Doris and I have been talking about upgrading to a different RV,we found out if someone buy.s our unit that we have to return the receivers to Direct Tv they will not let them stay with the coach for a new owner,even if we don't upgrade,I may pull them out and go to Dish. >:D
Bill,
You will find the same restrictions with Dish. If a receiver (DirecTV or Dish) has a removable smart card (some do, some don't), you could inquire as to whether simply returning the smart card would be adequate (forcing the buyer to open their own account and obtain a new smart card). When we have had receivers replaced under warranty, we had to return the smart cards with their paired receiver and received a new card with the replacement box. The satellite companies often tie receiver IDs and smart cards together with a customer account to prevent what they consider theft of services. Smart cards are not transferable and in many cases the receivers are considered leased, rather than purchased, and are the property of the service provider, not the customer.
Michelle
Must be something new with Direct TV cause I sure bought my coach in 2009 with two receivers and cards in them and just called and had them put in my name.
Each time we have switched coaches, we pulled the DirecTV box and moved it to the new coach. It belongs to us ... and the card is programmed to get just what we want. I would expect anyone else to take their receiver box with them. I will upgrade at some point ... but I don't know what I will do with the receiver, then.
Same here, The reason I stick with Directv, is simply due to their birds are higher, this was very clear after changing back to DIsh, then back to Directv.
With the Dish birds, you have to have a much better shot lower on the horizen. The Directv birds are much higher and does looking up vs looking 45 deg up, have to look thru too much vegatation / trees with Dish.
Works for me ;D
Dave M
Having an account with 28 DirecTV receivers on it, I learned a valuable lesson about cards. The way these receivers are deployed, they are not tied into phone lines, and I own them. One day a DirecTV rep called and said they would change out these older units for HD capable ones. Sounded good to me so go for it. Old boxes and cards were shipped back and new ones installed.
Imagine my surprise when I got a 2600.00 bill the next month. Seems tenants had discovered a way to watch PPV a couple years back. While there was no phone tie, the cards did store info on them. Direc downloaded info from cards and generated the mother of all bills. Since I had not explicitly blocked PPV usage, thinking it was impossible without a phone line, I ended up paying the bill.
Any card sent back to Direc these days takes a short vacation in the microwave first.
I have DirecTV service for over 10 years. Recently the HD receiver started acting up and since I did not pay the $5/month "protection" fee, DirecTV would not do anything about the problem. I canceled HD service. I was informed that I did not own the receiver. It was under lease and I should return it. They were supposed to send a box for shipment back, but it never showed up. We'll see what happens. Be aware that you may not "own" the receiver you thought you bought if it is an HD unit.
About two weeks ago, I suspended service altogether. I bought a big antenna with preamplifier and can get all the major networks out of Houston. I built a MythTV DVR (Ubuntu Linux with TV tuners and an IR remote control) and we have been using that. So far, it has been satisfactory. I expect we will drop DirecTV altogether in January when the suspension expires.
On the road, I don't expect to have live TV unless we happen to plug to cable. We have had the coach for over two years and never raised the TV antenna. The coach still has 1997 model TVs
I have downloaded over 1600 TED videos and stored them on MythTV. We may take it on the road in case we want to watch something. ( Hmm. I don't know if the MythTV box will drive an analog TV. ??? )
First question.... did you buy or lease the receivers? Long ago we bought a receiver that we used in our Airstream TT, and we actually own it (still have it, but don't currently use it as we prefer a DVR). Subsequently, we "bought" DVR receivers directly from DTV, but in fact we actually
lease them. When you spoke with DTV, did they confirm that these are truly leased units? If so, then they cannot be transferred to the new owners - but can go with you to your next coach/RV, or they do need to be returned.
As an aside, when we bought our coach in 2009, before George upgraded the old CRT to an HD/LED screen, we were able to reactivate the old (really old) DTV receiver that came with the coach. However, we did have to return the old access card and they sent a new one before we could activate the receiver. So, we actually own that one, too (but no longer use it).
Lastly (since I never take "no" for an answer - at least not the first time! ::) ), I would definitely suggest - if you haven't already - that you call the DirecTV RV section (800-769-4635), and not the general DTV customer service rep, who rarely seems to understand RVer needs.
Good luck!
Newer receivers are leased and must be returned. Healthy bill for failing to return - even if the company forgets (and they do, often). If you buy a receiver locally - like Best Buy, then it is yours and you buy a card to activate (within 10 days) and return the card if you cancel service.
Always check the serial number of a used unit with Direct before buying it - you could find you owe a big bill from the last owner if you want to use it.
I think some are 'renting' their Directv receivers and some 'own' their receivers. Maybe they do not want to leave rented receivers in a motorhome when it is sold.
For sure used receivers can be transferred to new owners.
If you hear something you don't like from Directv, be sure to call back several times at different times of day and night. If everyone tells you the same story it may be fact, but usually eventually you find someone who will take care of your problem.
Used to be in the "old days" you bought and owned the direct TV receiver. Now you pay a one time "lease" fee. Our old unit crapped out last year and even though we have the simplest of receivers we now lease the unit. All things change.
Roland
Direct TV will sell you the unit or you can lease but you still pay a use fee every month. I have couple which I own and couple owned by Direct TV. Pay the same rate for each. Seems to make no difference if you own or lease. They just seem to keep increasing the rates for loyal customers while they will give new customers the deals to get them to sign up. Like Netflix, they will meet a point of diminishing returns. Tks DAN
Find a relative with Direct or Dish and get a "bedroom" receiver. I pay my brother $60 a year for Direct. You only lose the locals once you move out of the spotbeam.