don't net the fancy HD receiver....but they are both the same price per month.)

Customer service informs me that I am scheduled for a home installation for a dish on our roof and a fancy Genie receiver and DVR. It cancel the order and the account. The customer service rep tells me that I need to call Winegard or Kings Control and they can get me the equipment I need and set up the acct.. I call Both and they both tell me that I need to buy my antenna and call Direct TV and set up an acct.

I call Dawn and vent a bit and ask her some specifics about the antenna we borrowed. She gave me some info about the difference between using a residential account and using it in the RV vs a totally mobile DNS acct. Dawn's been with Direct TV for over 20 years and started as a residential customer and switched to the DNS.

So now I call Direct TV again and ask to speak to a manger or supervisor. Waited on hold 1/2 hour. He apologized that his sales people don't have a clue about RV set ups. He apologized that they sold me a package I don't want and can't use. He explained that I need to go to the dealer to get what I need. I'm thinking RV dealer. No, he explains, an authorized Direct TV dealer. Then as he was going to help me with rectifying my acct, the battery on the wireless phone I was using went dead

So I look up a local authorized dealer on the Direct TV website. Call and low and behold I'm talking to someone that knows what I'm talking about and knows how to help me and how to do what I need. Same price. It is like buying a cell phone and activating with your cell provider at Walmart or Best Buy, etc.

So now we are on the right track. I found the antenna on Craigslist for 1/2 the price The dealer will provide the receiver and set up in the RV and set up the account with Direct TV. Will update as I get closer to completing this task.

Most of the day just to get a TV to work so my DH will be "a happy camper". Bottom line? If he is a happy camper, the more we'll be camping!! To tell you the truth, I'm not that much of a TV person. I like my shows, but can live without for a very long time but, if this gets us out on the road more often, I guess the end justifies the means?? Or something like that. I'm gonna go eat some pumpkin pie and whipped cream

[mitch5252]

Dealing with DirecTV can be one of the most frustrating things you will ever encounter in your life. None of the service reps has a clue about most anything, and I am not surprised you went through what you did today.

But the good news is you found a competent local dealer.

I have DirecTV at the house here, and just throw an unused receiver (SD) in the trailer, along with a spare antenna and off I go. None of it is HD, though.

I'm curious if the auto antenna finds the HD signal/satellite really well? I know here at the house, if there's a storm, ALL of the HD televisions go out and most times, my one lonely old SD receiver is happily receiving its signal.

Well, anyway - CONGRATS!

[BirdbyBird]

It makes me tired just to read your review of the days activities...... I will keep you and Dawn in mind if I even feel the need to enlarge my TV watching while traveling. By then I am sure that the hoops will change

[Redwahine]

Dealing with DirecTV can be one of the most frustrating things you will ever encounter in your life. None of the service reps has a clue about most anything, and I am not surprised you went through what you did today.

But the good news is you found a competent local dealer.

I have DirecTV at the house here, and just throw an unused receiver (SD) in the trailer, along with a spare antenna and off I go. None of it is HD, though.

I'm curious if the auto antenna finds the HD signal/satellite really well? I know here at the house, if there's a storm, ALL of the HD televisions go out and most times, my one lonely old SD receiver is happily receiving its signal.

Well, anyway - CONGRATS!

The Winegard Carryout is the dome shaped dish Dawn has. It DOES NOT have HD and I don't care about HD for the RV. We really like it for 2 reasons. It does everything for you. When you connect it the TV says, "searching for antenna". You plug in the winegard to 12v and it whirs and automatically "locks on" to the satellite signal. Unplug and you're good to go. You don't have to do anything!!! Also, we like it because if you are parked under trees, you can just run a long cable and put it where it has a clear signal.

Mitch, what is a SF receiver?

[mitch5252]

Mitch, what is a SF receiver?

Sorry, if I fat fingered the keys - it should be SD = Standard Definition.

