View Full Version : My year-long $20/mo rebate ended, now what?
I liked that $20/mo rebate, it has regretfully been removed and now I am being charged full price. I vaugely remember being told that I could just call and simply ask for it, but D* has no initiative for doing so since I still have 12 months on my contract. What is available to me to try and lower my bill?
Ok, stop all the fluff and just say that you want some free ****.
Justin23
11-12-09, 09:12 AM
If you have premium movie channels, you could remove those and reduce your bill. Or if you just want movies, Starz is a better choice IMO than the others.
J
OK you got your discount now join the rest of us in paying full price for the remainder of your 24mo. contract. Lower price, switch to a cheaper package?
CorpITGuy
11-12-09, 09:32 AM
If you subscribe to the Sports Pak for MLB, cancel it this fall/winter. That'll get you through half of the rest of your contract with $13 less. That's what I plan to do.
Canceling all those crappy SD premium channels as others has suggested is a good idea, too.
Kheldar
11-12-09, 09:36 AM
I vaugely remember being told that I could just call and simply ask for it
Not gonna happen.
Ok, stop all the fluff and just say that you want some free ****.
That is an accurate summary.
Not gonna happen.
I knew it had to be too good to be true. A CSR told me that last year when I ordered, I swear!
Thanks for the input guys, just wanted to see if there was some way to get some off my bill.
Doug Brott
11-12-09, 11:26 AM
Thanks for the input guys, just wanted to see if there was some way to get some off my bill.
The easiest way is to go to a lower level of service ..
Justin23
11-12-09, 11:30 AM
I would also compare to how much your full-price D* service is to the full-price FiOS service...remember your promo discount with FiOS will run out eventually as well.
J
I would also compare to how much your full-price D* service is to the full-price FiOS service...remember your promo discount with FiOS will run out eventually as well.
J
FiOS is not and probably never will be available in my area. Even with 7 receivers in two separate houses I'm still coming out ahead vs having two bills from the local cable company.
I liked that $20/mo rebate, it has regretfully been removed and now I am being charged full price. I vaugely remember being told that I could just call and simply ask for it, but D* has no initiative for doing so since I still have 12 months on my contract. What is available to me to try and lower my bill?
You have nothing to lose by calling and asking. Nothing wrong with trying to lower your costs.
Justin23
11-12-09, 12:42 PM
FiOS is not and probably never will be available in my area. Even with 7 receivers in two separate houses I'm still coming out ahead vs having two bills from the local cable company.
Sorry that was supposed to go in another thread...my fault!
J
FiOS is not and probably never will be available in my area. Even with 7 receivers in two separate houses I'm still coming out ahead vs having two bills from the local cable company.
Well, there you go, just stop service on 4 of your receivers, and your bill will be $20 less a month.
Mark Martin
11-12-09, 01:13 PM
My telephone provider recently offered a bundle with Dish that was going to save me a good bit of money. I really did not think DirecTV could match it. I called to cancel my service but they made it worth my while to stay. I like DirecTV and told them up front why I was leaving and the savings I would get with my telephone service bundle. They did not match it but they got close enough. I am still with DirecTV and grateful not to be changing out hardware.
Tubaman-Z
11-12-09, 01:23 PM
I canceled the HD Extra Pack and went from 5 DVRs to 3. I tend to counterbalance cost increases with service decreases.
Just out of curiosity, kinda on subject, kinda not. Does removing a receiver reset your contract? And how does the return thing work with deactivated receivers? Thanks!
jdspencer
11-12-09, 05:55 PM
Your commitment will not be extended.
DirecTV will want the deactivated leased receivers returned.
I'm sure someone will verify these statements or not. :)
coldsteel
11-12-09, 06:45 PM
Your commitment will not be extended.
DirecTV will want the deactivated leased receivers returned.
I'm sure someone will verify these statements or not. :)
2 for 2, JD.
itguy05
11-12-09, 10:11 PM
I would also compare to how much your full-price D* service is to the full-price FiOS service...remember your promo discount with FiOS will run out eventually as well.
Yeah at the end of year 2 of a 1 year contract. They are guaranteeing prices for 2 years but only require a 1 year contract.
And then yo go to whoever has the best prices. We churn every couple of years to whoever has the lowest prices. In 2007 it was DTV. In 2010 it's FIOS. In 2012 it may be someone else.
I liked that $20/mo rebate, it has regretfully been removed and now I am being charged full price. I vaugely remember being told that I could just call and simply ask for it, but D* has no initiative for doing so since I still have 12 months on my contract. What is available to me to try and lower my bill?
Pay your bill like everyone else.
Just call them to bitch about VERSUS. I hear that has worked for some people.
wingrider01
11-14-09, 05:52 AM
Just call them to bitch about VERSUS. I hear that has worked for some people.
Given the fact that they just mentioned they are locking down the freebies the main thing this might get is - "Ok your ETF is XX, it will be on your next bill. You service is canceled effective immediately and return boxes will be sent"
The TANSTAAFL and the gimmee pot is gone
Shades228
11-15-09, 11:03 AM
No company will get him a better deal because he's already admitted he is having service at 2 locations and doesn't want to have 2 bills which he should.
dennisj00
11-15-09, 11:27 AM
I find it amazing that people think they should be getting things for free. Name another utility that really gives things for free. Call your power company and ask.
Yes, power companies are different since it's a regulated monopoly, but the only thing I remember getting from cable was crappy pictures and crappy service.
You might get a 'bundling' offer from your phone company, but it should be termed 'bungling'.
Public radio is probably the only thing you can get for free (other than OTA) if you don't contribute.
In case of TV service, if you don't like the charges, change providers.
jdspencer
11-15-09, 01:24 PM
....
Public radio is probably the only thing you can get for free (other than OTA) if you don't contribute....PBS isn't free, unless you don't pay taxes. :)
Just call them to bitch about VERSUS. I hear that has worked for some people.
What does that have to do with anything ?
I find it amazing that people think they should be getting things for free. Name another utility that really gives things for free. Call your power company and ask.
There is no need to be condescending when someone asks a question about saving money.
dennisj00
11-16-09, 04:33 PM
I wasn't being condescending and certainly apologize if it was taken that way. . . but as a small business owner and of course, supporting a family for the last ~40 years, you get the quote for services, sign up, and pay the bill.
Yes, I've received a couple of discounts on DVRs (and been a customer since 1997), but never called up and asked for them. And as other vendors go, I can't remember ANY one of them that offer any 'what can I get for free' offers.
If he needs to save money, cut services.
I always shop around and pick what I think is the best deal and go with it. Maybe I'm the naive one . . .
With DirecTv, or any other company, I negotiate the best deal I can. I never accept posted or list prices, on anything, until I see if I can do better. I think it is silly and a waste of money to do otherwise. I'm as concerned about DirecTv as they are about me.
itguy05
11-16-09, 04:48 PM
Exactly. I have no loyalty to anyone, especially a TV provider. Whoever gives me the best price gets my business. As a friend puts it "you change service providers like underwear".....
Since 2000, I've been with:
Dish
DirecTV
Comcast
DirecTV
now I'm with FIOS (just cancelled DTV on Sat).
It's whoever gives the best deal.
dennisj00
11-16-09, 04:52 PM
With DirecTv, or any other company, I negotiate the best deal I can. I never accept posted or list prices, on anything, until I see if I can do better. I think it is silly and a waste of money to do otherwise. I'm as concerned about DirecTv as they are about me.
And you find this works with your phone or cell-phone provider?
And you find this works with your phone or cell-phone provider?
Nothing works in every instance. That may be the best that one can get. My post had to do with the suck it up and pay tone of some posts. A fool accepts it without doing due diligence. I'm not embarrassed to ask for anything I want.
Phone and cell are not good examples for me. I worked for the biggest company of them all and get very good prices for cell, landline, LD and DSL.
dennisj00
11-16-09, 05:28 PM
And unless you're getting the employee discount, I'd say those are the same rates every other customer is getting for the same service.
dpeters11
11-16-09, 06:13 PM
I find it amazing that people think they should be getting things for free. Name another utility that really gives things for free. Call your power company and ask.
I know of a guy who's power company is sponsoring his Christmas display and upgrading his lights to LED. Does that count?
And unless you're getting the employee discount, I'd say those are the same rates every other customer is getting for the same service.
I said they weren't good examples for me. Why are you getting your panties in a bunch? Feel free to pay whatever DirecTv asks and never try to get it for less. If that works for you, great.
dennisj00
11-16-09, 06:43 PM
I know of a guy who's power company is sponsoring his Christmas display and upgrading his lights to LED. Does that count?
And my mother gets a ~$15 check every year from the co-op power company and she hasn't been a customer (member) for the last 5 years!
No panties in a bunch here, I just want to know what deals are out there other than begging from Directv . . .
Don't forget to get your insurance quoted from a couple different companies every couple years either. What you can save on insurance will make what you save on sat/cable seems like nothing.
Seismic_wave10
11-17-09, 09:07 AM
Just out of curiosity, kinda on subject, kinda not. Does removing a receiver reset your contract? And how does the return thing work with deactivated receivers? Thanks!
