Existing customer deals?

[zztrainv2]

I am looking to add a 2nd DVR, any way to get around the $99 fee? If not I guess I have to pay for it but I remember hearing that there was a way around it?

Edit: They want $99+ a $99 instalation fee? Are they kidding?

[glennb]

There's no magic way to "get around it".

Some people will tell you to call in another 5,10, or 20 times till some rep. caves in and let you have it for free, but it doesn't seem worth it to me.

FYI- You'll probably get a refurb DVR.

[Greg Alsobrook]

as glennb said... the deals are different for everyone...

if i'm not mistaken... you shouldn't have to pay for an upgrade... i would try calling back and speaking to a different CSR...

[zztrainv2]

There's no magic way to "get around it".

Some people will tell you to call in another 5,10, or 20 times till some rep. caves in and let you have it for free, but it doesn't seem worth it to me.

FYI- You'll probably get a refurb DVR.

It is not worth it to you to save 200? I wanted to get around $but then I find out its 199? That is the same price as the HD DVR which comes with free instalation!

[glennb]

It is not worth it to you to save 200? I wanted to get around $but then I find out its 199? That is the same price as the HD DVR which comes with free instalation!

No. Not worth it to call and whine until someone agrees to send me a beat-up refurbished DVR so every time there's a glitch I'll say - Is it that darn refurb DVR acting up ?!!

I paid $300 when I got mine in October of 2006, and another $85 to buy a 5 LNB dish which I installed on my own instead of having to take time off work, wait around all day for someone to show up late or not show up at all. It was well worth spending the money to me.

[mcmattyo]

buy it on ebay for less and install yourself not that hard.

[MIAMI1683]

buy it on ebay for less and install yourself not that hard.

Nope don't due that! Too many people have problems with that. Go to Costco and get what you need. That's may be the best option,

[harsh]

buy it on ebay for less and install yourself not that hard.As has been driven home hard recently, buying on eBay may have its own costs associated with it.

[Greg Alsobrook]

buy it on ebay for less and install yourself not that hard.

no no no no no

many examples around here... here are 2....

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=124145
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=117949

[Brian Hanasky]

I think Ebay and receivers is a DANGEROUS combination. Too much unknown.

[bcrab]

no no no no no

many examples around here... here are 2....

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=124145
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=117949

I've bought two HR20's off ebay and haven't had any problems. :whatdidid

[Greg Alsobrook]

I've bought two HR20's off ebay and haven't had any problems. :whatdidid

i've stood outside in a lightning storm with a metal rod twice... doesn't mean it can't happen... :lol:

[katzeye]

I once told by a CSR (so who knows how reliable this is) that if you wait for 6 moths between upgrades, that you are much more likely to get something for free or discounted.

[hadji]

I have been a customer for over 10 years and I have had absolutely NO problems getting "freebies" even while under contract. It doesn't require 50 phone calls on my part either. I just recently called in to see about getting some money knocked off my monthly bill and would have been happy with $10 a month because I already have $5 off from a previous deal. One call to retention and not only did I have the $10 off per month bu they also threw in 6 months of ALL the movie channels for free. I didn't ask, the rep. asked me if I would be interested. I have 2 HD DVR's plus standard HD receiver and 5 LNB Dish, all free and installed free from D*. Don't spend money you don't need to. Just call retention and be pleasant. Don't threaten to leave D* if you don't get your way because they really could care less. They have only so much they can do based on your customer status/rating. Good Luck.

[zztrainv2]

I am not the do it yourself type. So since the reciever=installation was $237 I just bought the HD one for the same exact price (free installation). So once i already bought the reciever I bought a 65 inch plasma :D . I guess this was the push I needed to finally go HD. Thank you all for the advise though.

[pigskins]

As I mentioned in another thread I have a friend who calls every 6 months and bitches until they give him something, which they always do. It's usually $10 off for 6 months and sometimes they throw in free channels or a one-time $50 credit. If I were in business would I give away stuff because people asked for it? Didn't you agree to a price when you signed up for service? Hey if you can get them to knock the price down then more power to you, but in the end the rest of us are subsidizing it. I'm not so sure about this "I was just sittin around so I called and asked them to lower my price." practice. I would love to hear a story where they said no, then raised the price, or kicked out the customer. Oh what fun. I would also like to see them appreciate long-time customers with free PPV like they used to do or other incentives such as free or reduced SuperFan for long-time sports subscribers. Won't happen, the squeaky wheel gets the lube job.




