View Full Version : No deal on HR20, $200 lease fee sucks, dish hd dvr is free
area123
07-10-07, 11:37 AM
Why would I pay this $200 lease fee and sign a 2 year contract when I can get a free HD DVR from dish or cable and sign no contract? I don't understand these people. I've called twice and both times get the same rehearsed crap "the hd dvr is our most advanced receiver and the $200 fee is required" blah blah.
I guess I will go with Dish for now and will be able to cancel if/when the HR20 becomes free and more stable (from what I read it is kind of unstable still). My sole reason for trying to go w/ Directv was because they already have my locals (in HD), and Dish will not have them for several months, so I have to decide if it is worth $200 because the per month cost is about equal for what I'll get.
Oh well, maybe later.
Have fun with Dish!:)
In my mind it is just a little pocket change difference in the long run. Dish doesn't have the sports packages, so I would never go there. Well, I shouldn't say never, if they gave away the equipment and the programming for free, I guess I would have it installed and get the Superstations. That's the only thing they have that I don't have with DTV. But they probably won't ever be in HD, so I wouldn't watch them anyway.:hurah:
say-what
07-10-07, 11:46 AM
Good luck with Dish, hope you enjoy.
The deal you were quoted is the standard deal that any new customer gets. But they generally come with a rebate and monthly service discount that offsets the cost of the HR20 - I've found 2 such deals with a simple google search.
When these new HD channels on DTV get going, if we already subscribe to the HD package through them do we have to order anything else or will they be included?
Earl Bonovich
07-10-07, 11:55 AM
When these new HD channels on DTV get going, if we already subscribe to the HD package through them do we have to order anything else or will they be included?
We don't know for certain, but things are expected to be automatic... and you won't have to do anything.
tonyd79
07-10-07, 12:01 PM
I love people who jump providers for a short term deal. I just don't get it. It is a hassle to have new hardware installed, get used to the interfaces, etc. All for maybe a year? No thanks.
If it floats your boat, then go for it.
Is it just the challenge of saving a few bucks a month?
joebbaseball
07-10-07, 12:01 PM
IMO You should do what you want and not let this discusion infuence you. But, I am with D*, I got the unit for free, but I've been w/them for several years and pay around $100 or so per month. Not sure who your cable provider is, but we've got TW, if you've ever seen their cable box, its about as expensive as a tin can. Plus for HD, they charge close to 10 bucks per box to least it. Yes, 200 is high, but when you see the reciever, it seems worth it. Especially if you are watching these so called 100 hd channels. Also you might be able to get some programming discounts to lesson the costs.
Joe
jonaswan2
07-10-07, 12:07 PM
Don't you have to sign an 18 month contract with Dish Network, or are they having some new special?
If you refuse the 49.99 rebate from Dish there is no CONTRACT.
bonscott87
07-10-07, 12:30 PM
Sure, those are *new customer* deals. If you were a new customer to DirecTV you'd have very similar deals including free HR20. Just the way it works.
Just like if you are with Dish now and want an MPEG4 receiver (so you can keep getting Voom) or want to upgrade to an HD DVR you will for sure pay for it plus get an 18 month contract to boot.
All the providers are the same.
markrubi
07-10-07, 12:55 PM
Why would I pay this $200 lease fee and sign a 2 year contract when I can get a free HD DVR from dish or cable and sign no contract? I don't understand these people. I've called twice and both times get the same rehearsed crap "the hd dvr is our most advanced receiver and the $200 fee is required" blah blah.
I guess I will go with Dish for now and will be able to cancel if/when the HR20 becomes free and more stable (from what I read it is kind of unstable still). My sole reason for trying to go w/ Directv was because they already have my locals (in HD), and Dish will not have them for several months, so I have to decide if it is worth $200 because the per month cost is about equal for what I'll get.
Oh well, maybe later.
I live by the moto. You get what you pay for.... You might try telling Directv you are with Dish and thinking about switching but only if a good deal comes your way. Tell them you want premium channles like starz hbo then they might give you an HR20 for cheap. Then just cancel the premium channels a month later. There are ways of working service companies to your advantage. Cell phone co's etc....
nocaster
07-10-07, 12:59 PM
area123,
If you want the locals in HD have you considered an antenna? I get all the OKC stations just fine at 63 miles here in Enid.
area123
07-10-07, 01:41 PM
area123,
If you want the locals in HD have you considered an antenna? I get all the OKC stations just fine at 63 miles here in Enid.
Do you have a tall antenae?
I am about 50 miles from Tulsa and have a very tall antenae, but could never pick up locals very good. I think I need a new antenae up there but don't want to climb up that high to mess with it.
Sure, there are goods and bads about both, with Dish I like the no contract & free hd dvr deal, but don't like the no hd locals. I've had dish before but left them because they wanted $200 for their hd dvr and $20/month for HD programming. Now at least they offer the box free and 1 year of free HD (I don't watch much sports so that's not an issue).
