posted
I emailed Mark Nemeth at Escapees to see if he had heard anything more from Ann Tucker at PBS as the last time I tried, DirecTV still refused to turn on PBS ch 384 for me as a RV mobile user. He came back and said mobile users were to be considered 'unserved' per Ann and should get PBS. So I called again and DirecTV still tried go get me to resubmit the waver and give them a zip code to see if PBS was unserved in my area. I told them I would not resubmit the waver as they had one one file since I now get E/W national feeds and I would not give them my current zip code as it was used only for billing and mobile users are considered as 'unserved' so we should get national PBS on ch 384. The code words are 'unserved and mobile user'. To my shock they said OK but it took a transfer to tech service to make it work. I didn't even get dropped on the transfer. Normal procedure at DirecTV. And the above 'you need to resubmit the waver' to get rid of me. BUT I now have it after trying for years. And it took the great work of Mark Nemeth as the forum admin. at Escapees.com working with Ann Tucker at PBS to get it done. My programming package on the DirecTV site now shows PBS - Mobile Life is good... Thanks...
posted
Great news. I'll try it tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
-------------------- David Horn 2005 Alpine Coach 40ft Mid-door 2005 BMW R1200RT 2008 Subaru Forester Ringo, the Travelin' English Cocker Here I Am! Posts: 65 | From: fulltimer - anywhere I park it | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I gave it a try as soon as I read it. They tried to work the zip code question but I re-iterated my mobile status. I was sent to tech. support (no disconnect) and she said I would need to submit a waiver (echo, echo, echo). I told her that I have had the waiver for about 6 years and that I was currently receiving all of the DNS channels. Unfortunately their computers were down and they could not make any programming changes at this time but the change request was submitted. I will be watching 384 at all of the upcoming commercial to see if it pops up, but this is the most encouraging inter-action I have ever had with DTV. More news later!
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15677 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Does this have to be an individual complaint or are they going to fix all of us up with PBS? I just checked and I don't have it yet I have EW feeds and they have had my waiver for years.
-------------------- Chris the Bigfoot 2006 Alfa See Ya 2008 Saturn Outlook Living our dreams See where we are. Posts: 524 | From: Full timing someplace | Registered: May 2004
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posted
You would have to call DTV and request the additional of the PBS programming to your account. Use the wording that RBunge highlights and it might work for you too. As of now, still no programming for me.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15677 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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posted
GOT IT! Well, it took 20 minutes (half waiting) and I now have PBS - Mobile ch 384. Went through 3 people and it was the last one that got it done. She was with the DNS (Distant Network Service) dept and while she hadn't heard of the PBS thing yet, she was able to verify it and turn it on in a very few minutes. She thanked me for bringing it to her attention. Her name was Sandy, so, skip going to tech and just head for DNS and try to get Sandy. :-)
Thanks to Mark and PBS!
-------------------- David Horn 2005 Alpine Coach 40ft Mid-door 2005 BMW R1200RT 2008 Subaru Forester Ringo, the Travelin' English Cocker Here I Am! Posts: 65 | From: fulltimer - anywhere I park it | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Not to be left out, I too tried calling Directv regarding PBS. After about 20 minutes of, No you can't, Oh, yes you can but you have to submit a new waiver and request it. Finally, got to some one in DNS who said yes you can, but it is not free, it will cost $1.50 per month.
David Horn and rbunge, did they charge you a fee? If not is it possible they did and you aren't aware of it?
posted
There is a $1.50/month fee for the PBS feed. Has been for many years. I just finished with the DNS people at DTV and they WILL NOT activate the PBS feed due to my zip code. The computer does not even give them the option. I spoke with the most obnoxious "supervisor" in charge of training the DNS employees and he was adamant that if the zip code that your account is setup for has local PBS available they cannot activate the National PBS signal. So if you are calling, don't bother trying to get past this jerk. His name is Mark Hershaw and he is in the Utah DNS office. I guess I will go on-line and change my billing address to whatever zip code David is using. Since I don't get any paper bills anyway, what do I care where the account is registered.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15677 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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Sounds like we might have spoken with the same supervisor. It was only after he got a call from DNS that he relented. With respect to the $1.50, they say that is the charge for each DNS Channel. Well, I'm paying $9 something for the 8 E/W channels, so how does the math work? If that is the case 8 channels should be $12.
I think I will let this pass. I'll loan you my zip code if you want it (97141). I told them it was only a mail forwarding company, but they just wanted any zip.
posted
I only got charged $.60 but I'm sure that was a prorate. I remember that in the old days when I did get PBS, it was a $1.50 extra.
-------------------- David Horn 2005 Alpine Coach 40ft Mid-door 2005 BMW R1200RT 2008 Subaru Forester Ringo, the Travelin' English Cocker Here I Am! Posts: 65 | From: fulltimer - anywhere I park it | Registered: May 2005
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posted
You know it is in their database as it comes up on my bill as PBS-Mobile. How can a company be so unresponsive to their customers? Customer service, a lost art. And we should try not get upset with the tier 1 reps we talk to, as they are under great stress. They would love to give great service if they were only allowed to do so. Been there done that, retired from a high speed data control center in a national telco as it was getting unreal with the stress level.
posted
I submitted my declaration about a month ago and still do not have DNS turned on. I have called customer support twice and they cannot even tell me if my paperwork has been received. I even spoke to a supervisor, but they are now all in the Phillipines and seem totally incompotent. Their favorite trick is to put you on hold for long periods of time when asked questions they don't know the answer to, in hopes you will get frustrated and hang up.
How long have others waited for the initial DNS to be approved?
Posts: 145 | Registered: Sep 2003
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