Replacement unit billed as "lease" without notice

[tonypitt]

A couple of months ago my R-10 started behaving badly. It got to the point I was having to restart it daily and was constantly missing programs.

I called DirecTV and after many calls, a rep said he'd sent out a replacement and I'd just have to pay shipping. I agreed.

They actually first sent me another broken unit as a replacement first, but ultimately I did get a working replacement.

When I got my bill this month, I learned that this replacement unit is now considered leased. So, the unit I owned was returned to DirecTV in exchange for one on their lease program. At no time in this process, though, was I told that I was swapping an owned unit for a leased one.

I've been holding on the phone now for over 30 minutes waiting for a DirecTV supervisor to explain to me how they can swap my owned equipment for leased equipment without my being informed.

Edited to add...
After 30 minutes on hold, I was disconnected. I called back and within a few minutes was transferred to the access card department. The rep there indicated that he would have this switched back to an owned unit.

I'm dubious that the switch will be made, but the only way I can tell is to watch my future bill.

I think DirecTV is going to get themselves in legal trouble if they are not more upfront with their customers about this leasing issue. At no time did leasing ever come up in my multiple conversations with DirecTV about this problem and their solution. I never would have returned my fully owned R10 for a leased unit, given that I knew that all I'd have to do to fix the R10 was swap in a new hard drive.

[Billy Bob Boy]

I actualy asked this question in a lease thread. I got no answer (at least not from any of the D* employees Hanging in this forum)but it appear you answered my question. The answer is it becomes a leased unit. And you have to fight and jump through hoops to get it resolved. Unfortunatly when evry thing is done with computers the computer has no way of distingushing between a brand new purchase when activated and a replacement when activated. Me Thimks the way to try and prevent this happening is when you call to activate the replacement ask for second level tech and specify you are activating a replacement from a unit purchased prior to 3/1.


Note: If the replacement is on a unit out of warranty they are within their rights to consider the replace a lease. As you would have to pay the upfront cost as well as the shipping if you replaced it on your own. However they should inform you of this fact. Which you say they did not. Lucky for us D* is flexible with policies if you argue the point at retention. I have dealt with several situations over time where I was not informed of certain details. When i call back and complained basicly I was told that they are very sorry I was not informed but was SOL.


Btw here is a link to my question in lease thread

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=290961&highlight=lease

[Marc]

I'm dubious that the switch will be made, but the only way I can tell is to watch my future bill.
You can log into the directv.com web site to see your account and check "View Activity Since Last Bill". If they've changed it back, you'll see a negative amount for "Leased Receiver" and then a positive one for "Additional Receiver - Charge".

Unfortunately for me, they've taken one of my receivers and done the opposite. :mad:

[JRAllas]

I already have a DVR-40 for almost 2 yrs and I recently purchased a new HR10-250 from DirecTV's website and had it scheduled to be installed on 3/25/06. When the installation was complete I was handed the phone by the installer to verify some info with the lady activating my new DVR. She started explaining about the lease for the new DVR and how I should return it with the kit they'd send me if/when I cancel my DirecTV service.
Of course, I had to be a smart-ass and asked her if it was normal to pay $499.00 for a leased unit. She seemed confused and checked my account to find that I had purchased the unit. According to her, any receivers they install after 3/1/06 are considered leased units. she forwarded me to someone else who supposedly changed the status to Purchased. I've always been happy with DirecTV's service and I'm spoiled by both of my DirecTivo receivers. I just wish DirecTV would enable ALL of the features of the Tivo unit that Tivo allows on its set-top units. I'll have to watch my account closely to make sure my new HR10-250 isn't listed as Leased.

JR Allas - Joliet, IL - USA