I really wanted to try Directv but there is no way (even for new customers) to get the equipment free & if I don't like the service I am stuck w/ a $200 upfront cost and a 2 year contract.
jimmymiko
07-10-07, 02:43 PM
You get what you pay for!
bonscott87
07-10-07, 03:12 PM
I really wanted to try Directv but there is no way (even for new customers) to get the equipment free & if I don't like the service I am stuck w/ a $200 upfront cost and a 2 year contract.
I see new customers post all the time on a football board I frequent the sign up with 1 free HR20. Pay if you want more then one.
breadman43
07-10-07, 03:25 PM
have you gone to directv.com it looks like they are giving free dvr after rebate:
for new customers:
jonaswan2
07-10-07, 03:39 PM
have you gone to directv.com it looks like they are giving free dvr after rebate:
for new customers:
It's the R15. Usually, they'll give you the choice of either a free Plus DVR or a free HD receivers. Or they'll take $100 off of the HR20's price.
brianp6621
07-10-07, 03:50 PM
I recently got the HR20 free after threatening to jump to dish. However on my first statement I noticed that they are charging me a lease fee of $5 a month. Is this the case with others? I don't ever remember them quoting me a lease fee.
Michael D'Angelo
07-10-07, 03:53 PM
I recently got the HR20 free after threatening to jump to dish. However on my first statement I noticed that they are charging me a lease fee of $5 a month. Is this the case with others? I don't ever remember them quoting me a lease fee.
Yes that is how it is for all of us. Instead of it being mirror fee they changed it to lease fee.
say-what
07-10-07, 03:56 PM
I recently got the HR20 free after threatening to jump to dish. However on my first statement I noticed that they are charging me a lease fee of $5 a month. Is this the case with others? I don't ever remember them quoting me a lease fee.
If you have other units, the lease fee is what used to be the mirroring fee. Everyone pays the $4.99 per month for each unit over the 1st - the label may differ, but we all pay for additional units. BTW, your HR20 is definitly a lease. Only way to avoid the lease is pay the full price of around $700.
brianp6621
07-10-07, 04:10 PM
If you have other units, the lease fee is what used to be the mirroring fee. Everyone pays the $4.99 per month for each unit over the 1st - the label may differ, but we all pay for additional units. BTW, your HR20 is definitly a lease. Only way to avoid the lease is pay the full price of around $700.
Well I only have 2 units and am paying $5 for both. Should I not be? Should I only be paying the 4.99 lease fee, and nothing on the DTIVO?. I am ok that it is a lease (even though it wasn't ever explained that way on the phone) I just don't like not having the info about it being a lease and that there would be a fee, told up front. I may let it slide due to all the other discounts they have given me.
jonaswan2
07-10-07, 04:33 PM
Well I only have 2 units and am paying $5 for both. Should I not be? Should I only be paying the 4.99 lease fee, and nothing on the DTIVO?. I am ok that it is a lease (even though it wasn't ever explained that way on the phone) I just don't like not having the info about it being a lease and that there would be a fee, told up front. I may let it slide due to all the other discounts they have given me.
You are not supposed to be paying $5 for both. It may mean that you still have the other machine active on your account. Call DIRECTV and tell them about the problem.
gopokes
07-10-07, 04:48 PM
If you go with Directv then you will get your Local HD via Directv and will not need a tall antenna. If you want Dish and get Tulsa locals then you will need to fix what you currently have to get locals in HD. I was with Dish and went with Directv, your cost are well worth it in the long run. Cox is terrible here, and with Dish their 129 satellite gets low signals!
Do you have a tall antenae?
I am about 50 miles from Tulsa and have a very tall antenae, but could never pick up locals very good. I think I need a new antenae up there but don't want to climb up that high to mess with it.
Sure, there are goods and bads about both, with Dish I like the no contract & free hd dvr deal, but don't like the no hd locals. I've had dish before but left them because they wanted $200 for their hd dvr and $20/month for HD programming. Now at least they offer the box free and 1 year of free HD (I don't watch much sports so that's not an issue).
I really wanted to try Directv but there is no way (even for new customers) to get the equipment free & if I don't like the service I am stuck w/ a $200 upfront cost and a 2 year contract.
bonscott87
07-10-07, 04:48 PM
If you have 2 units you should only be paying a single $4.99 fee.
But look at your bill closely once you get it. You may see the $4.99 lease fee and then a credit back for it. They have to do that in some states that charge sales tax on the lease fee. If that's the case you're ok.
If you have 2 units you should only be paying a single $4.99 fee.
But look at your bill closely once you get it. You may see the $4.99 lease fee and then a credit back for it. They have to do that in some states that charge sales tax on the lease fee. If that's the case you're ok.
Take it a step farther. If you have 4 HR20s you will pay $4.99 each for three of them each month.
say-what
07-10-07, 05:17 PM
If you have 2 units you should only be paying a single $4.99 fee.
But look at your bill closely once you get it. You may see the $4.99 lease fee and then a credit back for it. They have to do that in some states that charge sales tax on the lease fee. If that's the case you're ok.
Or, he could be mistaking the 4.99 DVR fee for another lease fee. Check the bill closely.....
bobnielsen
07-10-07, 05:22 PM
If you have 2 units you should only be paying a single $4.99 fee.
