View Full Version : Own or lease... tradeoffs?
New to the forum and tried posting this on another forum:
It seems like on this and other D*Tv forums that the majority isn't in favor of leasing.
I am wondering why leasing isn't a "better" alternative than owning(assuming with rebates you don't really have any upfront costs)? I got the
r15 (and H20) on the last day before the leasing program started so that I would own it and to make sure I got the rebates for both. My bill came and they had me down as leasing the receivers. I called and spoke to someone who told me I could change it if I wanted to... My upfront costs after rebates is essentially $0 so that isn't a factor.
But my question is, why shouldn't I leave it as a lease since the monthly costs are identical... doesn't the lease offer me "protection" should the receiever go bad or a newer one comes out? The rep stated that in both those cases they would provide me w/ a new one(replacement). The only downside I can see to not owning is that I couldn't turn around and sell it(I also don't intend to install a larger hard drive) ... I just don't know what it would be worth, I don't think either of the receivers is that great(I much prefer the TivO powered DVR)and after my 2 year commitment, don't know they'd have much if any value
Am I missing something?
http://www.longhornxp.net/directv-urgent.html
Leasing is good on one hand as you can just trade it in for newer technology when its available, dont have to worry about the units breaking, your someone that switched providers often or not sure which one you prefer.
Owning is good on the other hand as you can hack/upgrade and do what you want, get cheap deals on used units, stop and start service anytime you want without hassle.
The downside of leasing from what I have read is that you pay almost as much up front to lease but you dont own it. Now you pay $100 (example) upfront to get a new receiver but you dont own it when before you paid $100 upfront and you own it.
Leasing is good on one hand as you can just trade it in for newer technology when its available, dont have to worry about the units breaking, your someone that switched providers often or not sure which one you prefer.
Owning is good on the other hand as you can hack/upgrade and do what you want, get cheap deals on used units, stop and start service anytime you want without hassle.
The downside of leasing from what I have read is that you pay almost as much up front to lease but you dont own it. Now you pay $100 (example) upfront to get a new receiver but you dont own it when before you paid $100 upfront and you own it.
Thanks Bobman, I will be getting the rebates, so the upfront costs aren't really an issue... though I still can't figure out how D*Tv can call it a lease if you buy them... but that's besides the point. Since I don't plan on hacking/upgrading the boxes, I think I will leave it as a lease in case there are problems or if they come out w/ a better box.
newsposter
04-04-06, 07:39 AM
jc a lot of new customers may not want to pay (extreme example but it's true) 500 bucks for HDtivo then 2 weeks later say they hate dtv then be out 500 + 150 or whatever the cancel penalty is...plus have to turn the thing back in
or people like me that have owned Hdtivo and want another one now...paying for something then not owning what you already have 1 of...just aint right! :) And it's been only 6 months that i needed to put in a bigger drive and as you noted, you can't add a drive. Big bummer since we watch a lot of tv.
Wolffpack
04-04-06, 10:14 AM
One plus many have mentioned with the lease program is the ability to upgrade to newer technology. Remember that's still an unknown area in that DTV may charge and up front "upgrade" fee just as they now charge an up front "lease" fee. Don't assume that moving to the next generation receiver or DVR will be free.
One plus many have mentioned with the lease program is the ability to upgrade to newer technology. Remember that's still an unknown area in that DTV may charge and up front "upgrade" fee just as they now charge an up front "lease" fee. Don't assume that moving to the next generation receiver or DVR will be free.
Good point on that, though I did specifically ask the rep 2 times on the phone about that and he did say that upgrades would be free... though it sounds like that may or may not be entirely true.
Who said they would replace it for free if it breaks 1 year later, esp "advanced hardware"?
Wolffpack
04-04-06, 11:04 PM
Who said they would replace it for free if it breaks 1 year later, esp "advanced hardware"?
No one. But some have mentioned the good side of a lease would mean you pay $499 for an HR20 and lease it. Then two years later you get a free upgrade to the HR30. I doubt that will be the case.
Don't think that leasing your DTV receivers/DVRs now will entitle you to free upgrades to new technology when it's released.
newsposter
04-05-06, 06:18 AM
hold on..i thought a benefit of leasing was we didnt' worry about breakdowns...you mean we are SOL if it breaks and have to buy a new one for 500?
Who said they would replace it for free if it breaks 1 year later, esp "advanced hardware"?
The D*Tv rep that I spoke to. He also said in the event a newer model becomes available, I would be entitled to that as well. That would make sense since it is a lease(similar to the cable company)...
Again, whether that is a true statement or not remains to be seen...
dodge boy
04-05-06, 08:57 AM
O.K. They had me down as a lease on owned equipment (I got it fixed). I'll tell you my thoughts on this. First I only have my R15 active. My bill showed 4.99 primary leas fee. tax .39. The next line showed primary receiver credit of 4.99. I still had to pay the state of Ohio 39 cents for nothing. Here is what I told the CSR on the phone, "If you clowns piss me off and I leave and send you my receiver, I switch to say Dish and own equip. or cable where it is free..... not rebated free just free to use. Do you think I'll hand you 100 bucks to switch back?" They said they'll offer special re-sub deals. I said if you own equip. and you just take it out of the closet, dust it off, and hook it up they don't need too. The CSR then said that too many of their receivers are going to the landfills. I told the guy that I was going dumpster diving for TiVos. But those won't get thrown away but an R15 might. :eek2:
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