Cancellation fee

[TerryC]

About a month ago I switched to DirecTV, using an HDVR2. A couple of weeks later I found a great deal for a second HDVR2 and got it for the bedroom.

Last week I got a card from DirecTV that says, "With the addition of your second set receiver, an annual commitment is required. Please note that you have agreed [when!?!] to maintain and pay for 12 months of your current programming package (or above) without interruption for each DirecTV Receiver purchased..."

What? Current programming or higher? I have TCPremier, only because of the $20 off for 6 months promotion. It's still not worth it to me and I was thinking about downgrading to TC+. If I can't get the TCP promo again in six months my bill will go up sharply and for channels I don't think are worth it at $20 off!

When I activated I was told by the CSR that I needed only Total Choice to avoid a cancellation fee.

Does this sound right? What are my recourses here? Can DirecTV be reasoned with?

[raj2001]

Sounds fishy to me. The minimum commitment is Total Choice at $31.99, not total choice premier. Are you sure you haven't misread something? Did you get some sort of special deal (not the $20/6 mo) that required a commitment to TC premier?

[TerryC]

I've pored over the receipt I got for buying the second HDVR2, which apparently started this whole thing. It says nothing about any deals I might have unwittingly agreed to. And I didn't misread the card they sent. I typed it word for word in the quote in my original post.

It does sound fishy, dunnit?

[raj2001]

Originally posted by TerryC
I've pored over the receipt I got for buying the second HDVR2, which apparently started this whole thing. It says nothing about any deals I might have unwittingly agreed to. And I didn't misread the card they sent. I typed it word for word in the quote in my original post.

It does sound fishy, dunnit?

It sounds like a simple mistake. The CSR is right. You only need Total Choice to maintain your commitment. I think it's mentioned in the service agreement somewhere that for each additional receiver you reset your contract and you need to commit for a year. Even if that's not the case, it's standard policy, and I think DISH has something similar.

But you do not have to maintain total choice premier. You can keep your contract by just having the minimum package (total choice). You can even change your programming online at DirecTV.com with no problems or early cancel fees.

[TerryC]

That's what I thought, raj. I wanted to at least confirm this before I called them to downgrade, so I know I have the right information.

I appreciate the input.

[minorthr]

I got theat same card recently when I got a second hdvr2. The card says same programming or higher. The csrs and the contract I signed say total choice plus or higher

[Jacob S]

Dish does not require you to sign up for another year of programming everytime you add a receiver to the account and DirecTv mst have just started this new requirement not long ago because I do not remember them doing this before.

If someone had a receiver already and bought another one from someone or a retailer with a P4 card in it already would that person still have to sign a contract for another year on certain programming or do they only have to sign up for another year if they have to get a card from the company?

[raj2001]

Originally posted by Jacob S
Dish does not require you to sign up for another year of programming everytime you add a receiver to the account and DirecTv mst have just started this new requirement not long ago because I do not remember them doing this before.


This is definitely a new thing.

If someone had a receiver already and bought another one from someone or a retailer with a P4 card in it already would that person still have to sign a contract for another year on certain programming or do they only have to sign up for another year if they have to get a card from the company?

Yes. Although, sometimes you can bargain with the CSR to waive the contract.