HR20-700 Email from DirecTV!

[jhays]

Here's the email I just received from DirecTV (I live in Tucson). (All URL's were removed).

Subject: DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is HERE
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 17:00:39 -0600


If you can't see the email below
THE NEW DIRECTV PLUS® HD DVR IS NOW AVAILABLE



Revolutionize your DIRECTV experience

The wait is over! The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (Model HR20) — with cutting-edge MPEG-4 HD recording technology — has arrived. Through our exclusive partnership with Best Buy, you can lease the HD DVR right now at

Now is your chance to be among the first to experience DVR technology at its best.




KEY FEATURES OF THE HR20


300 GB SATA internal hard drive


Up to 200 hours of SD programming


Up to 50 hours of MPEG-4 HD programming


2 Satellite Tuners


HDMI, Component, S-video, and Composite Output


Image displays ranging from
480i to 1080i






©2006 DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design and logo and DIRECTV Plus are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc.

[RAD]

Got it also. I checked a couple of zip codes out and none of the stores say they have local availability. Checked for estimated arrivial date using next day air for shipping an their site came back with 9/12 as the earliest date. Think I'll just wait on VE's shipment since they're $100 cheaper then DD.

[Chris Blount]

As I said in the other thread, everyone on the wait list needs to follow the link in your e-mail which identifies you as a DBSTalk waitlist customer. This will give you preferencial treatment when you order.

[RAD]

As I said in the other thread, everyone on the wait list needs to follow the link in your e-mail which identifies you as a DBSTalk waitlist customer. This will give you preferencial treatment when you order.

Chris, how preferencial? I ask since even with paying for overnight shipping they estimate a 9/12 delivery. Plus they're showing $399 for the price while another online vendor says $299 and expects to ship on 9/12. Just curious.

[RunnerFL]

As I said in the other thread, everyone on the wait list needs to follow the link in your e-mail which identifies you as a DBSTalk waitlist customer. This will give you preferencial treatment when you order.

When are we supposed to get this email and will it identify itself as being only for the users of this forum?

[bobnielsen]

As I said in the other thread, everyone on the wait list needs to follow the link in your e-mail which identifies you as a DBSTalk waitlist customer. This will give you preferencial treatment when you order.

The link on my email took me to the main Best Buy page and I had to navigate that to get to the HR20-700. $399.95 + 9.05 shipping, not very preferential!

[noneroy]

You can also get it from D*. If you talk to them you can probably beat the cost anyone is charging to buy it online. At least I did.

Call D* and see what they can do for you, esp. if you've subscribed for a while.

[Guitar Hero]

LEASE? I want to PURCHASE!

I'm getting sick and tired of my H20 reseting itself over and over again. :(

How much will the HR20 cost for purchase? How long until we can purchase it?

I got the new email too, only it said it was "almost here."

[rockon1]

Got it to , on the phone(retention) with D* now, I'll let you know what they say. She didn't know about the email so she is looking into it.

[Guitar Hero]

Got it to , on the phone(retention) with D* now, I'll let you know what they say. She didn't know about the email so she is looking into it.

I'm still on hold. LOL

EDIT: Just PURCHASED it for $828.54. Plus, I'm getting a 5LNB sat dish upgrade for free. Plus, the H20 will be relocated to a second TV for free plus a $4.95 per month fee.

[wismile]

You can hang up now...I've already spent almost an hour on hold with D* Customer Retention tonight. After telling me she was going to put my order through, she put me on hold for almost 10 minutes, she finally came back and said they aren't available for another couple weeks and if I ordered a HD-DVR today they would be sending me an HR10-250. I asked her to schedule installation in two weeks to ensure I'd get the HR20-700 unit. She told me the best they could do is call me back to schedule my installation at a later date. We'll see what happens.

[rockon1]

Ok, Got it, I think . They didn't know about the email yet but went ahead a scheduled an install for Oct 2nd (soonest available) but said they would email the installer and ask for a sooner date if available. She did say when they come out to install, make sure they bring an Hr20 instead of the HR10. All for 19.95 for shipping and I get to keep my hr10-250,I think thats because I own it.

