Buying A Used DTV Receiver

RJsfishin wrote:
Ok, I think I got it now.
Maybe moving the house receiver back and forth ain't so bad after all.

did that for years

RJsfishin wrote:
Ok, I think I got it now.
Maybe moving the house receiver back and forth ain't so bad after all.

There's no need to move it back and forth. There is a lot of information and misinformation in this thread. I just did this within the past 2 weeks - here is what I found.

When looking on eBay make sure you look for ones that are OWNED and transferrable. DirecTV will be happy to look up the receiver ID for you (should be posted in the eBay listing) to see if it's okay to transfer. DirecTV will verify that the previous owner doesn't owe them any money and that they really owned the receiver.

DirecTV will also happily offer to send you a receiver for "free" but they will quietly bind you to another 2 years.

Your new-to-you eBay receiver will need activated with a card specific to your account. They will not switch service between receivers, so when you add a new one it's $6.50/month. The card carries a one time cost of $20.

DO NOT under any circumstances follow the instructions that come with the new card. They did not consider a multi-receiver scenario when they set up their automated card activation system. Using it will FUBAR your existing account and receiver. When you get your card, call and ask to speak to a human. Said human should ask you for your D12 receiver ID. Make sure you've set up your dish and have it tuned to channel 100. If you have programming on channel 100 you're all set for activation.

Ok, I think I got it now.
Maybe moving the house receiver back and forth ain't so bad after all.

Topic has been pretty well covered. I've had BOTH direct tv AND Dish service AND at one time you COULD buy a Dish 'box'and OWN it--I don't know if that is still true or not. With Direct TV I CAN buy a box and I CAN say I own it, but it is worthless without the service, same with Dish. So the main difference is what COMES with Direct TV OWNERSHIP, vs getting the 'box' from Direct. Main difference I see is that if a 'box' from Direct TV crashes, they will replace it and NOT EXTEND the contract and usually--but not guaranteed--you will get a NEWER edition box. If one you BOUGHT other than thru Direct crashes, if you BUY another one other than DTV you will then start a new 2 year contract on it. Also, the longer you are a customer with Direct (and I would assume with Dish) the BETTER the deal they give you when you HAVE to replace a box. For example, I recently had a DTV box I got through DTV several years ago crash---when I called for instructions to 'replace' they said I'd been with them long enough that they would replace the older version box with a new Genie. I asked 'how much?" and they started out at $25, but by the time I was finished they not only gave it to me free but they shipped it free AND they did NOT extend the contract beyond the 1.5 years I currently have left. I think it primarily depends on WHO your talk to, HOW long you've been their customer, and HOW nice you talk with them.

What happened to required DirecTV mobile RV form for service in an RV?

didn't read all the responses but if you buy it be sure there is not a large debt owed on it before they will reauthorize it.
bumpy

RJsfishin wrote:
Wow, a lot of info. But I don't think I got an answer to my basic original question.
If I buy a ligit receiver, and keep it in the RV, will DTV transfer my current service between the 2 receivers 3-4 times a year, or as needed, and free of any monthly charge ? I could call DTV, but I know I will never get the same answer from even 2 different people.

As Ranger Smith has already responded, NO, DTV will not 'transfer' your DTV service back and fourth between the two receivers. AS Ranger Smith pointed out, what needs be done is just add your new receiver to your home account for $6.00 per month and you will get your home service programming on both receivers. You will not be able to 'turn off' your RV service, but at $6.00 per month not really a problem.

DTV does not offer a service like DISH Network's No Contract 'Pay-As-You-Go' service, used frequently by RVers.

Big Katuna wrote:
Plus, getting one from DTV starts a new 2 year contract. If you buy a used one, call DTV with the serial number before you buy to make sure it isn't hot or has an outstanding invoice on it; they won't activate it. And you have to buy a new card if its used.

This is exactly what happened to me. Lost $$ on that deal.

Ron

WyoTraveler wrote:

dahkota wrote:

Ranger Smith wrote:
Yes but just remember you don't own it even if you buy it off ebay. You are just leasing it as far as DTV is concerned

I don't understand this statement. I have two receivers, one leased, one purchased from Amazon. On my bill, one shows as leased, and one shows as owned. If my owned one breaks, they won't replace it. If my leased one breaks, they will replace it. I pay a monthly fee for one HD box; the other box is included in the base rate. If I add a receiver, I will pay an additional monthly fee for access. If I remove a receiver, I will pay no fee for access other than my base rate.

I also own one and have a leased one. Plainly marked on bill. Ranger Smith isn't totally correct. The only problem with buying one from a different source than Dish is there could be an outstanding bill to Dish on that unit. If so you will have to pay it before it can be connected. JMHO, I would buy from Amazon over Ebay just for that reason. Plus I think Amazon is cheaper and probably less likely of getting a stolen unit.

Evey receiver I have ever purchased was listed as leased. Only exception was that if I fulfilled my 2 year contract with a receiver it wss mine and then I owned it.

RJsfishin wrote:
Wow, a lot of info. But I don't think I got an answer to my basic original question.
If I buy a ligit receiver, and keep it in the RV, will DTV transfer my current service between the 2 receivers 3-4 times a year, or as needed, and free of any monthly charge ? I could call DTV, but I know I will never get the same answer from even 2 different people.

As Ranger Smith has already responded, NO, DTV will not 'transfer' your DTV service back and fourth between the two receivers. AS Ranger Smith pointed out, what needs be done is just add your new receiver to your home account for $6.00 per month and you will get your home service programming on both receivers. You will not be able to 'turn off' your RV service, but at $6.00 per month not really a problem.

DTV does not offer a service like DISH Network's No Contract 'Pay-As-You-Go' service, used frequently by RVers.