Access Card Facists -- Geeezeeee Loueeeeze

[sloan]

This is an FYI for those buying used equipment:


While in the past I was able to usually find a CSR who would activate an "old" card, with a nused receiver (a receiver you bought used, new to use, but not a leased unit), there is a gotcha.

If you "trick" a CSR to marry-up an old card, the unit shows up as "Leased", no matter how you tell them.
Even if you try later to get it moved to -Owned-, they'll say (access card dept) : "We can't do that because you used an old access card to activate the receiver".

So basically, they won't relist it as "owned" unless you get a new card.
Ok, that sucks, but you deal with it I guess.......

I know (like me) want to save the $20. But the best bet is to get a new access card, and make sure its OWNED when you activate the new card.

Ok............

Part II


New access cards have a 9 day window FROM THE DAY YOU ORDER IT, not the day you receive it.
Make SURE you activate it as soon as you get it.
Even if the usps takes 8 days to deliver it, and you wait 2 days (to make it 10, and go over the 9), they'll hard-ball you into another card.


I built up a used DSR704 for my parents, and mailed them the unit.
I told them to call me the second it arrived.
Well, it took 5 days to get the new access card. They didn't call me until 5 days later.
Like I said, it doesn't matter how long it took the USPS to get it to you, its 9 days from the moment you order it.
I was one day over the limit.
They simply refused use the 10 day old card. Retention didn't help.
Since my parents are new subscribers, they have zero leverage I guess, unless they want to pay $12.50/month for 23 months to opt out.

..

What really made me mad was they told me it was going out FEDEX on the phone. (the first time I ordered one).
It went USPS.

Anyway, there's my experience and advice with the access-card facists.

.............

I understand outstanding account balances. But wow, what's all the access-card drama for??

[dishrich]

Thankfully, I have about a 1/2 dozen virgin cards laying around, in case me or a customer of mine needs one, so I don't have to deal with this...

[goony]

Originally Posted by sloan

...They simply refused use the 10 day old card...

Hey, thanks for the tip! I wonder if this is a new policy or one that has been around for a while?

[mr.unnatural]

I've never had a card delivered via the USPS. I've always gotten them via FedEx overnight delivery, which is why I never considered $20 for a new card to be such a raw deal. You must be located at zip code E-I-E-I-O if FedEx won't deliver there.

[sloan]

I've never had a card delivered via the USPS.

Exactly , This was the first I have ever heard of it either.

1. I was told the new card would be Fex-Ex.
2. They shipped it USPS.

AND................

Now they're guaranteeing it is being sent Fed-Ex.
So it wasn't a ... unable to use FedEx.

It was:
We'll try and skim another few bucks by using USPS.
And if it takes 2-8 days to deliver it, so be it.
Because we ~told the customer it was 9 days.

[sloan]

Hey, thanks for the tip! I wonder if this is a new policy or one that has been around for a while?

I think the facist movement is pretty new.

But I only deal with CRS about twice a year or so.

[wolflord11]

There are ways around everything!

When you order a New Card it is 10 Days from the moment you order it to activate it. Otherwise the New Card cannot be used.

Directv will ship it Fedex Express overnight. It takes 1 Day, 2 at the most to get your new card.

Why did they ship it USPS anyways? That is the question.

[sloan]

Why did they ship it USPS anyways? That is the question.

That is what I was asking last night.

I told the Access Card Team Manager:
"You guys have been using FedEx for years. Now you guinea pig me using USPS, to experiment to see if you can save a few bucks.
You have already told me you saw it took 5 days. After you told me it would be:
1. Via Fed Ex.
2. There in 1 or 2 days.
Why can't you just send me another card?

"We can, for $20".

Then (because do I really have an option with my parents being 1 month into a 24 month contract?) ... I said "I'd like to order the card, and then immediately be transferred to the Retention Dept"?
"Why do you want to be transferred?"

"I'd like to order the new card and be transferred please".

Geeeze. Did you have to ask why after I berated you for lying to me about it being sent FedEx?

[Billy Bob Boy]

How good is your standing with D* If it is good say you will go to cable unless they solve the bs

[pacific85]

I also had to buy a new card last weekend for a "nused" DTivo. They offered and I took a 6 month free Showtime package to ease the $20 charge. You also have to provide a credit card number to get the new card. They won't add the charge to your monthly bill.

I was also told that the card would be delivered via FedEx, but it arrived a day later than expected via USPS.

My advice is to order your card on a Sunday or Monday so that you can get the card activated within the 9 day window. I'm sure I lost the day because I ordered on a Saturday.

When I ordered the card, I specifically told them that this was a OWNED unit. I got a small push back, then I got put on hold. When she came back I was told that the account would show OWNED. Now how do I check that it was set up as Owned and not leased?

[snickerrrrs]

Originally Posted by sloan

New access cards have a 9 day window FROM THE DAY YOU ORDER IT, not the day you receive it.
Make SURE you activate it as soon as you get it.
Even if the usps takes 8 days to deliver it, and you wait 2 days (to make it 10, and go over the 9), they'll hard-ball you into another card.

Not exactly accurate. I got an old Hughes sd dvr40 with a bad hard drive from my brother in law when he got an R10 as a free replacement for it. He gave me the new unopened access card from the R10 with the broken unit. I sat on it for a couple of months after he sat on it for a couple of months. I formatted a new 160Gb hard drive with Instantcake and put it in the dvr40. A couple weeks later I put a second dish on the roof, ran new cables and called Directv support. He said he couldn't activated the old card but when I asked about the unopened card the Tech said "lets try it", 5 minutes later I was programming Season Passes.

Long story short (too late) it depends on who you talk to when you activate the unit. If they sent me a card and it wouldn't activate, I'd tell them to send me a new one overnight and credit me for the previous card. Then call customer service back and see if they'll give you a $5 a month credit (that's the usual minimum they'll give you) for your trouble and maybe your shipping charges. Remember be firm but nice.