Eligible: HD Equip Swap $0.00 Charge

[cforrest]

Has any MLB Extra Innings sub or Nascar Hotpass sub received this?

01/03/2008 XXXXXXXX2602 Eligible: HD Equipment Swap - Charge $0.00 $0.00

Just saw this in my recent activity. I assume it means I can get the HR10-250 I have swapped out for HR20/21, hopefully for free. Otherwise I will wait until it is free :)

[Drew2k]

There's a thread somewhere about the Nascar offer. I haven't heard about the MLB offer, but it doesn't surprise me that it's on the table.

[Car1181]

I see the same entry on the same date in my recent activity. I subscribe to MLB Extra Innings but not Nascar.

[cforrest]

Drew, I saw the Nascar thread (programming & services section), but I recall Satelliteracer saying MLB EI subs would get the swap as well. I am only a MLB EI sub, so curious if others have gotten this yet.

[Earl Bonovich]

You will be hearing a more about the MLB swap out soon.

[EricRobins]

You will be hearing a more about the MLB swap out soon.


Any chance this swap out will coincide w/ release of the SWM? Wishful thinking, huh?

Or should I just wait for SOON?

[Mavrick]

Yes got my swap out on Friday Jan 4th and now have an HR21 in place of my HR10 and got to keep the HR10. Directv even called me about doing the the swap so I did not have to call them.

[Mike Huss]

This isn't guaranteeing you can get it done for free, but in the last six months or so I've had two friends swap out HR10's for HR20/21's for free. D* was more than happy to send them the HR20/21, and since they had both bought their HR10-250's outright they got to keep them.

[Satelliteracer]

This isn't guaranteeing you can get it done for free, but in the last six months or so I've had two friends swap out HR10's for HR20/21's for free. D* was more than happy to send them the HR20/21, and since they had both bought their HR10-250's outright they got to keep them.


MLB customers will begin to be contacted this Wednesday and if you have that designation on your account, you are eligible for the free swap. Customers will be contacted via phone and/or email....assuming you are in good standing.

When you are contacted, I'd highly encourage you to call the special number given to you and place your installation order quickly so you will receive a timely installation appointment as there maybe a good number of swap outs in your area.

[rrrick8]

Yes got my swap out on Friday Jan 4th and now have an HR21 in place of my HR10 and got to keep the HR10. Directv even called me about doing the the swap so I did not have to call them.

Did they just send you the box or did they have to come out and install?

[awoehler]

I don't subscribe to either. I called and asked for my free swap and got it. They are swamped right now with the free swaps, so you will see the price of the new equipment on your bill, and they say they will reverse the charges in 3-7 business days, but I'm coming up on my 2nd billing cycle still with the "free" swap charges. They say it should be gone in a few more days.

So, if you do the "Free" swap, and you are on auto-pay, you will want to deactivate your auto-pay until they charge is reversed.

[Mavrick]

Did they just send you the box or did they have to come out and install?

They had to come out and do the install would not just send the box.

[Hdhead]

Got the free swap and the rep would not let me off the phone until he verified the credit was issued for the equipment. I verified it on their website. Says "HD legacy equipment swap $99 credit."

[TomF]

In October I called DirecTV about getting another HR2x for the new HDTV plasma I got for the bedroom. Their offer: "absolutely free". No upfront charge with credits, just a $0.00 amount on my bill. I've had an HR10-250 for several years now and it's still activated, but it never came up in the conversation. Bottom line: new HR20-100, still have the HR10-250, $0.00 on my statement. Been a DirecTV customer since '96.

[jtcrusader]

If we get one of these upgrades...from a non-HD to an HD...and if we already have ONE HD receiver...will a Tech have to come by to drop another wire from the dish (I do NOT have the SWM)...or will the new HD receiver simply plug in to the existing cable.

[Hdhead]

If we get one of these upgrades...from a non-HD to an HD...and if we already have ONE HD receiver...will a Tech have to come by to drop another wire from the dish (I do NOT have the SWM)...or will the new HD receiver simply plug in to the existing cable.


For some reason, that I still don't understand, they need to send a tech for all HD equipment even if it is a matter of just swapping and plugging in. You'd think they would let us do it ourselves and would save D* the cost to pay the tech.

[JAYPB]

As an MLB EI sub I too received the call yesterday. Interestingly, I had just upgraded one 10-250 to an HR21 last month---and THEN received a call right after that stating that I was eligible for "new HD equipment" to receive the new HD channels. I had originally agreed to a $99 upgrade (after $100 credit for the receiver and $100 in programming credits) but decided to call to see if they would honor their "free equipment" upgrade call I had received. The rep said that the free HD upgrade was only for the dish---which I had installed in May of 07 for free---so I didn't push the issue. I was ok paying $99 to upgrade to another new HR2X...as the first one I had upgraded to was for 0.00 in May of 07 (with the dish).