HR20 will be LEASED

[rabi]

I'm still on hold. LOL

EDIT: Just PURCHASED it for $828.54. Plus, I'm getting a 5LNB sat dish upgrade for free. Plus, the H20 will be relocated to a second TV for free plus a $4.95 per month fee.

$800???? Are you crazy?

[rockon1]

$800???? Are you crazy?

He Bought it outright, not leased

[Guitar Hero]

$800???? Are you crazy?

No. Considering I purchased my HDR-230 (see my signature) for $160 more than that over three years ago. Remember, PURCHASED, not LEASED.

[Earl Bonovich]

No. Considering I purchased my HDR-230 (see my signature) for $160 more than that over three years ago. Remember, PURCHASED, not LEASED.

So what did you get for the extra $530 (over the $299 lease price) ?

Other then not having to return the unit if you brake your contract in the next 2 years (which the service plan isn't any cheaper for an owned unit?)

[Guitar Hero]

So what did you get for the extra $530 (over the $299 lease price) ?

Other then not having to return the unit if you brake your contract in the next 2 years (which the service plan isn't any cheaper for an owned unit?)

Well, I don't have to return it, ever. So as it was just explained to me.

So, if I lease and get DirecTV for the next two years, I get to OWN this thing?

[lovswr]

hmmm I got the mail too. The thing that jumped out at me, was no mention of OTA. I got a bad feeling about this, plus the fact that the preferential treatment is not turning out very well either.

[Earl Bonovich]

Well, I don't have to return it, ever. So as it was just explained to me.

So, if I lease and get DirecTV for the next two years, I get to OWN this thing?

No, if it was leased... you "may" have to return it in two years or when ever... if they want it back.

But if you ever leave DirecTV service, that HR20 won't work on any other service.

[Earl Bonovich]

hmmm I got the mail too. The thing that jumped out at me, was no mention of OTA. I got a bad feeling about this, plus the fact that the preferential treatment is not turning out very well either.

Why can't people simply understand that they didn't put two OTA tuners in the box for decoration....... there is going to be OTA support. in the box.

[captain_video]

EDIT: Just PURCHASED it for $828.54.
Wow, you really know how to get a good bargain.:rolleyes: There's a dealer on ebay selling it for $319 with the option to buy or lease for the same price. YOu could have bought two of them and still had money left over. FWIW, buying the HR20 for ownership only gets you a 90-day warranty. If it breaks you're SOL. With the lease plan you are essentially getting a lifetime warranty.

I'm still waiting for DTV to notify me that my locals are available in HD via the mpeg4 sats. I also have three HDTivos subbed on my account so you'd think they'd be knocking down my door to get me to switch to the HR. Perhaps the fact that none of my subbed DTivos or HDTivos have ever dialed in might have something to do with that.

So what did you get for the extra $530 (over the $299 lease price) ?

Other then not having to return the unit if you brake your contract in the next 2 years (which the service plan isn't any cheaper for an owned unit?)
The way I understand it, you will NEVER own the unit under the lease plan. If you terminate DTV for any reason you will have to return it. If you terminate DTV while under the 2-year commitment you will not only have to return the DVR but you will also have to pay an early termination penalty. I believe there may be a 30-day grace period after signing up with DTV top return the unit with no penalty but beyond that you have to stick with the plan or get hammered.

[Guitar Hero]

No, if it was leased... you "may" have to return it in two years or when ever... if they want it back.

But if you ever leave DirecTV service, that HR20 won't work on any other service.

Thanks for the bad news! :mad:

I'M KIDDING! You just saved me from making a big mistake. Thank you.

OK, I just got off the phone with costumer retention and they canceled my $800 order. Phew! They then offered me a the lease deal for the price of $299 but that was after they never heard of the $299 deal. It's $399 from here on out.

I said it was some special deal or promotion, or something and he claimed he never heard of it. I'm not sure if it was a legitimate deal from this place or what, but I told him what I heard that there was a deal for the lease for $299. Maybe you can give me the clear details on that, Earl. He didn't seem to hesitate to give me the $299 deal, so whatever.

It's still scheduled for the 12th.

