View Full Version : Comcast Subscriber Looking To Switch But Don't Want To Pay $199
Looks like all the current D* promos involve an HD-DVR lease that is $299 with a $100 instant rebate. Is D* matching the E* promo of a free HD-DVR? I'm just trying to justify spending $199 for something I'll never own vs. E*'s free box.
I highly doubt DIRECTV will match E*'s current promo. Doesn't hurt to call however. FWIW, I switched from Comcast in April and couldn't be happier.
ScoBuck
11-20-07, 07:52 PM
Generally speaking they are NOT matching the free HD-DVR offer. But if you sign up now, you get $30 a month off the DVR basic package for 12 months - that alone pays you back for the upfront fees. Plus they are giving free movie channels for 90 days. I think its a pretty good deal really.
lifelong
11-20-07, 08:04 PM
I had the same thoughts/hesitation, but then I thought to myself that there's really no point in owning this equipment anyways. Think of the $200 as a startup/installation fee, not the cost of acquiring the equipment.
Heem(JimmyG)
11-20-07, 08:11 PM
I'm trying to justify the same thing. If we switch it will cost us $500, the wife wants two HD DVR but we will save nearly $70/month ( with current offers ) over our cable bill. After a few months we will be money ahead.
tonyd79
11-20-07, 08:17 PM
Call but don't mention the E* offer. Just tell them you have trouble swinging the up front cost and ask (politely) if they can do something to save back the cost. You will probably get an offer of credits. If you don't like the first offer, just say that you have to think about it and try again in a day or so.
Looks like all the current D* promos involve an HD-DVR lease that is $299 with a $100 instant rebate. Is D* matching the E* promo of a free HD-DVR? I'm just trying to justify spending $199 for something I'll never own vs. E*'s free box.Compare the content of the two hd packages and the difference in prices. IMO, D* has a better channel selection at less cost than E*.
Or you can stay with cable and continue to pay a lot more for a lot less HD programming.
joe diamond
11-20-07, 09:42 PM
Guys,
This is new to me. Mostly I meet new customers who have changen to DTV because of a channel list. I mean HBO = HBO. The money is significant but your choice is drive to the local sports bar or get the NFL ticket..........or............get a book from the library or get the THE QUILTING CHANNEL. (English or Amish...no extra activation costs)
Joe
joe diamond
11-20-07, 09:43 PM
Guys,
This is new to me. Mostly I meet new customers who have changen to DTV because of a channel list. I mean HBO = HBO. The money is significant but your choice is drive to the local sports bar or get the NFL ticket..........or............get a book from the library or get the THE QUILTING CHANNEL. (English or Amish...no extra activation costs)
Joe
itguy05
11-20-07, 10:13 PM
Think long term....
Comcast is now up to $13.99 for a DVR (From $9.99 2 years ago) rental. Over 24 months, thats $335.76
Directv is only $5.99 (went up from $4.99 2 years ago). Over 24 months, that's $143.76. Add in the $199 for the box and your total expense is $342.76. In month 25 you come out ahead.
Owning a DVR or any DTV box is pretty pointless. I had a DirecTivo for almost 3 years. It was owned. Sold it on eBay for under $50. There was pretty much no value to "owning" it.
JLucPicard
11-21-07, 12:50 AM
foojay,
The CSRs have very say little now over the acquisition cost of the receivers, but they do have a little more leeway with programming credits. As someone mentioned, you will most likely not find less than the $199 cost up front, but they may give programming credits that can make that up over time.
Where I work we just had an officer move into a new place and get set up with Comcast. Installation (granted, cable, phone, internet) was about $300, plus first month. If you think of that initial investment with DirecTV as an "install" cost, it may not hurt as much (or maybe not :)).
A side note, that same officer came into my office today fuming about finding out that the $123 a month for their bundled service was going to be $158 after 6 months - he was NOT happy! And a funny thing (to me anyway) was that the officer who had just moved out of that place had the Qwest/DirecTV bundle! He should have talked to me first - lol :D
I have to agree with ITGuy05. I've been through a lot of different receivers with D* (I only missed the first Dolby Digital ones) and it's not worth owning them. They only go down in value the longer you keep them. And if you decide not to keep the service they are no good to you.
And the 199 is a lot easier to swallow then $1000.00 that was being charged for the HD-Tivo when it was released.
Think long term....
Comcast is now up to $13.99 for a DVR (From $9.99 2 years ago) rental. Over 24 months, thats $335.76
Directv is only $5.99 (went up from $4.99 2 years ago)...And that's for the DVR service, regardless of how many DVRs you have. Additional D* receivers or DVRs are only $4.99/mo each, compared to $13.99 for scumcost.
As itguy said, look at the long term cost. That's what you're really paying.
itguy05
11-21-07, 08:41 AM
And the 199 is a lot easier to swallow then $1000.00 that was being charged for the HD-Tivo when it was released.
Yup. That's what drove me to Comcast when we got our new HDTV in '05. Called DTV and asked about upgrading to HD. Was quoted $499 for the HD-Tivo. No thanks, not for no locals, a few channels, etc. Called up Comcast and the prices were more expensive, bit still within $10 and no equipment costs. When I called DTV to cancel, the price went to $399. No go.
