Cost of upgrading to a HR20

[SledDog]

I currently have a H20. I was checking the cost of upgrading to a HR20 DirecTV site. It shows the cost as $99.00. One of the options on the upgrade paage is to enter an "offer code".

Does anyone know of a current offer code to reduce this price?

[Stuart Sweet]

That message is probably there all the time. I don't know of any active "codes."

$99 is a pretty good price.

[Stuart Sweet]

I'm moving this to the General forum for more discussion.

[kentuck1163]

Boy, I just went and checked my upgrade cost. Still says $299.00! Well, my two year commitment is up in April. So, I wonder if this will make them budge a bit.

[JLucPicard]

The last "offer code" I had heard about was DVR4U2 and is no longer offered (it was a deal on an SD DVR). No other offer codes have been mentioned since then.

If you can get the HR20/21 for $99, I don't think you're going to do any better.

[kentuck1163]

I believe the "upgrade" cost for a current non-DVR HD subscriber should automatically reflect a lower cost - as the subscriber already has an HD antenna and that would not be required in the installation of an HD-DVR.

[Villager]

I believe the "upgrade" cost for a current non-DVR HD subscriber should automatically reflect a lower cost - as the subscriber already has an HD antenna and that would not be required in the installation of an HD-DVR.

They would have to install the second dish to receiver cable for the two tuners in the HR20/21. A service call is still necessary.

[JLucPicard]

I believe the "upgrade" cost for a current non-DVR HD subscriber should automatically reflect a lower cost - as the subscriber already has an HD antenna and that would not be required in the installation of an HD-DVR.
I really don't think DirecTV factors any need or no-need for a service/installation call into the pricing for their receivers in terms of any deals they offer.

[kentuck1163]

They would have to install the second dish to receiver cable for the two tuners in the HR20/21. A service call is still necessary.

A service call, yes, but not a new antenna. Since an antenna upgrade can be a very time consuming part of the service visit, plus the cost of the new antenna itself - I think this should be figured in.

[garydhunter]

OK, I have heard several answers to this, but what is the actual HD resolution comming down from D* on HD channels? I heard a guy at Best Buy say it is only being transmitted at 720P so buying a 1080i pr 1080P is a waste of money? On my HR20-100 I have the resolution set to 1080i and my projector says I am getting 1080i to ii so is the Best Buy guy wrong?:confused:

[Upstream]

I currently have a H20. I was checking the cost of upgrading to a HR20 DirecTV site. It shows the cost as $99.00.

Boy, I just went and checked my upgrade cost. Still says $299.00! Well, my two year commitment is up in April. So, I wonder if this will make them budge a bit.


I think this is one of the things that really pisses off a lot of DirecTV customers. Two different customers will get two very different prices for the same product. There is seemingly no rationale or explanation of the difference. The customer with the higher price has to guess at what he needs to do to get the lower price.

I don't understand why DirecTV can't just publish a price list and stick to it. I have no problems with them offering discounts, but at least make it clear what you need to do to get the discount. (Like my cell phone company tells me that I am eligible for different discounts if I subscribe to different calling plans, and I am eligible for a new discount so many months after I earned my last discount.)

DirecTV's arbitrary discount structure seems punitive to a lot of customers.

[Bill Broderick]

OK, I have heard several answers to this, but what is the actual HD resolution comming down from D* on HD channels? I heard a guy at Best Buy say it is only being transmitted at 720P so buying a 1080i pr 1080P is a waste of money? On my HR20-100 I have the resolution set to 1080i and my projector says I am getting 1080i to ii so is the Best Buy guy wrong?:confused:

The Best Buy guy is wrong. DirecTV sends whatever resolution the original signal is transmitted in. That means for ABC, Fox, ESPN and a few others, they transmit 720p. For CBS, NBC, HBO and most others, they transmit 1080i. A 1080p TV will upconvert both 1080i & 720p to 1080p.

Nobody transmits in 1080p. 1080p signals are only currently being used by Blu-ray & HD DVD.

[Milominderbinder2]

OK, I have heard several answers to this, but what is the actual HD resolution comming down from D* on HD channels? I heard a guy at Best Buy say it is only being transmitted at 720P so buying a 1080i pr 1080P is a waste of money? On my HR20-100 I have the resolution set to 1080i and my projector says I am getting 1080i to ii so is the Best Buy guy wrong?:confused:You probably have more knowledge and better resources than that guy at Best Buy.

I think most of the time those answers come from ignorance, not malice. There seems to be plenty of ignorance to go around.

Here is the truth:

From the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199):

What new HD channels are coming to DIRECTV™?
→ HD Channels (with resolution info) (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1191378#post1191378) ● AVSForum Listing (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=908393)

It is 1080p that you can only get so far from an HD DVR or BluRay DVD player.

