Help me figure the real cost

[agreer]

OK I am going to get rid of comcast tomorrow over a billing dispute...so I really want to know what D* is going to cost before I do it...

Here is how I understand the NFL promo to work:

I pay $199 to lease a DVR (up front and in place of the $10/Mo comcast box)

I get everything, pay for only HD ACCESS and NFLST/SF...no other "fee"s outside of taxes

What worries me is after football season:

Will I be able to drop all of the premiums with no penalty?

I want Choice xtra (or whatever the lowest pack with VS is)

Choice xtra includes locals for $50

I would keep the $10 HD pack

and since I pay for the box up front, there is no monthly fee for DVR...right?

SO my total bill is $60 and tax...right?


also, I see a thing called the hardware protection plan: if the reciever that I LEASE dies, the dont replace it for free without paying this extortion? is that what it is?

Thanks, Screw comcast and I cant wait for ST kick off.

[Tom Robertson]

Welcome to DIRECTV. :welcome_s

Yes you can drop the premiums when the freebies run out, no problem at all.
And if you drop down to the choice xtra package, there is a $5.99/month DVR fee but that covers ALL the DVRs on the account for DVR service.
Note: after the first receiver, each added one (whether DVR or non-DVR) has a $4.99 mirroring or lease fee too.

Have fun with the NFL! To quote the original marketing when NFL came to satellite: "Let There Be Football!" :)

Cheers,
Tom

[Tom Robertson]

Oh, the protection plan also protects the dish and any multi-switches you might have. And gets you faster repair service.

Cheers,
Tom

[bonscott87]

Yes, you can downgrade no problem.

Actually Choice Xtra is $54.99 a month.
DVR service is $5.99 a month
HD Access is $9.99 a month

for a total of $70.97 a month.

Your other option is just Choice for $49.99 a month
plus DVR and HD will equal $65.97

So your better bet is the Plus HD DVR package which includes all the above for $69.99 a month. Save a couple bucks over Extra and a cleaner bill. :)

By the way, the DVR fee covers *All* DVRs on your account. I have 3 DVRs and it's only one $5.99 DVR fee.

[harsh]

As a new customer going after NFL ST, you may be able to work a better deal for the drive off fee on the receiver.

[agreer]

sounds great! Just had another thought: My "dear ole mom (and sister)" could be added as a vacation home because I visit 3-4 days a month...is that legal? is that a no-no?

[kevinturcotte]

They won't allow that. I'm not saying you can't physically do it, but you could get in trouble.
I *THINK* it would be fine if you had a dish installed there, and brought your receiver with you when you visited.

[Tom Robertson]

most likely no. if you turn it off or bring it with you each time you visit, you might qualify under the spirit. but if you leave it there when you are home and they use it, then nope. you are violating the spirit of the vacation location concept.

Cheers,
Tom

[harsh]

but if you leave it there when you are home and they use it, then nope. you are violating the spirit of the vacation location concept.What is this "vacation location concept" of which you speak? It doesn't appear to be provided by the terms and conditions.