It only resets your contract if you activate a new receiver. Contact DTV for a recovery kit to send the receiver back to them. If they want it back make sure you send it, the non-return fees are hefty
ejohnson85
11-17-09, 10:40 AM
i experienced the same hike in my bill when i was with directv. it was rough. i ended up switching to dish network. i know i know, after 12 months i will see an increase in my bill. but both during AND after the promotion, it's a lot cheaper than directv.
if anyone's interested my friend gave me this link to get a $75 gift card when you sign up. (it says 'friends and family' but it works for anyone, guess they should have thought about some sort of validation process) spread the word
dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friend
dcandmc
11-17-09, 12:10 PM
No panties in a bunch here, I just want to know what deals are out there other than begging from Directv . . .
Define "begging." I've had a monthly discount of at least $10, just by asking, for several years. When it expires, I call back and ask (nicely) if there's any chance that it can be continued for another year. I've never been turned down. Is that begging? I guess it depends how you define the word. But if all it takes to save $120/year is five minutes of my time and a pleasant phone conversation, I'll do it regardless of how someone else may define it.
I guess it's the folks like you paying full price that make it easier for D* to give discounts to those who "beg." Thank you.
P.S. Sat TV, in my opinion, is not a "utility" in the same sense of the word as the power company or water/sewer. The comparison is non-sensical.
i experienced the same hike in my bill when i was with directv. it was rough. i ended up switching to dish network. i know i know, after 12 months i will see an increase in my bill. but both during AND after the promotion, it's a lot cheaper than directv.
if anyone's interested my friend gave me this link to get a $75 gift card when you sign up. (it says 'friends and family' but it works for anyone, guess they should have thought about some sort of validation process) spread the word
dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friendEveryone has to do what works out best for them. Out of curiosity, I checked out your link and built a similar setup to what I have now, 2 HD DVR's with Choice Xtra, which cost me $81/mo. That turned out to be the Classic Gold 250 with DVR + HD, with 2 HD DVR's and the monthly cost after the promo ends is $90. So for me E* would cost $9/mo more then D* does in my second yr. So what was your exact set up that cost so much more with D*?
If I add in the AAA discount of $10/mo for 24 mo and $5/mo for bundling with AT&T, I save $24/mo with D* over E* in my second year. And that calculation doesn't even include the $30/mo discounts they gave me for losing VS and signing up for NFL ST & NHL CI. Plus, when I was building the package with E*, I couldn't find the screen that let me add NFL ST? ;)
CorpITGuy
11-17-09, 01:15 PM
I once knew a small business owner who degraded customers who tried to negotiate the lowest price possible. He said they wanted something for nothing. I think they were just being capitalists. He's now out of business.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with negotiating the lowest rate possible. Only a fool or a wealthy uncle would do otherwise.
ejohnson85
11-17-09, 01:48 PM
Everyone has to do what works out best for them. Out of curiosity, I checked out your link and built a similar setup to what I have now, 2 HD DVR's with Choice Xtra, which cost me $81/mo. That turned out to be the Classic Gold 250 with DVR + HD, with 2 HD DVR's and the monthly cost after the promo ends is $90. So for me E* would cost $9/mo more then D* does. So what was your exact set up that cost so much more with D*?
And that calculation doesn't even include the $30/mo discounts they gave me for signing up for NFL ST & NHL CI and $5/mo for bundling with AT&T. Plus, when I was building the package with E*, I couldn't find the screen that let me add NFL ST? ;)
Point taken, but for the other 95% of the population that don't require HD DVR's for multiple HDTV's, the highest package of 250+ channels (how many of those do you actually watch?), and multiple premium sports packages that charge an arm and a leg (do you do anything other than watch TV?), Dish Network is definitely the better value.
i was just trying to share the link (http://www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friend/)so others could save money, as it seems that what we're all trying to do, except maybe you with all those services you have.
Point taken, but for the other 95% of the population that don't require HD DVR's for multiple HDTV's, the highest package of 250+ channels (how many of those do you actually watch?), and multiple premium sports packages that charge an arm and a leg (do you do anything other than watch TV?), Dish Network is definitely the better value.
i was just trying to share the link (http://www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friend/)so others could save money, as it seems that what we're all trying to do, except maybe you with all those services you have.I did agree that it probably works out best for you. Now I understand that you are talking about a smaller package w/o HD. In the last D* quarterly earnings conference call, they stated that the majority of new subscribers purchase both HD and DVR services. So what makes you think that I'm in the minority?
I don't watch 250+ channels, but just like everyone else I want "must have" channels. NHL Network and NFL Network in HD are two channels for me that fit that category. And what level do you need to get those channels? For E* you need Classic Gold 250 and D* you need Choice Xtra.
