Upgrading your DIRECTV or DISH system should be a joy. It should be something that makes you happy. Whether you’re adding the 25th receiver in a bar system or just a wireless client for your spare room, it should be something positive for you. But what happens when that happy dream doesn’t quite turn out the way you hoped?
Some facts to know
For about the last 10-15 years, both DIRECTV and DISH have been on a lease model when it comes to their hardware. Leasing equipment to customers instead of selling it has several advantages. It helps with the tax burden that these large corporations. More importantly, it means that customers who leave the service after their initial 2-year contract must send the hardware back. Those receivers, clients, and DVRs are refurbished and sent back out into the world to live a second life.
Neither DIRECTV nor DISH make a distinction between a new receiver from the factory and one that has been refurbished. Both carry the same warranty, and both are provided with new cables. That means it’s impossible for you as the customer to know if you’re going to get brand new hardware or refurbished hardware. Not that it should matter, because ideally these things are inspected and checked before you get them.
In the case of DIRECTV, the only hardware they’ve made since 2012 has been Genie hardware. This means every single receiver and non-Genie DVR that’s being sent to customers is at least 10 years old. It’s probably on its third or fourth time in the field. These things are incredibly well built and hold up surprisingly well even after a decade.
Sometimes though…
It’s rare, but sometimes a box gets to a customer that just looks a little beat up. It may work perfectly, but it may just look like it’s been through the wringer. Sometimes there’s a shortage of receivers and they send you what they have, rather than sending you nothing. It’s important to know what to do if this happens to you.
Step 1: Call Solid Signal before doing anything
If the box you get isn’t up to your personal standards, call us! Even if you got it somewhere else, we may be able to help you. Call us before you activate the receiver, because it’s a lot easier to swap it out when that happens. The less you interact with it, the easier it’s going to be to get it back and send you something you’re going to want to use.
When you call Solid Signal, we’ll check that we can send you something better. We’ll also give you advice on what to do even if you’ve already activated the box. There are still options after activation, but it isn’t as easy to get it done. Then again, we’re experts at this sort of thing.
Call us at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. We have an activations team who can get right into DIRECTV and DISH’s systems to figure out what’s gone on. We have a stock of DIRECTV and DISH hardware in our Michigan warehouse and often can cross ship you a replacement. We’re here to take care of you, so call now! If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you, often within one business day.
