Do It Yourself Upgrade through Best Buy?

[Redlinetire]

Here's my thinking:

I just came back to D* 3 weeks ago (from cable), got setup with the 5-lnb and an H20.

But I'm missing my DVR. :D

I verified through another thread (thanks DBSTalk!) that you don't NEED two lines to run the HR20. And since I have never recorded one show while watching another, I can't see this a problem for me. Once the SWM rolls out, I probably look at doing that.

But instead of waiting 'in line' for D* to ship me an HR20, can I simply go to Best Buy or Circuit City and 'purchase' (I know it's a lease) it there, install it myself and ship the H20 back to D*?

Has anyone done this? I'm basically trying to avoid having another install appointment. I do realize I'll have to talk to a CSR to activate, etc. I just want to avoid 'the truck roll' as someone once called it...

[Stuart Sweet]

Don't see why not, but call customer service and ask them first.

You can use the HR20 with one line, but unless you have an SWM you can only record one thing.

Also you're likely to get a better deal with DIRECTV.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Here's my thinking:

I just came back to D* 3 weeks ago (from cable), got setup with the 5-lnb and an H20.

But I'm missing my DVR. :D

I verified through another thread (thanks DBSTalk!) that you don't NEED two lines to run the HR20. And since I have never recorded one show while watching another, I can't see this a problem for me. Once the SWM rolls out, I probably look at doing that.

But instead of waiting 'in line' for D* to ship me an HR20, can I simply go to Best Buy or Circuit City and 'purchase' (I know it's a lease) it there, install it myself and ship the H20 back to D*?

Has anyone done this? I'm basically trying to avoid having another install appointment. I do realize I'll have to talk to a CSR to activate, etc. I just want to avoid 'the truck roll' as someone once called it...

Yes you can do that. Pick it up and hook it up. Then call DIRECTV to activate it and tell them that you would like to deactivate the H20 and send it back to them. They will send you a prepaid shipping box that you will get in a few days. You pack it up and either call FedEx to pick it up or drop it off to them.

[fraggal]

I just did it and they gave me $100 credit. When you call just say cancel service. You will get the retention department they will be able to get it done for you. I got my box on ebay for 199 plus 25 shipping and got a slimline dish for 25 plus 23 shipping. It is 299 at bestbuy with out the dish and 199 with a dish if you get it from DTV. With the 100 credit I got it for 172. Plus I called the other day and got the new costumer sunday ticket deal for 69.99 for 4 months plus 99.99 credit for 4 months. So they are paying me 119 to take the ST. I got the same deal last year also. And I've been getting the ST for 3 years now.



hope this helps Zac

[Redlinetire]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! :D

The website is now quoting me $99 to upgrade with free shipping.

But I could just drive over to BB and get it RIGHT NOW. With D* who knows...

And I am an inpatient sort...:lol:

I wonder if they would credit me back like they did you fraggal??

Hmm....

[wismile]

all you have to do is call and ask them. When the R15 debacle began I was helping out a friend and made arrangements to buy him a couple DirecTIVO units locally and they gave him enough credits to cover the cost...plus some!

It's worth a try.

[apulo]

Way back when I got my R10 I bought it from eBay and didn't notice the rebate offer they had on the website essentially making the R10 free. I called them up and expressed displeasure, politely of course, and they credited my account for $100 which made my R10 cost about $12.

[Sackett]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! :D

The website is now quoting me $99 to upgrade with free shipping.

But I could just drive over to BB and get it RIGHT NOW. With D* who knows...

And I am an inpatient sort...:lol:

I wonder if they would credit me back like they did you fraggal??

Hmm....

Where are you seeing $99 upgrade? I see it for the regular DVR (R15) not the HD DVR which is still showing $299

[Redlinetire]

Where are you seeing $99 upgrade? I see it for the regular DVR (R15) not the HD DVR which is still showing $299

Yea, I realized that after checking again this morning! :bang

That's what I get for shopping for electronics AFTER going out to the bar after work! :lol:

In fact, their online system won't let me upgrade to the HR20 without including a dish. Seems like their billing system hasn't completely caught up to my recent upgrade.

Looks like my only option is the BB route. And plead for a discount after activation...

[Michael D'Angelo]

Yea, I realized that after checking again this morning! :bang

That's what I get for shopping for electronics AFTER going out to the bar after work! :lol:

In fact, their online system won't let me upgrade to the HR20 without including a dish. Seems like their billing system hasn't completely caught up to my recent upgrade.

Looks like my only option is the BB route. And plead for a discount after activation...

As far as the order showing the dish it always does. But if you already have it they will not install a new one. Since the dish is a free upgrade they probably figured it would be easier just to put it on there to make sure the installer will have it if they need it.

[Redlinetire]

As far as the order showing the dish it always does. But if you already have it they will not install a new one. Since the dish is a free upgrade they probably figured it would be easier just to put it on there to make sure the installer will have it if they need it.

But it allows me to order a standalone SD receiver and a standalone SD DVR without ordering a dish. :confused:

And it doesn't even offer me the option to buy another H20.

I guess I'm naive enough to think their website would understand what I already own and offer me options appropriate for my setup.

Silly me...:lol:

[Stuart Sweet]

It's hard to customize that process for everyone, that's why they have CSRs...

[buzzdalf]

Let us know how the plea for a credit goes after activating the Best Buy purchased unit.
I have been switching my house out to HR20's this way. I go to best buy and get one, then call DirecTV to activate it and deactivate my old SD DirecTivo. I've been doing this as I get the money to pay for the $300 HR20.
I have 2 HR20's so far, 1 more to swap out.

I am starting to wonder if I should call them and try for a credit.

[paulman182]

But it allows me to order a standalone SD receiver and a standalone SD DVR without ordering a dish. :confused:
And it doesn't even offer me the option to buy another H20.
I guess I'm naive enough to think their website would understand what I already own and offer me options appropriate for my setup.
Silly me...:lol:

That's because hardly anyone needs a new dish when getting an SD receiver or SD DVR. You don't need the Slimline for SD.

[fraggal]

Call and bargain with them the deals are out there. Just have to ask and not back down. And make sure you talk to the retention department they are the people that can get things done. I forgot to say before but I also got a free SD dvr when the site said 99 bucks. I even got free shipping because they said I get free install but 19 or so for shipping. I told them that it was cheaper to give me free shipping then have a guy come out and hand it to me and the lady that's right. So that's 120 more I got from them this last few weeks.


Zac

[Redlinetire]

Let us know how the plea for a credit goes after activating the Best Buy purchased unit.
I have been switching my house out to HR20's this way. I go to best buy and get one, then call DirecTV to activate it and deactivate my old SD DirecTivo. I've been doing this as I get the money to pay for the $300 HR20.
I have 2 HR20's so far, 1 more to swap out.

I am starting to wonder if I should call them and try for a credit.

Well, I pulled the trigger after work and did it. :hurah:

But 'Josh' - the friendly CSR - was in no mood to bargain. I guess I could have done the CSR roulette or yelled for retention but that's just not my style. Besides I had a dinner date...

And he could clearly see I just re-upped 3 weeks ago and that I wasn't about to dump back out of it. I should have just upped for the DVR initially. Oh well, now it's here.

Interesting thing is, while we were waiting for the activation to take hold (couldn't get my locals to go) I asked if they were getting a lot of new customers for all the HD coming on line. He said 'not really' but he was spending all of his time doing the 'free upgrades' for people with old HD equipment. Maybe that's why he was in no mood to bargain...:lol: