A $300 up front fee for leasing "Advanced Technology" equipment pretty much equates to the current equipment purchase price. But you can't turn around and sell it if you cancel. You could be out some $$$.
I think I'd rather lease, because at least with leasing, if something goes wrong, I can get a replacement at no cost, where as owning, if I don't have the Protection Plan, I'm stuck buying another one at the same cost.
Earlier in the forum, someone asked about the Protection Plan. The new leasing model only covers the receiver itself. If you don't have the Protection Plan, you would still be responsible for the remote control or for service calls for technical reasons, so if I were you, I'd still keep the Protection Plan even if you leased your equipment.
If you get DTV's protection plan ($7.99/month for advanced receivers, including DVRs) then you get the same protection as the leasing plan. The prices you posted for owning equipment is a bit skewed, IMO. You can buy brand new DTivos for $99 or less, even without any rebates attached. HDTivos and receivers vary all over the place if you look on ebay, even for new equipment.
The prices you posted for owning equipment is a bit skewed, IMO. You can buy brand new DTivos for $99 or less, even without any rebates attached. HDTivos and receivers vary all over the place if you look on ebay, even for new equipment.
Not as of 3/1. The prices posted are correct, for equipment ordered through D* and it's authorized dealers.
The lower prices are available under the lease program with a contract.
The higher prices ($349, $749) are for owned equipment with no contract.
Spoke with D* yesterday to get details on leasing a H10-250. Since I have already used my $200 rebate on a H20 I am only eligable for a $100 rebate. This means a cost of $499 plus the lease fees. Seems like same price as before but now I don't own the equipment. When I asked what will happen when the new HD-DVR comes, was told there would be an upgrade fee but not given an amount.
My city area has very limited HD content from cable so I am stuck, but not happy.
Even though local HD service is not yet available in my locale, I called the D* HD line yesterday to enquire about the H20. The CSR tried to convince me to wait until the 2nd generation KuKa dish is available which, she said, should be about the time my HD locals are available. At that time, she said, there should be large discounts on this service. (I'll believe it when I see it.)
Anyhow, the point is that the CSR actively tried to get me to wait on the purchase of the H20.
So, what happened? Yesterday D* advertised the H20 + multisat dish on their website for $49, and to day the lease price is listed at $99 (with no rebate). In other words, the price doubled overnight. Thank goodness I purchased an H20 at CC a couple days ago just in case something like this happened!
I am sure if you insisted... they would have leased it to you.
Probably part of it is, they know the Slimline dish is on the way. It is probably cheaper for them to produce and install a SlimLine dish.
IMHO, one of the sideeffects of this, is that the CSRs will hopefully be more informed of the next technologies in the pipeline, and will help their customers make a better more informed choice.
__________________
Earl - Gotta Love Karma
DIRECTV employee since April 2008.
All comments are my own. Unless specifically stated, my views do NOT represent the views of DIRECTV
No doubt because of limited production runs on the CC web site:
Note: DIRECTV® services sold separately. A maximum of six (6) receivers may be leased per year, but not more than two (2) DVR receivers, two (2) HD receivers and one (1) HD DVR receiver may by leased in a given year. A separate monthly equipment leasing fee of $4.99 applies.
So i hope no one has a need for more than one HD dvr
$499 to lease a HD-DVR..? Wow, that's expensive...that's $200 more up front than Dish for their HD-DVR...are we sure that number is right..? That seems awfully high just to lease an STB...DirecTV is certainly not going to compete with cable at that price...and how are they going to be competitive with Dish with a $200 higher price..?
$499 to lease a HD-DVR..? Wow, that's expensive...that's $200 more up front than Dish for their HD-DVR...are we sure that number is right..? That seems awfully high just to lease an STB...DirecTV is certainly not going to compete with cable at that price...and how are they going to be competitive with Dish with a $200 higher price..?
That price is right.
They've been competing with E* with that higher price for quite some time, and were selling so fast they can barely keep them in stock.
I paid $ 199 for my H20 at best buy.maybe you should just buy your own stuff.and not lease (which I didn't even know Directv does.)I 've been a member for 6 years and i have every receiver I've had since.I signed a 1 year agreement when I first started.I can switch to Cable,Dish Network,or whatever.and sell all my stuff on Ebay,and owe Directv nothing.If you want a rebate then your locked in for 2 years.
They've been competing with E* with that higher price for quite some time, and were selling so fast they can barely keep them in stock.
That $499 price is to lease, not own, as it was in the past. IOW, you now pay the same price to lease the HR10-250 as you did to own it in the past. Great deal..
If you subcribe to a service like HD or DVR and change your mind,or cancel
with the new lease, you have to return the equipment
I say this as I WAS going to buy a H20, by Feb end, activate the HD, get to $200 rebate, get my free three months of HD, { but commit to 2 years TC+] then cancel and hold on to it for future use
but never had good luck gambling>with Powerball> Megamillions and now D*
I bought a 2nd HD DVR On the 28th, I activated it about 2 hrs before the new lease program started. I didnt qualify for the rebates because I already got the rebates before. But rep gave me a $100 credit on my acct.
__________________
DIRECTV SINCE 1996
DIRECTV HD
HR20-700-HR21-100 HD DVRs, D10-100, R15-500(not activated)
KA KU 5 LNB DISH
SAMSUNG 40"LN-T4042H LCD HDTV
SAMSUNG 22"LN22A450 LCD HDTV
CHANNEL MASTER 4228 UHF ANTENNA
GREENVILLE, WASHINGTON, NEW BERN NC DIGITAL OTA
RALEIGH, DURHAM NC DIGITAL OTA
FWIW, there is a $100 instant online rebate (currently available through 7/1/06) for HD and HD-DVR purchases, but it looks like this is for new customers only....
