Shirley
Oklahoma City,#2UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 13, 2004
So sorry you have had trouble with the phone lines. First of all Pegasus filed for chapter 11, due to this any cust that has Pegasus can now be Directv customers directly. Just phone in your request. There are always so much mis-information in regards to the phone line being connected. The phone line must be connected at all times to order pay per views directly from the remote control. That is all it is actually for. With the use of cell phones so extensively prevelent in our society, some people have only cell phones, they cannot have a phone line for their receivers.Directv will waive the phone line for sports programming and still give the discounted rate for each addtl receiver if necessary. The phone line is strickly for the downloading of the ppv's (so DTV can get paid for them)this is the only way we know what you order. When you order a PPV from your remote, it is stored on the access card until that receiver makes a call to our computer and then the access card is downloaded, this takes a split second, does not tie up your phone line, and usually is set to be done in the middle of the night. On our computer screen beside the receiver information it tells us the date each month it is supposed to call. You can easily get this information from any cust serv rep. The snow-birds or any one in an RV, or big rig truck, we do understand they cannot have a phone line so we will waive the phone line on them also. A cust has 4 options of ordering PPV's either by remote control (with a phone line plugged in) through the Directv.com (no charge for these two ways, through the automated system ($1.50 fee) or through a cust serv rep ($5.00 fee) as you can see the best way is either the remote or internet. A consolation, if you order on the internet it orders on the Primary and will show on all receivers. This is especially good for the big events (like boxing) every one in the house can watch the event. This has changed with in the last three years, because when I first started my job there over three years ago a person did have to have a phone line in order to mirror (from the primary receiver) to each addtl receivers, however with the upgrades of technology this is no longer necessary. Please just call us and ask us these questions, if we cannot answer that question we will get you to the person that can. Directv does not want any dissatisfied cust and we will do what is necessary to negotiate on what is the best way for cust and company. We are happy to give credit where credit is due, We are happy to do what is necessary to make you a satisfied cust. That is our true objective is a satisfied cust. Directv does appreciate all the wonderful cust we have and will try to do what we can to keep you as a happy cust.
Jack
Flower Mound,#3Consumer Comment
Wed, June 30, 2004
Bobby, I too live in FLower Mound and just moved from Lewisville where I had DirecTV. When I called to have my service activated by Pegasus, the rep told me they would not activate the 2nd receiver w/o the phone lines. I am like a lot of people today who only use their cell phone and cable modems. When I told the rep I was not getting a line put in, they said ok but your service will shut off in 30 days... Guess what, I still have service and have never had interruptions. ALso, watch your bills very carefully, they will try to prorate items on top of the full rate, ie...service plans, premium channels, taxes. If I would not have checked my bill carefully, they would have gottten me for over $300 so far.
Freddie
Huntsville,#4UPDATE Employee
Fri, March 28, 2003
Being an employee of Directv i know 1st hand that the only thing the phone lines will do if u dont connect them is the ability to order ppv w/ remote is turned off and some sports programming might be affected. That is the only real thing w/ the phone lines. I work for Directv and not Pegasus and i have not heard too many good things from them. Unfortunately they handle things totally differently than us. We are a little more laid back about phone lines bc we know everyone cant do it.
ERIC
ANAHEIM HILLS,#5Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 31, 2003
I purchased Direct TV thru blockbuster and had it installed. I did not want my phone line hooked up and that was not a problem. Direct TV stated that I could not purchase Pay per View and that was the only reason. I didn't care and am very happy with the service. I had Adelpia cable and they were the crooks. Charging much more than Direct TV for half the service. I am so glad I switched to Direct TV.
Bobby
Flower Mound,#6Consumer Comment
Fri, January 31, 2003
I have been forced to use Pegasus as a provider also. We have been with them since March 2002. On December 24th 2002 my wife called to change from Starz to HBO. It was at that time that she was informed by the pegisus rep that our receivers were not connected to phone lines. She stated that if they were not hooked up by January 10th they would discontinue service. I find it funny that this had not been an issue until the day before Christmas. needless to say the phone company came out on New Years Eve day and put in the new phone lines. I did call Directv as if I were planing to become a new customer. I explained to the rep that I had no way of connecting the receivers to phone lines. I was informed that it would not be a problem. I also asked if they would be my provider. they asked for my zip code. I gave them a zip code in an area just two blocks from my home. Guess what! Directv would be my provider and not Pegasus. Thats just my luck!
