Direct TV

[sclark]

Okay - here is the scoop..

We have had direct tv since we moved into this house 10 years or so.
We have decided we would like a hardware upgrade to DVR..

Direct Tv wants 100+ dollars for the hardware upgrade, $20.00 for shipping and handling. (but they will throw in free installation - Wow i can plug the damn receiver in myself!)..

Anyway if i was a brand new customer i would get this equipment for free, so i feel like i am being screwed for being a loyal customer for ten years..

I really like the Direct Tv Programming and would like to keep it, anyone know a way around this?

[chadku]

I had to do the same when I upgraded to HD. You can save the shipping by going to best buy and purchasing the receiver, but nothing you can do to get around it. Atleast nothing I could do when I had the issue.

It really sucks that they do that...I am not sure if this will work, but a buddy claims it worked for him. He called them up and said he would like to cancel his service. Played dumb on the whole thing. They ask you why and is there anything we can do to keep you and he said the only way was to give him the receiver. Not sure if this is the way to go about it, but you could try.

You may also try ebay or craigslist to see if you can find one for sale. You may just want to check with DirecTV to see what models will work and make sure you do not get one that is not supported any longer.

[R.D.]

Unfortunately..........that is how it is anymore........they will entice new customers with DVR for free......yet even if you were to go out and Buy a new Unit.....its going to cost you a Minimum of $200 for a good one. TiVo is about the only other one that I know of that is inexpensive......but they do make some cheaper....but with Less Memory.


also.....they have been making newer DVD players with DVR built in as well........only problem again is with limited memeory.....but most of them have w USB port for 2Gb to 4GB flash drives...........you can also get them with DivX decoders as well.....but again......the more you get the more $$ you'll spend.


So......$100 aint bad in the end of things.......but............I do understand what your saying on being a Loyal Customer for 10+ years & NOT doing anything for you

[Jiggernaut]

Call them and tell the rep you are canceling your service. The rep should transfer you to someone in the retentions department. If they don't, hang up and call again until you get them to hand you off to retentions. Tell that rep that Dish Network has really good deals right now and will give you the equipment you are looking at for free and a better monthly package. They will then start throwing deals at you left and right. I got NFL ticket that way for FREE.

It works really well when you are an established customer such as you are. I've had them since '97.

[jaycount]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jiggernaut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Call them and tell the rep you are canceling your service. The rep should transfer you to someone in the retentions department. If they don't, hang up and call again until you get them to hand you off to retentions. Tell that rep that Dish Network has really good deals right now and will give you the equipment you are looking at for free and a better monthly package. They will then start throwing deals at you left and right. I got NFL ticket that way for FREE.

It works really well when you are an established customer such as you are. I've had them since '97.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hope satellite company's retentions depts aren't like cell phone company retentions depts. Those guys can be real azzholes. Although if I was a retentions rep I would call people's bluff all the time.

[getfished]

Good info. Keep this thread going. I am still on the fence trying to make up my mind between the two. I don't really know what a DVR is or Tivo for that matter. I just want some basic simple service. Good info, keep it coming.

[dport]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jiggernaut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Call them and tell the rep you are canceling your service. The rep should transfer you to someone in the retentions department. If they don't, hang up and call again until you get them to hand you off to retentions. Tell that rep that Dish Network has really good deals right now and will give you the equipment you are looking at for free and a better monthly package. They will then start throwing deals at you left and right. I got NFL ticket that way for FREE.

It works really well when you are an established customer such as you are. I've had them since '97.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I second what Jason said. I have dish and love it. I called them few months back and just said I want HD with and HD dvr and installation for free and if they couldn't do it I would go with direct tv. Had it all up and going the next week a no cost except for the extra $10 a month for HD programming.

[ks cranker]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dport &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I second what Jason said. I have dish and love it. I called them few months back and just said I want HD with and HD dvr and installation for free and if they couldn't do it I would go with direct tv. Had it all up and going the next week a no cost except for the extra $10 a month for HD programming. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You'll are some negotation fools!

I played hard ball... told Directv that Dish was cheaper and that I was thinking about cancelling Direct and going to Dish. All they said was I could cut back my programing and get a cheaper bill...

[sclark]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ks cranker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You'll are some negotation fools!

I played hard ball... told Directv that Dish was cheaper and that I was thinking about cancelling Direct and going to Dish. All they said was I could cut back my programing and get a cheaper bill... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Pretty much t he same story i got...

[chadku]

I have heard the same parent company now owns them both, so I would not be surprised if they say that. It did not work for me, but sounds like it has for others in the past.

[chadku]

Sad thing is that my boss is making me do a very similar thing to a client that cancelled business with us earlier this year and i have fought hard to get them back and they want some discounts and we will not do it at all. Some companies are very arrogant and I am beginning to find out I work for one of them. Its not a lot of fun, especially in this economy.

[Mike Long]

I switched to direct TV 4 years ago for the same reason Dish wanted to charge me for up grades and adding rooms i had been with them for 8 years...They called me the next day wanting me to stay but it was to late ..Both suck at some time another.

[nitrobasser]

We wanted to upgrade to HD DVR and they said it would be $200. My wife told them she was looking at Dish network's website and they would give it to us for free if we switched. They said "Well since you have been a customer for 12 years, we can give you the reciever and upgrade for free. Plus your programming is outdated and you can get more channels for $5 less per month. While we're at it we'll wave the HD fee of $10/month for 6 months." I couldn't pass it up. We also deal locallly with our Direct TV provider.

[War Eagle1]

I'll just stay with cable. Oh wait I get all my services free from them. HD/DVR/Phone/Internet/and cable tv. It's good to work for them, and they are a very good company