Thanks for providing the link, as it can help some. Although when I tried the link, it seemed that I would have to type in the word "friend" in the promo field and have someones account number to get the $75 gift card. So I wondered if you may just be looking for referral credits.
Shades228
11-17-09, 02:13 PM
Considering the ARPU difference for each provider I think it's very clear that DirecTV is more out of pocket. However the value is something to be determined by the subscriber.
Paul Secic
11-17-09, 02:18 PM
I liked that $20/mo rebate, it has regretfully been removed and now I am being charged full price. I vaugely remember being told that I could just call and simply ask for it, but D* has no initiative for doing so since I still have 12 months on my contract. What is available to me to try and lower my bill?
Pay up, or go OTA.
ejohnson85
11-17-09, 02:25 PM
Thanks for providing the link, as it can help some. Although when I tried the link, it seemed that I would have to type in the word "friend" in the promo field and have someones account number to get the $75 gift card. So I wondered if you may just be looking for referral credits.
This is in no way an effort by me to get referral credits, and you don't need anyone's account number (don't you think i woulhd have provided it if thats what i wanted?) i'm merely trying to 'pay it forward' because someone gave this link (http://www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friend/)to me when i signed up.
the referral program is actually worse than this, the referee gets a $30 credit on the first bill and the referer gets a $5 credit for 10 months.
Considering the ARPU difference for each provider I think it's very clear that DirecTV is more out of pocket. However the value is something to be determined by the subscriber.In an apples to apples comparison, I have shown that D* can be less expensive than E*. So D* isn't necessarily "more out of pocket" in equal comparison.
On the ARPU comment, that is probably due to the premiums that subscribers end up purchasing like NFL ST. Another contributing factor is that D* is targeting subscribers with high FICO scores. Those subscribers with excellent credit tend to purchase more expensive packages. And both of these results in a higher ARPU.
This is in no way an effort by me to get referral credits, and you don't need anyone's account number (don't you think i woulhd have provided it if thats what i wanted?) i'm merely trying to 'pay it forward' because someone gave this link (http://www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friend/)to me when i signed up.
the referral program is actually worse than this, the referee gets a $30 credit on the first bill and the referer gets a $5 credit for 10 months.I was just telling you what I thought when it wouldn't accept the promo "friend" w/o entering something like an account# in a second field. I wouldn't anticipate that you would ask for a referral, because the moderators would probably remove your post. Thought you were hoping that someone wouldn't know anyone that had E* and would PM you for your account number. Now I understand that this wasn't your intention.
I'm not a D* cheerleader, just believe in getting what works best for me. My sister has E* and I don't try to talk her into switching to D*. She has what works best for her.
Shades228
11-17-09, 02:49 PM
In an apples to apples comparison, I have shown that D* can be less expensive than E*. So D* isn't necessarily "more out of pocket" in equal comparison.
On the ARPU comment, that is probably due to the premiums that subscribers end up purchasing like NFL ST. Another contributing factor is that D* is targeting subscribers with high FICO scores. Those subscribers with excellent credit tend to purchase more expensive packages. And both of these results in a higher ARPU.
Yes it can to people who want to spend money. People who want to spend money have multiple HD's and are willing to have multiple HD DVR's and so forth. Those are the customers that DirecTV wants. Bargain hunters, which is basically what this thread is turning into, won't, or are less likely to, spend that kind of money most of the time. Therefor the ARPU was relevant to that portion. I couldn't even be a Dish sub and have the ammount of TV's in HD that I have now. They won't let me have that many receivers. Plus I can't live without my sports.
ejohnson85
11-17-09, 02:51 PM
I was just telling you what I thought when it wouldn't accept the promo "friend" w/o entering something like an account# in a second field. I wouldn't anticipate that you would ask for a referral, because the moderators would probably remove your post. Thought you were hoping that someone wouldn't know anyone that had E* and would PM you for your account number. Now I understand that this wasn't your intention.
I'm not a D* cheerleader, just believe in getting what works best for me. My sister has E* and I don't try to talk her into switching to D*. She has what works best for her.
nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree :)
Curtis0620
11-17-09, 02:54 PM
Point taken, but for the other 95% of the population that don't require HD DVR's for multiple HDTV's, the highest package of 250+ channels (how many of those do you actually watch?), and multiple premium sports packages that charge an arm and a leg (do you do anything other than watch TV?), Dish Network is definitely the better value.
i was just trying to share the link (http://www.dishnetwork.com/redirects/promotion/friend/)so others could save money, as it seems that what we're all trying to do, except maybe you with all those services you have.
I get 9 HD local channels with Directv, with DISH I would only get 4.
No thank you.
vBulletin® v3.7.6, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.