Considering Coming back

[compnurd]

Hey all,

Cancelled Direct TV back on March because i had moved. I had paid for 2 HD DVR's at the time and also paid cancellation fee's when i left.

I am considering coming back in my new residence. Since i am not a new customer and wouldnt get any of the new deals would i be entitled to a refund in my cancellation fee's and get my 2 HDDVR's back?

[Stuart Sweet]

I kind of doubt it but the only thing you can do is call them and ask.

[Justin23]

Why didn't you use the Mover's Connection to get the service transferred to your new residence at the time?

J

[compnurd]

Why didn't you use the Mover's Connection to get the service transferred to your new residence at the time?

J

Brief Summary of Events.

11/2007- My job sends me to another state to work for 6 months. So i suspend service.

3/2008- Not sure when work will end in other state and didnt want to pay for service come may when the suspend ends so i cancel.

6/2008- Work finally ends and move in with girlfriend in another state

[tcusta00]

I agree with Stuart, you can only call and ask. If you're polite and get a good CSR they may offer you a deal on the new DVRs (maybe even free) but I seriously doubt that you'll get the cancellation fee refunded.

[compnurd]

I agree with Stuart, you can only call and ask. If you're polite and get a good CSR they may offer you a deal on the new DVRs (maybe even free) but I seriously doubt that you'll get the cancellation fee refunded.

Yeh, that kinda stinks too since i wouldnt get the current deal which is 23 off per month

[Capt'n]

Try putting the account in your girlfriends name if she hasn't been a customer before. At least you would get the new customer deals.

[tcusta00]

Yeh, that kinda stinks too since i wouldnt get the current deal which is 23 off per month

Do you have a spouse or another adult living with you? If so, put it under his/her name to get the current discounts. Then again you may lose any preferential treatment for getting your DVRs back at a discount (if they are able to offer that in the first place).

[compnurd]

Try putting the account in your girlfriends name if she hasn't been a customer before. At least you would get the new customer deals.

she will be tough to convince anyway. she likes cable. so her name would probably be out

[Upstream]

she will be tough to convince anyway. she likes cable. so her name would probably be out

If DirecTV wants to keep the cancellation fee, keep the 2 HD-DVR you paid for and returned, and is unwilling to give you replacement receivers or discounts when you come back a few months later, then maybe she's right.

[Justin23]

The HD-DVR's you got were leased, right?

J

[bonscott87]

If DirecTV wants to keep the cancellation fee, keep the 2 HD-DVR you paid for and returned, and is unwilling to give you replacement receivers or discounts when you come back a few months later, then maybe she's right.

But why should DirecTV refund the cancellation fee and DVRs? He canceled and knew what that would cost (although if it was me I would have extended my suspend another 6 months at no cost).

He is not going to get a refund for those things. He might be able to work a "welcome you back" deal and maybe get a free DVR but even that's hoping a lot.

[Justin23]

You can only suspend your acct once up to 6 months per calendar year.

J

[Upstream]

But why should DirecTV refund the cancellation fee and DVRs? He canceled and knew what that would cost (although if it was me I would have extended my suspend another 6 months at no cost).

He is not going to get a refund for those things. He might be able to work a "welcome you back" deal and maybe get a free DVR but even that's hoping a lot.


DirecTV is perfectly within their rights to keep the ETF and the returned receivers. But if they do so, it might be that cable is a better alternative.

If I had leased 2 HD DVRs in November 2006, it would have cost me $600 for the "lease upgrade" fees. If I suspended my account in Nov 2007 and cancelled in March 2008, I would have then had to pay $240 in termination fees and returned the $600 worth of receivers.

Now in July 2008, I want to go back to DirecTV. I am still out $840 (the ETF and receiver fees). But now if DirecTV is going to charge me another $400 to replace the receivers and lock me into a new 2 year commitment, I start to think that cable may make more sense financially. Especially if I am in a job subject to relocation, the ETF and upfront fees for DirecTV don't look very appealing.

[tcusta00]

DirecTV is perfectly within their rights to keep the ETF and the returned receivers. But if they do so, it might be that cable is a better alternative.

If I had leased 2 HD DVRs in November 2006, it would have cost me $600 for the "lease upgrade" fees. If I suspended my account in Nov 2007 and cancelled in March 2008, I would have then had to pay $240 in termination fees and returned the $600 worth of receivers.

Now in July 2008, I want to go back to DirecTV. I am still out $840 (the ETF and receiver fees). But now if DirecTV is going to charge me another $400 to replace the receivers and lock me into a new 2 year commitment, I start to think that cable may make more sense financially. Especially if I am in a job subject to relocation, the ETF and upfront fees for DirecTV don't look very appealing.

Being in a job subject to relocation shouldn't be that big of a factor since you can take advantage of mover's connection once per year.

