We've been residential customers of DirecTV's satellite TV service since 2001. As we live in a semi-rural area, cable is not available and broadcast digital TV gives us just a few local channels.
Several weeks ago, our HR-24 receiver/DVR stopped working. As this is leased equipment, I called DirecTV and asked for a replacement receiver. They shipped one and I found that it was non-functional as well. It also turned out to be a 6-year-old refurb, according to the tag on the bottom.
I called back, explaining the problem. After nearly an hour on the phone while the customer service rep tried unsuccessfully to get the receiver working, he finally promised to send out a Genie model, the current receiver/DVR.
Nothing arrived in a week or so, so I called again. This time, a different rep promised to send a Genie right out. Still nothing. After another call, a Genie was promised once again. Meanwhile, another HR-24 refurb arrived.
I called again and this time was told that the Genie required an on-site installation as modifications needed to be made to the electronics outside on the dish. An appointment was made with the tech to arrive within a 4-hour window.
After waiting 5 hours and 20 minutes, I got a call from from a scheduler in Kentucky, according the the caller ID. He said the tech was having problems with another installation and that my appointment had to be remade.
I am now on my fifth appointment, scheduled for about 10 days from now. I have waited through three additional appointments. I was never been called again regarding the delays. After being stuck at home waiting through these 4-hour appointment windows, I have called DirecTV, received an apology, had a small credit applied to my account and had a further appointment scheduled.
After talking politely with each customer service rep, I got a little further information from number four: it seems that installation and other problems have gotten much worse for DirecTV since they were acquired by AT&T several months ago. There is an acute shortage of installation technicians and of equipment.
Customers cannot talk directly to the local companies and installers contracted by DirecTV to handle installations and service, although I have tried to get that information from DirecTV.
While we enjoy the programming and features provided by DirecTV, we are extremely disappointed by their cavalier treatment of us as a customer. If we had another service to switch to, we would but that is not currently available. We are seriously considering quitting DirecTV and using Internet streaming services exclusively.
I recommend that anyone considering signing up with DirecTV, investigate thoroughly just when they can expect installation and service, should it be needed. read more