[carlsbad_bolt_fan]

Ok, Got it, I think . They didn't know about the email yet but went ahead a scheduled an install for Oct 2nd (soonest available) but said they would email the installer and ask for a sooner date if available. She did say when they come out to install, make sure they bring an Hr20 instead of the HR10. All for 19.95 for shipping and I get to keep my hr10-250,I think thats because I own it.

HR20 will be LEASED
Then you're a lucky guy...


After spending 13 minutes of my life listening to lots of background noise and having a Customer Retention rep tell me "It isn't available in your area" , "We're still testing it, you wouldn't want us to release something that wasn't tested" and me countering with I received an email TELLING me it's available and that Best Buy is promoting it, she comes back with "Well, then get it at Best Buy because we'll be selling it at the same price". My favorite line: "Why would we keep it from you?". Classic! :nono:

[David Bott]

Hello All...

Not sure where some of you thought pricing was a part of any of this.

Let me see if I can try to help here for I worked with DTV on this. The list was for being one of the first to be able to order it "when it was available" as was stated. Until you received that e-mail, the product was not officially released for sale by DirecTV.

The e-mail was considered a VIP list for it was to be be sent by DirecTV right at the time when you could order the item. (As some others noticed, Best Buy now show it as Available 2 to 3 days and not as back ordered as it read this morning.) As such, if you did choose to order, you would then be able to be one of the first to receive the unit for they seem to have stock. Thus the "preferential" treatment as being able to get a special notice and order. (They are first come first served.) It was supose to be a special Pre-Order, but the date got moved up as you can see. (as some were reporting the 18th)

Thus the e-mail was the call to action for being on list that went out like this. (I think current DTV customers who called in and asked to be on a list also received something like this.) Thus you should be able to act before the general public and thus be one of the first to get the unit.

We of course have no control over pricing or delivery times. You may choose to order or not, 100% your call and we have no stake in the matter. But the notice was sent to the members on the list and it was only sent when you could officially order the HR20 for the initial roll out.

If you care to order elsewhere, go for it! If the place you order it from does not have the unit to ship or does not arrive in stock when they might have said, you will just have to wait or cancel the order. This holds true for any dealer, even Best Buy. If you care to save $100 because you can wait...GREAT!

All in all, that is it in a nut shell.

(Yes, someone seems to have goofed on DTV's end with the link. It should have gone right to the HR20 page.)

I am sorry...forgot to mention...Chris had said "This will give you preferencial treatment when you order." This was supose to take place, but based on legal thoughts between parties, it was something that did not come to pass. Sorry Chris, I did not contact you about it when I found out.

Take care...Safe Weekend.

[carlsbad_bolt_fan]

Hello All...

Not sure where some of you thought pricing was a part of any of this.

Let me see if I can try to help here for I worked with DTV on this. The list was for being one of the first to be able to order it "when it was available" as was stated. Until you received that e-mail, the product was not officially released for sale by DirecTV.

The e-mail was considered a VIP list for it was to be be sent by DirecTV right at the time when you could order the item. (As some others noticed, Best Buy now show it as Available 2 to 3 days and not as back ordered as it read this morning.) As such, if you did choose to order, you would then be able to be one of the first to receive the unit for they seem to have stock. Thus the "preferential" treatment as being able to get a special notice and order. (They are first come first served.) It was supose to be a special Pre-Order, but the date got moved up as you can see. (as some were reporting the 18th)

Thus the e-mail was the call to action for being on list that went out like this. (I think current DTV customers who called in and asked to be on a list also received something like this.) Thus you should be able to act before the general public and thus be one of the first to get the unit.

We of course have no control over pricing or delivery times. You may choose to order or not, 100% your call and we have no stake in the matter. But the notice was sent to the members on the list and it was only sent when you could officially order the HR20 for the initial roll out.

If you care to order elsewhere, go for it! If the place you order it from does not have the unit to ship or does not arrive in stock when they might have said, you will just have to wait or cancel the order. This holds true for any dealer, even Best Buy. If you care to save $100 because you can wait...GREAT!

All in all, that is it in a nut shell.

(Yes, someone seems to have goofed on DTV's end with the link. It should have gone right to the HR20 page.)

Take care...Safe Weekend.

Well David, that is all well and good but...