[Dawn309]

Red, it sounds like from what you said, that if I call a DirecTV distributor when we get to MS, I might be able to get them to come see what all Camping World did wrong when they installed my satellite system. I have a slimline dish and am supposed to be getting my HD channels automatically. I don't get any of them. Called DirecTV and they said since it is a MH and a Winegard antenna I have to have an RV person look into it. I know it is still under warranty, but if CW cannot connect it correctly, I would rather pay for a service call and get it done right. Am I understanding what you said correctly? I sure hope so. I know my friends had theirs done by a DirecTV tech, like I told you, but he was their friend and I thought that was the only reason they were able to get it done by him.

[Redwahine]

Yes mam, Dawn. I was amazed at how helpful and knowledgeable this dealer was. I found him from the Direct TV website under authorized dealers. Try calling one in MS now and see what they say. Not all of them specialize in RVs. You might have to call more than one!!

Why don't you like Dish ??? They are cheaper and have a pay-as-you-go plan for RVs

[Bethers]

CW is not someone I'd call an authority in most anything. Unfortunately. And I am so, so glad I don't care about having tv on the road. That said, I've had the frustrations regarding internet and so many other things over the years. And they think nothing of all the time they keep us on hold, etc. Hope you both get everything you need and want. And, yes, Red, if it makes hubby happy that will make you happily on the road more ... so is a worthwhile day!

[chalet05]

I just got the Carryout as well. I set it up so I know it works, but I want to keep my good ole dish while I am here this winter. Will take it to Yuma next week for a few days.

I'll get my turn on the phone with Direct in March - I usually end up yelling at the phone before I can get a person!

When I started this idea of portable, I stopped at a DirecTV dealer that did not have a clue what I was talking about.

Good luck, Red!

[Gentleladybear]

Makes me glad I have dish. I bought the receiver, I bought the cube (satelite receiver) and hooked it up. Called dish ask to add this on my account and for 5.00 a month got all my channels just like I do at home. Using a compass find the SW sky and tune it in with a remote. If you get the wrong person when you call in they want to do all the wrong stuff, so I hang up and call back. But they reset my satelite and get good service as long as I have a clear shot at the sky.

I don't frustration very well.

[Acadianmom]

Don't you just love it when you know more about something than the person selling it. Having to deal with Direct could give someone a heart attack. That's why I haven't wanted to call back about the service in our bedroom. It looks like they could have someone to just deal with RV customers.

Martha

[Excel]

I have DirecTV at the house here, and just throw an unused receiver (SD) in the trailer, along with a spare antenna and off I go. None of it is HD, though.

Mitch...what is a 'spare antenna.....I have Direct TV at home & would love to have reception on the road....however, my Winegard antenna on the RV roof is the only antenna I have...so what do I have to buy to make TV work with my receiver on the road ????
Note: I am NOT savey....very good...not mechanically inclined ? or what ever so need advice.....thanks....

[MrsHomeSweetRoam]

I'm tired and frustrated just reading your post. OMG.

[rvgrammy1953]

I have DirecTV at the house here, and just throw an unused receiver (SD) in the trailer, along with a spare antenna and off I go. None of it is HD, though.

Mitch...what is a 'spare antenna.....I have Direct TV at home & would love to have reception on the road....however, my Winegard antenna on the RV roof is the only antenna I have...so what do I have to buy to make TV work with my receiver on the road ????
Note: I am NOT savey....very good...not mechanically inclined ? or what ever so need advice.....thanks....

She means an extra satellite dish.....we have DirecTV receiver with a dish on a tripod which we set out for TV....

[Dawn309]

Red, I had Dish network for about a year in between being with DirecTV before and after. I did not like Dish. That's just a personal opinion. A lot of people do like Dish and I know they have an RV program where you can turn service off and on. You might check into it too. They have a Tailgater antenna that is supposed to be like my dome. Just plug and play from what I understand.