Well, now after 3 rate increases with Comcast (2 this year alone), we're back at DTV. The $199 initial fee was a little steep, but when you do the math, it's not so bad at all. And the price is ~$10 cheaper per month (almost $20 in the first year).
I have to agree with ITGuy05. I've been through a lot of different receivers with D*... and it's not worth owning them...Owning is especially not worth it if a box is defective, because you're on your own. If you lease, they replace the receivers or DVRs at no cost (they have replaced 3 def leased receivers I've had, @ no charge).
Upstream
11-21-07, 09:07 AM
Ignore the own versus lease issue. For most people the box has essentially no value after you stop using it whether you own or lease, so it doesn't really matter if you have to return it or throw it out.
Also, don't get to worried about the cost of equipment. The equipment is just a means to receive the service. You pay for the service through a mixture of monthly fees and upfront fees. It is the total cost of the service which really matters.
So to compare the cost of DTV to Dish or your cable company, you need to determine your total cost. I recommend looking at the cost for each provider for a 2 year and a 3 year period. There is not much value in looking beyond 3 years because by then pricing will have changed, and technology will have changed.
To compare total pricing:
Add all the up-front fees.
Then add up the monthly fees you will pay over then next 2 years (24 months) and 3 years (36 months). If you know about future rate increases include them. Also, make sure to account for discounts which will go away in the future.
Now add the total up-front fees to the total monthly fees for 2 years and 3 years. (If you want to get complicated, you can include the time-value of the upfront fees over 2 and 3 years.) You now have the total cost of service for 2 years and 3 years for each service provider.
JLucPicard
11-21-07, 09:42 AM
I'm going to start off by saying that if the up-front cost is too much to handle, then people should certainly explore their other options. I wouldn't blame anybody for doing so.
That being said, if you look back before March 1, 2006, DirecTV's business model still required an up-front cost to acquire equipment - and if my memory serves me, those costs were a lot higher than what they are now. And then, as is still the case now, the only equipment costs were the up-front costs. There is not now, nor was there then, a month-to-month equipment charge. People that say they are paying up-front costs for the "right to pay a monthly lease fee" are surely mistaken.
That leaves the ownership issue. I am one of those that pretty much uses their equipment to the point that there is little to no second-market value in it, and if I were to cancel service it would just be a doorstop anyway. So own or lease doesn't really matter to me.
People need to do what's right for them, but I think the balking at up-front costs just because it's a "lease" should really not be a hinderance.
Just one man's opinion.
bonscott87
11-21-07, 11:38 AM
A neighbor of a friend of mine went thru this same thing a few months ago. He said he refused to pay for the HD DVR so went with Dish and the free one despite everyone telling him to get DirecTV. He's been upset with his decision to go with Dish because his #1 thing is sports and Dish doesn't have nearly the amount of HD sports as DirecTV does. Now he waiting to get out of his 18 month commitment to Dish to switch to DirecTV. We warned him but he wouldn't listen. :D
In any case, make the choice based on the programming you want. I wouldn't make the choice based on up front costs unless money is really tight for you.
Thaedron
11-21-07, 03:10 PM
Owning is especially not worth it if a box is defective, because you're on your own. If you lease, they replace the receivers or DVRs at no cost (they have replaced 3 def leased receivers I've had, @ no charge).
That's the general assumption, however if you read the fine print just because you are leasing, doesn't guarantee you get a replacement unit at no cost. Some report a ~$20 shipping charge if you don't have the protection plan. Technically the warranty on the HD DVRs is only 90 days. Getting a "replacement" unit also may subject you to re-upping your 2 year commitment.
That's the general assumption, however if you read the fine print just because you are leasing, doesn't guarantee you get a replacement unit at no cost...True. I was just stating my personal experience w/ leasing vs owning. Replacement boxes so far, for me, have been free. And my commitment was not restarted.
warriorking
11-21-07, 03:21 PM
:D I would mention the Dish free DVD offer with the D" rep and see what they offer to get you onboard, if you feel you are not getting anywhere hang up and try again later , you may find the next CSR more receptive, each one will be different, so be patient....then take the best deal....
jwebb1970
11-21-07, 04:35 PM
Yup. That's what drove me to Comcast when we got our new HDTV in '05. Called DTV and asked about upgrading to HD. Was quoted $499 for the HD-Tivo. No thanks, not for no locals, a few channels, etc. Called up Comcast and the prices were more expensive, bit still within $10 and no equipment costs. When I called DTV to cancel, the price went to $399. No go.
Well, now after 3 rate increases with Comcast (2 this year alone), we're back at DTV. The $199 initial fee was a little steep, but when you do the math, it's not so bad at all. And the price is ~$10 cheaper per month (almost $20 in the first year).
My experience exactly (almost).
Many yrs w/ E*. Got 1st HDTV in 2001. By 2003, we wished to finally add HD (finally some programming out there!) Very limited HD + way too pricey box from E* was a no-go. Went w/ Comcast (no upfront cost - locals in HD). Left cable for a bit & went to VOOM until they passed on. Then back to Comcast for 3+ yrs.
After the rate increases, the lack of any new HD anytime soon (as opposed to Sept/Oct's D* HD flood) and the "cheaper" $199 DVR cost----well, I don't miss cable.
Well...maybe OnDemand that didn't involve the internet/has instant access to pogramming....but, that's really it. Otherwise lovin' the D*.
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