- Craig

[Milominderbinder2]

...I don't understand why DirecTV can't just publish a price list and stick to it...DirecTV's arbitrary discount structure seems punitive to a lot of customers.Upstream,

DIRECTV has a published price for the HD DVR+ and their other receivers. They also have published prices for each programming package.

What will vary is the discounts they will offer.

Credit card, home loan, car loan, and insurance rates are different for every person. All of these industries have found that by using credit scoring they can very accurately model who will pay on time and who will stay with them.

Twin sisters living in identical homes with the same cars and driving record will have different auto rates.

For all of these industries, consumer modeling is working very well. Retention rates are up. Expenses are going down.

If those twins call for rates from their phone company, ISP, cable company, long distance carrier, or DIRECTV, their quotes will be very different. I don't think any run a credit check, just get your credit score.

The opportunity is that for all of these industries if you know what to say, you can get better pricing.

Rates and discounts for all of these industries vary widely by area as well. A person may get a quote from Comcast that is half what he would pay in another market.

For DIRECTV, they also have about 100,000 HR10's that will be replaced over the coming months. The first focus is the LA locals as they are already moving to MPEG4. At the same time, NASCAR HotPass HD has to upgrade because this season will only be MPEG4. Next up is MLB EI by April then NFL ST by August. Also the 72.5 lease is coming up and all of those locals must be moved to MPEG4 this year.

But this flexibility has given us huge opportunities. From last April through September, I could not count how many people got free HR20's if they knew what to do.

A person who has basic negotiating skills can often do much better than the published prices with all of these providers.

Starting last April, we began compiling tips from literally hundreds of success stories, and failures, with DIRECTV.

From the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199):
→ Ordering Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=839938#post839938)

- Craig

[Upstream]

C'mon Milo. You know as well as I do, that DirecTV's discount structure is secretive, confusing, arbitrary and inconsistent. (In fact, you've said (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1364047&postcount=7)that you consider their inconsistency in deals an advantage.) While DirecTV may use some sort of scoring to determine how offers are allocated, customers have no clue what factors are used in the score or what they need to do to get a different deal.

You can play CSR Roulette with DirecTV and get different offers. I can't play CSR Roulette with my auto insurance company and get different rates. But I can see how my rate will change if I vary different factors. And with my insurance company, if they quote me a rate, I can call back tomorrow and get the same rate. With DirecTV, you never know what you will be told if you call back.

[Milominderbinder2]

...The opportunity is that for all of these industries if you know what to say, you can get better pricing...C'mon Milo. You know as well as I do, that DirecTV's discount structure is secretive, confusing, arbitrary and inconsistent. (In fact, you've said (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1364047&postcount=7)that you consider their inconsistency in deals an advantage.)...Upstream,

I just said exactly that in the post you are responding to.

As to the insurance quotes, try this. Go online to the insurance company's website and you will get the same quote over and over.

Pick a company with a number of agents in your area. Call 5 of them.

None of those quotes will match each other or the website.

You will find exactly the same results when you call for phone rates versus go online to the phone company's website.

Sign up for a credit card online and you will pay the base rate. Call a CSR and you will always do better.

Go to a car dealers website and check out the prices. Call them and they will find a way to beat the internet price. Call the dealer tomorrow and you will get a different salesman and a different price.

The CSR quotes never match the website quotes for DIRECTV, insurance companies, Comcast, phone companies, credit cards, mortgages, cars, or anything else.

Upstream, that is an opportunity, just like I said two posts ago.

When you call back to renegotiate your bills at least once a year for phone, long distance, DIRECTV, ISP, credit cards, etc., don't you save hundreds or even thousands a year?

- Craig

[rborden]

C'mon Milo. You know as well as I do, that DirecTV's discount structure is secretive, confusing, arbitrary and inconsistent. (In fact, you've said (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1364047&postcount=7)that you consider their inconsistency in deals an advantage.) While DirecTV may use some sort of scoring to determine how offers are allocated, customers have no clue what factors are used in the score or what they need to do to get a different deal.

You can play CSR Roulette with DirecTV and get different offers. I can't play CSR Roulette with my auto insurance company and get different rates. But I can see how my rate will change if I vary different factors. And with my insurance company, if they quote me a rate, I can call back tomorrow and get the same rate. With DirecTV, you never know what you will be told if you call back.


this happens because each deptartment (billing,tech,crg) has different offers and limits on how much credit they can give, and each agent has a weekly amount they cannot exceed. your account history determines the general offers you can get but alot of things are left soley to the discretion of the csr. their decision is usually based prev. offers you may have gotten, how much credit they have left to give, and mostly your attitude when you call. hope this explains some of the confusion

[shocky]

$299 for me.. Boy I sure was hoping for $99.. It would have been ordered in a heartbeat.

[Upstream]

Milo --

I guess what you see as an opportunity, I see as a cause of poor satisfaction.

