This is just a word of advice coming from a "directv employee" to potential customers looking for service out there. I put that in quotes because (and I will probably lose my job for this) when you call the toll free number you are indirectly speaking with directv. You are actually speaking with a company (I withhold their name) that is contracted out by directv to handle all their business and they have their call centers all over the country and world so that is why you might get someone in Oklahoma one time and someone in California or Texas the next.
Also if you are looking into getting service, please please read all the details on getting service. The ad may say "up to four rooms for free" but you still have to pay for programming on those receivers. That is where the "additional receiver fee" comes in. If you look close on the flyers, it does say it in fine print on the page. I know nobody reads the fine print but it is there. A phone line is not essential to get service they want one connected to make callbacks to the main computer. They have also changed up their credit policies now at retail. You are credit checked when you sign up and based on that, you may have to or may not have to pay a fee. These free dvd player offers and the like, if they are offered by the company on the flyer then that is the company that needs to make good on their offer if you sign up through them. Yes it is directv but you signed up through a third party. When you get service, do not, I repeat do not allow the installer to leave under any circumstances.
They are supposed to stay and give you a brief run down on how the equipment works. Unless you are 100% positive you can work it by yourself, don't let them out the door. Don't let them feed you the line that " they have to get to the next job" Sure that might be the case, but it is part of the installation to give the customer a tutorial.
When you call in to do anything to your account, be ready to experience a wait. This is one of the main reasons installers rush through jobs. The computer system is antiquated and outdated and goes down frequently. So when you call in and get told, "Our systems are updating right now, let me take a manual and someone will call you back" It really means our system is offline and we will take the manual but it will get put into a big stack with others and maybe someone will get to it to call you back. The best bet on that situation is when you get told that, don't call back in a couple of hours. Give them a minimum of six sometimes the system comes back up. Also, I know this is my employer, however, research before you decide to sign up. Look at all your options. There is dish network as well as voom and your local cable provider. And speaking of locals, if you get told by someone selling directv that you can get your locals, unless you live in a fairly big city, call the toll free number and ask them to put in your zip code. Nothing makes me more furious than to have an elderly couple call in to activate after a retailer promised them local channels that aren't available with directv. (unless you hook up an antenna, once again small print) To all of you potential customers out there who are of Hispanic origins, you have probably seen our wide array of Hispanic programming. Yes we have a lot.
Just make sure you tell them you want para todos with the OVAL dish then make sure after you order you get a confirmation of an oval dish. Second thing that bugs me is any Hispanic customer who is told that they can get Spanish programming and the retailer knowing what equipment they need will deliberately sell them a round dish knowing they have to come back to buy the more expensive upgrade. On that aspect of it, call us first to see if you qualify for a "local channel upgrade" or "multi sat upgrade" in some cases you can qualify for one of them get the oval dish and it doesn't cost a thing. Or if not if you just activated, raise one hell of a fit and you can probably get it that way.
In closing, if you are a current customer, when you call in, please have a copy of your bill handy or at least your account number. That is required of customer reps now to ask for account numbers and not so much to keep us out of hot water but it does make it easier to pull your account up. Finally, two words for you: Protection plan. I know it costs extra but it does pay for itself when you don't have to pay for a 70 dollar service call. I welcome any responses from any current or former customers or employees. Thank you and I stand beside my first amendment rights as an American.
James
midwest city, Oklahoma
U.S.A.
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