Now my question: I still have 3 10-250's on my account....does this "free upgrade" apply to the rest of my 10-250's---all 3 of them? I obviously don't want to swap out my remaining 10-250's as: I own them---and they still have 100's of hours of HD programming on them.

So--has anyone upgraded multiple receivers via this MLB upgrade (or the Nascar one) for free---AND without having to swap their 10-250's? I'm well aware that most if not all installers don't take your 10-250 with you---but both times I did my upgrades/installs of the HR20/21, the rep *asked* to take it with him---but I instructed my wife to tell him that they were staying...but now the fact that I *may* have the opportunity to upgrade my remaining 3 at once for *no cost* does intrigue me.....

I will need a new MS, as the one they put in back in May of 07 was only a 6x8--and I will need a 6x12 to run all 6 of the HR2X's I will have installed.

I know I can play the CSR roulette wheel by calling...but I'm honestly tired of it....as I went through it last month when I upgraded to the HR21.

[Car1181]

I just called for my free upgrade and the CSR checked my account and said that since I have the correct dish he would just ship the receiver. When he tried to type that in the order he said they would not allow that and a tech would have to come to the house. He said too many people have had trouble setting up the HD equipment so they always send a tech now if HD is involved. Seems like a waste of time and money to me but that was his story.

[Car1181]

As an MLB EI sub I too received the call yesterday. Interestingly, I had just upgraded one 10-250 to an HR21 last month---and THEN received a call right after that stating that I was eligible for "new HD equipment" to receive the new HD channels. I had originally agreed to a $99 upgrade (after $100 credit for the receiver and $100 in programming credits) but decided to call to see if they would honor their "free equipment" upgrade call I had received. The rep said that the free HD upgrade was only for the dish---which I had installed in May of 07 for free---so I didn't push the issue. I was ok paying $99 to upgrade to another new HR2X...as the first one I had upgraded to was for 0.00 in May of 07 (with the dish).

Now my question: I still have 3 10-250's on my account....does this "free upgrade" apply to the rest of my 10-250's---all 3 of them? I obviously don't want to swap out my remaining 10-250's as: I own them---and they still have 100's of hours of HD programming on them.

So--has anyone upgraded multiple receivers via this MLB upgrade (or the Nascar one) for free---AND without having to swap their 10-250's? I'm well aware that most if not all installers don't take your 10-250 with you---but both times I did my upgrades/installs of the HR20/21, the rep *asked* to take it with him---but I instructed my wife to tell him that they were staying...but now the fact that I *may* have the opportunity to upgrade my remaining 3 at once for *no cost* does intrigue me.....

I will need a new MS, as the one they put in back in May of 07 was only a 6x8--and I will need a 6x12 to run all 6 of the HR2X's I will have installed.

I know I can play the CSR roulette wheel by calling...but I'm honestly tired of it....as I went through it last month when I upgraded to the HR21.

As far as the "swap", I was told that I will be keeping the HR10-250.

[diggerg56]

I just called for my free upgrade and the CSR checked my account and said that since I have the correct dish he would just ship the receiver. When he tried to type that in the order he said they would not allow that and a tech would have to come to the house. He said too many people have had trouble setting up the HD equipment so they always send a tech now if HD is involved. Seems like a waste of time and money to me but that was his story.

That's odd since you can go to the equipment order page and select that you will install it yourself on regular equipment orders now as long as you already have a Slimline. Maybe because of the BBC's?

[BattleZone]

DirecTV doesn't want to lose or anger their HD customers, who spend the most money with DirecTV, so they are motivated to replace those expensive MPEG2 HD receivers with MPEG4 receivers before they are affected by the move of the premium sports packages to the MPEG4 sats. Thus the free upgrades.

[cforrest]

I received the phone call yesterday with a number to call to get the upgrade. Left it on my answering machine for now, will call eventually.

[JLucPicard]

I received the phone call yesterday with a number to call to get the upgrade. Left it on my answering machine for now, will call eventually.
That offer MAY have an expiration date (months from now probably anyway?), but I wouldn't wait too awfully long. :)

[bluemoose]

I already had new HR20/21s installed back in December. I remember paying DTV
about $199 for two HR21s. They let me keep the two old HR10-250 Tivo HD DVRs
I currently have these active HD DVRs: one HR20, two HR21s, and two HR10s

I was kind of surprised when this line suddenly appeared on my account on Friday, 2/15:

"02/15/2008XXXXXXXX2537 Eligible: HD Equipment Swap - Charge $0.00 $0.00"

What does this mean? What else is there to swap out? Perhaps DTV's system
still sees the two active HR10-250s and won't stop trying until they are gone?

