Contract: When is mine up?

[ShaneHD]

We purchased DirecTV on 07/09/07 with one HD receiver with the Choice package, $10 HD package and the $4.99 extended HD channel lineup.

On 11/26/07, we added another HD receiver and kept all the same programming. About 6 months ago, we added Starz to our account but took that off last month.

When is our two year commitment expiring? Is in in July (07)of this year or November (11) of this year? Do you essentially sign another two year agreement when you add a second receiver?

We are moving out of the country and have to cancel our service and I am debating either cancelling and paying a fee or paying out the remainder of the contract if it is up in July.

[ajtmcse]

Based upon the information provided, and known DirecTV policies, I would say your contract expires on 11/26/09.

[ShaneHD]

How much would it cost me to terminate my contract early?

[or270]

$20.00 each remaining month's, there was a change in terms so best bet is to call and ask.

[mdavej]

Good rule of thumb is it's always 2 years longer than you thought. Seriously though, you can just email them and they will tell you. That way you at least have it in writing.

[ShaneHD]

That's it?

[Shades228]

$24.00 each remaining month's, there was a change in terms so best bet is to call and ask.

This is incorrect.

The ECF will either be $12.50 a month remaining up to $300 or $20 a mo remaining up to $480. It's based on when the agreement was applied to the account.

The one in July would be the old agreement price the one in November could fall under the new one. If you call them they will tell you. As far as paying the ECF or paying a monthly service it's always cheaper to pay the ECF if this is a permanent move. If this is temporary, 6 mo or less, then you could suspend the account while you're gone.

[cowboys2002]

I ordered an HD DVR in December 2007. The other 3 boxes are owned by me. Thus my contract ends 12/17/09.

Two weeks ago, the HD DVR dies and they send a replacement model.

During the order and activation process, not a word about the commitment term being extended.

I log onto my account today and notice a line item for this. I call DTv and I was informed that since I did not have the protection plan on the leased receiver, receiving a replacement RESETS the commitment.

I am researching this as I do not want my 2 years to start over . Especially with a refurbished receiver.

[vurbano]

Stupid question, but when I bring up my account under the my services portion where it says what I sub to it says no annual commitment.

My Services

DIRECTV DVR Service
You are unable to remove this online. Please call customer service at 1-800-DIRECTV. $5.99
Monthly
No Annual Commitment
You are unable to remove this online. Please call customer service at 1-800-DIRECTV. $0.00
_offer
DIRECTV on DEMAND
You are unable to remove this online. Please call customer service at 1-800-DIRECTV. $0.00
HD Access
You are unable to remove this online. Please call customer service at 1-800-DIRECTV. $9.99

What does that mean exactly?

[Mike Bertelson]

Stupid question, but when I bring up my account under the my services portion where it says what I sub to it says no annual commitment.



What does that mean exactly?The only to tell for sure is to call DirecTV but it would seem you are not under any commitment.

However, online has been known to be wrong before so if you're thinking about terminating and are unsure about ETF then you should call first. I'm just sayin'. :grin:

Mike

[Blurayfan]

Stupid question, but when I bring up my account under the my services portion where it says what I sub to it says no annual commitment.



What does that mean exactly?

That's a billing line item to prevent a commtment from being added to your account when activating a receiver under a promo (FREE MPEG4 swap).

[cowboys2002]

Stupid question, but when I bring up my account under the my services portion where it says what I sub to it says no annual commitment.



What does that mean exactly?

My account shows the same thing, but when I call my recently replaced DVR21 triggered a new 2 years...:(

[mdavej]

I ordered an HD DVR in December 2007. The other 3 boxes are owned by me. Thus my contract ends 12/17/09.

Two weeks ago, the HD DVR dies and they send a replacement model.

During the order and activation process, not a word about the commitment term being extended.

I log onto my account today and notice a line item for this. I call DTv and I was informed that since I did not have the protection plan on the leased receiver, receiving a replacement RESETS the commitment.

I am researching this as I do not want my 2 years to start over . Especially with a refurbished receiver.
You didn't follow my rule of thumb - commitment always ends 2 years after you think it should. Seems like every time I sneeze I get another 2 years. Same exact thing happened to me. Had an HD DVR for close to a year and a half. It dies, and the replacement apparently resets the commitment clock, and not a word about it from D*. Very wrong, IMO. Let us know if you get it straightened out, because I'd like to do the same.

[Shades228]

If you replaced a leased receiver it would be corrected when you went to disconnect.

