CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

There is no "place" to post something like this that I can think of, so I'll just try it here...

I need a Direct TV buddy. I'd like to pay someone $80.CAN every single month to add two HD receivers to their existing Direct TV account, then just send them to me and I'll do the rest.

Obviously I'd prefer to have someone who has a pretty good package which includes HD, and some sports...

If I want any "extra" sports packages, I'll pay for them up front too...

I can set up a regular monthly Paypal transfer, or send post dates checks and I'll pay the initial cost for the receivers up front too...

Over a 5 year period, you could take almost $5000. of my money, for very, very little effort on your part...

And no need to worry about me racking up PPV or anything as they can only be ordered via telephone or internet, neither of which I'll be able to do from Canada...

Please PM me so we can set this up.

You can email me direct to low_76 @ ya hoo. com too*(just take out the spaces, the underscore mark belongs there...).

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Tom.W · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 6635

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

JustGreg · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 3098 Location: Kenosha, WI

Doesn't a phone line have to be connected all the time?

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Actually I have never had DirectTV so I am not familiar with the "common scams" at all.

I suppose someone has to take the risk. Should it be the person helping you out or you?

The cable company makes you rent the boxes and then charges you $600 if you don't return them.

Does DirectTV make you buy the boxes up front now?

Sorry to thread crap, I was just curious about how this would work.

**kal** · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 1:01 pm Post subject:

'Elaine Benes' is Paul Bellemare/gn2? I didn't know that! Paul, why the different names everywhere? Makes it very confusing!

As a Canadian, what DirectTV services or channels are you looking to get that you can't get through Bell ExpressVu or Rogers? Just curious.

I thought more Americans were interested in getting Bell than Canadians interesting in getting DirectTV...

Kal

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

I am not sure of Direct TV but Dish Network has started to shut off all but one of your receivers if they can not ping it. I have a box at my parents house and they need to get numbers off it while on the phone. i had to bring the box to my house hook it up and then I called Dish. When they called me first time to do this i told them i was leaving for work so i could go get the box and hook it up.

The dish companies are getting better at making sure the boxes are at the supposed locations the account is billed to.

I heard they might begin adding a GPS chip set soon, insider info Wink

Athanasios

Sparky015 · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:51 pm Post subject:

So sounds like if DirecTV charges $600 if you don't return them, then just ask for a $600 deposit just in case. Not that Paul would scam, but if something were to happen, you could always cancel the two receivers, and you have the $600 to give to DirecTV to cover the receivers you can't return.

I don't have DirecTV, but I'm seriously considering it since the cable company has me over a barrel, and I'm tired of it. There is no DSL in my neighborhood, so it's cable or satelite for me, and I'm hosed on internet. If no one else bites Paul, I may be interested.

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:55 pm Post subject:

Paul, I'd do the deal with you, but ummm... I might already be doing that with somebody. Wink

I'm pretty sure if tried to add two more receivers to my account, somebody would be looking at Google Earth to see if I lived in an 7000 sqft mansion with 8 TV's. Wink

Actually, you don't even need a phone connection to do PPV. You can use a web browser to order a PPV, then watch/record it on any receive on the account. You are correct that you need them networked for whole-house, although they didn't need to be on the internet to do so. The new wiring scheme (can't recall the nomenclature) uses the RG-6, so you don't even have to have a separate Cat-5 run... The receivers create their own network.

Greg, DirecTV has always made you buy the boxes. Always. Of course, now you both sort of "buy" them, meaning you spend $100-200 per box, and you still don't really own them because you have to turn them in if you discontinue your service.

If I weren't already getting a deal, I wouldn't have satellite at all. It's too damn expensive. That's how I rationalize my arrangement and sleep at night Wink

... DirecTV can either have two customers each paying 50% or have no customers at all. I don't know their business, but I assume they'd prefer the $100+ per month over nothing at all.

