When to call DTV for locals

[2oldman]

I wanted to change locals - first time ever - and assuming I must call to do this, I did. It was a very annoying 15 minutes.

The phone is answered by a voice asking the purpose for your call. So I just press zero through that one. A few seconds later I get a voice that will not go away until I answer about the type of call. Of course, changing locals has nothing to do with what I'm being asked, so I pressed some number I forgot.

Now I'm listening to some really horrible distored music on acetate tape from the 80s. And the ads.. ads for everything they do, pay per view, moving deals.. and on and on. Then more music, more music... arghh!!! And the messages about "we're doing everything we can to assist you" and "please continue to hold." They can't even tell me how many calls are ahead of me or how long I should expect to wait. And no call-back number feature. What year is this? My favorite ad is teasing me about being on hold when I could do all this stuff on line, like PAY my Bill. Yeah, right, like I'd even consider calling to pay my bill.

I'll call later - oh - I hope they aren't closed. So, you guys who change locals, when DO you call?

[2oldman]

Chat works great. The days of doing business by voice are almost gone for me.

[Thunder_Mountai]

Bill & Kate wrote:
I don't know whether you are talking about Direct or Dish TV, but with Dish, we have found that using the customer service chat feature on the web page is much more efficient - no as long a wait, and the reps type English more clearly than they speak it. Since we change it often, I have made up a little text file with all the information they ask for that I can update, then cut and paste into the chat window, saving a lot of typing .....

You beat me to it. I have done the exact same thing and found chat to be much quicker and more likely to get it correct the first time.

[Bill_Satellite]

I believe the chat option is the best. Have a script made up that you can copy and paste into the chat window. Hi, my name, account number, phone number.....I am in my RV and I have relocated to the following address temporarily. Please change my SERVICE ADDRESS ONLY to the above address. My billing address remains the same. Thank you.

If chat is not available and you need to talk to someone ask for technical support. If you get a "Spanglish" speaking rep. that you cannot understand or does not understand you, tell them that you need to be transferred to a US based support rep.

[2oldman]

Thanks all. Chat worked. Had to reauthorize and wait.. but they showed up.

[RJsfishin]

You have it made. Wait till they tell you that the FCC won't let them change your locals anymore. I had that happen once. I hung up, called again, and no one there would admit saying that, or knew where it mite have come from. But they always give me the locals in Quartzsite w/o much problem. I always call in the morning time.

[RoyB]

I used to be able to reset my DIRECTV setup ON-LINE when I was bringing along my DISH and SAt RCVR. Don't know if if you can make changes to your local view area this way or not...

I found using the BATWING OTA antenna picking up digital HDTV local signals for the local towns worked out great for us. Eventually stopped bringing along the SAT DISH and RCVR ....

Roy Ken

[2oldman]

It's taking a long time

Thanks Bill...chat worked..I hope. No local yet.

[2oldman]

MWJones wrote:
Hit O for operator repeatingly SEVERAL times and it will bypass every step and get you a person on the line.

You can get around all the HOLD time doing this?

I'm on their website now awaiting the appearance of a CHAT button.. no luck yet. Sounds like another technological breakthrough.. DTV reminds me of my doctor.. delivers a good product but conducts customer-unfriendly business.

[MWJones]

Hit O for operator repeatingly SEVERAL times and it will bypass every step and get you a person on the line.
Works for me with direct TV.

[Bill___Kate]

I don't know whether you are talking about Direct or Dish TV, but with Dish, we have found that using the customer service chat feature on the web page is much more efficient - no as long a wait, and the reps type English more clearly than they speak it. Since we change it often, I have made up a little text file with all the information they ask for that I can update, then cut and paste into the chat window, saving a lot of typing .....

[Seattle_Steve]

It's been 4 years since I cancelled DTV, but when I needed to call in I always said "Cancel Service." That got me through quickly to customer service reps that were empowered to do almost anything. In your case I would have told them "I want to cancel because I've been trying to change my locals and can't get anyone to help me." Guarantee they will say "I can do that for you right now" and you'll be on your way in two minutes.