You folks need to be make yourselves clear when it comes to a "VIP List". If all we were supposed to get was an "opportunity" to get an HR20, then that's what should have been said. None of us who signed up knew what it really was at the time and from the sound of it, none of the folks at DBSTalk knew what being on that list meant either.

With that said, my weekend has begun and I'm off to watch my Chargers.

[Guitar Hero]

Same here. I didn't know what the special deal was for us. I ASKED the Customer Retention agent and he said, "There isn't one." which is the truth. So, don't ask for one.

I'm sorry for the confusion. It's my own mistake and nobody else's.

When speaking with the agent, I mentioned there are people discussing a deal for the lease option for the HR20-700 for $299. He knew nothing of it. But, when he heard me cancel my $800 order and then refused his $399 lease offer, that's when he made me the $299 lease offer which also comes with no delivery fees. So, the deal he gave me was $299 plus tax for a total of $322.18, plus 5LNB sat dish included.

[David Bott]

Thanks carlsbad_bolt_fan, Noted.

Not sure really though what was expected other than to be able to have the opportunity to order the unit right when it was release. All that it said was get on the list to be notified when you could pre-order. But then date was moved up and thus you were notified right at the time it was released. (I mean right at the time) Thus people on the list were personally notified it was able to be ordered. Nothing else was even stated about special deals or anything. The VIP came in for we were the only site asked by DTV to offer such a sign up. (They did have an internal CSR list that did also get some type of mailing.)

We will look to be sure we have a better understanding on things like this as they present themselves in the future. But I thoght it was more or less clear it was an e-mail list about an ordering notice.

Safe weekend and thanks again.

[Alan Gordon]

But I thoght it was more or less clear it was an e-mail list about an ordering notice.

I never thought it had anything to do with price, I thought it was an E-Mail list indicating when I could order it... but I expected it as more of a advance thing. In other words, I expected to receive an E-Mail indicating a special code or something that I could use whenever I called DirecTV to order it... and wouldn't have to worry about DirecTV telling me none was available...

I also was under the impression that after I received the E-Mail, I could then call DirecTV (Retention) and try to get a good deal on it (Read This Post (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=631305&postcount=443)), and while one could contact DirecTV and try and get a credit and then buy it at Best Buy, I still got the wrong idea.

~Alan

[RunnerFL]

Consider yourselves lucky to have gotten it... Some of us signed up for it, like me, and didn't get the email.

[gregftlaud]

some of you guys give up on the customer retention roulette way to easily. you should be able to get all new equipment for free, except for shipping.

[cobby75]

I'm a long time lurker, but after getting this deal I had to post something.
I got the Best Buy email and called D, to see if I could order through them. After speaking to a complete jerk ("Why dont you just go to best buy and get it"), I called the retention line. I told the retention rep that I was just calling to see if I could order it, he checked with his supervisor and said I could. He quoted the 399price but offered to see what he could do since I was an A customer (7 years, Sunday Ticket, HBO). I am getting the box for free and paying 19.95 for shipping and handling. Installation is 9/20. I asked him to make sure that it would be the HR20 and he said yes. I didnt threaten to leave since I did that for a free H20, he just offered the deal.

Just wanted to share.

(I meant 7 years not 9)

[Guitar Hero]

I'm a long time lurker, but after getting this deal I had to post something.
I got the Best Buy email and called D, to see if I could order through them. After speaking to a complete jerk ("Why dont you just go to best buy and get it"), I called the retention line. I told the retention rep that I was just calling to see if I could order it, he checked with his supervisor and said I could. He quoted the 399price but offered to see what he could do since I was an A customer (9 years, Sunday Ticket, HBO). I am getting the box for free and paying 19.95 for shipping and handling. Installation is 9/20. I asked him to make sure that it would be the HR20 and he said yes. I didnt threaten to leave since I did that for a free H20, he just offered the deal.

Just wanted to share.

I didn't get any such deal. In fact, when I refused his $399 deal, that's when he offered me the $299 deal. I guess I should have waited.

I'm not sure I'm really an A list customer. I've only been with D* for four years, but I did have the all premium channel package for two years. I now have HBO and Showtime and the HD package as well.

Is that enough to bargain with for a free HR20? I currently own the H20 since December when I got that for free and free 3LNB. I'll be getting the 5LNB when the HR20 comes.

