Vast wasteland times xxx
Written: Dec 20 '00
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Pros: Great picture, decent variety of channels.
Cons: CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!!!!
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| Riken's Full Review: Hughes Networks D4532 DIRECTV |
We bought a directv system 8 months ago. Our cable company (Time Warner,) was going digital. The satellite companies were coming out of the wood work with deals to compete with the new digital format of T.W. Promises of deals that sounded spectacular. Free dish, free install, premium packages for 6 months at basic rates. One independent dealer (Directv and dish network,) even offered, if we bought directv, to "throw in" Dish network for one year free of charge. Yup, that's what I want, a house with dishes hanging all over. I already had one small dish for a computer setup from work. Needless to say, I didn't want three dishes and duplicated programs.
We decided to go with directv. The day we were installed, a Time Warner representative came to the door, "hated to loose a customer," would we reconsider our choice for a discount? I told the guy we were not going to cut cable off, that we were only going to basic, so that we had could have local channels. (Directv did not offer this at that time.) The cable rep left fairly happy with that, telling me that we would be back once we saw how things really stacked up.
I have no complaints with directv as far as the quality of reception goes, unless it is raining very hard, or winds are extreme, from the south. (Which they commonly are in the spring and summer months here in Kansas.) We have every channel that directv offers. Some are repetitive. Example would be the 30 some FOX sports channels. Usually, the same event is playing on 28 of those channels at the same time. The 50 some music channels make little sense to me, considering there is no video to go with the music. Even though we do live in Kansas, we do actually have radio here and a wide variety of stations that cover most every type of music. If I want music that is pre-selected, I will turn on a radio, not a T.V.
My main complaint is the customer service department, billing in particular. When we were first connected, the installer made a mistake in reporting our address to directv. I later called directv for an issue I had. The lady I spoke with asked if my address was (the wrong address.) I told her no and corrected it. About two months later, I was trying to get a pay per view event. I was rejected. I called and asked why, I was told I was delinquent in my payment. What payment? What bill are you talking about? We then got to the point in the conversation where it was obvious they still had the wrong address. I had never received an invoice, or any correspondence of any kind from directv.
I was transferred to a "supervisor" after about 20 minutes on hold. This woman was a total and complete moron! She accused me of giving the installer the wrong address on purpose (as if the guy didn't have to read my house number and street to get to my house.) When I made too much sense regarding that point, she went to another mode of attack, telling me I should have called and given them the right address. I explained to this brainiac that #1. How would I have any idea the installer reported the wrong address, #2. I did in fact tell someone after I called with a service issue after the woman had asked my address to verify service. Beat on that point, she retaliated with threats to cut off service entirely, because I should have just sent payments to them. I explained that the deal was heavily laden with incentives, promotions etc. I didn't actually know what it would cost after tax etc., until I saw an invoice. To make a long story shorter, I didn't get my pay per view. I finally got a bill, WITH a cut off notice because I was "delinquent." An understanding lot they are not.
In conclusion, the actual service is good. It is better than my cable company and less expensive channel for channel. The picture is always clear and have had no real service issues. Slight blackouts during storms but that isn't a big deal. You have to expect that when you have most any antenna. Customer service stinks. They are rude, obnoxious and the worst part is, some are extremely stupid. I am the customer, I am doing them the favor by purchasing their service. Not the other way around. They need to be reminded of that fact. If you can deal with the "professionals" at directv, I would not hesitate to recommend the service highly.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Riken
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Member: Richard
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 2 members
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