[adn]

I ordered an HD DVR in December 2007. The other 3 boxes are owned by me. Thus my contract ends 12/17/09.

Two weeks ago, the HD DVR dies and they send a replacement model.

During the order and activation process, not a word about the commitment term being extended.

I log onto my account today and notice a line item for this. I call DTv and I was informed that since I did not have the protection plan on the leased receiver, receiving a replacement RESETS the commitment.

I am researching this as I do not want my 2 years to start over . Especially with a refurbished receiver.

As long as the HD DVR was leased there would be no additional agreement.

Lease replaced with leased has no agreement, you would just need to pay the D&H if you didn't have protection plan.

[mdavej]

As long as the HD DVR was leased there would be no additional agreement.

Lease replaced with leased has no agreement, you would just need to pay the D&H if you didn't have protection plan.
Appreciate the info. That's the way it should be, but that's not the way DirecTV sees it. They've screwed me and cowboys2002 resetting the commitment clock on a lease/lease replacement. I asked them when my commitment ended and it just happened to be 2 years after I got my replacement. I'll probably get another 2 years just for talking about it.

[cowboys2002]

My whole thing is I like the service. I have been a customer for a good while. But when I purchased my HDTV in 12/07, DTV was the best option.

Since then Uverse and Comcast (ugh) have stepped up their game. I was actuallly looking forward to testing or switching and not have a programming commitment.

I like having owned equipment. I have upgraded my 3 Directivo boxes to larger HD's in the past without incident. DTV no longer sells their receiver/recorders, instead leases them. Even if you pay full price ($480??) there is a good chance that they will add a 24 month contract to your account anyway (based upon various posts here and elsewhere).

I'm tired of the sneaking stuff onto accounts crap.

Edit: Did not see your response.

I would have zero problem with one lease item replacing the other. That would be fair. After all, I can't fulfill my commitment with a busted "rental unit" can I?

I'm just reporting what the CSR told me and since I am at work in a cubicle, I thought I'd call later to get this issue resolved.

[adn]

Appreciate the info. That's the way it should be, but that's not the way DirecTV sees it.

Well it is the way it is setup. I know some CSRs may give different info and give the opinion that D* doesn't see it the way you do, but it is policy. If a Leased is replaced with Leased under service call or ERP, there is no extension or renewal of commitment. If it happens, it is a technical issue in D* systems but not them trying to "screw" or "tie you down."

[mdavej]

Can you explain "leased under service call"? Maybe that's where I went wrong. I was sent a replacement without a service call. We did some troubleshooting over the phone, and they sent a replacement when that failed. Would that have triggered a new commitment? What do I tell D* to get it straightened out?

I'm upset at D*, not you. And I really do appreciate your help.

[vurbano]

That's a billing line item to prevent a commtment from being added to your account when activating a receiver under a promo (FREE MPEG4 swap).Since I swapped my one HR10-250 twice for FREE (hee hee) for 2 HD DVR's I guess I have no commitment. Love it. If it hadnt of started malfunctioning I would have tried for a 3rd.

[miketorse]

Since I swapped my one HR10-250 twice for FREE (hee hee) for 2 HD DVR's I guess I have no commitment. Love it. If it hadnt of started malfunctioning I would have tried for a 3rd.

I really don't think that is something to be proud of.

[adn]

Can you explain "leased under service call"? Maybe that's where I went wrong. I was sent a replacement without a service call. We did some troubleshooting over the phone, and they sent a replacement when that failed. Would that have triggered a new commitment? What do I tell D* to get it straightened out?

I'm upset at D*, not you. And I really do appreciate your help.

I know you're not mad at me:p
It just is very easy for people to blame the "big bad corporation" when they are really on your side as their customer.

As far as what I meant with "leased under service call" it was part of the whole sentence. If you have a LEASED receiver, regardless of current commitment or receiver type that needs to be replaced, there is no new commitment. I was saying if it is replaced on a service call or just a replacement that was sent to you (ERP), there is no new agreement. D* will only set up a new agreement if you are replacing OWNED equipment with LEASE equipment since they provide it for just the cost of S&H. There is one exception to the OWN replaced with LEASE rule and that is if you have Protection Plan. Any receiver replaced through Protection Plan should not trigger a new agreement. Unfortunately since these activations are done through computer, it doesn't always know.

The best thing to do is to call D* and ask when the commitment end date is and how long it is for (12/18/24 mos). That way they can go back to that date and see what was done on that day that triggered a new commitment. If it is invalid, it will get removed.

Hope that helps.