Drew
Huntington Beach,#7Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 24, 2003
My coworker recently subscribed to Directv (10/02). At his home, Huntington Beach, he does not have phone lines, because his wife and himself choose use just their cellphones. Ineternet through a cable modem. At first he was hesitant in purchasing the receivers from Radio Shack because reading through the Terms & Conditions he noticed the statement requiring phonelines connected to every receiver. The guy at Radio Shack assured him Directv allows the activation of receivers even if there is no phoneline installed. When he called Directv to confirm this, he had no problem activating three receivers for his house. I think your problem is with Pegasus and not so much with Directv. You might want to call Directv and let them know they are loosing your business over something they normally allow to be done. I would think they would have some influence with Pegasus.
Drew
Huntington Beach,#8Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 24, 2003
My coworker recently subscribed to Directv (10/02). At his home, Huntington Beach, he does not have phone lines, because his wife and himself choose use just their cellphones. Ineternet through a cable modem. At first he was hesitant in purchasing the receivers from Radio Shack because reading through the Terms & Conditions he noticed the statement requiring phonelines connected to every receiver. The guy at Radio Shack assured him Directv allows the activation of receivers even if there is no phoneline installed. When he called Directv to confirm this, he had no problem activating three receivers for his house. I think your problem is with Pegasus and not so much with Directv. You might want to call Directv and let them know they are loosing your business over something they normally allow to be done. I would think they would have some influence with Pegasus.
Drew
Huntington Beach,#9Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 24, 2003
My coworker recently subscribed to Directv (10/02). At his home, Huntington Beach, he does not have phone lines, because his wife and himself choose use just their cellphones. Ineternet through a cable modem. At first he was hesitant in purchasing the receivers from Radio Shack because reading through the Terms & Conditions he noticed the statement requiring phonelines connected to every receiver. The guy at Radio Shack assured him Directv allows the activation of receivers even if there is no phoneline installed. When he called Directv to confirm this, he had no problem activating three receivers for his house. I think your problem is with Pegasus and not so much with Directv. You might want to call Directv and let them know they are loosing your business over something they normally allow to be done. I would think they would have some influence with Pegasus.
Drew
Huntington Beach,#10Consumer Suggestion
Fri, January 24, 2003
My coworker recently subscribed to Directv (10/02). At his home, Huntington Beach, he does not have phone lines, because his wife and himself choose use just their cellphones. Ineternet through a cable modem. At first he was hesitant in purchasing the receivers from Radio Shack because reading through the Terms & Conditions he noticed the statement requiring phonelines connected to every receiver. The guy at Radio Shack assured him Directv allows the activation of receivers even if there is no phoneline installed. When he called Directv to confirm this, he had no problem activating three receivers for his house. I think your problem is with Pegasus and not so much with Directv. You might want to call Directv and let them know they are loosing your business over something they normally allow to be done. I would think they would have some influence with Pegasus.
Kerry
Dyersburg,#11Consumer Comment
Sat, April 20, 2002
Adolp I understand the reason for the telephone line. But other people in our campground have the service without telephone lines.
If this were Direct TV policy then why was the sevice activated 3 yrs ago, and reactivated in January.
I dont believe its Direct TV but Pegasus because after contacting several people including Direct Tv in Ca. I was told that they do this often at summer homes where telephone lines are not available.
I would have never purchased the system if they had told me that the telephone line must be present. I may have been lucky with my other provider but I still say it,s unfair to sell you a system activate it for three yrs, and then because some other company buys the franchise turn part of my service off when the system was purchased and used for three years. Direct Tv sure didnt have any trouble takeing my money for three years and will sure take it if I pay for another monthly fee.
I still say that Direct Tv should be able to control their program providers to protect their coustomers and keep a good reputation in the
industry. To have companys that have coustomer service people that are rude and wont try to resolve a problem certinly wont help Direct TV.
By the way I asked if they would not send someone to verify that that both receivers were at the same location and they refused.
Adolph
South Bend,#12Consumer Comment
Sat, April 20, 2002
I also have two Direct TV receivers. The satellite companies are quite concerned that someone might buy and activate multiple receivers, and then distribute them to friends and family (at the sharply reduced 'multiple' receiver service price). That's the reason they must ALL be hooked up to the same 'phone line.
I take one of mine with me in my motorhome periodically and must call Direct TV when I plan to do so. (With it disconnected from the 'phone line)
If you previously had two receivers activated without a 'phone line being available, that's unusual. Be assured my dish service provider would never do that. I don't think they're really picking on you. I think you just got lucky with your last service provider.