[cobby75]

I didn't get any such deal. In fact, when I refused his $399 deal, that's when he offered me the $299 deal. I guess I should have waited.

I'm not sure I'm really an A list customer. I've only been with D* for four years, but I did have the all premium channel package for two years. I now have HBO and Showtime and the HD package as well.

Is that enough to bargain with for a free HR20? I currently own the H20 since December when I got that for free and free 3LNB. I'll be getting the 5LNB when the HR20 comes.

I have no clue what the minimum length is for the deals. When you call the main line the system will tell you if you are an A customer. The Rep who picks up should also mention your A status (if you have it)

[carlsbad_bolt_fan]

some of you guys give up on the customer retention roulette way to easily. you should be able to get all new equipment for free, except for shipping.

If you look at what happened when I called, 13 minutes of no progress or the rep even acknowledging the HR20's availability. Telling me "Why would we keep it from you if we could sell it?". Either you're going to get an HR20 or not. Either way let us all know how it all worked out.

I'll give the retention line another shot tomorrow.

[gregftlaud]

yes, it's not a matter of how long u spend arguing with ONE retention csr...it's matter of you keep calling in and speaking to DIFFERENT csr's until u get the one that will give it to you for free and know what they are talking about. if you cant get if for free in the first 2 min of your conversation immediately hang up and call back. as i've said in here numerous time i did 5 times in a row until i got the guy that would give me the entire install and receivers for free.

[iucpa]

yes, it's not a matter of how long u spend arguing with ONE retention csr...it's matter of you keep calling in and speaking to DIFFERENT csr's until u get the one that will give it to you for free and know what they are talking about. if you cant get if for free in the first 2 min of your conversation immediately hang up and call back. as i've said in here numerous time i did 5 times in a row until i got the guy that would give me the entire install and receivers for free.

Would you be so kind as to provide the contact number for the retention department so I may call them repeatedly?

Thank you!

[mikeny]

800-824-9081

[Deftones]

Here's the email I just received from DirecTV (I live in Tucson). (All URL's were removed).

Subject: DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is HERE
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 17:00:39 -0600


If you can't see the email below
THE NEW DIRECTV PLUS® HD DVR IS NOW AVAILABLE



Revolutionize your DIRECTV experience

The wait is over! The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (Model HR20) — with cutting-edge MPEG-4 HD recording technology — has arrived. Through our exclusive partnership with Best Buy, you can lease the HD DVR right now at

Now is your chance to be among the first to experience DVR technology at its best.




KEY FEATURES OF THE HR20


300 GB SATA internal hard drive


Up to 200 hours of SD programming


Up to 50 hours of MPEG-4 HD programming


2 Satellite Tuners


HDMI, Component, S-video, and Composite Output


Image displays ranging from
480i to 1080i






©2006 DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design and logo and DIRECTV Plus are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc.


How the heck are you getting this email already? I'm in the Phoenix area (well, Maricopa to be exact) and I've not received it yet. You'd think we'd get priority over you guys down in Tucson. ;)

[airmark]

Cobby75, Did your 9/22 install go fine? How do you like the HR20-700 so far?

I'm an "A" customer with DT*, and they told me today the new HD DVR isn't available at this time. I heard rumors of recall of the units, and short supply.
They told me when they become available again i could lease one for $299 with a 2yr extended commitment, or buy it from them direct for (i think) $500-- and still have a 2yr add to contract.

I found a couple internet suppliers, and one on ebay selling a new HR20-700. One of them is a satellite dealer and he told me i can buy the box, replace my old Mitsubishi SR-HD5 receiver-only, move the access card, and just add the $5.99/mo fee for the DVR listings to my D* bill- without a 2yr add to contract.
Think this is true?

Thanks, mark

[LameLefty]

Recall? No. Short supply? Definitely! I've been waiting over three weeks for mine and have another couple days to wait (presuming I'm not cancelled again). As far as pricing, call D* Retention and see if they'll work you a deal. I'm getting mine for free - no charges, no fees, no installation costs, no money up front being "repaid" with free premium channels I don't watch anyway. Free. I did have to agree to an additional two years with D* - which is no big deal since I've been with them since '97 anyway.