[FlBillsfan]

Being in a job subject to relocation shouldn't be that big of a factor since you can take advantage of mover's connection once per year.

There are many variables. When he moves it could be to a rental that doesn't allow him to put up a dish or may have cable included in his bill.

[tcusta00]

There are many variables. When he moves it could be to a rental that doesn't allow him to put up a dish or may have cable included in his bill.

Yes, you are correct, there are many factors - being in a job subject to relocation shouldn't be the only one... that was exactly my point. :rolleyes:

You can put up a dish in a rental - no rules can stop that as long as you have a LOS with a balcony.

[Upstream]

Tcusta -- In the case of the OP, he seems to be in a job where he was subject to temporary relocations. It was because of the temporary relocation that he was forced to pay an ETF and return leased receivers. That is why I suggested that his girlfriend was right and that cable might be a better alternative for him.

DirecTV is the right alternative for some situations, but it is not the right alternative for all situations. And sometimes people's situations change, and therefore their right alternative also changes.

I was really just suggesting that he look at his situation and the alternatives. He shouldn't dismiss his girlfriend's suggestion of cable today just because DirecTV used to be the right answer for him.

[tcusta00]

Tcusta -- In the case of the OP, he seems to be in a job where he was subject to temporary relocations. It was because of the temporary relocation that he was forced to pay an ETF and return leased receivers. That is why I suggested that his girlfriend was right and that cable might be a better alternative for him.

It would seem (at least I hope) that his relocation was a one-time thing and it won't happen in the future. If he anticipates it again he should certainly consider the alternative C-word, you're absolutely correct.

[compnurd]

Ok, I didnt lease the boxes back in November. I had had them since earlier in the year and only paid 99 for one of them. Other i got for free. it wa not a temp relo but i was traveling Sunday evening to Sat Morning every week. instead of staying at my home in one state i spent the open day at my GF's in another state. this is why i cancelled.

My point in all of this is, i had alot as a customer and paid to leave the contract. If i signed another contract could i get new customer deals since i am joining again, or at the least they could put me back into my old contract and give back the EFT's.

[tcusta00]

Ok, I didnt lease the boxes back in November. I had had them since earlier in the year and only paid 99 for one of them. Other i got for free. it wa not a temp relo but i was traveling Sunday evening to Sat Morning every week. instead of staying at my home in one state i spent the open day at my GF's in another state. this is why i cancelled.

My point in all of this is, i had alot as a customer and paid to leave the contract. If i signed another contract could i get new customer deals since i am joining again, or at the least they could put me back into my old contract and give back the EFT's.

1-800-DIRECTV :)

[Upstream]

CN -- I guess the answer is the same either way. The money spent on DirecTV was already spent. See what DirecTV will offer/charge if you come back to DirecTV. See what cable will offer/charge if you go to cable. Compare the total price and what you get for that price. Compare the risk for future charges (like early termination fees). Decide which is better for you.

Only you can decide what is the right answer. If DirecTV were best for everyone, there would be no cable customers. If cable were best for everyone, there would be no DirecTV customers.

[compnurd]

CN -- I guess the answer is the same either way. The money spent on DirecTV was already spent. See what DirecTV will offer/charge if you come back to DirecTV. See what cable will offer/charge if you go to cable. Compare the total price and what you get for that price. Compare the risk for future charges (like early termination fees). Decide which is better for you.

Only you can decide what is the right answer. If DirecTV were best for everyone, there would be no cable customers. If cable were best for everyone, there would be no DirecTV customers.

Ok, I can sign back up as a new customer. Thanks for all the input

[2dogz]

Ok, I can sign back up as a new customer. Thanks for all the input

I guess the question you have to ask is whether this cable chick you are moving in with is good for the two year commitment or are you going to upgrade with your next job move. We cannot answer that here. :)

[compnurd]

yeh, problem is that while all of the HD channels would be nice, cable is about 15 bucks cheaper for the same services then what i would pay with D*

[compnurd]

Well happy day. They are re activating my account, reversing my ETF's and giving me the sunday ticket offer to get back my HD DVR for free. fiance couldnt say no

[JLucPicard]

SWEEEEEEET!!!!

Thanks for the update! Great news. :D

[Mertzen]

You can only suspend your acct once up to 6 months per calendar year.

J

I've suspended it for 2 months [ march - april ] and now have suspended it for another 6 months [ april - october ] so you can go over 6 months.

[curt8403]

I've suspended it for 2 months [ march - april ] and now have suspended it for another 6 months [ april - october ] so you can go over 6 months.


single account up to 6 months at a time 2 times per year 30 days between suspends

[Tom Robertson]

Well happy day. They are re activating my account, reversing my ETF's and giving me the sunday ticket offer to get back my HD DVR for free. fiance couldnt say no

WOOHOO! That is awesome and I'm very glad DIRECTV and you both get a big Win-WIN. :)

Cheers,
Tom