DirecTV is not the only company which acts this way. But I am pretty dissatisfied with other companies which do the same thing, and I try to avoid doing business with them.

And just because some other companies do the same thing, that does not change my original premise that "DirecTV's arbitrary discount structure seems punitive to a lot of customers."


(By the way, my car insurance, phone, ISP, and cell phone companies do not negotiate rates like used car salemen. And while they offer discounts, such as a discount for signing up on-line, those discounts are clear and consistent.)

[Upstream]

this happens because each deptartment (billing,tech,crg) has different offers and limits on how much credit they can give, and each agent has a weekly amount they cannot exceed. your account history determines the general offers you can get but alot of things are left soley to the discretion of the csr. their decision is usually based prev. offers you may have gotten, how much credit they have left to give, and mostly your attitude when you call. hope this explains some of the confusion

That certainly explains CSR Roulette, where you call one CSR who has little credit left to give, and get a poor deal, then you call 5 minutes later and get a good deal from another CSR with lots of credit left to give.

[jimb726]

Milo --

I guess what you see as an opportunity, I see as a cause of poor satisfaction.

DirecTV is not the only company which acts this way. But I am pretty dissatisfied with other companies which do the same thing, and I try to avoid doing business with them.

And just because some other companies do the same thing, that does not change my original premise that "DirecTV's arbitrary discount structure seems punitive to a lot of customers."


(By the way, my car insurance, phone, ISP, and cell phone companies do not negotiate rates like used car salemen. And while they offer discounts, such as a discount for signing up on-line, those discounts are clear and consistent.)

I think the main reason this gets people so upset is the fact that for some reason it has become acceptible to brag about the deal you got. Honestly, have you ever had your neighbor lean over the fence and tell you the plan he got from his cell company, or the way he was able to negotiate a lower rate on his credit card? When that thread was started a year ago, it was helpful in compiling Milo's tips sheet, then it became an avenue for people to start complaining that they didnt get as good a deal as the other guy, even though there are a variety of factors, sometimes ones you cant control like CSR limits, etc. The bottom line is if you are comfortable with the deal you get, make it. But then don't complain (not saying you, but in general) when you hear of a better deal gotten by the next guy. Also lost in the whole ordeal is the fact that when the box was released, the only way to get them out in the field was to give them away due to stability issues. Now that things have come a long way, it is much more difficult to get the great deals, although they are still out there. Just my opinion though.

[SledDog]

Wow weee...

I did not think this thread would have this many responses. I had no intent to "brag" about the cost. I was hoping to see if anyone had a discount code...

Anyway, looks like I'm going to do the purchase. When the original install was done, the installer was kind enough to run the extra RG-6 cable I need for the dual tuner on the DVR. Even if he didn't, running the cable to the dish (slimline) it's not big deal. I have a spool of the correct RG-6 and all the hardware to do it...

So, all I need is the DVR. I did not select "need installation". That may increase the price...

Thanks to all that have replied...

But don't let that stop the discussion.

[VaJim]

$299 for me.. Boy I sure was hoping for $99.. It would have been ordered in a heartbeat.

...so how did you find out what it would cost to upgrade? Do you call or place and order online and not actually 'submit' the order?:confused:

[shocky]

...so how did you find out what it would cost to upgrade? Do you call or place and order online and not actually 'submit' the order?:confused:

Order online and not submit the order. I refused to play CSR roulette. Playing roulette with a real bullet and real gun is less stressful than dealing with D* customer service.

I'll keep my HR21 and R15 until they offer a hassle-free upgrade option for the R15.

[jimb726]

Order online and not submit the order. I refused to play CSR roulette. Playing roulette with a real bullet and real gun is less stressful than dealing with D* customer service.

I'll keep my HR21 and R15 until they offer a hassle-free upgrade option for the R15.
Unfortunately I think you will be waiting a long time. I am in the same boat sorta, I already have 2 hr20 recievers from last year. I now have a SDTivo and over the holiday I got another HDTV, so I have been calling about once every couple of days just to see if they are going to offer any type of upgrade to go from SD the the HR2X series. So far no luck, but I can wait, this TV is in the basement.

[JLucPicard]

If DirecTV was getting into a position of having to turn off their SD feeds and going strictly HD, I could see the possible need for some kind of SD to HD upgrade program - similar to what is being done with regard to updating MPEG2 HD equipment to MPEG4 HD equipment since their HD delivery system is changing.

However, from the standpoint of what it would ultimately mean to me on my bill to, in part, subsidize an SD to HD upgrade program (because the costs of doing so would show up on all our bills at some point in some manner), I would really rather not see DirecTV do something like this. They are pretty much forced to do this with the MPEG2 to MPEG4 situation due to the change in technology. I don't think it's incumbent on DirecTV to do this in situations where someone is just choosing to upgrade their own personal systems from SD to HD.