SC

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10270

You folks do realize that you are not allowed to buy the hardware anymore. The hardware will always be owned by D*.

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

Actually, there are a LOT of misconceptions and mis-information around about sat companies and their policies....

Direct TV does NOT "make" you buy your equipment, in fact, Direct TV PREFERS you to "lease" your equipment from them, there is a generic lease fee of $5. for any type of receiver from them over and above the initial single free receiver allowed. That is why I stated in my title that $70. would come off your monthly programming charges, but I would give you $80./month, as I'm paying the lease fee for the two receivers I am responsible for.

Also, no satellite companies "ping" receivers, the satellite broadcasting is one way. What they *can* do is send a location ID signal for specific receivers, then call you to have that location ID read back to them. Easy to deal with, just have them call you back at a pre-arranged time and get the location ID read to you from wherever the receiver is, there is NO need to move it.

The non-returned equipment fee for Direct TV receivers is $125. for an HD receiver and $40. for a regular receiver. I would be willing to add $25./month for 10 months to cover that fee for the two HD receivers I would like to get, as well as the initial lease fee of $99./receiver. I am looking for a long term commitment which will make all this virtually free for whoever decides they'd like to take advantage of it....

Satellite companies rarely check on accounts unless they have some OTHER reason to do so. I've had 6 receivers on my Bell account for years and years, one's at my 80 year old Mom's, two others are at a friends house, I don't think they really care as long as you pay your bill, Starchoice goes so far as to actually SAY they don't care, AND they will provide a second dish if you want to put a receiver at your cottage or something like that. All sat companies have a *policy* against account splitting, but its ONLY to protect profits, of course...My StarChoice is on a buddy's account...
s
I want DirectTV for the sports, and the fairly complete lineup of HD, and the reputed good quality of their HD. I've already got Bell, StarChoice, and DishNet(via FTA), and thought it would be nice to get some DirectTV ...

No one's PM'd me or emailed me about this yet though, I'm serious, let me save you money. Go to the Direct TV site and see how easy it is, you can make all the arrangements online, they'll bring the receivers right to your house, hook them up for you and get them going all for nothing if you're a new sub, and for a small fee otherwise(that DirectTV will waive, I'm sure, if you ask...).

If there's any other questions I've forgotten to address, please ask again.

Kal...I changed my name at AVSForum because I was really, really disappointed with the direction of the forum, it was in a moment of extreme disappointment, I didn't WANT to be part of the "community" any more because one or two new members there were, in my opinion, ruining the forum. That feeling has passed mostly, but I had to get special permission from Alan to change my username there, and didn't want to bug him again to change it back. I chose Elaine for here because I really like here extreme cynicism, it coincided well with my own position on most things, as evidenced by this thread...thanks for asking, btw, no one really has before...I also like that most people ignore me with a female screen name, I get no end of amusement from that, haha...

PS: Rogers is unavailable to me, here in Kingston, the ONLY cable option is Cogeco. Their HD is THE WORST quality of any HD I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty...it is SO BAD, it is the ONLY HD service I've ever canceled. I don't have ANYTHING to do with Cogeco, no tv, no phone, no internet, nothing, they're really, really terrible...

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

HaydnG90 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1356

Interesting thread. Sort of reminds me of the hoops I jumped through to get BSkyB Satellite in Italy. This was only officially receivable in the UK although the signal easily covered Northern Italy with a 90cm dish. I bought a receiver (fancy Pace) in the Uk and then used my folks address in the UK. It was funny when my Dad called BSB to activate the card and get service. The CR on the other end was asking if he could see a pic and of course lied, as the TV was in my living room in Milan..... worked perfectly until I moved to the US 5 years later.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

Paul,
I must say that I am tempted and would like to do this. It will depend on my situation in South Fl.

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

Spanky Ham: Let me know when you've decided, sooner the better for me...thanks.

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

I'd do it... but i have dishnet.....

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central