Negotiating with DirecTV

[BDawg]

I've been a happy DirecTV customer for over 6 years now. I currently have the following hardware / services:

Hughes Platinum Receiver
Phillips DSR7000 DirecTivo

Total Choice Plus
+DVR Service
+Extra Receiver
+HBO
+Starz

Tomorrow, I'm getting an additional receiver installed so I can get HD programming. I assume this will increase my bill by ~ $15 / month for the extra receiver and the HD package.

I figure I'll have to pay for the HD package, but I really don't want to pay more for the additional receiver since I'm getting it just to add the ability to watch HD on a TV that already has DTV. Has anyone had any luck negotiating price with DTV? Can you share any tactics?

 

[AnyMal]

They will negotiate as long as you can provide proof of better offer from a competitor. I recently moved and called them to see if they will do anything for a loyal customer. My cable company offered a similar setup (choice plus, Tivo, 2 receivers for $45.00) They took $5.00 off my bill for a year and gave me 6 months of Showtime free. Not too bad IMO, but Showtime sucks.

 

[Budmantom]

Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

Will that work?



I see a package that's $499 after $200mir.

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

Will that work?

yes and it will look better then standrad sd content recorded on tivo

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

Will that work?

yes and it will look better then standrad sd content recorded on tivo

So I can use my Direct/Tivo as just a Tivo and not use the tuner function?

Is the only difference with the HD tivo and regular Tivo the hard drive size?

Tom

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

Will that work?

yes and it will look better then standrad sd content recorded on tivo

So I can use my Direct/Tivo as just a Tivo and not use the tuner function?

Is the only difference with the HD tivo and regular Tivo the hard drive size?

Tom

I think they misunderstood me. I'll have my DirecTivo hooked up to a satellite signal too. I don't think DirecTivo even has an input other than a satellite RF input.

 

[Pantoot]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

Will that work?

yes and it will look better then standrad sd content recorded on tivo

So I can use my Direct/Tivo as just a Tivo and not use the tuner function?

Is the only difference with the HD tivo and regular Tivo the hard drive size?

Tom

No, the SD tivo will only be able to record SD content. To watch HD stuff you will have to switch over to the HD box.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I'm sure they are open to some type of negotiation. Especially if you sign a contract.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: Pantoot

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: BDawg

Originally posted by: Budmantom
Are you getting HDTV TiVo?

How much is that going to cost?

The HD Tivo was still going to be ~$300 with the rebates. I'm just getting the HD box (~$50AR) and using my existing Tivo.

Will that work?

yes and it will look better then standrad sd content recorded on tivo

So I can use my Direct/Tivo as just a Tivo and not use the tuner function?

Is the only difference with the HD tivo and regular Tivo the hard drive size?

Tom

No, the SD tivo will only be able to record SD content. To watch HD stuff you will have to switch over to the HD box.

That's what I thought.

 

[Queasy]

Just call up and tell them that a competitor is offering such and such and that you'd like to stay with them and see what kind of deal that they can offer. The more you spend on DirecTV will get you bigger deals. I spend almost the bare minimum (TotalChoice Plus with two DirecTivos) and got a deal where I was given a $5 discount for one year and only charged $2 for both HBO and Showtime. I also was offered a DVR that I turned down because I didn't have anywhere to put it.

I've heard of people with more expensive plans getting much more. The TivoCommunity forums is another good place to find out about how to negotiate deals.

 

[Pantoot]

Agreed, with the above about checking tivocommunity, it really is a great resource.
If you can haggle it down enough, pick up the HD-tivo, it is worth it.

For example

 

[BDawg]

I called and spoke to "Chris." I told him that I didn't want to have to pay extra for another receiver and wanted to know what my options were. He told me that I would get the first 3 months automatically free, but that's all they could do for me.

I mentioned that with the local cable company, I would be paying approximately the same price I am before adding HD and another receiver, but getting HD and DVR and a box in every room.

He told me to feel free to switch to cable, but I should understand that I would be getting a lower quality of service.

I'd think about bluffing cancelation, but I'm not sure what I'd do if they called my bluff.

 

[Childs]

Anyone have any luck getting them to waive the receiver mirroring fee?

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: BDawg
I called and spoke to "Chris." I told him that I didn't want to have to pay extra for another receiver and wanted to know what my options were. He told me that I would get the first 3 months automatically free, but that's all they could do for me.

I mentioned that with the local cable company, I would be paying approximately the same price I am before adding HD and another receiver, but getting HD and DVR and a box in every room.

He told me to feel free to switch to cable, but I should understand that I would be getting a lower quality of service.

I'd think about bluffing cancelation, but I'm not sure what I'd do if they called my bluff.

You need to call the directv customer retention phone line. They are the only ones that can really cut some nice deals. You can find their number on the tivocommunity forum

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: BDawg
I called and spoke to "Chris." I told him that I didn't want to have to pay extra for another receiver and wanted to know what my options were. He told me that I would get the first 3 months automatically free, but that's all they could do for me.

I mentioned that with the local cable company, I would be paying approximately the same price I am before adding HD and another receiver, but getting HD and DVR and a box in every room.

He told me to feel free to switch to cable, but I should understand that I would be getting a lower quality of service.

I'd think about bluffing cancelation, but I'm not sure what I'd do if they called my bluff.

LOL I know the feeling :shocked:

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: BDawg
I called and spoke to "Chris." I told him that I didn't want to have to pay extra for another receiver and wanted to know what my options were. He told me that I would get the first 3 months automatically free, but that's all they could do for me.

I mentioned that with the local cable company, I would be paying approximately the same price I am before adding HD and another receiver, but getting HD and DVR and a box in every room.

He told me to feel free to switch to cable, but I should understand that I would be getting a lower quality of service.

I'd think about bluffing cancelation, but I'm not sure what I'd do if they called my bluff.

You need to call the directv customer retention phone line. They are the only ones that can really cut some nice deals. You can find their number on the tivocommunity forum

They're the ones I did call... ; ;

I called back and spoke to a lady this time. She was much nicer. I told her what my quandry was and that my biggest problem was having to add a reciver. I couldn't get her to budge on the extra receiver, but I did get,

-$10/month for HBO for 6mo
-$5/month for the HD programming for 6mo
-$5/month for my Total Choice Plus for 12mo

She mentioned the HDDVR, but the best she could offer me was $399. She said that's the price, including the $300 instant rebate. That's still too rich for my blood right now.

I guess the people who are calling and are getting the big deals much have voices much sexier than mine.