[jimb726]

If DirecTV was getting into a position of having to turn off their SD feeds and going strictly HD, I could see the possible need for some kind of SD to HD upgrade program - similar to what is being done with regard to updating MPEG2 HD equipment to MPEG4 HD equipment since their HD delivery system is changing.

However, from the standpoint of what it would ultimately mean to me on my bill to, in part, subsidize an SD to HD upgrade program (because the costs of doing so would show up on all our bills at some point in some manner), I would really rather not see DirecTV do something like this. They are pretty much forced to do this with the MPEG2 to MPEG4 situation due to the change in technology. I don't think it's incumbent on DirecTV to do this in situations where someone is just choosing to upgrade their own personal systems from SD to HD.

I agree, I just wanted to check with them to see. I dont want it free, but if I could get something off, I would gladly swap them out.

[kentuck1163]

I sent them an e-mail about how I was "miffed" at having to pay $299 to upgrade from an H20 to an HR20/21. I explained my two year commitment is up in March and that I use auto-pay and have subscribed to NFL Sunday Ticket/Superfan both years I have been with them. I also mentioned I already have a HD antenna and all would be required to set me up is the install of a switch and an additional 15-ft run of cable from the antenna to the receiver. I explained my brother was a DISH subscriber and was very happy and that DISH is offering a heck of a switch offer.

In return I got an e-mail with a special 800-number and a a 4-digit "pin" to use to connect to check what offer I could get.

I called the number, spoke with a representative, and after all that, the best she could offer was $199 for the upgrade. I asked her if that was the best she could do, and she said "yes sir, the normal cost is $299." I quickly declined and got off the phone.

If they had offered $99.00 - which is SOMEWHAT reasonable (although not really when you consider they are going to be charging me an extra DVR fee every month I have the unit, and the fact these units cost probably $40 each to manufacture) I would have taken it. Thats my line in the sand - $99.00 - and I refuse to cross over it.

[howdy29]

One of my SD Tivos quit on me and other than busting out an older and getting a new card I thought I would check on deals for HR20/21. I had 2 already and went via e-mails to get deals on them ($99 - $120 credits for first & $0 for second due to switching out HR10). The person I spoke with wouldn't go below $199 either. I declined and called back when we got back from our after-Christmas trip. I did the "cancel" at prompt to get to someone who could make a deal. After some time she said she could only give $199. I asked if there were any credits she could offer and she said since I have a couple of months left of credits from my first deal she couldn't, but she could do $99+s/h. I took that deal. Not sure why she didn't offer it at the beginning, but with a little prodding I got the best deal I was going to get.

So from my experience I would nicely ask for credits or other things they might be able to offset the cost. You might get credits or a magical price reduction. :grin:

[bobbyv]

I'm hoping to upgrade at some point myself . . . although $99 would be great, $199 isn't that bad I don't guess.

[paulman182]

I sent them an e-mail about how I was "miffed" at having to pay $299 to upgrade from an H20 to an HR20/21. I explained my two year commitment is up in March and that I use auto-pay and have subscribed to NFL Sunday Ticket/Superfan both years I have been with them. I also mentioned I already have a HD antenna and all would be required to set me up is the install of a switch and an additional 15-ft run of cable from the antenna to the receiver. I explained my brother was a DISH subscriber and was very happy and that DISH is offering a heck of a switch offer.
In return I got an e-mail with a special 800-number and a a 4-digit "pin" to use to connect to check what offer I could get.
I called the number, spoke with a representative, and after all that, the best she could offer was $199 for the upgrade. I asked her if that was the best she could do, and she said "yes sir, the normal cost is $299." I quickly declined and got off the phone.
If they had offered $99.00 - which is SOMEWHAT reasonable (although not really when you consider they are going to be charging me an extra DVR fee every month I have the unit, and the fact these units cost probably $40 each to manufacture) I would have taken it. Thats my line in the sand - $99.00 - and I refuse to cross over it.

I got two HR20s for a total of $19.95 during my first 12 months as a customer, so I am speaking from experience.

Your problem may be attitude. You should not be "miffed," you should be "concerned about the cost" considering that you will "soon be renewing" Sunday Ticket and Superfan. You don't want "the best she can offer," you want her to "help me afford it."

She does not care that you do not need an antenna, that is not her worry. She does care that you and your family love DirecTV and have always gotten good service, much better than what you see others get from Dish Network, and how you always throw away their mailings. Doesn't that sound more persuasive than a threat?

They know that you pay on time and what you have spent in the past. What they don't know is that you need their "help."

Get it? I'm not saying you were rude, but I don't think you were as nice as you could have been. There could be some other reason you are not eligible for deep discounts, but do everything you can to make sure it's not your own fault you don't get them.