I have been a customer for over 10 years and I have had absolutely NO problems getting "freebies" even while under contract. It doesn't require 50 phone calls on my part either. I just recently called in to see about getting some money knocked off my monthly bill and would have been happy with $10 a month because I already have $5 off from a previous deal. One call to retention and not only did I have the $10 off per month bu they also threw in 6 months of ALL the movie channels for free. I didn't ask, the rep. asked me if I would be interested. I have 2 HD DVR's plus standard HD receiver and 5 LNB Dish, all free and installed free from D*. Don't spend money you don't need to. Just call retention and be pleasant. Don't threaten to leave D* if you don't get your way because they really could care less. They have only so much they can do based on your customer status/rating. Good Luck.

[pigskins]

I am looking to add a 2nd DVR, any way to get around the $99 fee? If not I guess I have to pay for it but I remember hearing that there was a way around it?

Edit: They want $99+ a $99 instalation fee? Are they kidding?

By the way, I just upgraded to a 2nd HD DVR and called to ask if they had any specials. I did not demand anything or throw a fit. They knocked the price down on the receiver and offered free installation. I told them I didn't need the install so they gave me something else. I was happy before, even happier now.

[braven]

I wish DIRECTV would stop pandering to all the "retention callers".

[rudeney]

As I mentioned in another thread I have a friend who calls every 6 months and bitches until they give him something, which they always do. It's usually $10 off for 6 months and sometimes they throw in free channels or a one-time $50 credit. If I were in business would I give away stuff because people asked for it? Didn't you agree to a price when you signed up for service? Hey if you can get them to knock the price down then more power to you, but in the end the rest of us are subsidizing it. I'm not so sure about this "I was just sittin around so I called and asked them to lower my price." practice. I would love to hear a story where they said no, then raised the price, or kicked out the customer. Oh what fun. I would also like to see them appreciate long-time customers with free PPV like they used to do or other incentives such as free or reduced SuperFan for long-time sports subscribers. Won't happen, the squeaky wheel gets the lube job.

I think your point is well taken, and I don’t believe it is reasonable for customers to call and complain just to get subsidies and discounts, and I also don’t believe it is a sound business practice for D* to give into to them. However, I do believe that D* should provide the service for which they are being paid, and when they fail to do that, they should compensate the customer. Of course this is a two way street, and if the customer promises to pay for those services, then they should, and if not, then D* should be compensated in the form of late fees, or discontinued service.

Having said that, I do I have one issue with your comment that, “Didn't you agree to a price when you signed up for service?” The problem is that D*’s contract (which is never provided in writing and is simply a quick over-the-phone verbal agreement) states that they may raise prices and change services at any time, and doing this does not end the customer’s obligations when they are locked into a commitment. I know the typical answer to such complaints is that we as consumers can simply vote with our dollars and not be D* customers, but the problem is, we may have voted for D* with our dollars and then had them change the rules. I find this practice completely unacceptable.

Now, I would never call D* and complain just to get discounts, but since they have changed the rules without giving me the chance to opt-out, I have changed the way I deal with them. In the past, when I had a problem, such as a glitch with my DVR’s software, or a problem with their billing or service, I would just brush it off as a simple mistake. Now, I am more likely to call and complain. I feel that I am paying dearly for a certain level of service, and when I do not get that, I am due some sort of compensation. Like I said, I’m not just calling for the sake of seeking some sort of subsidy – I am only calling when they fail to provide the service I am paying for.

Personally, I hate dealing with them this way, and unfortunately this seems to be the trend with most all service companies. I really wish these service companies would go back to providing the service that we customer pay for instead of using us as “revenue units”. Trust me, I’d be much happier paying my monthly bill and might even buy additional services if they just made me feel like they appreciate my patronage instead of constantly thinking up creative ways to get me to contribute more revenue.

[Christopher Gould]

OK here is my upgrade story. Called my NRTC provider(Shelby Electric) to upgrade to 1 HD DVR. They told me it would be $299 plus $50 for the install. I said your crazy retail was $199 now. They told me to call D* to see if I could get a better deal and they give me the 800 #. Called the number said "CSR" to the voice. Told the csr i was looking to upgrade and what could they offer me and he said $199+19.95 shipping and free install. I told them I would think about it.

So I emailed D* explaining that I have been a customer for 10 years($12000+ later) and have had only 1 upgrade 4 years ago when my s1 tivos had to be replaced for locals on 72.5. I told them that I have read on DBSTalk that long term customers were getting HD DVRs for $99. They responed with call back soon and they would work with me.

So I called back next day and the csr offered me the same $199+19.95. She said that was the best she could do. So I said(very nicely) could I talk to retention. She said sure they could probably offer me a better deal. Transfered to retention and she asked how could she help me. I said I would like to upgrade to the HD DVR and that I read it was available to long term customers for $99+19.95. She said sure she could do that. Even offered me next day install but I have to work so I settle for Saturday.

Cross your figures. Think i could have pushed for free, but I didn't what any bad Karma for the intall. :)

UPDATE:
Install company calls at 11:30(8-12 window) saying they can't make it truck broke. Have to wait another week now . I knew it was to good to be true. :(