D* protection plan-worth it or not??

[disneyfun1]

Just wondering if the protection plan is worth it or not??

Was told that if my tivo or hd tivos go out, i have to buy a new one if not under 1 year warranty unless i have protection package. I hate to have to buy a new one if it goes out.

Is this true or will it be replaced free if i dont have it?

[hiker]

I think it's worth it but I have several HR10's and $5.99/mo. is small price to pay to cover all. It also covers multiswitch, dish and wiring. I used it once when Hughes E86 receiver went bad and they promptly replaced it with a Samsung TS-360, a much better receiver. What worries me for the future is if a HR10 goes bad will they try to replace it with a HR20. The cost just went down from $7.99/mo. to $5.99/mo. At least that's what is showing on my account via D*'s website.

[moonman]

Protection plan will still be available for both customers who lease and own their equipment. Leasing covers the ird itself, not the dish, wiring, remotes, etc. Customers who currently own their equipment and have the protection plan will still be charged their normal Protection Plan fee and have the same coverage as before.

[n8.]

I think it's worth it but I have several HR10's and $5.99/mo. is small price to pay to cover all. It also covers multiswitch, dish and wiring. I used it once when Hughes E86 receiver went bad and they promptly replaced it with a Samsung TS-360, a much better receiver. What worries me for the future is if a HR10 goes bad will they try to replace it with a HR20. The cost just went down from $7.99/mo. to $5.99/mo. At least that's what is showing on my account via D*'s website.

I'm guessing the HR20 wont have tivo... really though, does it make a difference? Of course you'll need to adapt, but I dont think I would mind; unless it was buggy and crashed all the time.

[codespy]

Just talked to retention about protection plan. If the troubleshooting tips do not work over the phone or by a service tech, a NEW receiver will be shipped out to you. This means that when the HR20-250 receivers come out, and your HR10-250 goes bad, they will replace it with a HR20-250 (non-Tivo) receiver. This also applies to the SD Tivo units. If troubleshooting does not work, you'll get DTV's DVR that is not Tivo. For me, I am spoiled with Tivo and my wife will not change. Perhaps someone here on this site can verify if this was their experience or not with the protection plan.
In the meantime, I have stocked up on Tivo DVR's for backup in case my activated ones take a dump.

[n8.]

Do we know when the HR20 is going to be available?

[Guindalf]

I do NOT have the plan, but I was able to get a replacement shipped to me when my HDVR2 died. It was replaced with a refurb Philips DSR-704 (80 hr instead of 40) for free.

At worst, all you need to do is talk to retention about cancelling because your equipment died. I'll bet dollars to donuts they'll send you a free (or greatly reduced) box rather than lose you!

[codespy]

I guess this is where I was going on the topic- once the refurbished Tivo's are all exhausted, and let's say my Tivo unit dies, and I have the protection plan, other than a reboot- C/D everything- or check my cables, they will not attempt to fix a hardware failure on my Tivo unit. They will just send out a replacement IRD which could be a non-Tivo DVR.
HR20-250's are still due in summer, but no confirmation has been made at this point.

[Kamakzie]

I see mine dropped to $5.99 as well.

[Kamakzie]

I take that back they are still charging me $7.99.. I called them and they said its because I have an "advanced" receiver.

[Phod]

The website seems to only indicate a 5.99 price.

[Kamakzie]

Yeah I am not sure why they are charging me $7.99.

[Guindalf]

Yeah I am not sure why they are charging me $7.99.


Perhaps it's an extra two bux for all the American Idol posts????? :D :D :D

[moonman]

Yeah I am not sure why they are charging me $7.99.
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Do you own your gear or lease?
Protection plan will still be available for both customers who lease and own their equipment. Leasing covers the ird itself, not the dish, wiring, remotes, etc. Customers who currently own their equipment and have the protection plan will still be charged their normal Protection Plan fee and have the same coverage as before.