But look at your bill closely once you get it. You may see the $4.99 lease fee and then a credit back for it. They have to do that in some states that charge sales tax on the lease fee. If that's the case you're ok.
When I had an owned HDVR2 and leased H20, the HDVR2 was shown as the main unit and I was charged WA tax on the lease of the H20. I deactivated both (and returned the H20) when I got my HR20, which is leased of course. I am not charged any sales tax any more, saving me a whole 43 cents per month.
brianp6621
07-10-07, 06:18 PM
On my online bill, here is what I see. (it is a little hard to decipher with all the credits/partial billing due to the first month)
[code]
Fees
06/30 Additional Receiver 4.99
06/30 Leased Receiver 4.99
Adjustments & Credits
06/03 Programming Credit for 3 Mos. -5.00 Credit
06/11 HD Access Credit -9.99 Credit
06/11 12 Month Programming Credit -10.00 Credit
06/27 HD Access Credit -9.99 Credit
06/28 Programming Credit for 3 Mos. -5.00 Credit
06/09 HD Access Partial Month Charge 6.66
06/09 DIRECTV DVR Service Partial Month Charge 0.00
06/09 Leased Receiver 3.33
I was supposed to get HD free for 6 months and $10 off for 12 months.
I don't know what the "Programming Credit for 3 Mos." is. It should have just been $20 off per month basically. This amounts to $25 off per month but only for 3 months.
brianp6621
07-10-07, 06:35 PM
On my online bill, here is what I see. (it is a little hard to decipher with all the credits/partial billing due to the first month)
[code]
Fees
06/30 Additional Receiver 4.99
06/30 Leased Receiver 4.99
Adjustments & Credits
06/03 Programming Credit for 3 Mos. -5.00 Credit
06/11 HD Access Credit -9.99 Credit
06/11 12 Month Programming Credit -10.00 Credit
06/27 HD Access Credit -9.99 Credit
06/28 Programming Credit for 3 Mos. -5.00 Credit
06/09 HD Access Partial Month Charge 6.66
06/09 DIRECTV DVR Service Partial Month Charge 0.00
06/09 Leased Receiver 3.33
I was supposed to get HD free for 6 months and $10 off for 12 months.
I don't know what the "Programming Credit for 3 Mos." is. It should have just been $20 off per month basically. This amounts to $25 off per month but only for 3 months.
Nevermind, I just called. They had failed to deactivate the TiVo I took out of service when the HR20 was installed. They credited me back the charge.
The next bill should be interesting so I can see exactly how many discounts I am getting.
Why would I pay this $200 lease fee and sign a 2 year contract when I can get a free HD DVR from dish or cable and sign no contract? I don't understand these people. I've called twice and both times get the same rehearsed crap "the hd dvr is our most advanced receiver and the $200 fee is required" blah blah.
I guess I will go with Dish for now and will be able to cancel if/when the HR20 becomes free and more stable (from what I read it is kind of unstable still). My sole reason for trying to go w/ Directv was because they already have my locals (in HD), and Dish will not have them for several months, so I have to decide if it is worth $200 because the per month cost is about equal for what I'll get.
Oh well, maybe later.
Enjoy E*.
D* offers us our HD locals, E* doesn't and they couldn't tell me when they would. Paying $200 to ditch Comcast was a no brainer for me.
As for the HR20 being "unstable." FWIW, ours has been absolutely rock solid. No problems whatsoever.
bobsloop
07-10-07, 07:15 PM
My HR20 has been very stable since I first got it in November. Also, if you like sports then DirecTV is your only option. The NFL Sunday Ticket package is enough to get me to stay with DirecTV.
houskamp
07-10-07, 07:40 PM
And OTA is still free :)
shendley
07-11-07, 11:27 AM
From what I've read in the past, DTV will bend over backwards to keep a customer who is thinking of jumping ship to Dish or Cable for a better deal. If all that is needed is a free HR20, then I wouldn't think getting that deal done would really be that hard. And - just my 2 cents - I've got two 20s and both are functioning very well on a day to day basis. Minor issues crop up now and again, but nothing that's a deal killer. It's a really solid machine right now I think.
mx6bfast
07-11-07, 03:23 PM
From what I've read in the past, DTV will bend over backwards to keep a customer who is thinking of jumping ship to Dish or Cable for a better deal. If all that is needed is a free HR20, then I wouldn't think getting that deal done would really be that hard.
I agree. If you are a current D* sub I would send an email via the D* website and mention you are thinking about leaving D* because of the cost of the HR20 and you could get a new one for free from E*. They might only charge you $20 for an upgrade.
I love people who jump providers for a short term deal. I just don't get it. It is a hassle to have new hardware installed, get used to the interfaces, etc. All for maybe a year? No thanks.
If it floats your boat, then go for it.
Is it just the challenge of saving a few bucks a month?
I actually thought about doing this for a year with Comcast. I thought about it for about 30 seconds anyway. After the year was over my bill would've been almost $30 a month more than what I'm paying for Directv now, and that's assuming Comcast won't raise their rates in that time. Not to mention what a PITA it all is just for a year.
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