Any advice appreciated! :)

[paragon]

This line just showed up on my account on 2/15 also. Does anybody know whether the free upgrade triggers a new 2-year commitment?

Also, what's the proper department to call in to speak to? I haven't gotten a phone call yet, just noticed the line on my account.

Thanks.

[DishCSR]

This line just showed up on my account on 2/15 also. Does anybody know whether the free upgrade triggers a new 2-year commitment?

Also, what's the proper department to call in to speak to? I haven't gotten a phone call yet, just noticed the line on my account.

Thanks.


if you do it as a "swap" it does not come with a committment, however the tech is supposed to take the mpeg2 recvr, even if you own that recvr,,,if you do it as an "upgrade", it will come with a 2 yr comm, and it will cost for the recvr, you get to keep the old recvr.. make sure the rep sets it up as a 'swap" ,,some csrs don't look for the "swap" offer and automatically do the upgrade..sadly some csrs don't know the difference.

The best number to call is customer installation support,(cis),,1-888-355-7530

[dtrell]

if you do it as a "swap" it does not come with a committment, however the tech is supposed to take the mpeg2 recvr, even if you own that recvr,,,if you do it as an "upgrade", it will come with a 2 yr comm, and it will cost for the recvr, you get to keep the old recvr.. make sure the rep sets it up as a 'swap" ,,some csrs don't look for the "swap" offer and automatically do the upgrade..sadly some csrs don't know the difference.

The best number to call is customer installation support,(cis),,1-888-355-7530

from what i understand, the ONLY things that do not trigger a new committment are replacing an existing leased receiver with a replacement leased receiver. i thought that even with the "swaps" you were still tied in for 2 years because it is brand new "advanced" equipment.....

[OverThereTooMuch]

I hate to ask a stupid question, but I've never let that stop me before...

In what section of your online statement do you see this reference?

[Pink Fairy]

Probably services

[paragon]

To dtrell.... I just called to get my upgrade and I was told there was no commitment extension.

I hate to ask a stupid question, but I've never let that stop me before...

In what section of your online statement do you see this reference?

On "Activity Since Your Last Bill" on the main account page.

[OverThereTooMuch]

On "Activity Since Your Last Bill" on the main account page.Thanks. Nothing for me yet though. Darn!

[obxterra]

Strange! Most of you indicate that you are allowed to keep your HR10-250's, while I'm currently in dispute with D* over one I returned in January.

I purchased an HR20 by retail from Solid Signal and deactivated the HR10. I packaged and returned the unit the same day I received the recovery kit. But was charged $470 because they have no record of receiving it. Since there had been a billing cycle with no problem I must have disposed of the FedEx receipt. All they can provide me with is confirmation of a pickup order for that day.

Lesson learned: keep FedEx receipts and track until confirmation of delivery and document the tracking number. Found out the hard way that if you don't know the tracking number, FedEx will not provide it nor confirm delivery.

[fredandbetty]

Strange! Most of you indicate that you are allowed to keep your HR10-250's, while I'm currently in dispute with D* over one I returned in January.

I purchased an HR20 by retail from Solid Signal and deactivated the HR10. I packaged and returned the unit the same day I received the recovery kit. But was charged $470 because they have no record of receiving it. Since there had been a billing cycle with no problem I must have disposed of the FedEx receipt. All they can provide me with is confirmation of a pickup order for that day.

Lesson learned: keep FedEx receipts and track until confirmation of delivery and document the tracking number. Found out the hard way that if you don't know the tracking number, FedEx will not provide it nor confirm delivery.


Not sure if it will help you or not, but IF you shipped it at a Kinko's, they may be able to go into the system and get you a duplicate reciept since they always give you one when you ship stuff there....

[f300v10]

Did I just get screwed? I had an HR10-250 that was in use until I called D* and had it turned off on 2/17. This morning, I went to check my account status and verify that it was de-activated, and I see an entry for Eligible: HD Equipment Swap on my account that was posted on 2/15.

When I called to de-activate the HR10-250, I told the CSR that I was turning it off because it did not receive the new HD channels. She offered nothing to indicate that I was eligible to swap the unit for free.

My question is, now that the unit is no longer active, am I still eligible to swap it? What if I re-activate it, is it eligible then?

[beestea]

I just purchased and HR-21 from Costco at the end of last month because DirecTV wouldn't offer me any discount on a new one (already have one HR-20).

Then on the 15th of this month I also got the HD Equipment charge Swap credit on my bill.

I called DTV customer service and they said I wasn't eligible and it was a mistake. I asked to be sent to customer retentions.

Retentions immediately offered me a very fair montly credit for the next 12 months to cover the retail cost of the HR-21 that I had just purchased.

Don't feel guilty about doing this folks... it is leased hardware after all!